Universal comes to the UK: but why Bedford?
Europe has been waiting decades for its own Universal park. The American entertainment giant will finally be setting up shop in Bedford, UK, in 2031. A pharaonic project… and highly strategic.
Bedford: an intriguing choice
Located 80 km north of London, Bedford was not an obvious choice. But behind the choice lies a clear political ambition. Keir Starmer, the Labour Prime Minister, was quick to embrace the announcement, seeing it as “a source of growth and jobs”. The project is expected to generate 28,000 jobs and inject £50 billion into the British economy, according to early projections.
Universal, for its part, wasn’t content with a light settlement: 192 hectares, a 500-room hotel, shopping, dining and leisure areas. A clear ambition to rival Disneyland Paris, while bypassing the post-Brexit European Union.
Harry Potter, Jurassic World and… AI?
Although the exact attractions are still unclear, Universal is already talking about its flagship franchises: Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Fast & Furious, The Minions and Kung Fu Panda. Immersive zones inspired by Beijing or Orlando could also be added, such as the Transformers Megabase Decepticoaster or the Minions Loop-Dee Doop-Dee.
More intriguing: the announced integration ofartificial intelligence into the customer experience. Universal plans to use AI to personalize customer journeys, streamline queues and even create scripted interactions in real time. A first on this scale in Europe.
Towards a new park war?
Universal’s arrival in Europe could boost competition in a market dominated by Disneyland Paris since 1992. Especially if the UK invests heavily in therail and road infrastructure around Bedford, as promised.
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