The first Universal Theme Park in Europe has now been confirmed to be built in the UK.
Rumours (see here) of a UK Universal theme park, sparked by Universal’s December 2023 land purchase near Bedford, have been confirmed; the resort will be built on a 500 acre plot of land which was the former site Kempston Hardwick brickworks.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the multibillion-pound investment by the company would “see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage”.
Universal has announced the official opening date for its latest theme park – Universal Epic Universe.
Universal Epic Universe opens May 22, 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort, Florida. Select multi-day tickets and packages will go on sale October 22. Bookings for Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, will also be made available.
“Universal Epic Universe offers different worlds for everyone. Step through amazing portals transporting you to the excitement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe and Celestial Park. Five immersive worlds. One amazing theme park.”
Universal Epic Universe, Universal’s fourth theme park in Orlando, is set to open in 2025 and will consist of five different unique worlds: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe (based on the classic Universal Monsters), How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
Guests will enter Super Nintendo World through a portal from Celestial Park and take an escalator up into the land. You’ll first step into Super Mario Land and you’ll want to look at everything, in every direction, all at once. Everything in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD feels alive — because so much of it is constantly in motion. You’ll pop into the land outside of Peach’s Castle.
Super Mario Land
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge Wind your way through Bowser’s Castle and join Team Mario on the racetrack to defeat Team Bowser in this interactive ride. Just like in the Mario Kart games, you’ll collect coins and throw shells, all while driving through courses underwater and in the clouds. The attraction employs special goggles— just look at your target, press the button on the steering to toss a shell.
One of the the five worlds found in Epic Universe, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk is a larger-than-life Viking village featuring five exhilarating attractions, dragon meet-and-greets (anyone ready to take a pic with Toothless?) and opportunities to dine and shop like a Viking.
This world is where the How to Train Your Dragon stories come to life.
The creative team behind Universal Epic Universe introduces details about this amazing new theme park, opening 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal Epic Universe will offer an entirely new level of experiences that will forever redefine theme park entertainment. Guests will venture beyond their wildest imagination, traveling into beloved stories and through vibrant lands on adventures where the journey is as astounding as the destination. The new location will feature over 50 unique compelling experiences with a theme park, an entertainment centre, hotels, shops, restaurants and more.
The first instalment of a new video series presents an overview of Epic Universe along with the reveal of each of the five astonishing worlds which make up the park.
Epic Universe is Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park, built on 750 acres of land, just a few miles from Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay. This new offering will transport guests to expansive, vivid worlds filled with awe-inspiring attractions, entertainment, hotels, dining and more. Continue reading →
