UniversalParksBlog News for June 7th, 2026
Comcast, the corporate owner of NBCUniversal, is about to get serious.
The company just confirmed that it’s investing a fortune in a new theme park.
PhotoLjapancheapo.com
I’ll provide the details in the latest UniversalParksBlog News.
Coming Soon to Bedfordshire
Photo:themeparkhipster.com
For many years, The Walt Disney Company has reigned supreme in Europe.
While several other good theme parks reside on the continent, one stands tall.
Photo: Twitter/Expedition Theme Park
The days of Disneyland Paris as the epicenter of European tourism may be coming to an end, though.
Comcast just confirmed its commitment to the good people of Bedfordshire, Europe.
Photo:themeparx.com
The corporation is voting with its wallet here, promising a massive investment.
Comcast will spend five billion Euros, the equivalent of $5.8 billion, to build a theme park.
Photo:universal
Universal will use this money to build a 476-acre complex near London.
We’ve previously discussed this project, but now we have specifics.
Photo: ThemeParkHipster.com
For comparison, Universal Epic Universe covers 750 acres.
However, Universal has only developed 110 acres thus far, with expansion coming soon.
Today Show
The belief is that the Bedfordshire park will match or exceed Epic Universe in size.
Importantly, the project won’t rely solely on Comcast for financing.
Attraction Insight
The English government has promised to spend 1.3 billion Euros on the build.
That’s a little more than 1.5 billion American dollars, making this a $7.3 billion project.
(Jeff Fusco/Comcast via AP Images)
Comcast won’t stop there, either, as it’s already promising future expansion.
The company will invest another one billion Euros ($1.16 billion) later.
Photo: Comcast NBC Universal
Basically, Comcast is committing $116 million annually for a decade on this park.
So, we know that upkeep and improvements will remain constant during the 2030s.
Executives obviously have high hopes that the new park will prove a massive draw.
Comcast also revealed the name of the new park, and it’s another tongue-twister.
Manor Road in Kempston Hardwick runs through land bought by Universal Destinations and Experiences
Universal United Kingdom Resort should debut by 2031, putting Comcast on the clock.
We’re probably five years away from the next big Universal Studios park.
Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves
An entirely different Universal Studios theme park will open long before then.
In fact, Universal Kids Resort will be celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2031!
We know this because Universal just told us the opening date for its next project.
Universal Kids Resort will officially open to the public on July 1st.
Photo: Universal
I’m a bit annoyed about this one, as my wife is traveling to Frisco, Texas this week.
Had the park opened a bit earlier, I could have joined her and attended the grand opening.
Universal Kids Resort
Ah, well. We’re still less than a month away from the next great theme park!
Universal smartly posted this launch video, which emphasizes the water ride:
That’s a marketing way of saying, “We know it’ll be hot in Texas in July.”
Universal Kids Resort
The other marketing term is “kidcation,” which Universal is hoping will catch on.
Their idea centers on kids pushing their parents to visit the new park. Hey, it works:
Anyway, Universal is “inviting a new generation to embark on kid-sized Universal thrills made just for them.”
Universal Kids Resort
In case you’ve forgotten, the new themed lands are:
- DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar
- DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp
- DreamWorks’ TrollsFest
- Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club
- Isle of Curiosity featuring DreamWorks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse
- Jurassic World Adventure Camp
- Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom
The Minions themed land is especially well-timed for a July release.
Universal Kids Resort
We’re also getting Minions & Monsters debuting in theaters on the same day, July 1st.
So, kids can watch the film and then go play with the Minions at the park.
Universal Kids Resort
Universal has started following Disney’s model on these sorts of things.
Not coincidentally, places like Orange County, Florida, are rolling in tourist taxes.
Frisco government officials are giddy about the potential of Universal Kids Resort for this reason.
Universal Miscellany
Nicola Haseler/BBC
Let’s be real that no other theme park news this month approaches what we just discussed.
Universal Studios hadn’t unveiled a new American theme park since Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Universal
Now, we had one last year, and we’re getting another one in three weeks.
Five years after that, England will add its biggest theme park ever.
Universal
So, all other theme park news is quaint by comparison…but here we are.
To my frustration, Universal hasn’t revealed any more Houses yet.
Universal
The parks are slow-playing this one, which makes my eye twitch.
Still, you should know that the Universal Mega Movie Parade has returned at Universal Orlando.
Universal
In devastating news, Universal Express Pass users should prioritize Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
I say this because Universal will remove it from the pass on July. Go! Go! Go!
Photo: Universal Orlando
We haven’t discussed it here yet, but Universal Express Now is a thing as of 2026.
This pay-to-play option empowers guests to skip the line for a single attraction.
Photo: Universal
Disney was already doing it with Lightning Lane Single Pass. Now, Universal has followed suit.
Presumably, Hagrid will switch to this on or after July 1st, but that’s not confirmed yet.
Universal
Finally, Universal Horror Unleashed had a presence at Monsterpalooza.
During a panel, executives revealed that the facility will soon switch to an annual calendar.
Universal
AREA15 wants the facility to enjoy more year-round appeal. So, it’s adding stuff.
The big news is a 2027 House based on an unnamed but presumably huge IP.
Photo: Universal
Also, the Feaster Bunny and HamiKuma will return over the next year. Hooray!
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