UniversalParksBlog News for December 28th, 2025
Universal Studios officials tried to close the books on 2025 by ending one lawsuit.
In the process, they got several more for their trouble. It’s been that kind of finish to the year.
Universal
Also, I don’t want to bury the lede here. So, we’ll also discuss THE NEW THEME PARK!!!
Buckle up for a bumpy ride in the final edition of UniversalParksBlog News this year.
Starting with the Good News
Nicola Haseler/BBC
Universal Studios is officially heading to London! Well, close enough.
Technically, we’ve known that for a while, but nothing is ever official until the government agrees.
Now, Comcast officials have that, setting the table for the creation of a new theme park!
Kristin Sabol detailed the process the other day, but here’s what you need to know.
(Jeff Fusco/Comcast via AP Images)
According to The Guardian, “Comcast, the parent company of Universal and owner of Sky, sought planning permission through a special development order.”
By getting this permission, the government could “approve the project directly and bypass normal local planning procedures.”
Believe it or not, the kind people of England like money. So, they quickly agreed.
Specifically, “the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) approved the plans.”
Universal
As with the DisneylandForward project at Disneyland Resort, this one technically isn’t over yet.
Now that Universal has the approval, a “parliamentary review period” ensues.
Universal
Realistically, that part is a formality, as are most of these steps. England’s not gonna say no to this.
The plans all but assure a dramatic influx of tourism revenue in the area.
Universal
Since not many people are targeting Bedford, England, for their next vacation, it’s a no-brainer.
This one move fundamentally changes the region’s appeal around the world.
NBC
On Universal’s side, this move is akin to when Disney chose Anaheim, California, in the early 1950s.
This region of Southern California was perceived as beyond the tourism area of Los Angeles.
Photo: touring plans.com
Disneyland rewrote that perception almost overnight, transforming Anaheim into a major metropolitan area.
The same thing could happen to Bedford, which makes this whole project so exciting to track.
Photo: Fox 35
The BBC even detailed who wins and who loses in this transaction, underscoring the intrigue.
This theme park isn’t scheduled to open until 2031. So, this story is just getting started.
The Settlement and the Fallout
Orange county
By far the worst Universal Studios story of 2025 occurred at its newest theme park.
Universal Epic Universe experienced a tragedy when a rider died on Stardust Racers.
I informed you of some new details last time, but something unexpected occurred almost immediately afterward.
The family of the victim settled. And just to be clear, this isn’t a settlement from the April 30th incident.
No, Universal officials negotiated that agreement in September, only days after the tragedy.
That was an instance of Universal recognizing it couldn’t handle multiple PR hits.
Facebook: Kevin Rodriguez Zavala
So, the company went to the other alleged victim and offered $50,000 in the deal.
The December settlement involves the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala.
Universal
You may remember Zavala as the victim in the fatal Stardust Racers tragedy.
That’s the one where, to this day, Universal argues that it did nothing wrong.
OC Register
We’ll never know how accurate that statement is, as the company has ended speculation.
This new agreement provides the victim’s family with an undisclosed amount.
Universal
In exchange, they will drop their lawsuit and continue their mourning in private.
For its part, Universal expected that the discussions would end with the settlement.
Universal
That’s definitely not going to happen, as a new batch of lawsuits have occurred.
Five (!) different victims claim that they suffered injuries on Stardust Racers.
Today Show
That brings the total number of lawsuits to seven for a roller coaster that has been open…seven months.
Yes, Stardust Racers is now averaging one lawsuit per month, which is worrisome.
Innocent until Proven Guilty
Still, we should give the company the benefit of the doubt here.
All these lawsuits appear carefully planned to debut as soon as the Zavala family settled.
Universal
That fact immediately calls into question whether these are frivolous lawsuits bordering on shakedowns.
The legal premise of “innocent until proven guilty” doesn’t quite apply here.
Epic
What we can say with confidence is that the timing appears highly suspicious.
For its part, the Zavala family agreed that the matter has been “amicably resolved” for them.
Epic
This new thing is different in that people are claiming severe, sometimes even permanent, injuries.
They argue that Stardust Racers caused them to suffer “bleeding of the brain, spinal cord damage and paralysis.”
Epic
I would never discuss such claims, as that would border on victim-blaming.
My point is more that the timing is too obvious to overlook. These people had their lawyers wait.
Epic
They wanted to see how the Zavala case turned out, and now that it’s gone well for the victim’s family, they’ve made their move.
I’m uncomfortable with that implication. Also, I’ll add that there’s a strong financial component.
Epic
According to the Orlando Sentinel, “The riders all seek more than $50,000 in damages, primarily to help pay for ongoing medical costs.
So, we must wait to see whether any of these charges have merit in the eyes of the legal system.
Here’s another situation where you must stay tuned into 2026.
For now, all I’ll say is that I wouldn’t ride Stardust Racers. Seven lawsuits in seven months is…a lot.
Image: Universal
Have a Happy New Year, everyone!
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Feature Photo: Universal
