With the recent announcement of Universal Studios Great Britain, the UK is set to become a major player in the global theme park scene.
Scheduled to open in 2031 in Bedford, England, the massive new park, which will be the seventh Universal Studios resort, promises to bring several beloved franchises to life, with (rumored) themed lands inspired by everything from Jurassic Park to Harry Potter.
But could “Universal Studios GB” also serve as a stepping stone for another world-famous theme park resort? With this new venture, the door might be open for Disney to take the plunge and establish its own theme park resort in the country, potentially becoming the eighth Disney park resort worldwide.
The announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi on May 7 marked a major milestone for Disney, who will be adding the Middle East’s first Disney theme park to its roster.
Once open, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will join the six other major Disney resorts worldwide: Disneyland California, Walt Disney World Florida, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Shanghai Disney Resort.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be a key part of the company’s international expansion, as Disney continues to grow its footprint in new regions. With Universal Studios GB also confirmed, it seems inevitable that Disney will look to the UK as a natural next step in its global strategy.
After all, the UK has long been a hotbed for theme park enthusiasts (Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington, to name a few), and having a Disney resort there would provide the perfect addition to Disney’s ever-expanding international empire — even if it would wind up being too close to Disneyland Paris.
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The rumored themed lands for Universal Studios GB, including attractions from Jurassic World, Minions, and more, could set the stage for Disney to up its game with similarly immersive experiences of its own.
Could we one day see Avengers Campus or The World of Frozen in the UK? With Disney’s commitment to innovation and expansion, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the British Isles become home to a brand-new Disney theme park resort.
As Universal sets the wheels for its own theme park resort in motion, it could only a matter of time before Disney follows suit with its own announcement.
Would you like to see Disneyland GB? Let us know in the comments!
