Is Glinda, Elphaba, and the Great Wizard of Oz making their way into the Universal parks?
Credit: Universal Pictures
Universal Studios Theme Park Expansion To Include ‘Wicked’ Lands and Experiences?
Theme parks are built on nostalgia — the idea that somewhere in the world, magic remains exactly as we left it. From the first time guests walked through the gates of Disneyland to the skyline-defining castles and coasters of Universal Orlando Resort, these destinations thrive on familiarity.
But in recent years, something has been shifting.
Major lands have closed. Iconic attractions have vanished. New intellectual properties are replacing the classics. And now, whispers of another massive change are spreading across the fandom.
Fans are heartbroken. Others are thrilled. And many are simply stunned by what could be coming next.
Credit: Universal Pictures
A Quiet Change Sparks Loud Questions From the Fan Community
It didn’t begin with a grand announcement or a flashy concept art reveal.
Instead, it started quietly — with government paperwork, development orders, and a decision made far from the turnstiles of Orlando or Hollywood. But once word spread, the theme park community began asking a single, urgent question:
Is Universal about to redefine its future — outside the United States?
On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, speculation exploded. Some fans pointed to Universal’s aggressive expansion strategy. Others wondered if this could signal the beginning of a new global rivalry with Disney.
And more than a few noticed something else: Universal has been clearing space in Florida.
Credit: Inside The Magic
The Timing Feels Impossible to Ignore
In the United States, Universal Orlando Resort is already preparing for massive transformation.
The Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure is slated for demolition. The future of The Simpsons land at Universal Studios Florida appears increasingly uncertain. Over at Epic Universe, Phase Two expansion plans are already taking shape behind the scenes.
To longtime fans, this feels less like coincidence — and more like strategy.
Universal has been steadily repositioning itself, leaning into bold intellectual properties, immersive lands, and cinematic storytelling. And now, with Epic Universe opening the door to a new era in Florida, attention is turning overseas.
Something big is clearly coming.
Credit: Universal
A New Resort Is Approved — And the Scale Is Unlike Anything Universal Has Attempted in Europe
Here is where the story finally becomes clear.
According to The Bedford Independent, the UK government has formally approved plans for a brand-new Universal Studios theme park and resort in Bedford, England — marking Universal Destinations & Experiences’ largest expansion into the European market.
The approval came through a Special Development Order laid before Parliament and scheduled to take effect on January 12, 2026.
The location: a former brickworks site at Kempston Hardwick.
The size: approximately 268 hectares.
The vision: an “Entertainment Resort Complex” that could include one or more theme parks, multiple hotels, retail and dining districts, conference and sports facilities, and extensive new infrastructure.
Government estimates suggest the resort could draw between 8.5 and 12 million visitors annually — placing it instantly among Europe’s most visited destinations.
While Universal has not yet revealed specific lands or attractions, the scale alone signals something historic: Universal is building a full-scale flagship destination in the United Kingdom.
And that’s where one franchise, in particular, has fans buzzing.
Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Could WICKED Become Universal’s Next Major Theme Park Franchise?
With no attraction list announced yet, speculation has turned toward Universal’s fastest-growing global property: WICKED.
Following the release of its major film adaptation, Universal has rapidly expanded the franchise into a worldwide brand — with sequels, merchandise, live experiences, and international marketing campaigns.
Fans on Reddit have already begun floating bold ideas: Emerald City lands, flying broom dark rides, musical-theater-style attractions, and immersive Broadway-meets-theme-park experiences.
And the timing is telling.
As Universal clears older lands in Florida and prepares Epic Universe’s next growth phase, a UK flagship park gives the company a fresh canvas — one designed specifically for modern, IP-driven storytelling.
Could WICKED debut overseas first? And could those concepts later migrate back to Orlando?
For Universal, this could be more than expansion.
It could be reinvention.
Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
What This Means for Travelers — And the Future of Universal Parks Worldwide
If the Bedford resort moves forward as planned, it would become Universal’s first major European theme park destination — instantly reshaping travel patterns for fans across the UK and beyond.
For Florida visitors, the implications are just as significant.
As Universal retires aging lands and prepares Epic Universe’s next phases, new franchises will need homes. A successful UK rollout could act as a testing ground for attractions eventually heading to Universal Orlando Resort.
And for Disney? The pressure is real.
A thriving Universal park in the UK would place direct competition in one of Disney’s most valuable international tourism markets.
The end of an era may be approaching — but a bold new chapter is clearly beginning.
Now the question turns to fans:
Would you travel overseas for a brand-new Universal resort? And if WICKED becomes a full theme park land, would you want to see it in Orlando next?