It’s abit soon to know but does anyone know how many rides there would be?
And are they the same rides as the ones in Orlando
Great question!
Short Answer: Probably 20-30 attractions for opening day 2031.
The Orlando Comparison:
Universal Studios Florida (opened 1990):
- Opening day: 25 attractions
- Today: 35+ attractions
Islands of Adventure (opened 1999):
- Opening day: 29 attractions
- Today: 35+ attractions
Universal UK (opening 2031):
- Expected: 20-30 attractions at opening
- Why fewer initially? Modern attractions are bigger, more complex, more expensive
What Counts as a “Ride”:
- Roller coasters: 5-7
- Dark rides: 4-6
- Water rides: 2-3
- Family rides: 5-8
- Shows/experiences: 5-10
My Prediction Breakdown:
Thrill Rides (8-10):
- 1-2 major coasters (including potential 115m height record-breaker)
- 2-3 moderate coasters
- 3-4 simulator/motion rides
- 1-2 water rides
Family Rides (6-8):
- Dark rides (Harry Potter, Minions, etc.)
- Family coasters
- Interactive experiences
- Gentle rides for younger children
Shows & Attractions (6-10):
- Live shows
- 3D/4D experiences
- Character meet & greets
- Street entertainment
- Interactive experiences
UK-Specific Considerations:
More Indoor Attractions:
UK weather means they’ll likely build MORE indoor/covered attractions than Orlando’s percentage.
Orlando: ~40% indoor
Universal UK prediction: ~60% indoor
Quality Over Quantity:
Universal’s newer parks focus on fewer but BETTER attractions:
- Epic Universe (opening 2025): Only 20-25 attractions but each is cutting-edge
- Universal UK will follow this model
Comparison to UK Parks:
Alton Towers: ~40 attractions (but includes many smaller rides)
Thorpe Park: ~30 attractions
Universal UK: 20-30 attractions BUT each will be higher quality/longer/more immersive
Expansion Plans:
Universal always builds with expansion in mind:
- Opening day: 20-30 attractions
- Year 5 (2036): Probably 35-40 attractions
- Year 10 (2041): Could hit 45-50 attractions
The Real Question:
It’s not just “how many” but “which ones”!
I’d rather have 25 world-class attractions than 40 mediocre ones.
Universal delivers quality. That’s the difference.
What do you think - would you prefer more rides or better rides?
~Chazz
First time commenter here!
Does anyone know if it will just be the rides that are open to start with, or will the hotels, shops and restaurants all be open as well?
When we went to Universal Orlando, so much of the fun was just wandering around after we’d finished on the rides. We loved spending time around CityWalk and exploring everything else.
I’m really hoping Bedford feels like a proper holiday destination from the start. I’d happily stay for two or three nights if there was enough to do.
Is that how Universal normally opens their parks, or do they tend to add those things later?
Welcome Emma! Good question and one I get asked a lot.
Universal almost always open their parks with the full destination ready: park, hotels, restaurants, entertainment district, the lot. They don’t do a phased opening with rides first and shops added later. The thinking is that if you fly someone in for a multi day stay, you can’t have half the resort missing.
Epic Universe in Orlando opened in 2025 with the park plus the Helios Grand Hotel ready from day one. Universal Beijing opened the same way in 2021, with park, two hotels and the entertainment district all live. Bedford will follow the same pattern. The 500 room on site hotel and the entertainment district are part of the 2031 opening, not a later phase.
So plan for that two or three night stay. From what we know so far, it should feel like a proper destination from opening day, not a building site with rides bolted on.
Ah that’s good to know, thanks! I honestly thought they might open the rides first and add everything else later. Sounds like we’ll have to start saving for a weekend away now!
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I’ve just had another thought.
Do you think there’ll be a fireworks display at the end of the day? The kids would absolutely love that and to be honest so would we!
Do the other Universal parks have fireworks every night? I know our weather isn’t exactly reliable, so I wasn’t sure if that would make it difficult in the UK.
Great to have you back, Emma.
Universal don’t do fireworks every night the way Disney do. Universal Orlando runs CineSational, which is fireworks mixed with projections onto the lagoon, water fountains and lasers, and even that only runs most nights in peak season and drops back in quieter months.
Epic Universe opened in 2025 with a show called Chronos which is mostly drones and projection mapping. Barely any fireworks in it, honestly. That felt like Universal signalling where they’re going.
My guess for Bedford is that they’ll do a proper closing show every night but lean drones and projection rather than fireworks. Weather is the obvious one, British autumn evenings would cancel fireworks constantly. Drones handle wind fine. There’s also the noise angle, nightly fireworks that close to residential Bedfordshire would become a planning problem inside a year.
By 2031 the drone show tech will be another five years further along than what you can see at Epic Universe now, which is already stunning. Your kids won’t feel short-changed.
Probably some fireworks in the mix, but not the main event.
that sounds amazing doesn’t it?!
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