Universal Studios Bedford: Planning Consultation Begins with New Details Uncovered

Written by Joshua Posted July 3rd, 2025

The planning consultation for the Universal Studios Bedford resort opened earlier today when Universal’s project plans were made available to the public. While we’d love it if these documents offered insights on themed lands, that’s not the point of this exercise. Instead, it’s to allow the public to review Universal’s plans and submit comments before any final decisions are made.

So what is in these documents? A lot. Before sunrise, I stumbled upon attendance estimates and nighttime show details. Hours later, I’m still looking for tidbits that might be interesting to theme park fans. While some details were previously known, the docs provide considerably more context.

Before we get to the plans, I’d like to say how impressed I am with the consultation process. Yes, there’s a ton of content, but the UK government’s website lays it out beautifully.

Bedford resort details

The Bedford resort will have an “emphasis on highly immersive storytelling and theming with an international draw, focused on providing a first-class guest experience.” The plot is broken up into four zones.

A map of the Universal Studios Bedford project's four zones

Core Zone

The theme park is 32.37 hectares (80 acres) and is located entirely in the Core Zone.

Theme Park (TP)
Entertainment Resort Complex Support
Entry Plaza (EP)
TP and EP car park and coach park
Hotel (500 bedrooms)
Valet Parking service area
Transport Hub
Team Member Car Park

Lake Zone

The Lake Zone will be developed at a later date and could include the following:

Business Hotels (2,000 bedrooms)
Hotels/Accommodation (3,370 bedrooms)
Entertainment Resort Complex Support
Convention Centre (55,000 square meters)

East and West Gateway Zones

The Gateway Zones will serve mainly as transportation hubs. The East Zone will include an expanded Wixams Railway Station. The West Zone could eventually include a 200-room hotel and restaurants.

Entertainment offerings

Universal did outline several possible entertainment possibilities for the Bedford resort, including a possible water park, camping facilities, and tattoo parlours. Here’s the full list:

Theme park(s), amusement park(s) and/or water park(s), including indoor and outdoor:
- Rides, attractions, games, and pools
- Events spaces
- Parades, shows, and displays.
Visitor accommodation, including hotels, camping, and caravaning.
Vehicle hire facilities.
Indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, including:
- Theatres
- Cinemas
Indoor and outdoor sport, recreation, leisure, and spa facilities.
Venues with conference and/or convention spaces.
Retail, dining, and entertainment, including music and dance venues, nightclubs, hot food takeaways, restaurants, drinking establishments, shops, cafes, and tattoo parlours.
Indoor and outdoor cultural facilities, including exhibition spaces, art galleries, museums, and prayer rooms.
Vehicle showrooms.

Maximum ride heights

I’ve seen a few people share that Bedford’s rides could reach 117 meters tall. That’s a massive number. Also, it’s not entirely true. Yes, that figure is in the documents, but as an Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) measurement. In simple terms, AOD is the height above sea level.

What matters is how tall the attractions are above ground level (AGL). Attractions will be capped at 75 meters (246 feet) AGL. Since the Core Zone sits at 42 meters AOD, the math checks out: 117 AOD minus 42 AOD equals 75 meters AGL.

75 meters is still an enormous height. By comparison, Universal Islands of Adventure’s VelociCoaster is 47 meters (154 feet). Universal shared this graphic that provides even more context. Click or tap it for a larger view.

Universal Studios ride height comparison chart

Noise considerations

Universal is being mindful of its future Bedford neighbors by setting limits on noise levels. During the day (from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM), park noise can’t go above 60 decibels on average. The limit is even lower at night when it’s capped at 55 decibels.

Relying on drone-filled nighttime shows instead of fireworks should also help with the decibels.

Universal Studios Bedford construction timeline

While Universal has stated that the Bedord theme park will open in 2031, a timeline included in the documents indicates construction could be completed a year earlier. This timeline is indicative and has not been submitted for approval, however. Nothing can be set in stone until the project gains approval.