The Wizard of Oz Is Making His Way to Universal Parks and Resorts

For generations of theme park fans, the magic of a Universal park has always been tied to a feeling—of stepping through a familiar archway, hearing iconic music, and knowing that behind those gates waits an entire world of imagination. From the early days of Universal Studios Florida to the jaw-dropping arrival of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, each expansion has marked a new chapter in the company’s evolving identity.

But in recent months, something has felt different.

Across fan forums, social media threads, and industry circles, a quiet tension has been building. Guests have noticed changes. Rumors have spread. Long-standing lands are being discussed in past tense. And while Universal continues to push forward with Epic Universe and future Orlando expansions, whispers suggest that the company’s biggest transformation might not even be happening in the United States.

Not yet, at least.

A Legacy Built on Reinvention and Risk

Universal Destinations & Experiences has never been shy about bold moves. The launch of Islands of Adventure in 1999 redefined what a thrill-focused park could be. The Harry Potter lands didn’t just add attractions—they reshaped the entire industry. More recently, Epic Universe promised an entirely new scale of storytelling and immersion.

Yet with every reinvention comes a cost.

Longtime guests still speak fondly of lands that no longer exist. The Lost Continent once anchored Islands of Adventure with mythic energy before being slowly dismantled. Over at Universal Studios Florida, The Simpsons land—once a bright, irreverent re-skin—now sits on increasingly uncertain ground as future redevelopment plans loom.

Fans know this pattern well: expansion rarely comes without sacrifice.

And lately, many are wondering which worlds may soon disappear—and which new ones might rise in their place.

A Change Few Saw Coming Outside the U.S.

For years, Universal’s international footprint has grown quietly. Japan proved wildly successful. Beijing followed with record attendance. Yet Europe remained a notable gap in the company’s portfolio—a missing piece that industry watchers often speculated would eventually be filled.

Still, most believed any major European project would remain a long-term dream.

Until now.

Behind closed doors, discussions accelerated. Government channels moved quickly. And before most fans even realized something was happening, a decision with enormous implications had already been finalized.

Fans Begin Connecting the Dots Online

By the time news began circulating, speculation exploded.

On X (formerly Twitter), fans debated whether Universal’s next great franchise expansion might finally find a permanent home overseas. Reddit threads quickly filled with maps, zoning diagrams, and predictions about which intellectual properties could anchor an entirely new park.

One name, in particular, kept surfacing.

WICKED.

With Universal’s film adaptation set to redefine the Broadway phenomenon for global audiences, fans began asking whether Oz itself might be preparing to join the ranks of Hogsmeade, Jurassic Park, and Super Nintendo World. Some wondered whether the sweeping visuals, soaring music, and emotional storytelling would translate perfectly into immersive lands and dark rides.

Others took the speculation further—questioning whether what happens overseas could directly influence the future of Universal Orlando, Epic Universe, and even the fate of lands currently rumored to face demolition.

The Moment Everything Changed

Then came the confirmation.

According to The Bedford Independent, the UK government has formally approved plans for a massive new Universal Studios theme park and resort in Bedford. The authorization arrived through a Special Development Order laid before Parliament and set to take effect on January 12, 2026—clearing the way for Universal to construct what’s being described as an “Entertainment Resort Complex” on roughly 268 hectares of land at the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks site.

The scale alone is staggering.

Plans allow for one or more full theme parks, on-site hotels, retail and dining districts, sports venues, conference facilities, and extensive infrastructure. Government estimates suggest the resort could attract between 8.5 and 12 million visitors annually, immediately placing it among Europe’s most significant tourism destinations.

While Universal has not yet announced themed lands or attraction lineups, the approval instantly reshapes the company’s global strategy.

And it may explain what’s happening back in Florida.

What This Could Mean for Orlando, Epic Universe, and Beyond

Over in the United States, Universal Orlando Resort is preparing to demolish The Lost Continent entirely—and plans are already in motion to eventually remove The Simpsons land at Universal Studios Florida. At the same time, Epic Universe is gearing up for its highly anticipated Phase 2 expansions.

That timing feels deliberate.

If Universal is positioning Bedford as a flagship European destination, certain franchises may debut there first—testing audience response before rolling into Orlando or Hollywood. WICKED, now a rapidly expanding global brand, fits that strategy almost too perfectly.

A successful Oz-themed land in the UK could pave the way for future versions in Florida, replacing aging areas and ushering in an entirely new era of storytelling.

For fans, it’s both thrilling and unsettling.

New lands promise breathtaking innovation—but beloved classics may soon fade into memory.

As Universal prepares to reveal more about its UK resort, the next year could quietly reshape the future of theme parks worldwide.

And now the question belongs to the fans:
Would you want to see WICKED come to Universal Orlando—or should Oz remain across the ocean?