Is the UK building a Disney World?

The London Resort is a partnership between BBC, ITV Studios and Paramount Pictures. “UK Disney World” – as it has been dubbed – will eventually be a two park resort featuring six islands, a resort water park and rides based on iconic brands from across literature, tv and film, including kids shows like Thunderbirds.



No, the UK is not building an official "Disney World" or Disneyland in 2026. However, there is a major multi-billion-pound theme park project in development that has been frequently compared to Disney in the media. This project is the Universal UK Project (officially Universal United Kingdom Resort), which is slated for Bedford, England. As of early 2026, construction has officially begun, with a target opening date around 2031. Additionally, a separate project known as the London Resort on the Swanscombe Peninsula has faced numerous delays and planning hurdles for over a decade, leading many to believe it may never be completed in its originally envisioned form. While Disney has a significant presence in the UK through its retail and film industries, and is a popular destination via Disney Cruise Line from UK ports, the company has officially stated it has no plans for a terrestrial theme park in Great Britain, preferring to direct European fans to Disneyland Paris, which is easily accessible via the Eurostar.

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Promoted Stories. The move comes after the company failed to agree on new deals with pay-TV platforms Sky and Virgin. A spokesperson said that they 'remain committed to our kids channels business' with plans to 'execute distribution agreements for Disney channels in many markets where Disney+ is also available'.

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The new theme park, which is set to be the size of 136 Wembley Stadiums, on its site on Swanscombe Peninsula - between Gravesend and Dartford. It's billed as one of the most ambitious park projects ever in Europe. The total land spans around 872 acres.

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The total land spans around 872 acres. And it's the first development of its kind in Europe to be built from scratch since the opening of Disneyland Paris in 1992.

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Exciting plans have been unveiled for a Doric Disnaeland to be built in the North East of Scotland, less than 10 miles from the city of Aberdeen. Opening on April 1st 2024, it will be the biggest theme park in Scotland, and because it is based in North East Scotland, will be heavily influenced by Doric culture.

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The American Heartland Theme Park will be located along Route 66 in northeast Oklahoma. The 1,000-acre development, which includes a 125-acre theme park, 300-room hotel and indoor water park, is slated to open in two phases – the first in spring 2025 and the second in 2026.

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Disney had also eyed the Big Easy as a possible theme park location, and even began purchasing property in New Orleans, but ultimately chose Orlando after politicians in Louisiana demanded too much. Another city where Disney could have created his World was St. Louis.

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After hiring the Stanford Research Institute to perform a feasibility study determining an appropriate site for his project, Disney bought a 160-acre (65 ha) site near Anaheim in 1953.

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Several British people that I've met while at Disney World have also said that with the ticket and hotel deals WDW offers in the UK that it's cheaper to go to WDW than Disneyland Paris and there's way more to do. Cost Yes WDW is larger than the others and has much more to offer in and outside.

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In 1992, Disney magic came to Europe with the opening of Euro Disney, a theme park that would grow to become today's Disneyland® Paris.

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