If you’ve found yourself looking up flights across the pond recently, you’re not alone. American fans of themed entertainment have their eyes set on the United Kingdom right now.

©Kynren

From an unprecedented Universal expansion and a bit of a throwback Disney retail spot to a local culture-centric “time-traveling” experience, the United Kingdom is in the midst of a themed entertainment boom!

Kynren is Expanding

Let’s begin with the U.K.’s history-tailored experience. The original Kynren, which is located in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, opened in 2016. The park uses 90-minute performances to depict major moments in British history, ranging from the Roman conquest of Britain, King Arthur’s search for the Holy Grail, and Winston Churchill’s “Finest Hour” speech during WW2.

©Peter Haygarth

The new Storied Lands expansion will emphasize live-action shows, immersive environments, large-scale sets, animals, and cutting-edge effects. These new lands will include:

• The Trusty Stead, a horse stunt show adapted from Fina and the Golden Cape, which will feature medieval knights clashing on horseback, a fearless female warrior showing off her courage in a breathtaking display of horsemanship and daring stunts, enormous sets, stunning special effects, and the real Auckland Palace as the backdrop. This “powerful equestrian spectacle” will blend emotional storytelling with world-class horsemanship, daring stunts, and cinematic scale to create a “medieval world shaped by power, injustice, and courage.” The show’s protagonist is “a young woman whose life is torn apart — and the extraordinary bond she forges with a wild horse that will change her destiny forever.”
• The Legend of the Wear, a water-based stunt show based on the local legend of the Lambton Worm, featuring water effects, fight scenes, and stunts on a large lake, and will also include a monstrous, cursed creature that emerges from the water.
• The Lost Feather, a bird show featuring over 250 birds, is staged in a purpose-built 3,600-seat arena with a massive stage inspired by a bird’s nest. The show is described as a visually stunning free-flying bird show centered around the relationship between birds and humanity.
• A Viking-themed area where warriors clash and fires rage as part of a multi-sensory demonstration of the legendary warriors.
• A Victorian Imaginarium, where guests will enter a “Victorian library where imagination has escaped from the pages.” As they wander through an outdoor storytelling maze, guests will “encounter curious characters, inventive minds and theatrical surprises inspired by the wonder and creativity of the Victorian age.” This area will eventually tie to a larger Victorian Village planned for a future phase of development (currently targeted for 2027, subject to planning approval).

©Kynren

Kynren – The Storied Lands is scheduled to open on July 18th, and tickets are already on sale.

Prices Revealed for the UK’s NEW Time-Traveling Theme Park Expansion

Universal is on the Way!

While Universal’s United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire, England, is much further away than Kynren’s Storied Lands (it’s not scheduled to open until 2031), the upcoming park may be even more exciting for U.S.-based theme park fans. The resort will be Universal’s first ever newly built destination in Europe, and their first presence on the continent of any kind since they owned the previously built PortAventura theme park, and briefly renamed it Universal Mediterranea, in the early 2000s.

©Universal via BBC

First announced in 2025, the initial phase of the U.K. resort is scheduled to offer a theme park, a 500-room hotel, and an integrated retail, dining, and entertainment complex (similar to CityWalk) over approximately 476 acres, with about 300 further acres earmarked for potential future development. According to Universal, the complex is forecast to draw approximately 8.5 million visitors in its first year of operation, add £50 billion to the UK economy by 2055, and create approximately 28,000 jobs across construction, operations, and the wider supply chain.

Universal hasn’t released many further concrete details about the future park, but a close look at the released concept art reveals features that hint at areas based on Harry Potter, Jurassic World, and Back to the Future. Of course, that concept art could be purposefully deceptive, and could also change many times before the park actually opens.

©Universal | UK Theme Park

Universal UK Theme Park Confirms New Plans Are in Development

A Return to the Disney Store

While U.S.-based Disney fans won’t find anything on the level of a new theme park in the U.K., those of a certain age can relive the feeling of visiting a Disney Store! That’s right, there’s a brick-and-mortar Disney Store location on London’s famous Oxford Street. In addition, Disney has also launched pop-up shops in Selfridges stores in several areas, including Manchester.

©Disney

Disney hopes that these new locations will bring the Disney magic closer to even more fans and families across the country, allowing guests to connect with some of the stories, characters, and products they already know and love.

©Disney

Disney Fans Have THOUGHTS About This MAJOR Disney Store Change

It’s a great time to be a themed entertainment fan in the U.K., or just someone planning a trip there! Stay tuned to DFB for more on themed entertainment around the world!

Why You Should “Reconsider Travel” To These Popular Island Destinations

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

---

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

Which of these U.K. attractions excited you the most? Let us know in the comments below!