Comcast Unveils Name And Massive £6 Billion ($8 Billion) Investment For Universal’s First European Theme Park

Get your passports ready, theme park fans. The rumors, land purchases, and regulatory filings have finally culminated in a historic milestone.

In a joint press conference at 11 Downing Street, Comcast NBCUniversal and the UK government officially pulled back the curtain on their highly anticipated British expansion. The massive project now has an official name, a logo, a definitive timeline, and a mind-boggling financial commitment.Welcome to the Universal United Kingdom Resort.

Comcast has committed to investing more than £5 billion ($6.7 billion) to construct the resort over a five-year build phase, with an additional £1 billion ($1.3 billion) locked in for capital investment over its first decade of operation. Paired with a massive infrastructure pledge from the British government, the total initial injection into the project clears £7.3 billion (nearly $10 billion USD)—making it one of the single largest investments in the history of UK tourism.

Here is everything we know about Europe's highly anticipated new entertainment capital.

Where and When Is It Opening?

The resort will be built from the ground up on a massive 476-acre site in Bedford, located in Bedfordshire—roughly 45 to 55 miles north of London.

The site was specifically chosen for its incredible connectivity. It sits right in the heart of the Oxford-to-Cambridge growth corridor and boasts direct, high-speed rail links that can get travelers from central London to the park gates in under 45 minutes. It is also highly accessible from London Luton Airport, making it a breeze for international travelers to visit.

Current Status: Enabling works and initial site preparation are already officially underway.

The Timeline: Major construction is slated to begin shortly, with a firm grand opening target set for 2031.

What Will the Universal United Kingdom Resort Include?

While Universal is keeping its exact movie intellectual properties (IPs) closely guarded for now, they did release the initial blueprint for what the resort complex will look like on day one.

The 476-acre footprint is designed to be a fully integrated vacation destination, featuring:

A world-class flagship theme park split into several heavily immersive themed lands.

A luxury 500-room resort hotel integrated right into the property.A massive, dedicated retail, dining, and entertainment complex (similar to Universal CityWalk in Orlando and Hollywood).

What are the rumor mills saying? While Universal hasn't confirmed specific lands, massive speculation and trademark filings point to British-centric or globally dominant franchises. The biggest rumors circulating include a dedicated Lord of the Rings land, a James Bond experience, Paddington Bear, and potentially a fresh expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Super Nintendo World.

The Economic Impact: Jobs and Billions in Growth

This isn't just a win for roller coaster enthusiasts; it's a monumental shift for the British economy. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy have thrown the full weight of the government behind the project, describing it as a "huge vote of confidence" in the country.

To ensure the resort can handle the massive influx of people, the UK Government is investing £1.3 billion into regional infrastructure. This money will fund major upgrades to the strategic road network (the A421) and build a brand-new rail station at Wixams.

The projected numbers behind the project are staggering:

Key Metric - Projected Economic Impact -

Construction Jobs~20,000 workers over the 5-year build

Permanent Roles Created~8,000 permanent hospitality & creative jobs
First-Year Attendance - 8.5 million visitors (including 1M+ from overseas)Long-Term Economic Benefit - Nearly £50 billion generated for the UK by 2055

A Historic Milestone for Europe

While Europe is already home to incredible regional parks like Alton Towers and global destinations like Disneyland Paris, the Universal United Kingdom Resort will mark the first time a major U.S. film studio has built a dedicated, massive-scale theme park from scratch on the continent.

"This historic partnership is a special moment for our company as we bring our first Universal theme park and resort to Europe," said Brian Roberts, Chairman of Comcast Corporation. "We look forward to creating a spectacular destination that brings joy to millions for generations to come.

"The countdown to 2031 has officially begun.

Philadelphia's July 4th Celebration Features 50 Free Events

WAWA WELCOME AMERICA 2017 FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 50 FREE EVENTS CELEBRATING

THE NATION’S INDEPENDENCE DAY, JUNE 29 – JULY 4, 2017

New Events, Time Honored Traditions and a Few Surprises for 2017

The Honorable James F. Kenney, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, and Welcome America, Inc. today announced 50 free events that will create the 2017 Wawa Welcome America six-day festival Thursday, June 29 through Tuesday, July 4. The Wawa Welcome America festival celebrates American history, education and Philadelphia. The 2017 festival will encompass free, patriotic events throughout the City and concludes with 12 hours of non-stop commemorations and celebrations on July 4th. The theme of this year’s 25th Anniversary Wawa Welcome America is “Everyone is a History Maker.”

Every day of the festival, there will be a Philadelphia museum open to all for free and simultaneous free events all around town for all ages designed with wide-appeal: families, the 21+ Millennial crowd, multicultural, multigenerational, and all are inclusive and open to all. Events include free major concerts, block parties, art exhibitions, movie screenings, and educational events.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, June 29 at noon at Independence Mall in Philadelphia’s Historic District with the annual Wawa Hoagie Day honoring U.S. troops and concludes on July 4 with the most patriotic events right where it all began at Independence National Historical Park plus the Wawa Welcome America July 4^th Concert and Fireworks starring Mary J. Blige and The Philly POPS® BIG Band on the stage in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Wawa Welcome America July 4^th Concert will honor Philadelphia hometown icons Boyz II Men, the best-selling R&B group of all time with an astounding 64 million albums sold.

The festival schedule has not-to-be-missed events and they are all FREE.  A festival schedule and event details can be found at the brand new WelcomeAmerica.com.  Festival brochures can be found at local Wawa stores in five states – PA, NJ, DE, MD and VA. Downloadable festival guides are available at NBCPhiladelphia.com. Festival guides in Spanish can be found at both WelcomeAmerica.com and  Telemundo62.com. Wawa Welcome America offers hotel packages and travel offers at WelcomeAmerica.com. Another great comprehensive travel resource for planning a trip is VisitPhilly.com.

Wawa Welcome America 2017 festival highlights:

A BIG KICK-OFF TO THE 25^TH ANNIVERSARY

It all starts with Wawa Hoagie Day – Kicking off the festival on Thursday, June 29 at noon at the National Constitution Center at Independence Mall is the crowd-favorite Wawa Hoagie Day. The 25^th annual Wawa Hoagie Day honors U.S. troops. Witness a 6-ton hoagie salute, enjoy free Wawa hoagies, a performance by the USO Show Troupe, and a hoagie building competition of enormous proportions between police and firefighters. In addition, the National Constitution Center is open for free courtesy of Wawa. Thursday, June 29 from 12 – 2 p.m.

Wawa Welcome America Debut! Culture on Tap presented by the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture and Parks & Recreation that together developed a pop-up beer garden with cultural entertainment in City Hall’s Courtyard. Culture on Tap is Philadelphia’s highly popular mobile beer garden. Thursday, June 29 from 4 – 9 p.m.

Wawa Welcome America Debut! Food Trust's Night Market Spruce Hill: Independence Day Weekend Edition at 40th & Walnut Streets will offer a unique family-friendly culinary experience with street eats, live music and neighborhood pride. This is the Food Trust’s debut in West Philadelphia. Thursday, June 29 from 6 – 10 p.m.

NEW EVENTS FESTIVAL-WIDE

More Fireworks! Four Fireworks Shows including two July 4^th Shows around 9:30 p.m. on the Delaware River and at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Schuylkill River – Three fireworks shows, presented by NBCUniversal and Pyrotecnico, will paint Philadelphia’s skies red, white and blue. In 2016, USA Today named Philadelphia’s Wawa Welcome America Fireworks on their list of “10 of the nation’s Best 4^th of July Fireworks Shows.”

• Wawa Welcome America Fireworks presented by NBCUniversal and Pyrotecnico will take place over the Delaware River Waterfront. Official viewing areas include the Delaware River Waterfront, SugarHouse Casino, and One Liberty Observation Deck. Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1 at 9:30 p.m.
• The grand finale includes two simultaneous shows, the Wawa Welcome America Fireworks presented by NBCUniversal and Pyrotecnico over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on the Schuylkill River partners with The Freedom Festival Fireworks at Wiggins Park over the Delaware River Waterfront sponsored by the Camden County Chosen Board of Freeholders. Official viewing areas include the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the Schuylkill River, the Delaware River Waterfront, SugarHouse Casino, and One Liberty Observation Deck.  Tuesday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

New! Events for Millennials 21+

SugarHouse Casino’s Red, White & Brew will feature an evening of great food, drinks, and entertainment by Mo Lowda and the Humble along the Delaware River Waterfront. Following the food and music, attendees can enjoy the spectacular fireworks show as SugarHouse Casino is an official viewing area for fireworks. Saturday, July 1 from 5 – 9 p.m.

New! Red, White and Blue Happy Hours & Brunches – A new version of the previous Wawa Welcome America event called “Taste of Philadelphia” returns in a brand new format of Fourth of July themed happy hours and brunches with food, crafty cocktails, and live entertainment at individual restaurants.  Participating restaurants include: Moshulu, Art Bar | Sonesta, City Tap House Logan, Cafe Cret, Midtown Continental. For a complete list of restaurants and bars, visit WelcomeAmerica.com.

• Friday, June 29 from 4 – 7 p.m. kick off the holiday weekend at a featured happy hour location for the chance to grab some July 4th swag and enter to win two tickets for a VIP experience at the Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert and Fireworks. Visit  WelcomeAmerica.com for a complete list of happy hour locations.
• Sunday, July 2 enjoy a Red, White and Brunch at featured Philly favorite brunch spots. Visit WelcomeAmerica.com for a complete list of brunch locations.

New! The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Independence Weekend Salute to Musical Theater at Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party on July 3 on the Freedom Stage – For the first time during Wawa Welcome America, Broadway shows will be performed in Philadelphia’s Historic District. The star-studded lineup gives audiences a sneak peek at the 2017-2018 Broadway Philadelphia season featuring performances from some of Broadway’s hottest shows coming straight to Philadelphia. Monday, July 3. Time TBD.

New Twist!  A Wawa Welcome America Favorite Returns, the Sand Sculpture Spectacular – 2017 will see the return of the art of sand sculpting. Beginning June 20, world-renowned sculptors will transform the Rotunda at The Shops at Liberty Place into a Sand Sculpture Spectacular with hand-carved scenes depicting Philadelphia icons and historic figures out of 24 tons of sand. Attendees can also see a pop-up sculpture in the neighboring One Liberty Observation Deck. Debuts June 20 through the month of July.

New Events in More Philadelphia Neighborhoods Presented by Wells Fargo and produced by The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, and Wawa Welcome America – Citywide Community Day Performances in Public Spaces, will showcase ten performers in ten different neighborhoods across Philadelphia as well as a fun activity for attendees to enjoy. Performances are FREE and family friendly ranging from hip hop dancing, jazz, capoeira, and storytelling performed in historic homes, public parks and squares, and plazas that are in the heart of these communities. Saturday, July 1. Times vary.

WAWA WELCOME AMERICA TRADITIONS

PECO GO 4^th & Learn – Wawa Welcome America is about engaging children throughout Philadelphia with educational activities, to encourage learning while school is out for the summer. Courtesy of Books In Homes USA, 9,000 free books will be provided to children. Beneficial Bank and Beneficial Foundation games and activities on financial literacy will travel to all events, and additional free giveaways will be provided for kids to enjoy. Go 4^th & Learn’s fun educational interactive activities and demonstrations highlight American history, financial literacy, STEM, Spanish language, fitness & health, and arts & culture at the Mummers Museum, Fairhill Square, and the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Free Museum Days – Five days of free admission to ten museums including the National Constitution Center (courtesy of Wawa), the Penn Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (evening), the African American Museum in Philadelphia, One Liberty Observation Deck (morning), Philadelphia Museum of Art (pay what you wish), The Barnes Foundation (courtesy of PECO), the National Liberty Museum, the Philadelphia History Museum, and The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University.

Philly @ The Movies presented by St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children – When the sun goes down, the screens go up for free movies under the stars. Three free outdoor movie screenings will take place at The Piazza at Schmidt’s, the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Franklin Square.

Free Concerts – The highlight of every Wawa Welcome America festival is all the free musical entertainment. This year’s concert lineup includes:

• Free family-friendly performances citywide including The Mummers Museums’ Summer Mummers Concert, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” June 29 – July 1 at 8 p.m. Various Locations.
• Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party on July 3 will feature three performance stages for artists to showcase their freedom of expression; the arts, music and speech. The Block Party will be followed by a performance by The Philly POPS in front of Independence Hall at a new time beginning at 7 p.m. Bring your picnic baskets and your friends.  Monday, July 3 from 12 – 8 p.m.

A BIG TUESDAY, JULY 4^TH TO CONCLUDE THE 25^TH ANNIVERSARY

Celebration of Freedom Ceremony – On the morning of July 4, The City of Philadelphia’s Office of the City Representative will present the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at Independence Hall at 10 a.m. where Philadelphia’s music icons Boyz II Men will be honored for their achievements in music and philanthropy. The Philly POPS® BIG Band debuts. The Wawa Foundation will also present The Wawa Foundation Hero Award. The award is presented to a non-profit organization that is committed to serving the greater Philadelphia area. Financial grants of $80,000 will be awarded. Mayor Kenney will present the Magis Award to Philadelphia Hometown Hero Ralph Galati. Mr. Galati’s service has been honored with The Silver Star, The Bronze Star with Valor with one Oak Leaf Cluster, The Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Cluster, The Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Cluster and The Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster.  Tuesday, July 4 at 10 a.m.

Independence Day Parade – 4,000 marchers will parade through Historic Philadelphia during the patriotic Independence Day Parade. Tuesday, July 4 at 11 a.m.

All-Day Entertainment and Commemorative Events – Enjoy FREE entertainment on Independence Mall while exploring Philadelphia’s Historic District.

• Join Independence National Historical Park for its annual Let Freedom Ring Ceremony which begins at 1 p.m. behind Independence Hall followed by a Bell Tapping Ceremony at 

1:45 p.m. at the Liberty Bell Center (plan to be in line by 1 p.m.).

• 6th Annual Birthday Party at the Independence Visitor Center hosted by Betsy Ross and Termini Bros. Bakery – A spectacular five-tier cake will be decorated and 2,500 cupcakes displayed in the shape of an American flag at the Visitor Center throughout the morning starting at 9 a.m. The birthday celebration begins at 1 p.m. when Betsy Ross will lead the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday.” Stop by after the parade for a slice of cake. First come, first served.
• On July 4, the Betsy Ross House hosts a Children’s Naturalization Ceremony. Sponsored by the Flag House Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, witness 13 children take the Oath of Citizenship in this moving ceremony at 1:30 p.m.

THE PARTY ON THE PARKWAY

Enjoy five blocks of FREE entertainment, food and fun for all ages July 4 from 12 noon to 7 p.m. at Party on the Parkway.  Families can enjoy an interactive kid’s area featuring the Strider Bikes obstacle course, Zipline, games, and make-and-take arts and crafts. Animal lovers can bring their furry friends to enjoy the Amtrak Pet Friendly area. The 21+ crowd can kick back and relax in two beer gardens, and all can enjoy the diverse food and music from the Philly Groove stage.

LIVE NATION PHILADELPHIA PRODUCES THE JULY 4^TH CONCERT ON THE PARKWAY

• For the second year, KIDZ BOP Kids will perform the group’s only free live concert on July 4 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 1 p.m. on the main stage. Bring the kids!

• The Wawa Welcome America July 4^th Concert on Independence Day is free, open to the public and begins promptly at 7 p.m. (a new time). Celebrity performances on the iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway will headline the non-stop live concert featuring food trucks, beer gardens and fun activities. Performers include:
  • Musical pioneer and “the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” Mary J. Blige, her only free concert in America during her “Strength of a Woman” tour.

• A ceremony honoring Philadelphia hometown icons Boyz II Men.

• The Philly POPS® BIG Band joined by Mandy Gonzalez from the Tony Award-winning hit musicals Hamilton, In the Heights and Wicked, and Billboard top 10 jazz singer, pianist and songwriter Tony DeSare. The POPS were the first performers at the very first free concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in 1993.

THE POWER OF COMCAST NBCUNIVERSAL AND NBC10 & TELEMUNDO62

Through the combined assets of Comcast NBCUniversal, Philadelphians across the region will be able to experience the iconic celebration on television and online on NBC10, Telemundo62, Cozi TV, TCN, and TeleXitos. NBC10 will broadcast the Wawa Welcome America July 4^th Concert and Fireworks live during primetime in its entirety from 7 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4 and in Spanish on Telemundo62 from 7 to 8 p.m. The free concert will also be live streamed on NBCPhiladelphia.com and  Telemundo62.com.

SPONSORS MAKE IT ALL FREE!

2017 sponsors/partners of the festival include The City of Philadelphia, Wawa, Comcast NBCUniversal, Live Nation Philadelphia, Philadelphia International Airport, Visit Philadelphia, One Liberty Observation Deck, PECO, Wells Fargo, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, SugarHouse Casino, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Amtrak, Beneficial Bank, Beneficial Foundation, Pennsylvania Lottery, Pyrotecnico, The Schmidt’s Commons, The Shops at Liberty Place, Sonesta Philadelphia, Tastykake, Books In Homes USA, Aetna, Moshulu, Keystone Property Group, Old City District, Kindy’s, and Global Philadelphia. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, emailinformation@welcomeamerica.com for more information. 

About Welcome America, Inc.

Welcome America, Inc. is a 501c3, non-profit organization in public-private partnership with the City of Philadelphia. Welcome America, Inc.’s mission is to promote American history, education and Philadelphia. The organization seeks to enhance the resident and visitor experience through citywide events that provide an economic boost to the local economy. Moving forward, Welcome America, Inc. will produce and assist in the growth of select city events year-round that can increase awareness of Philadelphia as an event destination.

For more information, visit  www.WelcomeAmerica.com. Join the conversation at:

• Facebook – www.facebook.com/WawaWelcomeAmerica
• Twitter – www.twitter.com/July4thPhilly
• Instagram – www.instagram.com/July4thPhilly

Now Open: Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando Resort's Third Theme Park

The park's first guests gathered today inside the new water theme park to enjoy an authentic, South Pacific dedication ceremony commemorating the opening of Volcano Bay. The ceremony featured special performances by an array of authentic Maori entertainment, ranging from water dancers to "Haka" war dancers. The moment culminated with an eruption from the mighty 200 ft. Krakatau volcano – the park's stunning icon.

Volcano Bay is Universal Orlando's third theme park and the next chapter in the award-winning vacation destination's evolution.  Universal Orlando is part of the NBCUniversal Comcast family, which has invested significantly in the destination's unprecedented growth.  In just seven years, 25 new experiences – entire themed areas, attractions, restaurants, and hotels – have been added across the destination.  Universal Orlando now has 5,600 rooms across its five (soon to be six) on-site hotels.

Volcano Bay was brought to life by Universal Creative – the same team responsible for bringing so many other groundbreaking experiences to life within Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure. Volcano Bay is a next-level water theme park - combining spectacular storytelling and incredibly immersive guest experiences with innovative technology exclusively designed for Universal to give visitors a fun-filled, hassle-free experience with their friends and family. 

"Universal's Volcano Bay sets a new standard on every level – from the attractions to how our guests experience them," said Tom Williams, Chairman & CEO – Universal Parks & Resorts. "Our new water theme park is the perfect complement to the rest of our incredible destination.  It provides our guests with spectacular entertainment experiences and innovative technology that helps them enjoy more of what matters most – connecting with each other and having an amazing time together."

Spanning 25 fully immersive acres and featuring something for everyone – from perfected relaxation to incredible thrills – Volcano Bay is unlike any other water park in world.  It offers an immersive environment filled with unbelievable detail and innovative technology to enhance fun and remove hassles. Volcano Bay features:

• More than 30 experiences including 18 unique attractions such as a multi-directional wave pool with sandy beaches, a peaceful winding river, twisting multi-rider raft rides, speeding body slides that drop from the top of the volcano into the waters below and more.
• The TapuTapu wearable – included with guest admission and specifically designed for use within Universal's Volcano Bay. Features of TapuTapu include:
• Virtual Line Access: TapuTapu allows guests to virtually wait in line for rides while enjoying other areas of the park. Their wearable will simply alert them when it's time for their ride.
• TapTu Play: Guests can enjoy many TapTu Play experiences throughout the park - like controlling streams of water spurting from whales in Tot Tiki Reef, shooting water cannons at guests snaking down Kopiko Wai Winding River, illuminating images in the volcano's hidden caves and more.
• TapTu Pay: Guests can make purchases throughout the entire park with their TapuTapu wearable, eliminating the need to carry cash, credit cards or a wallet throughout the park. 
• TapTu Snap/My Universal Photo Access:  Guests can take advantage of special interactive photo opportunities and selfie-spots throughout the park as well as photo opportunities on Volcano Bay's attractions.  Their wearable will automatically link those photos to their account so that guests can view, share and purchase them at their convenience.
• Locker Access: After renting their lockers, guests will be able to access them with a touch of their TapuTapu wearable.
• Beautifully-themed dining locations featuring more than 60 delicious, South Pacific-inspired dishes – ranging from jerk mahi sandwiches to fresh island chicken salad to decadent chocolate pineapple upside down cake. 

For more information about Universal's Volcano Bay, visit www.universalorlando.com.