Beyond the headline IPs, Universal's animation catalogue offers a treasure trove of attraction possibilities for Bedford. We explore the potential of Trolls, Puss in Boots, and more.
When theme park fans discuss potential attractions for Universal Studios Bedford, conversation naturally gravitates towards the blockbuster franchises — Harry Potter, Nintendo, Jurassic World. But Universal's animation portfolio extends far beyond these headline acts, encompassing a wealth of beloved characters and worlds that could fill the park with charm, colour, and family-friendly entertainment. Trolls, Puss in Boots, Kung Fu Panda, The Bad Guys, and Sing all represent untapped or underexplored theme park potential, and Bedford could be where they finally get their due.
Universal has been steadily expanding its use of animated IPs beyond the core Despicable Me franchise. DreamWorks Land at Universal Orlando, which opened in 2024, introduced the Trolls Trollercoaster — a family-friendly spinning coaster set in the colourful world of Trolls — alongside a Gabby's Dollhouse attraction and immersive character experiences. The land proved that so-called secondary animated IPs can drive genuine guest enthusiasm when given proper investment and theming.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish reinvigorated its franchise in 2022, earning nearly $500 million worldwide and receiving some of the best animated film reviews in years. Kung Fu Panda 4 continued that franchise's box office dominance in 2024. Sing and its sequel demonstrated the broad appeal of musical animated entertainment. Each of these properties offers distinctive visual styles, memorable characters, and built-in audience awareness that theme park designers can leverage.
A Trolls attraction at Bedford could be a sensory spectacular. The Trolls world is defined by its intensely saturated colours, glitter, music, and joyful energy — qualities that translate wonderfully into a themed attraction. A Trolls dark ride or indoor coaster featuring a soundtrack of the films' pop songs, rooms filled with fibre-optic hair effects, and glitter-covered set pieces would be an Instagrammer's paradise and a genuine delight for children.
Puss in Boots offers different possibilities — a swashbuckling adventure ride, perhaps a family coaster themed to a chase through a fairy-tale kingdom, would capture the character's action-comedy spirit. The franchise's distinctive animation style, which references classic fairy tales and European folklore, could inspire a beautifully themed area that feels distinct from the park's other zones.
Kung Fu Panda could anchor a visually stunning area inspired by Chinese architecture and landscapes, featuring a martial arts-themed attraction that combines spinning ride vehicles with projection effects showing Po's kung fu battles. A Sing-themed stage show featuring live vocal performances and animated character integration could provide the park with a music-focused entertainment venue that appeals to all ages.
Britain's multicultural population and cosmopolitan cultural tastes mean that internationally themed attractions resonate strongly. Kung Fu Panda's Chinese-inspired world, Puss in Boots' European fairy-tale setting, and Trolls' universal message of joy and music all transcend cultural boundaries whilst offering visual and thematic variety that prevents the park from feeling monotonous. Variety is essential for encouraging return visits, and these diverse IPs provide exactly that.
From a practical standpoint, these attractions also serve crucial demographic roles. Not every ride can be a headline thrill experience — parks need mid-tier attractions that entertain without overwhelming, provide moderate throughput, and appeal to the family audience that drives repeat visitation. Trolls, Puss in Boots, and their animated siblings fill this role perfectly.
Some combination of these animated IPs is very likely to appear at Bedford. The specific selection will depend on Universal's overall theming plan and how they choose to organise their DreamWorks and Illumination properties. A dedicated DreamWorks Land incorporating several of these franchises seems the most probable approach, though individual attractions scattered throughout the park is also possible. Expect announcements to clarify the animation lineup as Bedford's design plans solidify.
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