Influencer Editorial Team
From the timeless magic of Disneyland Paris to Universal’s bold new venture in Bedford, England, Matthew Miller reveals how Europe is becoming the world’s most exciting stage for innovation, imagination and the future of themed entertainment.
When Disneyland Paris opened in 1992, it was dismissed by skeptics as a gamble in the heart of Europe. Three decades later, the park has become the continent’s most visited tourist destination and is now entering a period of unprecedented expansion. At the same time, Universal Studios is preparing to plant its flag in England with a vast new resort in Bedford.
To Matthew Miller, a technologist turned global thought leader in themed entertainment, these moves represent more than just corporate investments. They signal a shift in the balance of power in the global theme park industry. “Europe is no longer just a follower,” Miller told reporters. “It’s positioning itself as the next epicenter of immersive entertainment.” Miller, known as America’s Theme Park Technologist, is an executive at Innovated Studios, a U.S.-based firm working on creative and technological solutions for themed attractions. He has been featured in outlets such as FOX 35 Orlando and appears on IMDb for his contributions to industry-related productions. His reputation was forged in the United States, where he closely followed developments at Disney and Universal’s flagship resorts. But now, his attention has shifted firmly across the Atlantic.
“I’m very excited for the future of theme parks in Europe,” Miller said. “The scale of investment and the originality of what’s planned is unlike anything we’ve seen in decades.” Disneyland Paris is in the midst of a €2 billion expansion transforming its secondary park, Walt Disney Studios, into Disney Adventure World. Among the most anticipated additions are lands inspired by Frozen and The Lion King.
The Lion King attraction, announced this year, will combine water-based thrills with advanced animatronics and dramatic set pieces. Riders will journey through Pride Rock and iconic film scenes, culminating in a 52-foot plunge. Disney has also unveiled a new family-friendly ride themed to Up, alongside ongoing construction of the Frozen land, which will bring Arendelle to life with snow-capped mountains and character encounters.
For Miller, the Paris resort’s creative ambition has global significance. “Disney has released early concept art for The Lion King attraction and it looks stunning,” he said. “Honestly, I really wish it was coming to America.” If Disney represents Europe’s past and present, Universal is preparing to define its future. In a landmark deal with the UK government and Bedford Borough Council, Universal has secured land for a 476-acre resort, its first theme park in Europe, and its first new park globally since Universal Beijing opened in 2021.
The project, still awaiting final planning approval, is projected to generate nearly 20,000 construction jobs and inject an estimated £50 billion into the British economy by 2055. When it opens, industry observers suggest around 2031, it could draw 8.5 million visitors in its first year.
“Universal doesn’t make decisions like this lightly,” Miller noted. “They will invest years, sometimes a decade, evaluating every potential market. Choosing Europe reflects a deliberate strategic move. It’s a calculated investment in a region primed for rapid growth.”
UK officials have been quick to emphasize the project’s potential. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a development that will “put Bedford on the global stage.”
Europe’s tourism market is already among the strongest in the world, with record-breaking visitor numbers in countries such as France, Spain and the UK. The arrival of billion-euro projects from Disney and Universal, alongside investments from Merlin Entertainments operator of Legoland and Alton Towers suggests a continental boom is underway. What makes this new era distinctive is that Europe is not merely importing American attractions. Disneyland Paris’s Lion King ride and Up carousel will be unique to the resort. Universal’s Bedford project is expected to showcase fresh concepts tailored to European audiences.
For Miller, the signs are clear. “This isn’t just about new rides,” he said. “It’s about Europe becoming the place where the future of immersive entertainment is imagined, built, and experienced first.” As construction cranes rise in Paris and Bedford, the global theme park spotlight is shifting eastward across the Atlantic. And for the first time in history, Europe looks ready not just to participate in the industry’s next chapter but to lead it.
