A theme park on Lake Garda that’s inspired by Hollywood sets – and creates some of the most famous cities for the thrillseekers that visit – has unveiled a London-themed section.
On Reddit, one British tourist who’d just visited the amusement park, which is called Movieland, shared his photos of how the recreated streets of the English capital look – and asked for opinions on how accurate people thought it was.
Using the handle, @r/CasualUK, the Brit asked: ‘This amusement park in Italy has opened a new area themed after London/the UK, did they nail it?’
The photos show a black cab, old fashioned telephone box and a red postbox, alongside Victorian-style street lights and a red double-decker bus serving, you guessed it, fish and chips.
The poster explained that the area had been created ahead of a new ride opening.
He said: ‘The park’s name is Movieland on Garda Lake, not huge but has some unique rides, this “area” is actually just the facade of a new attraction that will open in June. I hope they will add more little particulars before the opening!’
Reddit users then began to take a closer look at the images and, after scrutinising them for authenticity, they promptly pointed out more than a few inaccuracies.
‘Front number plates are white’, said one person, referring to the yellow plate on the front of the London black cab.
The side of the cab is adorned with the words, in gold, Kingston’s Tailors, New Bond’s Street, No.6[sic].
Some joked about the weather too, with one penning: ‘There’s a family of tourists wearing rain ponchos. That’s pretty accurate.’
Another remarked that the Union Jack was ‘upside down’.
While one poster quipped that for a truly authentic London high street, the designers should have included ‘A Spar, a Games Workshop and a Cash Converters’.
‘If by “nailed it” you mean “put a few very stereotypical things that are such a small part of UK culture and mainly based around what people from overseas think about London” then yes, they nailed it,’ barbed another.
Others said they’d had mixed feelings when faced with recreations of British culture abroad, including Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction.
One person wrote: ‘The first time I saw King’s Cross Station in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios it just felt off. They weren’t allowed to use the TFL font so all the signage is slightly wrong – it feels like London in another dimension, which I suppose it technically is, since wizards aren’t real!’
Another recounted visiting England, if it were transplanted in East Asia.
They wrote: ‘Not really a tourist attraction but there’s a town near me in China called ‘Thamestown’ that is a full size replica of a British town, complete with pubs, chippies, a big church etc.
‘It absolutely nails it by just being so mediocre. It’s like being in Slough but you’re 20 miles from Shanghai.’
Meanwhile in the UK, excitement is brewing over the prospect of Universal Studios arriving on UK shores in 2031.
James Bond, Lord of the Rings and Paddington are set to be among the first attractions at the new Universal theme park, but one big fan favourite has been left out of the fold, it is claimed.
Displays and rides inspired by Jurassic Park, Minions as well as Back to the Future are also set to feature at the theme park, which is officially set to open in Britain after the deal was closed by the Government earlier this month.
The Bedfordshire resort is hoped to bring in 8.5 million visitors in its first year alone. Pictured: An artists impression of the site
A source has revealed James Bond and Paddington are set to be among the first attractions at the new Universal theme park, but one big fan favourite has been left out of the fold
The Bedfordshire attraction will be one of the largest and most advanced theme parks in Europe, with a 500-room hotel and a retail and entertainment complex planned along with the theme park.
It is hoped the attraction will bring in 8.5 million visitors in its first year alone – after it opens its gates in 2031.
By 2055 Universal expects the 476-acre site near Bedford to generate nearly £50billion for the economy – a significant boost for Sir Keir Starmer’s Government after US President Donald Trump’s tariffs sent stock markets on a rollercoaster ride.
And while the Universal Destinations website claims it ‘is too early’ to definitely know what rides and themes will appear on the highly-anticipated site, one source close to the project says one huge film will be missing.
To the bemusement of Harry Potter fans, the wizarding world will not be featured anywhere on site, according to a source who spoke to the BBC.
The insider was adamant that it would be unlikely for plans to change, saying claiming contracts have already been signed.
