Epic Universal Podcast

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Epic Universal Podcast episodes

December 26, 2025 Permits, Surveys, and Big Moves as Universal’s Next Era Points to Saudi Arabia (Ep. 83)
This holiday week episode of the Epic Universal Podcast was recorded on Christmas Eve, which means Jim and Eric are juggling last minute shopping, customer service horror stories, and a surprisingly full slate of Universal news. From attractions closing sooner than expected to permits hinting at big changes in Islands of Adventure, this show looks both at what is ending and what might be coming next. They also zoom way out, from Epic Universe’s nighttime ambitions to the possibility of Universal’s next global park landing in a very hot climate.
NEWS
• The Horror Make-Up Show at Universal Studios Florida is officially closing January 4, with speculation swirling about what kind of reimagined experience might replace it.
• New permits tied to Intamin suggest real movement in the Lost Continent area at Islands of Adventure, fueling renewed talk of a possible Legend of Zelda attraction.
• Universal files trademarks for Celestial Goodnight, pointing strongly toward a nighttime spectacular at Epic Universe.
• Ongoing guest surveys hint that a FanFest-style separately ticketed event could be headed to Universal Orlando, featuring IPs like Lord of the Rings, Pokémon, Godzilla, and K-Pop Demon Hunters.
• Universal is reviewing bids for a long-term transportation system connecting Epic Universe with the original Universal Orlando campus.
FEATURE
• A Wall Street Journal report revives talk of a Universal Studios park in Saudi Arabia, likely financed by the Saudi government through a licensing deal.
• How this potential project echoes past international ventures like Dubailand, including what went wrong and what Universal may have learned.
• Why indoor, climate-controlled parks are the only viable model for the region and how this mirrors Disney’s recent Middle East strategy.
• What all of this says about Universal’s future, from regional parks like Universal Kids Resort to massive international expansions.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Be Our Guest Vacations, a platinum-level earmarked travel agency specializing in Universal and Disney destinations. Get started on your next adventure at BeOurGuestVacations.com and let them know the Epic Universal Podcast sent you.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
52 min
December 19, 2025 The Day Boris Karloff Walked Into the Commissary and Changed Hollywood (Ep. 82)
Jim and Eric kick off this week’s show with a very on-brand travel mishap from Jim’s latest Hallmark-fueled road trip, then pivot back to the stuff you came for - Universal news, theme park weirdness, and one surprisingly deep dive into how Frankenstein’s Monster became the pop culture template we all still recognize today. Along the way: Epic Universe breadcrumbs, a Vegas horror venue that might be scarier for its empty queue than its monsters, and why Boris Karloff’s dentures deserve their own credit line.
NEWS
• Universal’s proposed UK theme park clears another hurdle, with the project advancing in the approvals process and still targeting a 2031 opening
• Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas adds a holiday horror overlay, but reports suggest the venue can feel eerily empty even during a supposedly busy week
• A new “Galactic Expo” mural lands inside the Men in Black Alien Attack gift shop, packed with sci-fi Easter eggs
• A new Men in Black film is reportedly in development - and Jim has thoughts on what that could mean for the long-running attraction
• Universal’s latest “Whatever Makes You Happy” merch drop leans hard into 1980s nostalgia, mashing up brands that make Eric do a double-take
FEATURE
• Why Universal rushed Frankenstein (1931) into production after Dracula hit big - and how it helped the studio dig out of debt
• The behind-the-scenes moment when director James Whale spots Boris Karloff in the commissary and decides his face has “startling possibilities”
• The unglamorous reality of monster-making: punishing makeup sessions, 65 pounds of costume, and the physical toll that followed Karloff for years
• The lost-but-legendary Technicolor Frankenstein footage from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty that fans have been hunting for decades
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
Be Our Guest Vacations - plan your next adventure with a platinum-level, earmarked travel agency offering concierge service for Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Disney parks, cruises, and more. Get started at beourguestvacations.com.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
55 min
December 12, 2025 The Dracula Gamble That Built Universal’s Monster Empire (Ep. 81)
From queue changes to construction walls to nighttime lagoon testing, the parks offer plenty to parse this week. The guys then pivot from the Epic Universe lagoon to Universal’s classic monsters, using the buzz around Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein to explore how the 1931 film lurched into existence. Expect lost projects, studio pivots, and a Monster role Bela Lugosi famously refused.
NEWS
• VelociCoaster ends its single rider line, likely due to party sorting and load-efficiency issues.
• Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly shopping DC theme park rights to Universal, raising big questions for Marvel, Six Flags, and international parks.
• Removal of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit sparks speculation, though new construction-wall posters suggest general theming rather than a specific IP.
• Nighttime testing at the Epic Universe lagoon shows projection effects featuring a bird-or-dragon silhouette.
• Universal Studios Hollywood opens sales for FanFest Nights and a late-night New Year’s Eve event, prompting questions about noise control before Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift debuts.
FEATURE
• Guillermo del Toro’s long-gestating Frankenstein began as a Universal concept more than a decade ago.
• Jim walks through how Universal’s early monster era took shape under financial pressure following the 1929 crash.
• The studio acquired stage rights to Frankenstein after Dracula’s success, initially planning it for Bela Lugosi, who rejected the role.
• The episode ends as Universal begins hunting for a new star, eventually leading James Whale to discover Boris Karloff in the studio lunchroom.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Be Our Guest Vacations, a platinum-level earmarked travel agency offering concierge planning for Universal, Disney, cruises, and more.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
56 min
December 05, 2025 The 27-Year Idea: Uncovering the Surprising Origins of CityWalk (Ep. 80)
Jim kicks off this week’s show with a wild winter travel saga involving airport shutdowns, missing donuts, and a 3 a.m. pickup run that somehow beats the incoming snowstorm. From there, he and Eric dive into a new Universal survey aimed squarely at teens, explore construction movement in Lost Continent, and track down the long-missing Monsters Café icons now hiding backstage in Dark Universe. They also unpack the Grinch’s sudden takeover of holiday marketing before shifting into a deep-dive feature on the long, winding, neon-lit creation of Universal CityWalk Hollywood—a project Lou Wasserman first dreamed up nearly three decades before it opened.
NEWS
• Teen-focused Universal survey hints at interest in genre preferences, event awareness, and horror-driven engagement.
• Activity in Lost Continent sparks renewed speculation about future land plans and potential tie-ins to Wicked’s box office momentum.
• Classic Monsters Café statues resurface behind Dark Universe, raising questions about their next life in the parks.
• McDonald’s unveils a Grinch meal, highlighting the odd licensing divide between animated, live-action, and promotional designs.
• Universal updates its disability access program, shifting to a more streamlined digital Attractions Assistance Pass.
FEATURE
• How Lou Wasserman’s 1966 idea evolved into the modern, open-air entertainment district known as CityWalk.
• Why Universal insisted CityWalk be “not a mall,” but a curated neighborhood blending neon art, unique shops, and LA culture.
• The surprising role of historic neon, UCLA programming, and an 18-screen movie palace in shaping the development.
• Early expansions, closures, and how CityWalk continues to evolve ahead of Universal Hollywood’s third on-site hotel.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, powered by the DVC Rental Store. Planning a 2026 trip to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? Save 10 percent or more on deluxe accommodations at:
UnlockedMagic.com
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
58 min
November 28, 2025 How Jim Carrey Survived Becoming the Grinch (Ep. 79)
Jim and Eric unwrap a very different kind of holiday story this week: the wild, demanding, and downright unbelievable making of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). Fresh from Jim’s trip to IAAPA and holiday visits to the Universal parks, the guys trace how the film’s production shaped today’s Grinchmas offerings, from the makeup performers wear to the version of Whoville Universal still uses. Along the way, they dig into this year’s seasonal additions, Wicked’s strong opening, and the latest rumblings from Epic Universe.
NEWS
• Universal Orlando and Hollywood launch their holiday seasons, including new decorations, Tribute Store theming, and Grinchmas updates
• Wicked for Good posts a massive opening weekend, powering Universal’s awards-season buzz
• Epic Universe construction heats up with a major new permit near the Ministry of Magic
• Butterbeer expands again with Coffee Mate creamers arriving nationwide soon
FEATURE
• The unbelievable true story of making the 2000 Grinch.
• The intense Hollywood bidding war that secured Dr. Seuss’s beloved book for Universal
• What Jim Carrey endured inside a full yak-fur bodysuit, yellow contacts, and nine-hour makeup sessions
• The military-level torture survival training Carrey received just to get through filming
• How Ron Howard, Rick Baker, and even Eddie Murphy tried to keep morale up on set
• And how all of this still influences the Grinch performers greeting guests at Universal today
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Website: strongmindedagency.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
This week’s episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic. Save on regular Disney theme park tickets and discounted after-hours event tickets when you book through UnlockedMagic.com. Lock in your winter plans while deals last!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 1 min
November 21, 2025The Man Who Made Universal Explode: Jay Stein and the Birth of the JayBang (Ep. 78)
On this episode, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into the latest Universal Orlando updates before turning to a deep-dive tribute to Jay Stein — the visionary who transformed Universal’s backlot tour into a spectacle factory and helped define the studio’s signature “JayBang” style of themed entertainment.
NEWS
NBC’s Wicked: One Wonderful Night special sparks strong reactions as Universal’s cross-promotions continue everywhere from Dunkin’ to TV tie-ins.

New 2026 Universal Orlando ticket options clarify how multi-day guests can access Epic Universe more than once.

Reddit reactions and critic reviews paint a wide spectrum of opinions on Universal’s latest TV musical marketing moment.

Preparations continue around Orlando as fans look ahead to more detailed Epic Universe rollouts.
FEATURE — A TRIBUTE TO JAY STEIN
How a 26-year-old studio problem-solver was handed one directive: “Fix the tram tour.”

The creation of the very first “JayBang”: the 1968 Flash Flood, sending 20,000 gallons of water rushing past the tram.

The shift from generic “movie magic” to effects pulled straight from current Universal Pictures releases.

The Eiger Sanction–inspired glacier tunnel illusion, which evolved into one of the most memorable tram finales ever built.

Why Jay Stein’s fingerprints can still be felt across every fireball, near-miss shark, collapsing bridge, and runaway vehicle in Universal’s attraction lineup.
Hosts
Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Eric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com
Patreon
Enjoying the show? Your support helps us bring more insider history, analysis, and interviews to the feed. Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/
Follow Us
Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
YouTube: @jimhillmedia
TikTok: @jimhillmedia
Producer Credits
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, where listeners can save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets — including select after-hours events.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
59 min
November 14, 2025The Van Helsing That Never Was: Inside Universal’s Abandoned Dark Universe (Ep. 77)
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey trace the ambitious — and ultimately ill-fated — vision for Universal’s Dark Universe, from the scrapped sequel to The Mummy to Tom Cruise’s push to reinvent himself as the studio’s modern Van Helsing.
NEWS
Universal courts talent and headlines by hiring Mark Platt and director Lorene Scafaria for a Sabrina Carpenter–led Alice in Wonderland musical.

Comcast explores a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs advising.

Competing interest from Netflix and Apple raises the stakes ahead of WBD’s planned corporate split.

Peacock sets a new premiere date for The Epic Ride documentary, now featuring rare dragon-drone testing footage from Epic Universe.

A closer look at how the industry shake-ups could affect theme park rights, licensing, and future Universal IP development.
FEATURE
The original plan for a direct sequel to 2017’s The Mummy — and how the story would have expanded Dr. Jekyll’s organization and the gods-and-monsters mythology.

Why Tom Cruise’s version of Nick Morton was conceived as the entry point to a larger shared universe… and how internal plans positioned him as the modern Van Helsing, monster hunter and connective tissue between films.

How Cruise’s hands-on creative control — the same instinct that later led Top Gun: Maverick to a $1.4B box office — clashed with Universal’s rollout of the Dark Universe brand.

A breakdown of what actually killed the Dark Universe: mismatched expectations, a premature cinematic universe announcement, and a marketing campaign Cruise felt undermined the film he delivered.

Why Epic Universe’s Dark Universe land succeeds where the films didn’t — channeling classic-monster storytelling without the burden of a forced franchise blueprint.
HOSTS
Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Eric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com
PATREON
Love the show? Support more insider stories, deep dives, and history of themed entertainment at:
https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/
FOLLOW US
Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
YouTube: @jimhillmedia
TikTok: @jimhillmedia
PRODUCTION
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
Unlocked Magic — Save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including discounts on after-hours events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Start planning at UnlockedMagic.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
50 min
November 07, 2025Survey Says: Epic Universe May Join Universal’s AP Lineup (Ep. 76)
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a newly surfaced Universal guest survey that hints at Epic Universe joining the resort’s Annual Pass lineup — and what that could mean for crowds, pricing, and park strategy. Plus, Jim shares a real-life road trip saga straight out of a Hallmark movie, and the guys unpack Universal’s latest headlines from Orlando to Hollywood.
NEWS
A listener-sent Universal survey suggests Epic Universe may soon be included in AP tiers.

Comcast’s Q3 results show a 19% jump in theme park revenue, driven by Epic’s first full quarter.

The Burning Blade Tavern’s fire effect goes dark — and fans dub it “The Invisible Blade.”

Jim explains why Spider-Man still appears in Universal marketing — thanks to a contract clause requiring 20% Marvel representation in Islands of Adventure ads.

Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz return for a brand-new Mummy sequel, proving Universal’s monster legacy isn’t dead yet.
FEATURE
Jim continues his deep dive into Universal’s ill-fated Dark Universe — the studio’s ambitious attempt to build a monster-filled cinematic universe. From Dracula Untold to The Mummy (2017), discover how even A-list stars and big budgets couldn’t resurrect the undead franchise.
Hosts
Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com

Eric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com
Patreon
Support Epic Universal and other Jim Hill Media shows at patreon.com/jimhillmedia
Follow Us
Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia
Producer Credits
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic — where you can save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including after-hours events. Visit UnlockedMagic.com today and tell them Eric and Jim sent you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
58 min
October 31, 2025The Annual Pass Puzzle and How The Mummy Buried a Monster Movie Franchise (Ep. 75)
In this Halloween episode, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig up the spooky story of Universal’s Dark Universe - the ambitious attempt to build a monster-filled cinematic universe that never rose from the grave. From The Mummy’s box office stumble to the Wolfman’s cursed production, the duo unpacks how a failed film series still inspired one of Epic Universe’s most anticipated lands. Along the way, they discuss park attendance stats, ticket changes, and a few frightfully fun surprises.
2024 Themed Entertainment Association attendance report reveals Universal’s shifting rankings

Why Universal paused 3-Day Annual Pass sales and what it means for Epic Universe access

The rise and fall of The Mummy reboot and the costly chaos behind The Wolfman

Inside Universal’s forgotten plans for Creature from the Black Lagoon and Dracula Untold

How the ashes of a movie misfire gave life to Epic Universe’s monster-filled Dark Universe land
Even the monsters couldn’t scare away Jim and Eric’s curiosity—hear the full tale of how Universal’s cinematic dream turned into a theme park triumph.
Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey

Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia
Unlocked Magic
Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More

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52 min
October 24, 2025How a Budget Cut Created Back to the Future’s Lightning Strike Moment (Ep. 74)
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey celebrate Back to the Future Day by revealing how one of cinema’s most iconic moments, the lightning strike finale, was born from a Universal Studios budget cut. Plus, the duo unwrap the latest holiday news from Universal Orlando and Hollywood, discuss a controversial new “pay-per-ride” Express Pass test, and share updates from the Wicked movie preview at the parks.
Universal’s 2024 holiday celebrations at Orlando and Hollywood

Super Nintendo World’s first-ever holiday overlay and exclusive merch

Why Universal is testing single-ride Express Passes and what it could mean for guests

Michael J. Fox’s new memoir and his first trip to Universal Studios Hollywood

How a budget cut led to Back to the Future’s unforgettable lightning strike finale
Even 40 years later, Back to the Future proves that great ideas and great movies are timeless.
Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey

Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia
Unlocked Magic
Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
52 min

About Epic Universal Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill have a different take on Universal Parks & Experiences. They share news of the day as well as behind-the-scenes stories in a breezy, conversational style. Better yet,…