Epic Universal Podcast

Jim and Eric kick off this week’s show with listener-driven updates and fresh speculation from the Universal parks beat, before pivoting into a deep historical dive on one of the strangest and most memorable effects ever staged on the Universal Studios Hollywood tram tour. Along the way, there is discussion of low-crowd horror experiences, a surprising Spielberg-themed survey, and a heartfelt reme...

Recording on New Year’s Eve for a show that drops just as 2026 begins, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey cover a full slate of Universal news, rumors, and unexpected updates before shifting into a classic Jim Hill history lesson. The episode starts in the present with major developments at Universal Orlando and ends in the late 1960s on the Hollywood backlot, tracing how one clever Tram Tour gag eventually...

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 ne...

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...

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 • Ve...

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...

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. A...

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-promo...

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...

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...

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...

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. Univer...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore the big “what if” shaking up Hollywood - what happens if Comcast makes a play for Warner Bros. Discovery? From potential streaming mega-mergers to a theme park fan’s ultimate fantasy lineup, the guys imagine a world where Harry Potter meets Batman on the Universal backlot. Why Warner Bros. turned down Paramount’s $49 billion offer How a Comcast–Warner Bros. deal co...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey crack open the story behind how Transformers: The Ride 3D bulldozed its way into Universal Studios Florida—literally replacing the Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theater. Along the way, they cover everything from Universal’s new Fanta horror crossover to coaster policy changes, Simpsons rumors, and a surprising Zelda connection inside Epic Universe. The real story of how Transf...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a leaked Universal survey that hints at the future of Fan Fest in Hollywood. From Scooby-Doo teaming up with Universal Monsters to the possibility of Pokemon Go and Sailor Moon activations, the lineup could be one of the most surprising yet. And in the second half, the guys rewind to explore the retro roots and hidden details of Cabana Bay, Universal Orlando’s mas...

This week, Jim and Eric tackle a tough headline out of Epic Universe as a guest tragedy forces the closure of Stardust Racers. From what happened to what comes next, they break down the details and share insights on ride safety across the theme park industry. Later in the show, listener Ernesto sparks a deep dive into the origins of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and how mid-century modern de...

Universal has filed demolition permits for nearly five acres of Islands of Adventure, and Jim and Eric break down what that could mean for the Lost Continent. The main feature of this week’s episode dives into the history of Merlinwood, the rise and fall of Dueling Dragons, and how Harry Potter reshaped the park. Could Zelda be next to take its place? Wicked toys hit Target shelves months before t...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey are back with a packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast. From award-winning attractions to behind-the-scenes stories that almost made it to the big screen, this week covers a lot of ground: The new Jaws: Memories of Martha’s Vineyard book and the Academy Museum’s Jaws exhibition Remembering production designer Stuart Craig and his lasting impact on the Wizarding World...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a loaded episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, blending Halloween Horror Nights buzz with theme park history and rumors. Opening weekend reactions to HHN 2024, including Terrifier, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and the controversial “deathly afraid” lanyards RIP Ride Rockit demolition updates and Ghostbusters speculation for Universal’s front gate Could Back to the...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with another packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, diving into the latest Universal news, fan reports, and theme park history. Highlights this week include: Firsthand impressions of Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, thanks to listener John T. – from house walkthroughs to surprisingly short wait times. A look at Universal Orlando’s new “Deathly Afraid”...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with another packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast. This week, they cover everything from nostalgic movie anniversaries to Universal’s latest projects, before diving deep into the troubled history of Jaws: The Revenge. Universal’s fall movie lineup, including The Breakfast Club’s 40th anniversary and Casper’s big-screen return The abandoned “Casper” haunted r...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a jam-packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, starting with a surprising WWE–Disney streaming deal and ending with a behind-the-scenes look at the wild production of Jaws 3D. From scare zones to SeaWorld, this week’s show has it all. WWE’s $1.625 billion ESPN+ deal and what it means for fans and streaming Newly announced scare zones for Halloween Horror N...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast featuring news from Universal Orlando, Hollywood, and Las Vegas - plus a deep-dive interview with Brian Krosnick, the creative force behind Parklore. First, the guys pay tribute to Rip Ride Rockit as its closure looms, reminisce about secret soundtracks, and preview this year’s Behind the Screams tours for Hallowee...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return from a summer packed with parks, previews, and one sold-out Friday at Epic Universe. In this episode, the duo reflects on the dramatic changes between their April preview visit and a mid-July return - sharing firsthand insight on crowd flow, character absences, ride downtime, and that sweltering Florida heat. From WWE's Wyatt 6 haunting Halloween Horror Nights to Hu...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with the latest from Universal Parks and the unbelievable story of how Jaws 3 nearly became a full-blown comedy. From Spielberg’s pivot to Close Encounters to the moment Universal almost partnered with National Lampoon, this episode unpacks the sequel that nearly torpedoed the franchise before it began. This week’s highlights include: • Wicked: Part Two gets a prime...