Epic Universal Podcast

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this episode by talking about what that music video Universal Studios Japan released last week does – and, more importantly, does not – reveal about Super Nintendo World. Then Jim does a deep dive on the history of the Doctor Dolittle film franchise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill talk about how Dr. Seuss fans will really enjoy this holiday season at the Universal Orlando Resort & Universal Studios Hollywood. They then discuss why many of the restaurants that were first realized for the East Coast version of CityWalk are now making their way west Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the lovely St. Croix room at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, it’s Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill. In front of a live audience, these two recap what happened over the course of Storybook Destinations’ three day-long event, “It’s a Universal Christmas with Jim.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s podcast by discussing – less than 24 hours after Halloween Horror Nights 29 ends its 41-night run – the Universal Orlando Resort began promoting 2020’s “30 Years of Fear.” They then talk about how the Epic Universe development team is working with the local community to ensure that Universal Orlando’s four theme park is seen as a good neighbor. Learn m...

 Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the “Bourne Stuntacular,” which will be opening at Universal Studios Florida in the Spring of 2020. They then discuss how Universal Creative settled on the seven themed zones that will be featured at Universal Studios Beijing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about that Universal Orlando team member who was fired for making the “White Power” symbol while working at a character meet ‘n’ greet. Then Jim shares an interview he recently did with themed entertainment pioneer Ron Schneider, where Schneider reveals how Universal Studios Florida’s very first Halloween hard ticket came together Lea...

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the Universal Orlando Resort’s efforts to keep its plans for the Epic Universe project under wraps. They then talk about how the Universal Studios Hollywood version of the “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” show differed from the version now being presented at Universal’s Islands of Adventure Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

 Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this episode by talking about the bozos who put a damper on Universal Orlando's most recent passholder appreciation night. Jim also details the sort of theme park that Universal originally wanted to build in Florida when they first revealed their plans for this project back in July of 1981 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the Velocicoaster, the new thrill ride that’s now in the works for the Jurassic Park section of Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Jim then talks about why there’s typically a huge difference between a finished theme park and the first piece of concept art that’s released for that project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode with a news round-up related to Universal’s four (soon-to-be-five) stateside theme parks. Jim then does a deep dive on an addition to the Universal Studios Hollywood’s tram tour from the Summer of 1979 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the operational issues that the Universal Orlando Resort is continuing to have with “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.” Jim then looks at Universal Parks & Resorts’ $2.2 billion misadventure in the Middle East Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how Universal Orlando handled Volcano Bay’s electrical issues. They then talk about some of the menu items that Universal Studios Hollywood plans on serving at Jurassic Café & Isla Nu-Bar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs and Jim Hill start off this podcast with an update on Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Jurassic World” ride. They also talk about how the merch and food program that Universal Parks & Resorts developed for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the late 2000s influenced the choices that Disney made with its “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the latest addition to “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. They then discuss how the Universal Creative seems to be stepping away from producing rides, shows & attractions for the parks that make use of 3D glasses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing how Universal Creative is now in the process of buttoning up “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.” They then talk at length about Dueling Dragons, the thrill ride that previously occupied this corner of the Lost Continent at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the operational & safety challenges that Universal Studios Hollywood is now facing, thanks to all of those show drones this theme park is using to create that patronus effect in its new “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” projection show. Jim also reveals the “Treehouse of Horror” -inspired storyline that “The Simpsons Ride” almost h...

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill share what they’ve learned about the work that’s been going on down on the Lower Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood. They also talk about why – when it came time to turn “Jurassic Park” into the jumping-up off point for a theme park attraction – Universal Creative opted to build a boat ride rather than a jeep-based experience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the history of projection mapping at Universal Parks & Resorts. They then pay tribute to the longtime president & CEO of MCA who hung tough when The Walt Disney Company tried to stop Universal from entering the Central Florida tourism market in the mid-1980s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing everything that they’ve heard about Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. They also talk about “Dragon Gliders,” the “How to Train Your Dragons” -based storytelling coaster that DreamWorks Animation licensed to be built at Motiongate Dubai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing some of the foods that will be served up in USF’s French Quarter Courtyard during this year’s Mardi Gras celebration. They then offer up some theories as to what Universal Creative currently has in the works as a replacement for “Terminator 2: 3D -- Battle Across Time.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill talk about the Upper Lot at Universal Studios Hollywood is being transformed for that theme park’s Lunar New Year Celebration. Then Jim wonders why – when it comes to the rides, shows & attractions that Universal Creative creates for the parks – theme park fans tend to look past all of the dimensional sets, custom-built props & animatronics and only talk about the screens. L...

 Jim Hill & Dustin Fuhs put together a super-sized edition of their “Universal Joint” podcast to review the past year of changes & challenges that Parks & Resorts faced. Among the topics that they’ll be discussing is Universal Orlando’s decision to revamp USF’s operational calendar (i.e., shifting Rock the Universe from September to February, cancelling the 2019 edition of A Celebration of Harry P...

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about how  Illumination’s new animated “Grinch” stacks up against the live-action version of this Dr. Seuss story  that Universal Pictures released back in November of 2000. Dustin & Jim also review recent filings that  Universal Parks & Resort has made with Orange County officials, which could reveal what’s coming next  t...

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill starts off this episode by pointing out that Universal Orlando Resort has been following Walt Disney World's lead when it comes to repeatedly the price to park at their theme parks. After that, Dustin & Jim discuss the huge boost that the sale of Butterbeer has given Universal Parks & Resorts' bottom line. Fuhs & Hill then close out this week's podcast by looking back at the...

Dustin Fuhs and Jim Hill start off this week's show by talking about how the November 9th release of Illumination Entertainment's "The Grinch" may be impacting Universal Parks & Resorts' holiday plans.  Jim then talks about the movie version of "Wicked" that Universal Pictures is readying and the possible impact that this IP could have on the Parks. Fuhs and Hill then close out this podcast by tal...