Epic Universal Podcast

Epic Universal Podcast

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, listeners of this podcast are regularly invited to offer their input / join the conversation. So, get ready for some Epic fun.

Episodes

Cabana Bay and the Resort Boom at Universal Orlando (Ep. 70)

September 26, 2025 • 50 mins
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 design shaped its creation. The ...
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From Dueling Dragons to Zelda Rumors: What’s Next for Lost Continent? (Ep. 69)

September 19, 2025 • 57 mins
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 the movie release A 10-mo...
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How Universal Snatched Rocky & Bullwinkle from Disney (Ep. 68)

September 12, 2025 • 56 mins
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 Fresh rumors abou...
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Who Stole It Better? Disney, Universal, and the Battle of Borrowed Rides (Ep. 67)

September 5, 2025 • 58 mins
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 Future replace Fa...
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Deathly Afraid Necklaces and the Origins of Dueling Dragons (Ep. 66)

August 29, 2025 • 60 mins
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” necklace option at Hal...
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Vegas Goes Scary: Universal Horror Unleashed and Jaws the Revenge (Ep. 65)

August 22, 2025 • 53 mins
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 ride concept with interac...
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The Orlando Theme Park That Made Jaws 3D Possible (Ep. 64)

August 15, 2025 • 52 mins
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 Nights Hollywood, includi...
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Charting the Future of Epic Universe with Parklore’s Brian Krosnick (Ep. 63)

August 8, 2025 • 68 mins
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 Halloween Horror Nights, including the new...
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Epic Universe at Capacity: What Changes When the Park Sells Out? (Ep. 62)

August 1, 2025 • 63 mins
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 Hulk Hogan’s long-standing Universal ...
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When Jaws 3 Almost Became a National Lampoon Movie (Ep. 61)

July 25, 2025 • 53 mins
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 primetime concert special and early me...
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The Studio, the Sequel, and the Great White That Ate the Budget (Ep. 60)

July 18, 2025 • 44 mins
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a jam-packed episode that swings from Halloween Horror Nights updates to the troubled legacy of Jaws 2. First, they unpack the latest HHN announcements, including the debut of the Terrifier haunted house and the moody new scare zone, Origins of Horror. Eric finally learns the difference between houses and zones - only took 60 episodes. Then, the duo gears up for a future trip to Philadelphia, w...
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When Universal Shut Down a Sequel: The Making of Jaws 2 (Ep. 59)

July 11, 2025 • 49 mins
Eric is packing for his return trip to Epic Universe - but before he battles the Florida heat, Jim takes him on a wild ride through box office records, coaster rumors, and a deep dive into the troubled waters of Jaws 2. In this episode: • Jurassic World Rebirth dominates globally—why Scarlett Johansson is now the highest-grossing lead actor• Updates on Universal UK: massive coaster plans, HHN expansion, and hotel additions• Unive...
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Why Apollo 13 Still Lands After 30 Years (Ep. 58)

July 4, 2025 • 59 mins
In this explosive Fourth of July episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey ride the rails of ghostly New England folklore and land in the middle of this year’s Halloween Horror Nights house reveals. From Norwegian monsters and homicidal dolls to the surprise announcement of Universal Horror Unleashed in Chicago, this episode is packed tighter than a holiday fireworks box. Then, Jim takes us on a moonshot-leve...
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Mike Aiello on Jaws, Halloween Horror Nights, and 30 Years at Universal (Ep. 57)

June 27, 2025 • 43 mins
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey welcome Universal Creative’s Mike Aiello for a special episode celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws and his own 30-year journey with the parks. From working as a teenage skipper on the iconic attraction to helping shape Halloween Horror Nights and Epic Universe, Mike shares stories of theme park transformation, Spielberg fandom, and why he always tries to sneak Bruce the Shark into his projects. Plus, J...
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How Abbott & Costello (and a Baseball Bit) Saved Universal (Ep. 56)

June 20, 2025 • 47 mins
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey step up to the plate with the unbelievable true story of how a simple comedy sketch—Who’s on First—helped pull Universal Studios back from the brink of bankruptcy. Along the way, they cover the box office power of How to Train Your Dragon, a surprising coaster IP twist, and the last remaining piece of the Jaws ride hiding in plain sight. Abbott & Costello’s rise from burlesque to box office saviors ...
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Slime, Slapstick, and the Secret History of Nickelodeon Studios (Ep. 55)

June 13, 2025 • 55 mins
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey rewind to the green-slime-soaked days of Universal Studios Florida with a deep dive into the rise (and fall) of Nickelodeon Studios. From Double Dare to the slime geyser, they break down how Nick turned Universal into must-see TV—and what happened when the camera crews packed up for Hollywood. Plus, the hosts share this summer’s biggest park updates, movie tie-ins, and a few theme park throwbacks that might...
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Harry and the Hendersons, Spielberg’s Lost Alien Film, and the Birth of E.T. (Ep. 54)

June 6, 2025 • 52 mins
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey go deep into the surprising history behind Harry and the Hendersons—including how a scrapped alien horror film called Night Skies ultimately led to E.T. and Bigfoot comedy gold. From Oscars to animatronic controversies, this episode reveals the untold story behind one of Spielberg’s most fascinating creative pivots. How Night Skies went from alien horror to E.T. Rick Baker’s original designs for ...
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Steven Spielberg’s Quest to Be the Next Walt Disney (Ep. 53)

May 30, 2025 • 49 mins
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore how Steven Spielberg’s early ambitions to follow in Walt Disney’s footsteps shaped both Universal Studios and modern theme park storytelling. From his failed pitch to Disney to his work on Amazing Stories and Harry and the Hendersons, this episode connects the dots between Spielberg’s cinematic vision and his lasting impact on themed entertainment. How Disney turned down Spielberg’s offer—and w...
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Epic Universe Officially Opens: Live Coverage, Celebrity Sightings, and the Ghost of Universal Escape (Ep. 52)

May 23, 2025 • 47 mins
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey celebrate the long-awaited grand opening of Universal’s Epic Universe. They recap the TODAY Show broadcast, blue carpet livestream, celebrity sightings, and first-day feedback from guests inside the park. Then, they flash back to Universal’s last major theme park debut - Islands of Adventure in 1999 - and the infamous branding misfire that nearly doomed it: Universal Studios Escape. Coverage breakdown...
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Why Raptor Encounter Works (and Triceratops Didn’t) (Ep. 51)

May 16, 2025 • 46 mins
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore how Universal turned a high-maintenance animatronic failure into one of its most popular and shareable meet-and-greets with Raptor Encounter. From behind-the-scenes strategy to guest visibility, they break down what Triceratops Encounter taught Universal—and how that shaped the Jurassic Park experience we know today. The rise and fall of Triceratops Encounter, and why it never worked as a headl...
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