Episodes

  • How DreamWorks Almost Made a Very Different How to Train Your Dragon (Ep. 37)

    How DreamWorks Almost Made a Very Different How to Train Your Dragon (Ep. 37)
    Feb 7 2025
    In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey take a deep dive into the history of How to Train Your Dragon and how it became one of DreamWorks’ most beloved franchises. Plus, they break down all the latest Universal news! First-Time Viewing Experience: Eric shares his reaction to watching How to Train Your Dragon for the first time and how it changed his excitement for Epic Universe’s Isle of Berk. The Making of How to Train Your Dragon: How DreamWorks nearly made a very different version of the film before Chris Sanders & Dean DeBlois took over. Dog Man Comes to Universal Orlando: Meet & greets and themed food debut in DreamWorks Land just days after the movie’s release. Dark Universe Updates: BioReconstruct captures street performers inside Darkmoor Village, hinting at the immersive experience ahead. Mardi Gras 2025 Kicks Off: Huge crowds pack into Universal Orlando for opening weekend, with T-Pain headlining the first concert. New Tribute Store – Legends of the Bayou: Universal embraces cryptid lore, with rooms themed to the Moss Man and Grunch Road Monster. Rip Ride Rockit’s Closing Date Announced: The ride will officially shut down on September 20, 2025, with speculation on when demolition will begin. This episode is packed with theme park updates, animation history, and plenty of dragon talk. Whether you’re a longtime How to Train Your Dragon fan or just excited for Epic Universe, this one’s for you! Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Book Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • Addams Family and The Munsters: How Two Spooky Sitcoms Battled for Prime Time (Ep. 36)

    Addams Family and The Munsters: How Two Spooky Sitcoms Battled for Prime Time (Ep. 36)
    Jan 31 2025
    In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore Universal’s updates and dive into the rich history of The Munsters. Highlights include: The Munsters’ Origins: How a pitch for an animated series turned into one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms. Wicked’s Box Office Success: Its award potential and the announcement of the new subtitle, For Good. Universal Studios Florida Updates: New entrance music and digital signage enhancing the guest experience. Stella Nova Resort: First impressions of Universal’s sleek, space-themed hotel. Wolfman and Monster Movies: A look at Wolfman’s mixed reviews and its impact on Universal’s monster movie future. Shrek 5 and Minions 3 News: The latest updates on Universal’s animated franchises. This episode is packed with Universal updates, classic monster nostalgia, and exciting insights into upcoming projects! Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Book Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • How Looney Tunes Helped Shape Universal’s The Munsters (Ep. 35)

    How Looney Tunes Helped Shape Universal’s The Munsters (Ep. 35)
    Jan 24 2025
    In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey tackle a variety of Universal Studios updates and dive into the history of The Munsters. Highlights include: Wildfires and Universal Hollywood’s Closure: How recent California wildfires forced a rare closure of Universal Studios Hollywood, plus ways to support relief efforts. Rock the Universe: A preview of Universal Orlando’s Christian music festival and why it’s a great weekend to visit the parks. The Stella Nova Resort: First impressions of Universal’s newest resort, featuring a sleek space-themed design and unique guest experiences. Skull Island Q&A with Mike West: Insights from the former Imagineer on the design and storytelling behind Reign of Kong. The Munsters Origin Story: How Universal’s iconic sitcom emerged during the 1960s and its connection to the studio’s classic monsters. Whether you’re a fan of Universal’s latest attractions or nostalgic for classic monster lore, this episode has something for everyone! Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Book Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • The Monster Mash: Universal’s Classic Crossover Films (Ep. 34)

    The Monster Mash: Universal’s Classic Crossover Films (Ep. 34)
    Jan 17 2025
    In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey howl into the legacy of The Wolfman and explore Universal’s iconic monster history. Plus, they cover a variety of Universal Studios updates and nostalgic gems. Highlights include: The Wolfman’s Legacy: From Lon Chaney Jr.’s classic transformation to Blumhouse’s new reimagining, how the Wolfman defined Universal’s horror legacy. Monster Crossovers: How films like Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman paved the way for today’s cinematic universes. Meet & Greet Updates: Universal Studios Hollywood announces auditions for Back to the Future and Dungeons & Dragons characters for its upcoming FanFest event. The Simpsons Land’s Uncertain Future: What Disney’s recent survey could mean for the beloved Universal attraction. Whether you’re a fan of horror classics, theme park updates, or Universal history, this episode has a little something for everyone! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • How the Creators of South Park Tricked A-List Celebrities to Roast Universal (and Drink Seagram’s) (Ep. 33)

    How the Creators of South Park Tricked A-List Celebrities to Roast Universal (and Drink Seagram’s) (Ep. 33)
    Jan 10 2025
    In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore the fascinating and hilarious story behind Your Studio and You, a parody film created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker before South Park. Highlights include: The Making of Your Studio and You: How Matt and Trey enlisted A-list celebrities like Steven Spielberg, Angela Lansbury, and Michael J. Fox to poke fun at Universal Studios—and even sip Seagram’s wine coolers—without them realizing the full gag. Mardi Gras 2025 at Universal Orlando: Details on the celebration’s floats, global cuisine, and concerts featuring T-Pain, TLC, and more. Give Kids the World Fundraiser: A look at the upcoming universally ’90s-themed event benefiting an incredible cause. Annual Passholder Perks: From exclusive entrances to special Mardi Gras deals, discover what’s new for Universal passholders this year. This episode blends Universal’s latest updates with a humorous dive into its history. If you’re a fan of South Park or theme park lore, you won’t want to miss this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • The End of 2024: Universal’s Top Stories, Surveys, and Predictions for 2025 (Ep. 32)

    The End of 2024: Universal’s Top Stories, Surveys, and Predictions for 2025 (Ep. 32)
    Jan 3 2025
    In this first episode of 2025, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey recap Universal’s most exciting moments from the past year, discuss insights from a Universal guest survey, and share bold predictions for the year ahead. Highlights include: Universal’s Guest Survey: Jim and Eric analyze intriguing survey questions about vacation planning, accessibility, and the impact of Universal’s Wicked-themed offerings on guest experiences. Epic Universe Updates: A look back at how Universal kept fans engaged with teasers, construction updates, and marketing ahead of its May 2025 opening. Wicked’s Phenomenal Year: From its box office success to Universal’s creative synergy with theme park experiences. DreamWorks Land in Orlando: How Universal’s new kid-friendly area is already a hit with families. Universal’s Remote Projects: Exploring the potential of the Texas Universal Kids Park and the Las Vegas Haunted House, and how these off-site ventures could shape the future of Universal’s theme park strategy. Jim and Eric also reflect on their first year of podcasting together, share listener questions and insights, and make predictions about Universal’s record-breaking potential in the coming year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • The End of Rip Ride Rockit and How Universal Become a “Coaster” Theme Park (Ep. 31)

    The End of Rip Ride Rockit and How Universal Become a “Coaster” Theme Park (Ep. 31)
    Dec 27 2024
    In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey discuss the upcoming closure of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and what it means for Universal Studios Florida’s future. Highlights include: The End of Rip Ride Rockit: A look at the iconic coaster’s history, its groundbreaking music selection feature, and the rumored Fast and Furious-themed coaster set to take its place. Universal’s new name tags for team members featuring Epic Universe branding. The temporary removal of drones from Universal’s nighttime show, CineSational, following safety concerns. Updates on Universal’s Orlando Airport store Universal Studios Japan’s potential plan to expand into parking lots with new attractions in the next 5-7 years. This episode blends Universal’s latest updates with a nostalgic look at the coasters that defined the park’s history! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • Universal Orlando Holidays: Not a Trip Report (But Totally a Trip Report) (Ep. 30)

    Universal Orlando Holidays: Not a Trip Report (But Totally a Trip Report) (Ep. 30)
    Dec 20 2024
    n this festive episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore the magic of Universal Orlando’s holiday offerings and share exciting park updates. Episode Highlights: Universal’s Holiday Magic: Eric shares his first-ever experience of the holidays at Universal, from Grinchmas and Seuss Landing to the magical projection show at Hogwarts Castle. Macy’s Holiday Parade: Thoughts on the festive parade and how it stacks up to Universal’s other offerings. Hot Butterbeer Review: Eric ranks this seasonal favorite among Universal’s signature beverages. Perks of Annual Passes: Hear how Universal’s buy-two-days-get-two-free ticket deal turned Eric’s family into annual passholders. Walt Disney and Jules Stein’s Connection: Discover how an unlikely friendship between Disney and Universal pioneers influenced the theme park landscape. Get ready for a holiday-themed deep dive into what makes Universal Orlando a must-visit destination this time of year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 mins