Epic Universal Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How Dwayne Johnson wound up playing the Scorpion King (Ep. 12) Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey returns from the Universal Orlando Resort and gives Jim Hill a brief glimpse of what he & his family experienced down in Central Florida.

Eric & Jim then take a look at the Rock’s first film role

Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:

Why you should go straight to the Trolls Trollercoaster as soon as Universal Studios Florida opens for the day

How much was Dwayne Johnson paid to appear in “The Mummy Returns”

What’s the origin story for Seven Bucks Productions

How does “Disney Dreams That Soar” stack up against the drone component of USF’s new nighttime show, “Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular”

How did Comcast’s earnings for the second quarter of 2024 compare to that company’s earning for the same period in fiscal 2023

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Get ready for the Universal Mega Movie Parade (Ep. 11) Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing box office projections for “Despicable Me 4.”

They then wrap up their series about the would-be “Van Helsing” film franchise

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Who replaced Al Pacino as the voice of El Macho in “Despicable Me 2”

How many floats there are supposed to be in USF’s new daytime parade

Who was supposed to star in the “Van Helsing” reboot that was proposed back in 2012
When Passholder Appreciation Days are supposed to get underway at the Universal Orlando parks

Which long-awaited film sequel is “Wicked: Part One” now supposed to go head-to-head with

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Dark Universe celebrates Universal’s classic monsters (Ep. 10) Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing what Universal Parks & Experiences has just revealed about Epic Universe’s next land.

They also continue the tale of USH’s efforts to get more monsters into that theme park

In this episode, listeners will learn about:

Where’s the best place to stand in Universal Studios Florida to view “CineSational: A Symphony Spectacular”

On which coast did the “Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” show first debut

Why did Stephen Sommers pass up the opportunity to make a third “Mummy” movie at Universal Pictures

How is Voodoo Doughnuts getting in on the celebration of the 60th anniversary of USH’s Tram Tour

Which Classic Universal Monster is rumored to be getting his own attraction as part of a future expansion of Darkmoor Village

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How soon will the Simpsons decamp for Disney World (Ep. 9) Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing Universal Orlando’s new Premium Scream offering.

They also continue their look back at how USH kept trying to build a successful show around the Universal Classic Monsters

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Where can one find that new Butterbeer Cart souvenir candy bucket at the Universal Orlando Resort
How long after “The Simpsons Ride” opened in 2008 did Springfield Fast Food Boulevard come online
Who designed the 20-foot-tall animatronic serpent in USH’s “Conan: A Sword & Sorcery Spectacular” show
What is the technical name for that space which scareactors hide in before jumping out & frightening event attendees at Halloween Horror Nights
When Disney World started holding its “Night of Joy” after-hours hard ticket events

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What sorts of snacks are served in DreamWorks Land (Ep. 8) May 24, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the media preview that was recently held for Universal Studios Florida’s reimagining Kidzone area. They then look back at the “Pink Panther” film series

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Where did Duffy AKA the Disney Bear initially exclusively sell on Disney World property back in 2002
Why is the new entrance sign for USF’s “E.T. Adventure” attraction deliberately designed to look like something you associate with a forest
How did MGM/UA decide to cash in on the “Muppet Babies” craze back in the mid-1980s
Which classic Universal cartoon character is reportedly being given the “Hidden Mickey” treatment inside of DreamWorks Land
What are the themes of the first three mazes announced for Universal Orlando’s 2024 edition of Halloween Horror Nights

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How projection shows came to the Wizarding World (Ep. 7) May 10, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the latest “Despicable Me 4” trailer.

They then review what Universal Parks & Experiences just revealed about Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

What new variety of Butterbeer-based treat is now available for purchase at the Universal Parks
Why was “Yoshi’s Adventure” reportedly not built as part of Phase One of Universa Studios Hollywood’s “Super Nintendo World”
What show is now going to be presented inside of USF’s “A Day in the Park with Barney” theater
Which Australian-based company wound up with the rights to make “Bluey” & “Despicable Me” toys
How far along now is the construction of Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas

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Meet the horrifyingly cute Frankenstein Junior (Ep. 6) Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the tram accident that happened this past weekend at Universal Studios Hollywood.

They then take a close look at the perks annual passholders will be able to enjoy at the Universal Orlando parks starting in May.

Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:

Which Universal horror classic got transformed from a silent film to a sound picture in 1929
Why did Universal Studios Florida push back the opening of “Twister … Ride It Out” from March of 1998 to early May of that same year
Which store used to occupy the space in Universal CityWalk that’s now being transformed into the Epic Universe preview center
Back in 1931, who did Universal Pictures originally announce was going to star in that Studio’s upcoming production of “Frankenstein”
Which cartoon character is at the wheel of that popcorn bucket that Universal Hollywood is now selling to commemorate the 60th anniversary of that theme park’s tram tour

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How King Kong came to be at the Universal theme parks (Ep. 5) Apr 14, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how the M3gan horde became the break-out hit at last year’s Halloween Horror Nights. They also discuss Universal Orlando’s Stella Nova & Terra Luna resorts

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

What role did Michael Eisner play in setting Paramount Pictures’ “King Kong” remake in motion back in the mid-1970s
Why did Universal Pictures insist that certain scenes in “M3gan” be reshot
Why did Universal Studios Hollywood temporarily shut down “Earthquake: The Big One” back in October of 1989
Which Universal Pictures release back in November of 1974 introduced the world to Sensurround
Which after-hours event at the Disney Parks inspired Universal’s Grad Bash

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Remembering the “Ghostbusters Spooktacular” attraction (Ep. 4) Mar 30, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by taking a look back at the “How to Train Your Dragon” film franchise.

They then pivot to discussing the latest land to be unveiled for Epic Universe

Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:

Which character did Wayne Brady almost get heat stroke playing at a Disney Park
How many different movie studios have released “How to Train Your Dragon” films over the past 14 years
What was especially cool about the “Casper the Friendly Ghost” ride that Universal Creative developed for that Company’s theme parks
Who was originally supposed to be the lead of the first “Ghostbusters” movie
Residents of which two states can take advantage of the latest Universal Orlando ticket offer

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Raise a glass to Butterbeer Season (Ep. 3) Mar 16, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing the various ways to park-hop at the Universal Orlando Resort. They then talk about how Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating its 60th anniversary

Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:

When did Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure first begin operates at IOA

How much did “Kung Fu Panda 4” earned over its opening weekend in North America

When did Hot Butterbeer go from being a seasonal thing at the Universal Parks to becoming a beverage you could get all year round

How much did NBCUniversal spend to acquire Dreamworks Animation back in 2016

Which Disney Imagineer designed the original Glamour Tram for Universal Studios Hollywood back in 1964

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