Epic Universal Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Epic Universe at Capacity: What Changes When the Park Sells Out? (Ep. 62) Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

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 ties, this episode blends news, nostalgia, and heat-induced honesty. Plus: hidden gems at Confisco Grille, underwhelming face paint stats, and the rising need for more shade, shows, and slow days at Epic.

Hulk Hogan’s history at Disney-MGM and Universal
Wyatt 6 and WWE join Halloween Horror Nights
First impressions of Terra Luna Resort
Surging summer crowds and Epic Universe challenges
Hidden spots, great meals, and what could make Epic better

Next week, the guys are joined by Brian from Parklore.com to talk expansion plans and what Epic Universe could become at full build-out.

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When Jaws 3 Almost Became a National Lampoon Movie (Ep. 61) Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

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 merch leaks• Jimmy Buffett’s plane, the Hemisphere Dancer, returns to CityWalk• Starfall Racers responds to guest feedback with roomier seats• Monster Makeup Experience signage gets an eerie refresh• Steven Spielberg chose aliens over sharks, turning down Jaws 2• Universal’s near-miss with Jaws 3: People Nothing, a spoof that almost happened

From deleted scenes and shark pups to Hollywood rewrites and parody panic, this one’s packed with trivia, hindsight, and a few "what ifs" that might’ve changed blockbuster history.

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The Studio, the Sequel, and the Great White That Ate the Budget (Ep. 60) Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

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, where Universal Parks is launching their first-ever traveling exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Meetups, cheesesteaks, and nostalgia await.

In the second half, Jim dives back into the shark-infested waters of Jaws 2—revealing mob-backed plotlines, studio politics, and why Spielberg nearly came back to save the franchise. Plus:

• Frequent Fear Passes are already sold out• A new Universal theme park docuseries is coming to Peacock• The real reason Jaws 2 moved from Martha’s Vineyard to Florida• How Lorraine Gary’s husband (the head of Universal) helped get the original director fired• Why the shark in Jaws 2 is bigger, meaner, and hungrier than ever

Also: Eric inches closer to finally watching Jaws in full. Maybe.

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When Universal Shut Down a Sequel: The Making of Jaws 2 (Ep. 59) Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

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
• Universal Kids in Texas—new concept art reveals hotel details and TrollsFest changes
• A fan question about Florida mosquitoes leads to... canal trivia and boat logistics
• Jim’s deep-dive into Jaws 2 and why the original sequel idea was shut down by the U.S. Navy
• The true story behind the USS Indianapolis—and why it almost became the basis of a Spielberg-less sequel
• A surprise appearance by “angry, burned shark” and the focus group line that changed movie posters forever

Plus: Canceled directors and what a $9 million overage feels like in 1974.

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Why Apollo 13 Still Lands After 30 Years (Ep. 58) Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

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-level deep dive into Apollo 13—the real mission, the Ron Howard film, and how a $25 model rocket and a bottle of Avian became movie magic. Along the way, they cover:

The “Ghost Train” of New Boston, New Hampshire
Universal’s new horror experience heading to Chicago
All the newly announced HHN houses (creepy dolls, cursed villages, and more)
Pizza Moon’s controversial to-go box policy
Jim’s breakdown of Apollo 13, its real-life mission, and the making of the film

Whether you’re into horror houses or lunar modules, this episode has something for every theme park nerd, history buff, and movie geek.

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Mike Aiello on Jaws, Halloween Horror Nights, and 30 Years at Universal (Ep. 57) Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

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, Jim and Eric cover the latest on Halloween Horror Nights 34 and the mysterious Vegas haunt getting ready to open.

• Mike Aiello’s origin story—from hard hats at Mel’s Diner to Universal Creative
• What it was like to skipper Jaws the Ride 88 times a day
• How a scareactor role led to decades of Halloween Horror Nights magic
• Halloween Horror Nights’ gothic theme and original house reveals
• The new “cool zone” inside the old Sinbad Theater
• Why Jaws still scares—and what Spielberg got right by leaving it alone

From creative tributes to personal milestones, it’s a heartfelt and fang-filled conversation with one of Universal’s biggest fans turned insider.

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How Abbott & Costello (and a Baseball Bit) Saved Universal (Ep. 56) Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

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
How Who’s on First became a studio-saving sensation
Fast & Furious coaster car reveal—and Orlando’s unexpected pivot
The Dragon’s Father’s Day box office fire and epic synergy
New Halloween Horror Nights house starring Jason Voorhees
A mysterious old bathroom with Jaws-sized history

From the backlot to the ballfield, it’s one of the most unexpected—and most entertaining—episodes yet.

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Slime, Slapstick, and the Secret History of Nickelodeon Studios (Ep. 55) Jun 13, 2025

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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 be making a comeback.

Why Nickelodeon built a studio in Orlando—with 13 years of free rent
The slime geyser, baked beans, and septic trucks of Double Dare
Universal’s latest Ghostbusters tribute sparks ride rumors
Megan hordes, Wicked meet-and-greets, and summer movie tie-ins
FanFest returning in 2026—and the dream of bringing it to Orlando
Blue Man Group’s history with Nick’s old soundstages

The episode wraps with a nostalgic tribute to the Nickelodeon generation and the unexpected ways its legacy still echoes through the Universal parks.

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Harry and the Hendersons, Spielberg’s Lost Alien Film, and the Birth of E.T. (Ep. 54) Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

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 a much scarier alien crew
Why the Bigfoot suit in Harry and the Hendersons almost wasn’t eligible for an Oscar
John Lithgow’s role in reshaping the script (and the heart) of the film
The connection between Predator, Harry, and Universal Studios Hollywood
Why the movie’s emotional ending still holds up after 38 years

Also in this episode: a new Wicked trailer drop, Hagrid’s joins Express Pass, Rip Ride Rockit gets a closing date, and Halloween Horror Nights adds Fallout and Five Nights at Freddy’s to the mix.

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Steven Spielberg’s Quest to Be the Next Walt Disney (Ep. 53) May 30, 2025

Show notes

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 why it shaped his long-term partnership with Universal
The story behind Amazing Stories and its role in Spielberg’s attempt to build a brand beyond film
Why Harry and the Hendersons was seen as a potential franchise—and why it never became the next E.T.
Remembering Ed Gale and his roles in Howard the Duck, Child’s Play, and more
Universal’s Jaws 50th anniversary celebrations and evolving How to Train Your Dragon film updates

This episode blends nostalgic storytelling with industry insight, spotlighting how one filmmaker’s dream to become the next Walt Disney changed the theme park world forever.

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