The Universal Joint

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week's show by talking about how difficult it's been to keep up with Universal Orlando's rapidly changing COVID-related safety policies. They then discuss NBC Sports' concerns about the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week's show by talking about the eight-week-long promotional campaign Universal Pictures has put together to hype the June release of “F9.” They then talk about Comcast's new marching orders when it comes to the Universal Parks & Resorts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week's show by talking about how California's theme parks are readying to re-open. They then discuss how the delay in the production of “Fantastic Beasts” may impact Universal Orlando's fourth theme park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill first talk about how this year's Mardi Gras celebration at the Universal Orlando Resort is different from years previous. They then talk about Universal Pictures' plans for a movie version of “Wicked,” the long-running Broadway musical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week's show by looking back at last year's “Universal Christmas” event. They then list some of the new food & entertainment offerings which debuted this past weekend at the 2020 edition of “Holidays at Universal Orlando” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill discuss how the Universal Parks & Resorts are now transitioning from terror to tinsel. They then take a look at why “Fast & Furious 9” now seems to be taking the slow lane to theatrical release Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week's show by talking about what happened to Fabio when “Apollo's Chariot” opened at Busch Gardens Williamsburg back in March of 1999. They then continue their series about the horror films that launched Universal Classic Monsters, “Dracula” & “Frankenstein.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week's show by discussing what's different about the Universal Orlando Resort's decision to close its Volcano Bay water theme parks for the winter. They then look back at the film (or should we says films) that actually launched the Universal Classic Monsters franchise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week's show by talking about those two Halloween Horror Nights houses that opened at Universal Studios Florida this past weekend. They also talk about the “Casper the Friendly Ghost” attraction that Universal Creative planned but never built. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill look back at the Summer of 2020 and discuss how the Universal Orlando Resort responded to the COVID-19 challenge. They also talk about how UOR has tweaked its ticketing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start things off by discussing whether Southern California's theme parks will actually be open again by August 1st or will we see another coronavirus-related postponement. They then talk about how “The Bourne Stuntacular” one-ups the indoor stunt how that preceded t, “Terminator 2-3D: Battle Across Time” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week's episode by talking about what exhibitors are now threatening to do with Universal Pictures' upcoming releases. They then talk about a survey that Universal Orlando recently sent out to annual passholders seeking their input on a new Halloween Horror Night-like event that this resort might now have in the works Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week's episode by talking about how Universal Studios Singapore may hold a clue as to how stateside theme parks will deal operationally with the corona virus. They then take a look at “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash,” which will be opening at Universal Studios Hollywood on March 27th Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week's show by offering an update on the Universal Studios Beijing project. They then talk about how Kenan Thompson is the perfect choice to serve as a spokesperson for Universal Parks & Resorts' new “Let Yourself Woah” promotional campaign Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/adchoices

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 had Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 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 Potter outright) so that that theme park could then expand the number of days it presents USF's wildly popular Halloween Horror Nights.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  to CityWalk and/or what's in the works for Universal Orlando's next theme park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 time that MCAUniversal was able to swipe the theme parks to Rocky & Bullwinkle right out from under The Walt Disney Company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 talking about all of the hard lessons that the Universal Orlando Resort learned back in 2009 from the delayed opening of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Jim Hill reports in on "The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad" 's final day of performances at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Then Dustin Fuhs weighs in on whether or not he thinks the Universal Orlando Resort will soon expand its HHN offerings to include a Zombie Run 5K. Finally Jim walks UJ listeners through all 10 houses & 5 scare zones that Universal Creative has brought to life (or should I say life-after-death?) for Halloween Horror Nights 28. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of year - late August - so of course Jim and Dustin are talking about Halloween in the theme parks. They also discuss Universal Orlando's future expansion and possible running events.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their fifth "Universal Joint" podcast, Dustin Fuhs and Jim Hill discuss whether Comcast's pursuit of pay-TV giant Sky could possibly lead to the sunseting of Universal Parks & Resort's licensing deal with Marvel Entertainment. They also discuss how the continuing popularity of the "Fast & Furious" films not only led to Universal bringing this IP into their theme parks but also led to the Luke Hobbs & Deckard Shaw characters being spun off into their own series of movies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin and Jim wonder whether Universal Pictures' recent deal to distribute Bond 25 internationally will eventually lead to a 007 attraction in the parks. They also discuss whether Universal Hollywood's new "Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor's Quest" will pop up someday at Universal Studios Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs and Jim Hill talk about hard ticket events that have been held at the Universal Parks and Resorts. These two also talk about USF's still-under-construction new nighttime lagoon show as well as the changes that are coming to USH's "Jurassic Park -- The Ride". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a Hooray for (Universal Studios) Hollywood edition of this new podcast. Dustin Fuhs and Jim Hill talk about next month's Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration as well as how this theme park's Upper Lot has been transformed over the past years. Join these two as they explore Universal Plaza, the Animation Studio Store as well as the soon-to-open DreamWorks Theatre.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the debut episode of this brand-new podcast series, Jim Hill and Dustin Fuhs discuss Universal Orlando's Endless Summer Resort as well as look back at when the Bates Motel was the only structure you could see out on the Universal Studios Florida construction site. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices