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Universal Epic Universe Review Morgan of Dreamfinding Parks tells us about her visit to Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe (Ep. 118/S4 from 08/30/2025). We hope you enjoy this review of Epic Universe, the food, the portals, and the merch. Check out Morgan @dreamfindingparks. As always, DMagicWorld.Com is our favorite 24/7 Disney music streaming station. Looking to book a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney's Aulani, Disney Cruise or Adventures by Disney? I am a Travel Specialist specializing in Disney destinations and can help you plan the perfect Disney visit. DavidPicciano@TravelMation.Net Now That's Disney on FB. A fun and family friendly Disney loving group. And be sure to check out our YouTube channel, Now That's Disney. Now That's Disney's, Disney Night Live can be seen live every Saturday @ 8pm EST in Now That's Disney on FB and YouTube. Disney Night Live Podcast and Now That's Disney is in no way part of, endorsed or authorized by, or affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or its affiliates. As to Disney artwork/properties: © Disney. Disclosure | Privacy Policy Be sure to like, subscribe, download, and comment on all our social media platforms. We appreciate the engagement. Now That's Disney's, Disney Night Live is a live stream and is better consumed as a visual. We take the audio from the live stream and put it out as a podcast. #wdw #waltdisneyworld #disneyland #orlando #florida #california #themeparks #visit #travel #vacation #nowthatsdisney #disneynightlive #magickingdom #epcot #animalkingdom #hollywoodstudios #pixarpier #eat #drink #resorts #mickeymouse #livestream #merchandise #attractions Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/308244676281060 Instagram @nowthatsdisney_dp YouTube (Smash That Bell
In this week's episode, I look at what goes into a successful theme park, and compare it to the process of creating a compelling story. This coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in the Dragontiarna series at my Payhip store: FALLDRAGON25 The coupon code is valid through September 8, 2025 (please note the shorter expiration date). So if you need a new ebook this fall, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 266 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller and today is August 29th, 2025, and today we are considering if theme parks are like writing. Before we get into this topic, we'll have Coupon of the Week and then a progress update on my current writing projects. This week's coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in the Dragontiarna series at my Payhip store, and that coupon code is FALLDRAGON25. And as always, we'll have the coupon code and links in the show notes for this episode. This coupon code is only valid through September 8, 2025. That's only one week, so if you want to use it, act now. And if you need a new ebook for fall, we have got you covered. Now an update on my current writing projects. I am 63,000 words into Blade of Flames, the first book in my new epic fantasy Blades of Ruin series, and I think 63,000 words puts me about almost two thirds of the way through. I think the book will end up being between 90,000 and 100,000 words, so hopefully we are on track to have that out before the end of September. I'm also 5,000 words into Cloak of Worlds, which will be the 13th book in the Cloak Mage series. And if all goes well, I think that will probably be out in October, towards the end of October, maybe a Halloween book. In audiobook news, recording is still underway for Shield of Power (that will be excellently narrated by Brad Wills); we're coming up on the end of that, so should have some good news on that before too much longer. Recording is underway for Ghost in the Siege, and that will be excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy. So that is where I am at with my current writing and audiobook projects. Some good progress this week. 00:01:53 Main Topic: What Epic Universe Can Teach Us About Creating Memorable Characters Now on to our main topic this week: are theme parks like writing and what theme parks can teach us about creating memorable characters and settings. I have to admit, this is an unusual topic for me because I am not really a theme park person. I have several family members who are interested in the history of Disney Corporation, so I've picked up some through osmosis, but that's essentially it. This topic was suggested by my podcast transcriptionist, and it was an interesting idea, so I thought we would go with it. I don't really know all that much about theme parks. As I mentioned, I'm not really in the target audience and I'm not in the sort of demographic where I would watch, for example, someone's four hour live stream through the latest Disney attraction or whatever. Though I did watch the video that Jenny Nicholson put out last summer about her experience with the Star Wars “hotel”, and I think that was interesting as a piece of essentially documentary journalism depicting a tale of sort of corporate greed and cost cutting and how that can lead to inevitable failure. But that is a bit of a tangent from our main topic, which is whether or not writers can learn anything from theme parks. I did pick up enough through osmosis from the history of Disney to know that in the early days before the Disney Corporation became as sort of corporatized and cost cutting as is now, that when they built a new attraction, the attraction had to be able to tell a story, like there was some sort of a story that needed to be told or an essential narrative that needed to be followed through the layout of the attraction so the guests, if they were paying attention, would be told a story. So apparently the big news in the theme park universe this year is that Universal opened a new theme park called Universal Epic Universe in Florida in May 2025. The park is built on a central hub, which then divides out into five intellectual property based lands like Super Nintendo World with all of the Mario characters. What's interesting is that two of the five lands in the theme park are directly based on content that began as book series, the How to Train Your Island- Isle of Berk (which was originally written by Cressida Cowell) and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Ministry of Magic, which was originally written by J.K. Rowling. One other land, The Dark Universe, draws heavily on the Frankenstein story, which was originally written by Mary Shelley (among other creatures like Dracula, who as a character originated in Bram Stoker's novel in the 19th century). Now, what does this have to do with writing? I mean, for most writers, the idea of becoming popular enough that people build theme parks based on your characters is probably a bit unrealistic as a career goal. However, I think there are lessons that can be learned there for writers about holding the interest and compelling readers. All three of the intellectual properties we discussed previously were more often known for their movie adaptations than the books they were originally based upon. But we can learn what makes memorable characters and settings in the book series and how a theme park would draw upon a beloved book series to generate ticket, merchandise, and food sales. I think it is both fair to say and a profound understatement that books, movies, and theme parks are wildly different kinds of art forms. However, the fundamental principles of storytelling, of world building do seem to apply across all three. So let's take a look at some of those principles. Part I: Creating Fictional Worlds Memorably People like distinct and creative worlds that make them feel immersed in something beyond mundane reality, even if that reality is not safe, easy, or pleasant. In all three stories that inspire these theme parks, the main character faces something that no one has before. Harry Potter readers can imagine that they're an owl delivery letter away from arriving at a new school full of friends, magic, and danger. How to Train Your Dragon lets readers soar through the air while rescuing a lovable dragon from a dark fate. Dragon riders are considered to be a special group of people in this world. Frankenstein allows us to imagine a world where humans are powerful enough to have power over life and death itself, though in the grand tradition of science fiction and horror, this always goes horribly wrong. After all, creating an artificial life form did not end particularly well for Victor Frankenstein in the first book. And where this comes into theme parks is that readers want to find a way to be included in the fictional world. In Harry Potter, readers can imagine which house they're sorted into based on personality traits. By choosing a house in the Hogwarts school or magic wands whose components reflect their personalities, they feel more included in the story because they know where they would belong in it. Many, many, many young adult series since then have tried to include some sort of factions or special lands or organizations in their stories for this reason, but it never seems to land quite as well as it did in the Harry Potter series. Though to be honest, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry seems like it would be immediately shut down if any sort of educational authority or ministry of education or department of education ever investigated it because it (laughs) is not a well-run school. In How to Train Your Dragon, dangerous dragons are not only faced, they're befriended and protected. Something frightening becomes a chance to feel powerful and help others. And readers often enjoy reading about dark creatures or villains like Frankenstein's monster because it makes the real world seem more secure or stable by comparison or because they feel like misfits or outcasts and can sympathize with these characters. Now, for writers, specific world building details often are very distinct things that readers remember, sometimes even more than the plot. For myself, that's worked advantageously with several of my different settings where some of the distinct details of the Cloak Games settings or the Half-Elven Thief settings stick in people's minds. For the examples we're talking about here, some readers might remember a biting textbook, a flying broomstick, or what's on the Hogwarts banquet table more than they remember the plots of the individual Harry Potter movies or books. Now for the theme parks, Universal Studios capitalizes on this and makes money by creating merchandise and food items from those moments in the books, and they give visitors an opportunity to buy a nice cold glass of Butterbeer or a t-shirt from their Hogwarts house. And that feels more special than buying a pair of, for example, Mickey Mouse ears because they have a preexisting connection with Harry Potter, and though it's extremely unlikely that any of us will end up owning a theme park, as writers, don't be afraid of adding details like that, very specific details like that to the world building because it does help create a distinctive atmosphere and help the readers connect with the story. Part II: Investing Audiences in Your Characters Now onto part two, investing audiences in your characters. It's a good idea to find a way to make the readers root for your characters. Harry Potter and Toothless the dragon both begin as scrawny, unloved, and unimpressive, but they rise in the face of danger to become brave and important. When characters team up in a structured way, such as Dumbledore's Army or the creation of the Berk Training Academy, it gives the readers a chance to imagine how they could join the main characters and be part of the group. It's also important to remember a character doesn't have to be likable to be memorable, though obviously this often works better for villains. For example, Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter is a very memorable character, even though she's totally unsympathetic and unlikable because she represents a sort of bureaucratic, pettiness, and evil that we inevitably all have to deal with at some point in our lives, whether in school or dealing with various bureaucracies (whether government or corporate) as we get older. Frankenstein's creature likewise isn't always likable, though he is sympathetic because he didn't ask to be created. His creator mistreated him. He tried to fit into human society and totally failed. So while he does many morally reprehensible things like for example, murdering Victor Frankenstein's bride to be, nonetheless he retains an element of sympathy because if he's a monster, it's because Victor Frankenstein created him to be a monster. Even when his decisions aren't ideal or are quite bad, his loneliness and curiosity are still deeply relatable. Part III: Adapting To Grow With Your Audience Now, Part III, adapting to grow with your audience/adding new characters to an existing world or an interconnected series. Don't be afraid to age up your characters and change them across a series. In Harry Potter and How to Train Your Dragons, the characters age through series and face new and more complex challenges. Watching characters change is a great way to make them feel more lifelike and give them new complexities. I was reminded of that very recently with the publication of Ghost in the Siege, where I believe that is the 34th novel with Caina as the main character. Obviously she has changed and grown quite a bit since that first book all those years ago and some part of the plot was Caina coming to terms with how much she's changed and how much she's changed as a result of what she's had to do to save people she cares about, which is kind of an interesting comparison to the fact that I found it a bit challenging to write the book just because Caina has changed so much from her original start in trying to find a way to write that while remaining true to the character. Given how well the book has been received (thanks, everyone!), I think I might have landed on the mark for that one. If you want to continue in the world and write another series in the world, it's usually a good idea to include some carryover characters between the series. I've done that a lot with Frostborn, Sevenfold Sword, Dragontiarna, Dragonskull, and Shield War, where some characters continue over between the series. In the theme park, for example, in the Dark Universe, Dr. Victoria Frankenstein continues the work of her ancestor, Victor Frankenstein. That can also help to remind readers why they like the series so much by bringing back favorite characters. Returning to favorite locations in the series is a way to keep fans engaged, as long as it makes sense or fits the story. Give your books emotionally satisfying, not necessarily happy conclusions. Give them a chance to say goodbye to characters in places they've come to care about. Remember, the ending doesn't have to be happy. It doesn't have to be sad. It can be a bit of both. But what is important above all else is that the ending provides emotional resolution to the emotional conflicts and stakes raised within the story. Anything else and the readers will feel cheated. And now the conclusion. Fortunately, your readers won't have to wait in line for two hours to experience your characters the way that Epic Universe visitors must. But it's a testament to strong writing that people are willing to pay very large sums of money to do that, especially in Florida where the heat and the extreme humidity are constant, especially in summer. It's proof that well-developed settings, memorable characters, and immersive plots are important to readers and go a long way. Although you and I will probably not ever be theme park owners and I do not plan to ever go to Florida and go to Epic Universe, you can learn from how they build and maintain the relationship between their intellectual properties and their paying guests. Remember that you want compelling characters, a good story, and a satisfying conclusion. So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.
In today's Daily Fix:Hollow Knight: Silksong is barely two weeks away, and gamers seem to be flooding back to the original in preparation. According to SteamDB, 2017's Hollow Knight hit an all-time concurrent high with 23,840 players this week. While it's not the most concurrents across all Steam games, it is a franchise peak. In other news, Donkey Kong Bananza's somewhat controversial control scheme came at the suggestion of Donkey Kong creator Shigeru Miyamoto. Bananza's game director, Kazuya Takahashi, revealed that it was Miyamoto's idea, but they left the option to swap the 'punch down' and 'jump' buttons in case players had a hard time re-wiring their muscle memory. And finally, take to the skies with the cast of How to Train Your Dragon in Hiccup's Wing Gliders at Universal Epic Universe.Presented by Universal Orlando Resort and its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
This week we talk all about the 2025 Six Flags Haunt season pricing Strategy. We also talk about some 2026 rumors, and towards the end Evan gives us his review of Universal Epic Universe!
In today's Daily Fix:An Australian car import company may have accidentally revealed the location of Forza Horizon 6. Car import firm Cult and Classic posted—then deleted—a photo on Instagram reportedly showing a Forza Horizon dev taking photos of a kei-model car, a smaller style of vehicle that's found mainly in Japan. The post stated that kei cars aren't sold in the U.S. and have to be imported into Australia from Japan, leading Forza fans to believe that the next Forza Horizon game will be set in Japan. In other news, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally has a release date. No really, it does. It'll be out in just a few weeks, September 4th. And join the Ride Guys on a preview of Universal Epic Universe's latest attraction—Stardust Racers.Presented by Universal Orlando Resort, and its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
In today's Daily Fix:Sony has joined the console price-raising bandwagon and hiked the MSRP of the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, and the PlayStation 5 Pro—each by $50. The PS5 will now cost $549, the PS5 Digital is $499, and the PS5 Pro is $749. Sony has not announced a specific reason for the price hike, only citing a 'challenging economic environment.' Prices for accessories have not changed. In other news, a new Halloween video game has been announced by Illfonic, the makers of the Friday the 13th and Killer Klowns from Outer Space games. This new title will be made in collaboration with John Carpenter, and has a 2026 release window. And check out a preview of the new ride, Hiccup's Wing Gliders, at Universal Epic Universe.Presented by Universal Orlando Resort and its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
In today's Daily Fix:Battlefield and Call of Duty are set to go head-to-head again this Fall, with Battlefield 6 dropping in October, and Black Ops 7 in November. But the sentiment after a succesful open beta period is that Battlefield will be the one to grab gamers' attention, with former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra saying that Battlefield will 'boot stomp' CoD this year. But Treyarch's Miles Leslie thinks there's room for both, saying the Black Ops 7 dev is trying to shut out the noise and make the best game they can. In other news, Xbox dropped a trailer for the upcoming DLC to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, titled 'The Order of Giants.' The trailer also revealed a Switch 2 release sometime next year. And finally, we've got a peek at the five immersive worlds of the all-new Universal Epic Universe, and one of its featured attractions – Stardust Racers, all at Universal Orlando Resort.Presented by Universal Orlando Resort, and its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
Legendary game designer Yuu Suzuki and Inin Games have announced an upgraded version of Shenmue 3, coming to all current-gen consoles and PC. This new version will feature 4K textures, faster loading times, and upgrades to the gameplay, among other improvements. Speaking of announcements, the next entry in the lauded WW1 FPS series, Gallipoli, has been revealed. This new game will take place in the Middle Eastern campaign, during the Battle of Gallipoli. And we have a preview of the new Isle of Berk expansion at Universal Epic Universe, and it's brand-new ride—Hiccup's Wing Gliders.Presented by Universal Orlando Resort and its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
The DIS Unplugged: Universal Edition - A Weekly Discussion About All Things Universal Orlando
Hannah and Ryno are giving you their honest review of Helios Grand Hotel, the newest Universal Orlando Resort to open as part of the Universal Epic Universe expansion in this episode of the DIS Unlimited Universal Show.Links:UO Fan WebsiteGet a FREE No-Obligation Quote on a Universal vacation from Dreams Unlimited Travel today!Important DIS links and more information!Support us and get exclusive content on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hello and welcome back to the Orlando Adventures Podcast!This week is the turn of Orlando Accomplice! We discuss all things Orlando, from Disney to Universal Epic Universe!Enjoy!
In today's Daily Fix:The animated anthology movie, Predator: Killer of Killers, just got some DLC in the form of an updated ending. Spoilers: in the original ending, you can see various creatures—including humans—captured by the Predators and held in some kind of stasis. The new updated ending makes it more obvious who some of their captives are, and they will be familiar to those who have seen the previous Predator films. In other news, Rick & Morty creator Dan Harmon has announced a spinoff, President Curtis, starring Keith David. The series has no premiere date as of yet. And we take a look at how you cna experience the magic of dragon flight on Hiccup's Wing Gliders as Universal Epic Universe.Presented by Universal Orlando Resort and its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
In today's Daily Fix:Elden Ring Nightreign is finally getting a two-player duos mode. The new mode will debut with patch 1.02 which will be available July 30th. Teams of two can now strike it out into the Lands Between to take on the Nightlords, where previously it was solos or trios. In other news, Nintendo may be moving some goalposts in their patent lawsuit with Palworld developer Pocketpair. And finally, we take a look at the new experience at the Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe.Presented by Universal Orlando Resort and its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
Fri, Jul 25 3:04 PM → 7:02 PM Another Universal Epic Fail Radio Systems: - Orange County Government Florida
In today's Daily Fix:Noah Hawley's Alien: Earth is a major production for FX; so major that its scale apparently surpasses that of last year's huge FX hit, Shogun. Via Variety, the new series will exist "in parallel" to the existing Alien cannon, prompting speculation that the show will ignore Ridley Scott's prequel films, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. In other news, Brütal Legend devs honored rocker Ozzy Osbourne by making the game free for exactly 666 minutes. Osbourne died earlier this week, weeks after performing his farewell concert. Osbourne also appears in Brütal Legend as the Guardian of Metal. And finally, we check in with the co-stars of How to Train Your Dragon as they ride Hiccup's Winged Gliders at Universal Epic Universe.Presented by Universal Orland Resort and its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
This episode continues a series of shows retelling stories from our June 2025 podcast trip. Danny, Eli, and Kevin traveled down to Central Florida to say goodbye to MuppetVision 3D, have an Epic day, and enjoy new Disney experiences like Tiana's Bayou Adventure and the Country Bear Musical Jamboree. This episode is Part 3 of our Universal Epic Universe day. We discuss our second visit to Dark Universe, including our encounter with Elias the Hunter, dinner at the Atlantic, the fountain show, and our final thoughts on Epic Universe. What did you think of our adventures? Let us know at show@magicourway.com or call at 815-669-4226, or slide into our social media DMs. Every thought and opinion will forever be welcome on this Disney fan podcast. This is show #586.
In today's Daily Fix:The messy legal saga between South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, and South Park rights holders at Paramount may be coming to an end. The show had been stuck in a sort of streaming limbo when rights to the show expired at HBO Max, but have not yet been picked up anywhere else. Paramount+ was the most logical place, but the impending merger between Paramount and Skydance put a hold on a lot of new dealmaking. With only a handful of episodes and on-off specials airing over the past two years, fans have been clamoring for a full new season, and now that Stone and Parker have signed a $1.5 billion deal, the fans will be getting what they want. In other news, the Pokémon Company held a Pokémon Direct, showing off new details on upcoming games like Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and the first peek at the new PokéPark KANTO opening in Tokyo next year.Presented by Universal Orlando Resort and its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
Send us a textHello, passionate cruisers! This is Paul. I am delighted to welcome this week to The Joy of Cruising Podcast, Justin Sorrell aka MrBucketlist. Justin is a video creator and influencer and the creator of the 19k subscribers MrBucketlist YouTube channel where you get to follow his adventures not only on the seas but anywhere else. You see MrBucketlist is a certified thrill seeker, never He cruises exclusively solo, which is relatively atypical for men, and has done 30 Solo Cruises—3 of which involved leading MrBucketlist group cruises. As suggested by Justin's brand name, cruising is only one aspect of his adventure seeking lifestyle. He has checked off over 150 items on his bucket list in numerous forms. Justin is a confirmed thrill seeker having visited over 80 Theme Parks; 49 of 50 States—and that will soon be 50/50 as he just booked a Hawaii cruise for this Spring; and 5/7 Continents. And then there was this statement on the MrBucketlist homepage, and Justin became a new travel role model of mine: “I vacation every 2 weeks!” Do you have a dream car?Support the showSupport thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/newSupport Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulthContact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.htmlBook Cruises http://www.thejoyofvacation.com/US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast)The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingCruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterruptedThe Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgainIntl Orders via Amazon
This episode continues a series of shows retelling stories from our June 2025 podcast trip. Danny, Eli, and Kevin traveled down to Central Florida to say goodbye to MuppetVision 3D, have an Epic day, and enjoy new Disney experiences like Tiana's Bayou Adventure and the Country Bear Musical Jamboree. This episode is Part 2 of our Universal Epic Universe day. We discuss our first visit to Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and the Battle at the Ministry, The Blue Dragon restaurant, Dark Universe, Isle of Berk, Flora Taverna, and Hiccup's Winged Gliders. What did you think of our adventures? Let us know at show@magicourway.com or call at 815-669-4226, or slide into our social media DMs. Every thought and opinion will forever be welcome on this Disney fan podcast. This is show #585.
On this episode of The Super Retro Podcast, we highlighted the “Hip-Hop Bible” — The Source Magazine — and shared our thoughts on our recent visit to Universal's Epic Universe. We get sentimental about the childhood friends we lost touch with, take it back to the early '90s with striped jean shorts, and who remembers that frozen Welch's grape juice in a can?We also break down the legendary 2001 Nike Freestyle commercial, revisit the beastly battery-powered toy truck known as The Animal, and give you the scoop on Super Retro Fest. As always, we've got fresh Discord drops, fan mail, open some Mailbagsss, Salty Water trivia, and a whole lot more retro goodness packed in.Today's episode was brought to you by Salty Water. Hydrate Your Inner Warrior! Support our sponsors:IG: https://www.instagram.com/drinksaltywater/Buy: https://tinyurl.com/4c4kz9ceWebsite: https://drinksaltywater.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/superretroMaster list on our NES collection: https://superretropod.com/nes-game-list-super-retro/Join our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMP4yO-dFGayGUkT_MVYrhQ/joinEmail: SuperRetroPod@gmail.comAll things Super Retro: https://linktr.ee/superretroInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/superretropodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@superretropod
This episode continues a series of shows retelling stories from our June 2025 podcast trip. Danny, Eli, and Kevin traveled down to Central Florida to say goodbye to MuppetVision 3D, have an Epic day, and enjoy new Disney experiences like Tiana's Bayou Adventure and the Country Bear Musical Jamboree. This episode is Part 1 of our Universal Epic Universe day. We discuss Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, The Blue Dragon restaurant, Dark Universe, and Monsters Unchained. What did you think of our adventures? Let us know at show@magicourway.com or call at 815-669-4226, or slide into our social media DMs. Every thought and opinion will forever be welcome on this Disney fan podcast. This is show #584.
The Jerks are back to talk about the new live action remake of How to Train Your Dragon and the general concept of live action remakes of classic animated films, as well as the new How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe!Don't forget to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast app!Find us on Twitter and Instagram! @DreamJerksPodEmail us at DreamJerksPodcast@gmail.comTheme song by Pangolin. Find them everywhere @PangolinFLTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22w7z_lT6YM
Over the summer break, Eddie made his way to Orlando with his family to explore the new Universal Epic Universe and came back with some wild stories
Over the summer break, Eddie made his way to Orlando with his family to explore the new Universal Epic Universe and came back with some wild stories
JOIN OUR PATREON!!! - https://www.patreon.com/TheUselessHotlineWelcome to The Useless Hotline hosted by Max Balegde and George Clarke. A place to send your queries and dilemmas no matter how big, small, weird, or embarrassing. We can't guarantee good advice or that you will leave a changed person, but we can guarantee that this is a useless hotline.Subscribe and join us every Sunday as we tackle your problems head on and on occasion will be helped by some faces you may recognise on a trial shift.Submit your queries/ dilemmas here:theuselesshotlinepodcast@gmail.comOR Send a voice note to our Instagram:https://instagram.com/theuselesshotlinepod?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= You can also listen here:Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-useless-hotline/id1656588234 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5zHCHHfKk6b3m2VLJA0tIl Why not follow our socials so you don't miss out on any of the latest news?Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theuselesshotlinepod?_t=8XhEHip5lET&_r=1 Instagram:https://instagram.com/theuselesshotlinepod?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Hosts Socials:Max's YouTube: https://youtube.com/@max_balegde George's YouTube: https://youtube.com/@georgeclarkeMax's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@max_balegde?_t=8XhDjkFsoX0&_r=1 George's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@georgeclarkeey?_t=8XhDmpUzS21&_r=1 Max's Instagram: https://instagram.com/max_balegde?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= George's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgeclarkeey/ Max's Twitter:https://twitter.com/balegde_?s=21&t=ovlG85OFyGF-u8ON3SuFMg George's Twitter:https://twitter.com/Clarke13George Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For reasons we still can't understand, we were invited back to Universal Epic Universe to celebrate its Grand Opening! This gave us the opportunity to see if our initial thoughts and feelings on the brand-new park still hold true. Buckle up for some in-depth reviews and hilarious stories from our insane experience! Consider supporting us on our FourthWall for Bonus Episodes, Merch, and More! www.fyapod.com CREATED & HOSTED BY Ryan Bergara & Byron Marin EDITOR Byron Marin EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Ryan Bergara Byron Marin Social: http://www.instagram.com/fyapod http://www.instagram.com/ryanbergara http://www.instagram.com/byronamarin FYA Logo by Arthur Kierce (@theonekierce) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On today's Fix, we have an official announcement of the first ever Xbox handheld and the studio that gave us Pokémon has an awesome looking action rpg on the way. Plus, we take a peek at the five immersive worlds of the all-new Universal Epic Universe, and one of its featured attractions – Stardust Racers, all at Universal Orlando Resort.Presented by: Universal Orlando Resort, and its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
The DIS Unplugged: Universal Edition - A Weekly Discussion About All Things Universal Orlando
We have our first house Halloween Horror Nights 2025 house announcement with ticket details and we'll be discussing our surprising experience at the opening weekend of Universal Epic Universe in this week's episode of the DIS Unlimited Universal Show. Links:UO Fan WebsiteGet a FREE No-Obligation Quote on a Universal vacation from Dreams Unlimited Travel today!Important DIS links and more information!Support us and get exclusive content on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Olá amigos! Finalmente chegou o grande dia de conhecer o mais novo e espetacular parque de Orlando, o Universal Epic Universe!!! Sim, acabamos de voltar de uma viagem épica, e viemos contara toda nossa experiência de entrar pela primeira vez no Epic Universe, e de ter estado lá no dia da abertura oficial para o […]
Kenneth, Michelle, Maddy and special guests Lindsey and Audrey get together at Bar Helios at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel to talk full spoilers on everything in Universal Epic Universe!Follow this link to see the magical HHN announcement tracker that we always reference: https://www.pangolinfl.com/hhntracker Follow the link and sign up to be a member of the Rush of Fear Society for as low as $5 a month! You'll get access to our community Discord, bonus episodes, unedited content, giveaways, watch-a-longs and MORE!! https://rushoffear.supercast.com/Follow us on Instagram and X at @rushoffearpod for more HHN content!Check our Merch Storefront & help support the show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/rush-of-fear-podcast
Se tem uma coisa que a gente leva a sério é aproveitar cada segundo num parque de diversão, meu amoooor! E dessa vez fomos conhecer o novíssimo Universal Epic Universe em Orlando — e olha, é epic mesmo, viu? Montanha-russa, emoção e muita caminhada pra aproveitar tudo. Aperta o play pra saber o que achamos do parque e também pra rir com as histórias que definitivamente não estavam no nosso roteiro de viagem! ESTANTE VIRTUAL Garanta sua próxima leitura na Estante Virtual: https://mamicas.page.link/Estante_Virtual_Caneca_de_Mamicas SIGA O NOVO FEED DO CANECA DE MAMICAS REDES SOCIAIS Francine Gladulich -@fran_gladulich Glad Vip Travel - @gladviptravel Andreia Pazos - @deiaduboc Agatha Ottoni - @agathaottoni ARTE DA VITRINE: Felipe Camêlo Baixe Versão Wallpaper da Vitrine CONFIRA OS OUTROS CANAIS DO JOVEM NERD Mande suas histórias, críticas, elogios e sugestões para: canecademamicas@jovemnerd.com.br APP JOVEM NERD: Google Play Store | Apple App Store
Welcome to episode 65 of Shack Together! We're joined by special guests Donovan Erskine and Greg Burke to discuss their impressions of Universal's Epic Universe theme park. Today's show features our review of Elden Ring Nightreign, as well as our new "Mount Switchmore" segment, where we match Nintendo Switch first-party games to Mount Rushmore presidents based on their leadership qualities and legacy. The Nintendo Switch 2, launching next week, continues to dominate headlines with Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake's October release window and an upcoming Pokemon Presents showcase announced for July 2025. Meanwhile, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 celebrates an impressive milestone of 3.3 million units sold in just 33 days, while EA makes waves with the cancellation of their Black Panther game and the closure of Cliffhanger Games. We also explore new previews of Persona 5: The Phantom X and review several recent releases including Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon and The Siege and the Sandfox. Industry news brings record-breaking results from NVIDIA's Q1 2026 earnings, with gaming revenue hitting an all-time high of $3.8 billion. And that's all for today's show! Thanks as always for listening and enjoy! Timestamps 00:01:27 Asif On Assignment 00:03:30 It's Shack Together! 00:03:59 Greg and Donovan's Universal's Epic Universe Grand Opening Trip 00:36:39 Joe's PC, Clair Obscur 00:38:30 Asif's Games: Blue Prince, Doom: The Dark Ages 00:55:36 Mount Switchmore Draft: Matching Nintendo Switch Games to Mount Rushmore Presidents 01:30:00 Story Time! 01:30:04 Previews: Persona 5: The Phantom X, Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake 01:33:49 Reviews: Elden Ring Nightreign, Tainted Grail, F1 25, The Siege and the Sandfox, Scar-Lead Salvation 01:56:21 News: Black Panther Game Cancelled, Star Wars Battlefront 2 Record, Clair Obscur Sales, Pokemon Presents July 2025 02:11:08 Industry: NVIDIA Q1 2026 Earnings, Record Gaming Revenue 02:13:34 Community Notes Articles mentioned in this episode Universal Epic Universe park impressions Elden Ring Nightreign review Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake preview Pokemon Presents showcase July 2025 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sales milestone Black Panther canceled, Cliffhanger Games closed NVIDIA Q1 2026 gaming revenue record Persona 5: The Phantom X preview Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon review The Siege and the Sandfox review
On this episode join us live from the grand opening day of Universal Epic Universe. Join us in The Producers Club Follow us: LINKTREE
Join Attractions Magazine contributing writers and correspondents as they bring you news and discussion about all things themed entertainment and parks, including Disney, Universal Studios and beyond on The Attractions Podcast. Topics of conversation on this week's episode of The Attractions Podcast: Epic Universe grand opening ceremonies for each portal New Epic Universe print magazine celebrates the grand opening The Attractions Podcast is brought to you by MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel. They provide premium service and expert advice to get the most for your vacation time and dollars. Visit them at mei-travel.com. We welcome your suggestions and want you to be a part of the discussion. Please send your comments to info@attractionsmagazine.com with the subject line “The Attractions Podcast.” Statements or opinions herein are those of the hosts and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the producers, Dream Together Media LLC, or staff.
Experience Imagination: A Themed Entertainment Podcast by Falcon's Creative Group
Casandra Matej, President & CEO of Visit Orlando, joins us in today's new episode!
The world's newest theme park has opened, and we're taking you inside each immersive land. In this episode, Jake shares his experience adventuring through the portals of a Universal Epic Universe preview day. Jake and Morgan will discuss everything you need to know about the new park, including themed dining options, interactive experiences, and cutting edge attractions. Listen along and join the Dis-cussion on social media @neverlandnavco
Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Universal Epic Universe opened its doors. As the first major theme park to open in the United States since 2001 it is a big deal, but if you aren't a huge theme park nerd should it be on your radar? Joe attended the Epic Universe media preview while Shawn went as a normal guest. You can listen to a more in depth nerdy conversation about the park on this week's Disney Deciphered, but on this show we discuss what it was like doing the media preview, what sort of hype is promised, how it affects your views plus what we both think of the park and how Shawn's real guest experience different from Joe's VIP tours. We also discuss some of Joe's plans for his upcoming Japan family trip plus why business class one way and economy the other isn't just a way to save points. It could be a way to save your kids! :) Episode Guide Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 1:41 Locking down Korea/Japan for the Summer - Family rates, finding a compatible traveling family, international driving permits & business class vs. economy 12:20 Why it isn't always about traveling for "free" 16:30 What it's like doing press trips - Behind the Epic Universe VIP opening 23:35 The coolest part of the Epic Universe media experience 32:36 Is Epic Universe the culmination of themed entertainment in 2025? 42:15 Universal vs. Disney and Epic Universe for the miles & points normie Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!
Epic Universe Review – Rides & Shows: Magical or Tragical? Universal's Epic Universe is the most anticipated theme park opening in years—but is it truly magical, or a tragical letdown? In this in-depth review, we dive into every land, ride, and show coming to Epic Universe in 2025. From Super Nintendo World to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, we break down the attractions and share our honest thoughts on whether they're must-dos… or skip-worthy. We'll explore: Themed lands: Celestial Park, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Ride-by-ride breakdowns Our verdict: Magical or Tragical? Whether you're planning a trip or just a theme park fan, this is your one-stop guide to everything Epic Universe! Don't forget to subscribe for more theme park reviews, tips, and deep dives! ___________________________________ Subscribe to our Patreon, a monthly subscription service that helps us continue to grow financially, at Patreon.com/ACoupleOfParkHoppers Follow us on all social media, including: Facebook.com/ParkHoppersShow Instagram.com/ParkHoppersShow X.com/ParkHoppersShow TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRCu2BKR/ Download the Disney Magic And Beyond podcast, which is available EVERY WEEK on: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zdoeLH Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3hHWGZ3 …and anywhere else you find your favorite podcasts! Hit that SUBSCRIBE button under this video, and click that bell for a notification every time we release a new video! Until next time… we'll see you around the parks! #EpicUniverse #UniversalOrlando #ThemeParkReview #MagicalOrTragical
Savannah joins Jenna as co-host for the day from Orlando, FL, ahead of the opening of Universal Epic Universe! The two are joined by Matt Rogers to discuss the “rules of culture” in a theme park. Also, they head to the world of the Isle of Berk from ‘How to Train Your Dragon' to take a ride on Hiccup's wing. Plus, Howie Mandel stops by to catch up and talk about the new season of ‘America's Got Talent.' And, the Vice President of Food and Beverage at Universal Epic Universe shares details about all the delicious desserts to try at the park.
The TODAY team brings the latest news this morning from Orlando, FL, ahead of the opening of Universal Epic Universe. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., President Trump urges a divided GOP on Capitol Hill to unify behind his “big, beautiful” tax cuts bill. Also, the latest on severe weather across the U.S., with tornadoes and strong winds impacting parts of the country. Plus, a closer look at an alarming new report revealing that many sunscreens are ineffective—and where to turn for the protection you need. And, remembering the life and legacy of ‘Cheers' actor George Wendt.
Rachel had the opportunity to visit Universal Epic Universe with her family during the travel agent previews at the end of April 2025. This is part 3 of 3 episodes discussing her first-hand experience in Universal's new park. In this episode, we discuss the world of Dark Universe! Check out show #575 to hear about Super Nintendo World, and show #576 to hear all about Dark Universe. What questions do you have about Universal Epic Universe? We would love to hear from you. Let us know at show@magicourway.com or call at 815-669-4226 or slide into our social media DMs. Every thought and opinion will forever be welcome on this Disney fan podcast. This is show #577.
It's opening week at Epic Universe, and the buzz is palpable! The park is finally here, and fans are flooding in to experience all that Epic has to offer. But before you get lost in the crowds, we've got something else exciting—an original concept that could take Epic Universe to the next level!This week, Stephen steps outside the Disney bubble to craft an incredible expansion idea for Dark Universe. Think monsters, legends, and stories waiting to come to life in thrilling new ways. We're talking about a concept that dives deep into the Creature from the Black Lagoon and imagines a spine-chilling experience!Join Stephen and the team as they break down this never-before-done idea, filled with government conspiracies, eerie streets, and an adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat. It's all about pushing the boundaries of theme park storytelling, and this new expansion could be an addition Universal needs!Send us a textSupport the showDon't forget to check us out on Instagram and our website!
Addicted to the Mouse: Planning Disney World, Disneyland, and All Things Disney
On today's Disney Podcast, we are talking about the two huge events happening on both coasts. On the West Coast, Disneyland began its 70th Anniversary Celebration that will continue through Summer 2026. One of the amazing Fantastical Vacations Travel Advisors, Ashley, attended the opening event and everything that Disney has added looks so incredible, from […] The post Disneyland 70th & Universal Epic Universe Grand Opening Celebration appeared first on Addicted to the Mouse.
Rachel had the opportunity to visit Universal Epic Universe with her family during the travel agent previews at the end of April 2025. This is part 2 of 3 episodes discussing her first-hand experience in Universal's new park. In this episode, we discuss the world of Dark Universe! Check out show #575 to hear about Super Nintendo World and show #577 to hear about How To Train Your Dragon and The Battle at the Ministry. What questions do you have about Dark Universe? We would love to hear from you. Let us know at show@magicourway.com or call at 815-669-4226 or slide into our social media DMs. Every thought and opinion will forever be welcome on this Disney fan podcast. This is show #576.
The DIS Unplugged: Universal Edition - A Weekly Discussion About All Things Universal Orlando
Hannah and Ryno are back at Universal Epic Universe for one MONSTER of a makeover. In this episode of the DIS Unlimited Universal Show these two horror loving hosts are reviewing both The Transformation Ticket: A Face Makeup Experience with Matching Accessories and The Experiment Ticket: A Face Makeup Experience from the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience in Dark Universe. They walked in visitors and walked out true monsters! The Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience is now on sale for guests visiting Universal Epic Universe, which officially opens May 22, 2025, and can be booked by a Dreams Unlimited Travel agent. Links:UO Fan WebsiteGet a FREE No-Obligation Quote on a Universal vacation from Dreams Unlimited Travel today!Important DIS links and more information!Support us and get exclusive content on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The DIS Unplugged: Universal Edition - A Weekly Discussion About All Things Universal Orlando
Hannah and Ryno are at Universal Epic Universe and in need of a monstrously good meal. Inside of Dark Universe, they find themselves at the quick service dining hall, Das Stakehaus. According to the Universal Orlando Resort website, this location is themed to an old inn built over the ruins of ancient catacombs. You'll find vampire artwork and artifacts throughout, but most importantly food! Hear what this Dark Universe duo thought of their experience in this Universal Epic Universe dining review. Links:UO Fan WebsiteGet a FREE No-Obligation Quote on a Universal vacation from Dreams Unlimited Travel today!Important DIS links and more information!Support us and get exclusive content on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join us for a special LIVE edition of The DVC Show as we share our FULL REVIEW of Universal Orlando's EPIC Universe — the most anticipated new theme park in decades! From Super Nintendo World to Celestial Park and beyond, we'll break down what we loved, what surprised us, and how it compares to Disney's offerings.We'll also be answering your questions live, so be sure to tune in, chat with us, and share your thoughts on Universal's bold new move in the Orlando theme park wars.*This was originally recorded live on Monday, April 28th, 2025.Be sure to head to our DVC Fan Instagram to enter our EPIC Giveaway!!! - https://www.instagram.com/p/DJAnk_rIz6o/?img_index=1Support our DVC Fan content by joining ourPatreon Community!Visit our official sponsor, World of DVC, for all your DVC needs!DVC Resale Market is the largest broker of DVC resale contracts on the internet!Monera Financial for an easy solution to financing your DVC contract!DVC Rental Store is a fantastic resource for those looking to rent points or rent out points!Book Your Next Disney Cruise withBe Our Guest Vacations!Become a member of the DVC Fan Facebook Group!Follow us on Instagram!Visit DVC Fan for even more on Disney Vacation Club!
MouseChat.net – Disney, Universal, Orlando FL News & Reviews
Disney World, Universal Epic Universe and more new things coming to Orlando FL
The DIS Unplugged: Universal Edition - A Weekly Discussion About All Things Universal Orlando
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Pizza Moon eh! Ryno and Chloe are at Universal Epic Universe, ready to blast off for lunch at Pizza Moon in Celestial Park. This epic eatery's theme is inspired by an early 1900s Victorian theater that has been converted to an out of this world quick service pizza restaurant with plenty of over the top whimsey that carries into the pies. Can you believe there is a purple pizza on the menu?! Hear what the dining duo thought of the entire meal experience at this brand new quick service restaurant in this Universal Epic Universe dining review! Links:UO Fan WebsiteGet a FREE No-Obligation Quote on a Universal vacation from Dreams Unlimited Travel today!Important DIS links and more information!Support us and get exclusive content on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The DIS Unplugged: Universal Edition - A Weekly Discussion About All Things Universal Orlando
In this episode of the DIS Unlimited Universal Show, Ryno is talking about some exciting news like the official confirmation announcement from Universal Destinations & Experiences of a brand new theme park coming to the United Kingdom. He'll also be talking about some new details released on Universal Horror Unleashed opening August 14th in Las Vegas before going over a breakdown of all the food and drinks that he has consumed at Universal Epic Universe...so far that is. Links:UO Fan WebsiteGet a FREE No-Obligation Quote on a Universal vacation from Dreams Unlimited Travel today!Important DIS links and more information!Support us and get exclusive content on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.