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The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

From Mariachi to Mardi Gras: The Forgotten Festival That Shaped Universal (Ep. 44)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 28 March 2025

⏱️ 53 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey uncover the surprising 1960s Hollywood event that helped inspire Universal Studios’ Mardi Gras celebrations today. Plus, they unpack the latest rumors, leaks, and hotel openings as Epic Universe edges closer to launch. • Mardi Gras Origins: How Universal’s “Fiesta Mexicana” and “Mardi Gras de Mexico” laid the groundwork for today’s fan-favorite events. • Epic Universe Hotel News: Terra Luna opens for bookings—what it means for the summer rush. • Mario Kart Express Rumors: New signage reveals a possible upgrade to the most popular ride in Super Nintendo World. • Leaked Footage Controversy: Team member previews are underway, but influencers sneaking in early may risk ruining the magic. • Power Rangers & Military Discounts: Jim and Eric answer listener questions about live shows and lesser-known perks. • Abraham Lincoln in the Hills?: The quirky story behind a statue that once stood tall in Universal’s early years. It’s a mix of park history, speculation, and theme park detective work you won’t want to miss. 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

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:45.3

Welcome back to the Epic Universal Podcast. I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill,

0:50.1

and this is the podcast where we cover the latest universal news, rumors and history. And as always,

0:56.3

I'm joined by Eric Hersey, who is your, how many, it's less than two weeks at this point.

1:03.4

You guys head back to Florida, right? Yeah, I think so. It's Easter. We don't really get

1:08.0

spring breaks for all three of my kids school. Two of them already had a spring break. And my daughter, she has a little bit of time off for Easter.

1:14.5

So we snuck in a trip, and we're going to be heading down to Central Florida. And we will, I will once again, get these lips next to some butter bear.

1:22.8

That is what.

1:24.9

All right. Well, we all have goals in life i guess okay um though uh interesting news broke just

1:32.8

today about and i want to make sure to get this right this is the the the terra luna correct

1:40.0

terraluna resort yeah the sister is the stella nova, yes, I've mispronounced and or messed

1:46.0

those up a little bit. But Tara Luna was what was in the news today, Jeff. Yeah, it officially

1:51.2

opened and Universal pushed out of press release about this, mentioning that, what is it,

1:56.6

750 new hotel rooms have just been added to the resort.

2:09.1

And we're beginning our march toward the opening of Epic Universe theme park.

2:15.9

And in fact, we'll be talking a little bit about the team member previews that have been going on at that park in a moment.

2:19.7

But I guess before we get to that, we should acknowledge our sponsors.

2:20.4

I think so.

...

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