The 27-Year Idea: Uncovering the Surprising Origins of CityWalk (Ep. 80)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 5 December 2025

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim kicks off this week’s show with a wild winter travel saga involving airport shutdowns, missing donuts, and a 3 a.m. pickup run that somehow beats the incoming snowstorm. From there, he and Eric dive into a new Universal survey aimed squarely at teens, explore construction movement in Lost Continent, and track down the long-missing Monsters Café icons now hiding backstage in Dark Universe. They also unpack the Grinch’s sudden takeover of holiday marketing before shifting into a deep-dive feature on the long, winding, neon-lit creation of Universal CityWalk Hollywood—a project Lou Wasserman first dreamed up nearly three decades before it opened. NEWS • Teen-focused Universal survey hints at interest in genre preferences, event awareness, and horror-driven engagement. • Activity in Lost Continent sparks renewed speculation about future land plans and potential tie-ins to Wicked’s box office momentum. • Classic Monsters Café statues resurface behind Dark Universe, raising questions about their next life in the parks. • McDonald’s unveils a Grinch meal, highlighting the odd licensing divide between animated, live-action, and promotional designs. • Universal updates its disability access program, shifting to a more streamlined digital Attractions Assistance Pass. FEATURE • How Lou Wasserman’s 1966 idea evolved into the modern, open-air entertainment district known as CityWalk. • Why Universal insisted CityWalk be “not a mall,” but a curated neighborhood blending neon art, unique shops, and LA culture. • The surprising role of historic neon, UCLA programming, and an 18-screen movie palace in shaping the development. • Early expansions, closures, and how CityWalk continues to evolve ahead of Universal Hollywood’s third on-site hotel. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, powered by the DVC Rental Store. Planning a 2026 trip to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? Save 10 percent or more on deluxe accommodations at:UnlockedMagic.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Think about cheese.
0:16.2	Make your thoughts cheesier.
0:19.5	Now add 100% chicken breast fillet, Chipotle sauce and omega cheese melt,
0:23.6	and it's giving the new cheesy chicken stack at McDonald's.
0:27.6	Did we mention it's cheesy?
0:29.1	Cheese.
0:31.1	Availments at the 4th of Jan, 226 from 11 a.m.
0:33.4	Present participation may vary.
0:34.5	Subjects availability.
0:35.4	Welcome back to the Epic Universal podcast.
0:37.9	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill, and this is the podcast where we cover the latest universal news, rumors, and history.
0:45.2	And as always, I'm joined by Eric Hersey.
0:48.0	And how are you tonight, Eric, on this very cold December night?
0:52.3	Oh, you know, it's cold. It's certainly cold. We did get a
0:55.3	couple inches here in Wheeling, West Virginia, and it sounds to me like you've had your fun with snow
1:00.1	as well, but you're not just dealing with snow. You get to travel in it as well, right?
1:05.3	You're going to talk about that. Okay. All right. If you have listened previously to this podcast, you know that when
1:15.7	Nancy was going on her Hallmark cruise, we had some issues. And this past weekend, Nancy has actually
1:24.4	been out in Kansas City, attending the first weekend of this year's
1:30.7	Hallmark Christmas experience. You need to say that. And she had a lovely time. She got to
1:37.5	hang out with her Hallmark Hunks. The problem was when she tried to get home on Monday. And a giant weather system coming across the United States,
1:47.3	and she sat there at the airport and slowly watched her departure time get pushed further and further back.
	...

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