meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Universal India Rumors, Tribute Store Props, and the Rise and Fall of Triceratops Encounter (Ep. 50)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 9 May 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey celebrate the 50th episode of the podcast by exploring Universal’s rumored expansion into India and taking a deep dive into one of Islands of Adventure’s most ambitious—and short-lived—attractions: Triceratops Encounter. Along the way, they talk tribute store props, Epic Universe operations, and what happens when Florida weather shuts everything down. Universal India theme park rumors emerge just hours after Disney announces a new park in Abu Dhabi Is the India story a strategic leak or a real expansion plan? Jim breaks down the global pattern Eric reacts to his family visiting the Universal tribute store without him—and the props they spotted from past Tribute Stores Annual Passholder discounts and exclusive merch deals return as Epic Universe ramps up Epic Universe extends park hours—what it means for nighttime crowds and show readiness What happens when it rains? A long list of outdoor attractions go down at Epic Universe The ambitious animatronic detail, design goals, and operational struggles behind Triceratops Encounter Why the attraction was built, how Universal trained for “high touch” interactions, and what ultimately led to its seasonal closure This episode blends the international future of Universal Parks with one of its most fascinating stories from the past—and sets the stage for the next chapter in Islands of Adventure’s Jurassic Park area. 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

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Ready to launch your business? Get started with the commerce platform made for entrepreneurs.

0:20.1

Shopify is specially designed to help you start, run and grow your business

0:24.1

with easy customizable themes that let you build your brand,

0:27.7

marketing tools that get your products out there.

0:30.0

Integrated shipping solutions that actually save you time.

0:32.7

From startups to scale ups, online, in person and on the go.

0:37.2

Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you.

0:39.7

Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup.

0:45.1

Welcome back to the Epic Universal podcast.

0:48.3

I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill,

0:50.0

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

0:55.8

And as always, I'm joined by Eric Hersey.

0:59.0

How are you this evening, Eric?

1:00.5

Jim, I'm fantastic.

1:01.8

I'm not as well as my wife and daughter who slipped away this weekend and went to Universal without me.

1:07.1

And not the nicest thing to do to send me texts over and over that you're drinking butter

1:12.9

beers and buying cool stuff and doing Veloccoaster, but it's fine. They said they did not go to

1:19.5

Epic because I wouldn't have been able to handle that. So they just did the other two parks.

1:24.0

But how are you, Jim? Isn't it nice they made that sacrifice for you?

1:29.0

We won't go to the brand new park because it would hurt you too much.

1:33.0

Right. But I did also, I also can say I did get out of going to a cheering competition.

1:37.5

So we're all winners.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Jim Hill Media Podcast Network and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.