What Other IPs Could Be Coming to Universal’s Fan Fest 2026? (Ep. 71)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 3 October 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a leaked Universal survey that hints at the future of Fan Fest in Hollywood. From Scooby-Doo teaming up with Universal Monsters to the possibility of Pokemon Go and Sailor Moon activations, the lineup could be one of the most surprising yet. And in the second half, the guys rewind to explore the retro roots and hidden details of Cabana Bay, Universal Orlando’s massive value resort. Marvel Zombies and Fangoria’s bold Halloween crossover at Hollywood Forever Cemetery Survey leaks teasing Scooby-Doo, Pokemon Go, One Piece, and more for Fan Fest 2026 How Sailor Moon could bring anime fandom to the DreamWorks Theater The Simpsons movie sequel and its impact on Universal’s theme park rights Cabana Bay’s history, retro theming, and how it reshaped Universal’s hotel strategy Universal’s future IP plans meet its nostalgic past in a packed episode that covers both zombies and neon retro vibes. Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:45.4	Welcome back to the Epic Universal podcast.
0:48.4	I am entertainment writer Jim Hill, and this is the podcast where we cover the latest universal news, rumors, and history.
0:56.2	And as always, I'm joined by Eric Hersey. So, and again, I get away, we're recording this on
1:01.9	October 1st, uh, go to go up on the third. But we're finally, we're finally in the official
1:07.4	Halloween season, right? So I, I can, I can feel good about eating Halloween candy. It's like I've been doing it since August, right? Jim, you know, the funny thing is I was driving Lainey to school today and she's like, it's October. We can officially find, it's Halloween season. I like, and I'm thinking to myself, why does it feel like it should be like over by now? And it's because we've been covering Halloween since August.
1:30.6	That's why it's so funny.
1:32.7	The theme park community is totally different.
1:35.0	But now it did actually, I did this week.
1:39.3	I got prompted a lot of actual Halloween-esque questions.
1:42.6	And I wanted your opinion on this to see if you saw this, Jim.
1:45.5	Did you buy any chance here or see the Marvel Zombies Fangora fan event?
1:50.2	Did this come across your internet?
1:51.9	Yes. In fact, there was a video that somebody shot of the event.
	...

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