When Universal Tried to Build a Theme Park in the Desert (Ep. 89)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 6 February 2026

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim and Eric kick off this week’s show with a mix of snarky social media, surprising Super Bowl ads, and listener-driven questions before pivoting into a deep historical dive. From Universal’s well-timed trolling of Disney to a fascinating look at a Middle East theme park that almost happened, this episode blends breaking news with one of those long-form Universal history lessons Jim is known for. NEWS • Universal Orlando trolls Disney following the closure of Dinosaur with a pointed Jurassic Park social post • Xfinity debuts a Super Bowl ad reuniting the original Jurassic Park cast, directed by Taika Waititi • Universal explores walkaround Jurassic Park characters including John Hammond, Ian Malcolm, and Dennis Nedry • Ongoing fan speculation around the Oz-tacular Spectacular trademark and where a Wicked-themed show could land • Listener questions about Epic Universe character appearances, including the elusive Donkey Kong meet-and-greet FEATURE • A detailed history of Universal Studios Dubailand - the ambitious Middle East park that was announced, partially built, and ultimately abandoned • How the Great Recession stalled Universal’s international expansion plans • Why Universal quietly walked away from Dubailand after nearly a decade • How this abandoned project connects to Universal’s renewed interest in the Middle East and a possible Saudi Arabia theme park HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Website: strongmindedagency.com 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 Be Our Guest Vacations Are you planning your next Universal or Disney adventure? Let the experts at Be Our Guest Vacations handle the details. As a Platinum level Authorized Vacation Planner, they offer top-tier concierge service for Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood, Disney destinations, cruises, and more. Start planning today at BeOurGuestVacations.com and be sure to let them know the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. 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	Welcome back to the Epic Universal podcast. I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill, and this is the podcast where we cover the latest universal news, rumors, and history. And as always, I'm joined by Eric Hersey, who is a very busy guy these days. You and Lauren have an interesting side project these days.
0:22.5	Jim, I just got off another podcast.
0:25.9	You're not the only one that can record multiple podcasts in a day nowadays. Oh, okay.
0:27.3	So this is you and Lauren.
0:29.5	We're bumping out.
0:30.4	Is this episode three or four of Dizz and Hers?
0:33.6	It is episode three.
0:34.9	Now, you've got the secret pilot episode.
0:37.1	So this is the fourth one we recorded, but to the public is third. We made a special Jim Hill exclusive because you've been so kind to let us launch a podcast on your network. So if you haven't heard the plugs via commercial or seen us plug on your social, yeah, Lauren and I have launched a new podcast on your network,
0:55.9	and it is slightly different than everything else because we are primarily just talking about
1:01.1	the Disney community and what they're saying online. So I like to deem it as like the Reddit comments
1:06.6	coming to an audio form, which is dangerous. right? It is, but it's also fascinating.
1:12.2	And, you know, I've enjoyed the show so far and gotten a little preview of what you guys have in store for the latest episode, number three.
1:23.1	Yeah, Jim, you know, I was stalking the different forums and on X quite a lot. As normal, that's kind of how I get all the information for Universal anyway, but for a lot of it, I was grabbing, well, this week we're going to talk a little bit about the cold temperatures. We're going to talk about the Cinderella Castle and the new paint job it's getting. And obviously, there's big announcement today, the new CEO, which a big, big deal.
1:46.5	So we kind of had a lot of the scuttle butt going into that.
1:49.2	But also the closing of dinosaur, which kind of helped me find this, what I like to call a very savage social post, Jim.
1:57.0	Did you see what Universal Orlando posted on their Facebook page?
2:02.4	The day Dinosaur was closed.
2:04.3	Yeah, and I have to admit, this is some A-level trolling of Disney by Universal.
2:12.4	They have multiple shots of Jurassic Park, the River Adventure and the land over at Iowa with the notes
2:20.4	is like, don't worry, folks, we still have plenty of dinosaurs.
2:24.4	So it's like.
	...

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