Why Raptor Encounter Works (and Triceratops Didn’t) (Ep. 51)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 16 May 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore how Universal turned a high-maintenance animatronic failure into one of its most popular and shareable meet-and-greets with Raptor Encounter. From behind-the-scenes strategy to guest visibility, they break down what Triceratops Encounter taught Universal—and how that shaped the Jurassic Park experience we know today. The rise and fall of Triceratops Encounter, and why it never worked as a headline attraction How Raptor Encounter succeeded by being visible, fast, and built for social sharing Universal’s upcoming Epic Universe livestream and new Peacock documentary The Epic Ride Mega Movie Summer kicks off at Universal Hollywood with Jaws props and Jurassic World meet-and-greets Listener feedback: how to hack your Cabana Bay stay, plus an update on walk-around characters at Toothsomes Whether you're into classic Jurassic nostalgia or watching how Universal adapts its strategy, this episode is all about learning from the past to create blockbuster experiences. 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	The Autopilot Order.
0:16.0	Now, informal, the strong urge felt at the ordering kiosk or drive-through that takes over the entire
0:22.1	body and mind and results in a person ordering a Big Mac without even having to think. Related
0:27.1	phrases, looks like I've ordered a Big Mac again. The autopilot order at McDonald's.
0:32.9	Surf from 11am, subject to availability. Welcome back to the Epic Universal podcast. I'm
0:38.4	entertainment writer Jim Hill and this is the podcast where we cover the latest universal news,
0:44.3	rumors, and history. And as always, I'm joined by Eric Hersey, who some of you may know as
0:50.5	the support system for Lainey and Lauren Hersey, you know, who have spent most of,
0:58.5	what, the past six months watching Wicked? Is that, am I getting that right? Well, Jim, I think we're on
1:04.9	the 51st episode of the Epic Universal podcast. I think they're probably watched Wicked 51 times or more, it seems. So,
1:12.9	yeah, there's a lot. But it sounds to me like they might get to 52. You just gave me some cool,
1:17.9	well, some information. Yeah. Well, obviously, again, we have Wicked Part 2 for Good coming out
1:26.2	later this year.
1:27.8	And what's interesting is, obviously, Wicked fans have been chomping at the bit.
1:31.4	You know, well, what are we going to get to see the trailer?
1:34.0	And it turns out now we know.
1:36.5	On June 4th, for one night, Wicked is going back into theaters.
1:42.7	But the thing that's interesting about this is if you buy a ticket to this, you're going to be among the first people on the planet to see the trailer for good.
1:53.9	So we were joking.
1:55.8	It was we were pre-gaming tonight show.
1:57.2	It's like, well, at least we know where Lauren and Lainey will be that night.
2:00.7	Right. So. And I was curious. I was curious because I did see it online. I think Laney actually shared
	...

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