Jim and Eric kick off this week’s show with listener-driven updates and fresh speculation from the Universal parks beat, before pivoting into a deep historical dive on one of the strangest and most memorable effects ever staged on the Universal Studios Hollywood tram tour. Along the way, there is discussion of low-crowd horror experiences, a surprising Spielberg-themed survey, and a heartfelt remembrance of a YouTube pioneer who helped shape modern theme park fandom.
NEWS
• Fresh rumors swirl around a possible IT / Pennywise presence at Halloween Horror Nights, and why Warner Bros and Six Flags complicate the IP landscape
• Listener reports reveal low crowds but high-quality scares at Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas
• Early construction walls appear in Celestial Park at Epic Universe, hinting at future capacity expansion
• A leaked survey teases a potential Steven Spielberg and Amblin-themed tram-style attraction concept
• Reflections on the legacy of Adam the Woo and his impact on theme park history storytelling
FEATURE
• The forgotten history of Six Points, Texas on the Universal backlot and why it became underused
• How Jay Stein pushed Universal to add bold show scenes to the tram tour in the early 1970s
• The engineering and storytelling behind the Runaway Train effect and why it took five years to build
• Mr. T, The A-Team, and the brief but unforgettable era when a TV star nearly “crashed” the tram
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
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Save on Disney and Universal tickets, including park hoppers and Lightning Lane options, by booking through UnlockedMagic.com.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
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