How Universal Transformed the Upper Lot to Build The Wizarding World

·49 min·4 clips

Demolition has begun on the Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure, but what's coming next?

The episode opens with hosts Jim Hill and Eric Hersey thanking listeners for reviews and promoting sponsor Unlocked Magic for theme park ticket discounts. They then move to news, starting with a turnstile malfunction at Universal Studios Florida that caused entry delays, raising questions about contingency plans for tech failures. Next, they discuss demolition beginning on the Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure, with walls up around the Sinbad Theater, though specifics on replacements like Pokémon or Zelda remain rumors. The conversation shifts to Epic Universe, where permits show land clearing near a Top Golf, and Len Testa's insight suggests a plan to open the park after 6 PM for shopping and dining without full admission. They note the draining of the Celestial Park fountain, hinting at a nighttime show upgrade. In Japan, Universal Studios Japan celebrates its 25th anniversary with a Peanuts character show, leveraging the 75th anniversary of the comic strip. The hosts then focus on the 10th anniversary of the Wizarding World at Universal Hollywood, recalling its announcement in December 2011 and opening in April 2016. They compare construction timelines: Florida's took three years, Japan's two years, but Hollywood's was part of a larger $1.6 billion upper lot redo over five years. This redo included closing Terminator 2 3D in 2012 to open Despicable Me Minion Mayhem in 2014, building Universal Plaza in 2013, and demolishing the Gibson Arena for Hogwarts Castle. Springfield USA and Hogsmeade Village were constructed simultaneously, with buildings of the same height acting as a berm to separate the lands. A new walkway added in August 2025 now connects Hogsmeade Village to Springfield USA, improving navigation. Other additions include the Animation Studio store in 2018 and Power-Up Cafe in 2024 for Mario treats on the upper lot. The episode concludes with anticipation for the Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift coaster and a call for listener suggestions.

As heard by us

A focused look at why Peanuts made sense for Universal Studios Japan's anniversary programming.

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey treat Universal Studios Japan's Let's Smile Together show as a compact example of how a park can turn familiar characters into anniversary programming.

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Why you'd press play

You can follow Peanuts into Universal Studios Japan and hear why Charlie Brown and company became part of a 25th anniversary show.

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