How Hard Rock Became Part of Universal Orlando’s DNA (Ep. 114)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey catch up on the latest Universal news, from Halloween Horror Nights announcements in Hollywood to some changes underway at Universal Studios Florida. They also discuss whether Universal could ever follow Disney into the cruise business and look back at a WaterWorld performer whose run spanned three decades. Then Jim traces the surprising history of Hard Rock Cafe and explains how a restaurant built before Universal Studios Florida even opened grew into a major part of the Universal Orlando Resort.

NEWS

• Killer Klowns from Outer Space returns to Halloween Horror Nights with a new house at Universal Studios Hollywood.

• The Purge: Dangerous Waters is returning to the WaterWorld arena as a nighttime stunt spectacular.

• Longtime WaterWorld performer Greg Dolph receives a sendoff after 30 years playing the Deacon at Universal Studios Hollywood.

• Universal Studios Florida’s entrance arch gets a fresh coat of paint as work continues around the park entrance.

• Jim and Eric consider whether Universal could someday test the waters of the cruise industry.

FEATURE

• The upcoming closure of Miami’s longtime Hard Rock Cafe sends Jim back to the chain’s unlikely beginnings in London.

• Learn how Hard Rock arrived at Universal Studios Florida two months before the theme park itself opened in 1990.

• Jim explains how the original guitar-shaped restaurant became an unexpected observation post for curious Walt Disney World executives.

• From CityWalk and the Coliseum of Rock to the Hard Rock Hotel, discover how the brand became deeply connected to Universal Orlando - and what eventually happened to that original restaurant.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com

• Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com

FOLLOW

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SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

Planning your next Universal Orlando Resort adventure? Let the experts at Be Our Guest Vacations take care of the details. Their travel professionals provide personalized concierge service and can help with your resort stay, theme park tickets, and special extras from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Jurassic Park to Epic Universe. Be sure to mention that the Epic Universal Podcast sent you.

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