Pay-Per-Ride Comes to Epic Universe and the Long Goodbye to Lucy: A Tribute (Ep. 99)

A new à la carte Express Pass option has Universal fans debating the future of line-skipping, while fresh surveys hint at bigger strategic shifts in Hollywood and Orlando. Jim and Eric break down what a single-ride upcharge could mean for guest spending and park flow, plus what face-scanning tech might signal for Epic Universe’s nighttime plans. Then, inspired by a listener suggestion, they take a deep dive into the surprisingly rich history of Lucy: A Tribute - the long-running attraction that once occupied prime real estate at Universal Studios Florida.

NEWS
• Universal begins testing a single-ride Express Pass option, allowing guests to skip lines for select attractions at a per-ride price
• Early reactions to the pay-per-ride model and how it compares to Disney’s Lightning Lane system
• Face recognition scanners appear at Epic Universe portals, fueling speculation about crowd control and nighttime access
• New surveys suggest Universal may adjust operating hours at Hollywood, possibly ahead of major attraction demand
• Universal explores offering discounted annual passes to Disney passholders to boost cross-park loyalty

FEATURE
• The origin story of Lucy: A Tribute and how Lucie Arnaz partnered with Universal to preserve her mother’s legacy
• Why the attraction lasted decades longer than originally planned at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Florida
• The role of I Love Lucy in early theme park competition between Universal and Disney-MGM Studios
• How Lucy Ricardo became a beloved walkaround character - and why Universal recently retired her

HOSTS
• Jim Hill – X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia
• Eric Hersey – X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey

FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

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
Save on your next Universal or Disney vacation with and enjoy exclusive discounts on tickets and Express Pass options.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices