The Canadian Simulator Ride That Changed Theme Parks Forever (Ep. 105)
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey break down the first major Halloween Horror Nights announcement for 2026, dig into Universal’s quiet decision to remove Hagrid’s from Express Pass, and discuss what’s going on with Universal Kids Resort in Texas after a series of accidental leaks. Then Jim looks back at the creation of Back to the Future: The Ride and the forgotten Canadian simulator attraction that helped inspire it, all while tracing the career of visual effects legend Doug Trumbull.
NEWS
• Universal officially announces a Sinners haunted house for Halloween Horror Nights in both Orlando and Hollywood, inspired by the Oscar-winning vampire film set in 1930s Mississippi
• Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood tickets go on sale with RIP Tours, Frequent Fear passes, and premium add-ons already available
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is quietly removed from Universal Orlando’s Express Pass lineup beginning July 1
• Universal’s Mega Movie Parade return is delayed until June 5 as operational adjustments continue behind the scenes
• Universal Orlando prepares a Steven Spielberg Summer Tribute Store featuring Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and the upcoming Disclosure Day film
• Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas accidentally leaks July opening details and early ticket pricing online
FEATURE
• Jim revisits the origins of Back to the Future: The Ride on its 35th anniversary
• The forgotten Tour of the Universe attraction inside Toronto’s CN Tower helped inspire Star Tours and Universal’s simulator rides
• Visual effects pioneer Doug Trumbull’s work on 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters, and Blade Runner shaped the future of theme park attractions
• Behind-the-scenes stories from Trumbull’s Massachusetts rope mill studio where the Back to the Future ride film was created
• Why Universal originally planned an entirely different Back to the Future ride experience before switching to the Biff Tannen storyline
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey - Instagram: @erichersey - Website: strongmindedagency.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/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
UnlockedMagic.com - Save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, now including Express Pass options: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=epicjhm
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