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 loyaltyFEATURE• 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 herHOSTS• Jim Hill – X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia• Eric Hersey – X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @ericherseyFOLLOW• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmediaSUPPORTSupport the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmediaPRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.comSPONSORSave 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