The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

As Winnie the Pooh turns 100, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey take a deep dive into how Disney is kicking off a year-long centennial celebration and what the first wave of merchandise already reveals about the strategy behind it. From understated lifestyle apparel to a knit plush that collectors immediately zeroed in on, this episode explores why Pooh still resonates after a century. Then, Jim unpacks the surprisingly complex business history that transformed a simple bedtime story into one of Disney’s most carefully managed and profitable characters. NEWS • Disney officially unveils its Winnie the Pooh 100th anniversary branding, signaling a long runway of celebrations tied to Pooh’s literary origins • The first wave of centennial merchandise drops, favoring subtle, wearable designs over loud anniversary graphics • A limited-edition knit Pooh plush, capped at 7,500 units, becomes the early breakout collectible • Key 2026 milestones line up, from Winnie the Pooh Day to major Disney animation anniversaries • Publi

Eric and Lauren break down the Disney stories fans are reacting to online this week, starting with a surprise blast of 90s nostalgia as the Disney Afternoon games creep back into the conversation. From there, they dig into Galaxy’s Edge loosening up its timeline rules to bring back original trilogy characters, plus the viral Evil Queen controversy that sparked a much bigger debate about character interactions. And because the internet cannot help itself, they close things out with the Festival of the Arts nickname that absolutely should not work, but somehow does. HIGHLIGHTS An ESRB listing sparks chatter that the Disney Afternoon Collection could be headed to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and why Disney adults are clearly the target audience Why Disney continues to lean hard into nostalgia and how search trends and fan buzz often telegraph bigger strategy Galaxy’s Edge expands beyond a single timeline at Disneyland, bringing back original trilogy characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker T

Disney rarely tells you exactly what it’s doing anymore, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a plan. This week, Jim Hill and Dan Graney break down why Marvel’s latest marketing push feels chaotic on the surface yet deeply intentional underneath, and how that same philosophy is quietly reshaping Lucasfilm and Disney’s theme parks. From Avengers teases to Star Wars leadership handoffs, this episode is all about Disney learning how to move forward without hitting the reset button. NEWS • Why Marvel’s weekly “stories” for Avengers: Doomsday are designed to invite speculation rather than explain anything • How long-running MCU callbacks from Brave New World and Quantumania may finally be paying off • The Super Bowl factor and why Marvel may be training audiences to pay attention again • Rumors pointing to Peggy Carter and the Fantastic Four playing larger roles than expected • What Marvel’s confidence says about its post-multiverse strategy FEATURE • Kathleen Kennedy’s planned leadership transition and what it si

Right in the thick of awards season, Drew Taylor and Jim Hill cover a wide swath of animation history and current events - from box office heavyweights and streaming announcements to the complicated legacies of mid-century cartoon characters. Along the way, they connect the dots between past controversies, present-day reappraisals, and how modern creators are recontextualizing classic animated icons. NEWS • Why Avatar: Fire & Ash remains unstoppable at the box office, holding the top spot for a fifth straight week • Zootopia 2 climbs into the global Top 10 all-time, surpassing Inside Out 2 and Disney’s The Lion King remake • A new Phineas & Ferb movie is officially in the works for Disney+, with a time-bending premise • What’s next for Pixar’s Hoppers, following Drew’s recent trip to Emeryville • Updates on How to Train Your Dragon 2, including Cate Blanchett’s return as Valka FEATURE • A deep dive into the rise and fall of UPA, from Mr. Magoo’s Oscar wins to the studio’s eventual collapse • How changing cu

This week on Disney Dish, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into a deceptively simple question with big implications for trip planning: when exactly did “summer vacation” stop being peak season at Walt Disney World? Using years of hotel pricing data as a proxy for crowd demand, Len walks through what the numbers say - and the results may surprise longtime fans. Then Jim takes listeners on a deep historical tour of one of the parks’ most quietly beloved traditions, the Sword in the Stone ceremony, tracing its evolution across Disney parks worldwide. NEWS • Why Disney hotel pricing data suggests summer is no longer peak season at Walt Disney World • A breakdown of how demand has shifted from summer to fall travel, especially October • Updates on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishments and new cave effects • Casting and timing details for the upcoming Bluey experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom • Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge timeline expansion, adding characters from across all Star Wars eras FEATURE • The full hi

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey kick things off with a generational pop culture moment before diving headfirst into a packed episode of Universal news, park planning, and studio history. From a newly announced Rockford Files reboot to freshly released 2026 event calendars, this episode covers what Universal fans need to know now - and then takes a long, fascinating walk through some nearly forgotten corners of the Universal backlot. Along the way, listeners get travel talk, awards season chatter, and one of those deep historical pivots that only this show can deliver. NEWS • NBC commits to a pilot for a Rockford Files reboot, prompting a look back at the original series and its Universal roots • Universal’s awards season recap, including Golden Globes results and where Wicked did (and did not) land • Universal Orlando releases its 2026 event calendar, including dates for Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and passholder perks • The full Mardi Gras International Flavors of Carnival concert lineup is revealed, spa

Disney’s live-action strategy, a surprisingly exclusive D23 merch sale, and a 65-year-old animated classic all collide on this episode of I Want That Too. Jim and Lauren break down why a new casting announcement for Tangled matters far beyond the movie itself, how Disney is quietly rewarding its most dedicated fans, and why 101 Dalmatians feels more relevant today than ever. Along the way, they connect the dots between animation history, modern merchandising, and the business decisions still shaping Disney in 2025. NEWS • Why the newly announced Tangled live-action leads are a smart, generation-spanning choice for Disney • How Disney’s live-action remakes reduce risk and supercharge future merchandise lines • The Twice Upon a Year Sale that most fans know - and the D23-only version many do not • Why D23 memberships are suddenly looking more valuable heading into a busy 2025 FEATURE • How Sleeping Beauty’s box office failure nearly sank Disney animation • The technology shift that made 101 Dalmatians possib

On this episode of The Case For with Chris Cox, Jim Hill convenes court in a flooded courtroom to debate one deceptively big question - which Disney park entrances actually work best. With Len Testa mysteriously missing in action, Jim and Chris take listeners on a globe-spanning tour of arrival sequences, retail corridors, and first impressions, from rope-drop chaos to architectural storytelling. Along the way, they explore how Imagineering intent sometimes collides with real-world park operations and why those first few minutes inside the gates matter more than you think. HIGHLIGHTS • Why Disney’s park entrances function like the opening moments of a movie or stage show • The intentional slow reveal of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and why it frustrates rope droppers • How Main Street U.S.A. sets expectations differently in Anaheim vs. Walt Disney World • Tokyo Disneyland’s oversized walkways and the surprising impact of World Bazaar’s glass roof • The evolution of Disney California Adventure’s entrance from pos

Right in the thick of awards season, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down to read the tea leaves on this year’s animation race while also digging into a pivotal - and often misunderstood - moment in Disney animation history. From Annie Award trends and box office signals to Don Bluth’s garage-era rebellion, this episode covers how a shortage of effects animation talent helped spark one of the biggest talent walkouts the studio ever faced. NEWS • Why KPop Demon Hunters and Pixar’s Elio leading the Annie nominations could matter as Academy voting begins • The third Avatar film dominates the box office again as Zootopia 2 closes in on Lion King-level numbers • GKIDS picks up Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom for a Halloween release • Remembering composer Guy Moon and his legacy across The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, and more FEATURE • How shrinking FX animation departments in the 1970s quietly changed Disney’s films • Why Don Bluth created Banjo the Woodpile Cat as a “training exercise pretending t

This week on Disney Dish, Jim Hill is joined by mind reader and showman Chris Cox, who steps in for Len Testa and immediately finds himself in the middle of some very Disney-sized mishaps. From a runaway Indiana Jones boulder at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the surprisingly fragile roof of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the conversation explores what happens when iconic park moments go just a little too far. Along the way, Jim and Chris dig into forgotten ceremonies, cutback entertainment, and the Imagineering decisions that quietly shaped Disneyland over the decades. NEWS • A 400-pound boulder goes off track during a performance of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and what that means for show safety going forward • The temporary removal of the iconic boulder scene and why Disney is famously cautious after incidents like this • The Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk cuts back to a three-night schedule and what that signals about nightlife at the resort • Listener mail on working New Year’s Eve at

Jim and Eric kick off this week’s show with listener-driven updates and fresh speculation from the Universal parks beat, before pivoting into a deep historical dive on one of the strangest and most memorable effects ever staged on the Universal Studios Hollywood tram tour. Along the way, there is discussion of low-crowd horror experiences, a surprising Spielberg-themed survey, and a heartfelt remembrance of a YouTube pioneer who helped shape modern theme park fandom. NEWS • Fresh rumors swirl around a possible IT / Pennywise presence at Halloween Horror Nights, and why Warner Bros and Six Flags complicate the IP landscape • Listener reports reveal low crowds but high-quality scares at Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas • Early construction walls appear in Celestial Park at Epic Universe, hinting at future capacity expansion • A leaked survey teases a potential Steven Spielberg and Amblin-themed tram-style attraction concept • Reflections on the legacy of Adam the Woo and his impact on theme park histor

As the calendar flips to a brand-new year, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick things off by looking ahead to what’s shaping up to be a massive 2026 for Disney merch fans. From milestone anniversaries Disney rarely shouts about to a packed slate of films and park changes, this episode breaks down why collectors should start paying attention now. And later in the show, Jim dives deep into a Disney history lesson about a beautifully ambitious animated film that failed spectacularly - and how that misfire accidentally paved the way for one of Disney’s most merch-friendly franchises ever. NEWS • Why 2026 is stacked with Disney anniversaries, including Disneyland’s 70th, DCA’s 25th, and multiple film milestones • Major franchise birthdays like High School Musical (20), Cars (20), Zootopia (10), Moana (10), and 101 Dalmatians (65) • How Pixar’s 40th anniversary and its long partnership with Disney could influence upcoming releases • A look at 2026 movies driving merch, including Toy Story 5, The Mandalorian and Grogu,

Welcome back to Marvel Us Disney for the first episode of 2026, where Jim Hill and Dan Graney kick off the year by looking at how Marvel is embracing chaos, memory, and unfinished business. From carefully timed leaks and legacy character returns to the stories and creators who never quite got their final chapter, this episode connects Marvel’s current strategy to the people and moments that shaped it. Along the way, the conversation takes some thoughtful detours into Hollywood history, creator recognition, and one very famous Spider-Man movie that almost happened. NEWS • Marvel’s early-2026 rollout leans into controlled chaos, with Avengers: Doomsday teasers, overseas trailer ratings, and leaks that feel increasingly intentional • The return of legacy characters like Steve Rogers, Thor, and the X-Men signals a broader strategy, not just nostalgia • Why Marvel’s staggered teaser strategy may be quietly helping Avatar: Fire and Ash dominate IMAX screens • Disney+ quietly drops all episodes of Wonder Man at onc

Welcome back to Fine Tooning with Jim Hill and Drew Taylor, who is officially back behind the mic after a very eventful hiatus. Before diving into a mountain of animation news, the guys catch up on where Drew has been, why Burbank’s Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center has more Disney history than you might expect, and why this might be one of the biggest transition moments the entertainment industry has seen in decades. NEWS • The Academy Awards announce a major media shift, with the Oscars leaving broadcast television for YouTube beginning in 2029 • Awards season logistics break down, including nomination voting dates, announcement timing, and the March ceremony • Box office check-in on Avatar: Fire and Ash crossing the billion-dollar mark worldwide • Zootopia 2 becomes the highest-grossing film ever released by Walt Disney Animation Studios • A huge year for global animation, with Ne Zha 2, anime theatrical releases, and Netflix hits reshaping the marketplace FEATURE • A comprehensive look at the major

Welcome to the first Disney Dish of the new year, where Jim Hill and Len Testa kick things off with news, listener questions, and a deep dive into Disney history and tech. This week, a newly published Disney patent sparks speculation about how the upcoming Encanto attraction may work, while Jim launches into a fascinating (and surprisingly hands-on) story about how Disney maintains, repairs, and periodically reinvents its iconic theme park castles. Along the way, there are transportation woes, glittering greenhouses, and more than a few once-in-a-lifetime Disney moments. NEWS • Disney reveals Buddy, a new helper character coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin when it reopens in 2026 • A newly filed Disney patent hints at holographic characters, with strong evidence pointing toward use in the upcoming Encanto ride • Imagineering files a new construction permit for the Haunted Mansion, likely focused on interior work • Updates on Glittering Greenhouses at EPCOT and extended holiday decorations at Disney

Recording on New Year’s Eve for a show that drops just as 2026 begins, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey cover a full slate of Universal news, rumors, and unexpected updates before shifting into a classic Jim Hill history lesson. The episode starts in the present with major developments at Universal Orlando and ends in the late 1960s on the Hollywood backlot, tracing how one clever Tram Tour gag eventually led to one of Universal’s most iconic fire-based attractions. NEWS • Universal Destinations and Experiences begins construction on Catchlight Crossings, a 1,000-unit affordable housing community near Universal Orlando • What’s included in the development - retail, medical offices, community space, transportation hubs, and a tuition-free Bezos Academy preschool • How Catchlight Crossings fits into Universal’s long-term Housing for Tomorrow initiative and who the community is designed to serve • Rumor watch - could Stephen King’s It become a headline house at Halloween Horror Nights 2026, and how that would fit along

It’s the first episode of the new year, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey ring in 2026 by digging into the annual Disney merch reset. From the surprisingly nostalgic look of next year’s dated park souvenirs to a brand-new Star Wars droid collector program, there’s a lot changing on shelves just as holiday decorations disappear overnight. Plus, Jim takes a deep dive into one of Disney’s most baffling merch success stories and why it still doesn’t quite translate stateside. NEWS • A first look at Disney’s 2026 dated park merchandise, including a color palette that feels straight out of vintage Walt Disney World road signage • Disney confirms Droid Factory Fridays, a new monthly Star Wars collector program kicking off January 2 • How Disney is using timed drops and bonus build incentives to keep Star Wars fans buying all year long • Valentine’s Day arrives overnight, with Sweethearts’ Nite at Disneyland and new couples-focused merch leading the charge FEATURE • Why Stitch dominated 2025 with billions in merch s

Spending New Year’s Eve inside a Disney World theme park sounds like the ultimate “most magical place on Earth” flex - until you remember you’re doing it shoulder-to-shoulder with what feels like the population of a small nation. This week in the Court of the Disney World Resort, Len Testa argues the case for the marathon day, the once-a-year entertainment, and that surreal moment when Adventureland is blasting pop music. Chris Cox counters with big-city New Year’s trauma, crowd math, and the simple question of whether there’s a way to enjoy the fireworks without living inside a human corral for four hours. What does Judge Jim Hill have to say? HIGHLIGHTS • The reality of Disney World on New Year’s Eve - a 18-20 hour endurance event with lines for rides, food, bathrooms, and basically oxygen • Why rope-dropping on December 31 can feel weirdly peaceful - and why nobody leaves once the park hits peak capacity • The perks that actually are special: party props, unique entertainment, and a midnight fireworks sho

As 2025 comes to a close, Jim Hill flies solo on this Drew-free edition of Fine Tooning to take stock of one of the biggest, strangest, and most consequential years the animation industry has seen in decades. From record-shattering box office runs and surprise streaming hits to uncomfortable conversations about AI and the future of creative labor, this episode connects the dots between where animation has been and where it appears to be heading next. NEWS • Why Disney’s $1 billion investment in OpenAI has the animation world divided and how a Jerry Beck-hosted editorial argues that Walt Disney might have embraced AI himself • A year-end box office check-in including Zootopia 2, Avatar: Fire & Ash, and Angel Studios’ faith-based animated feature David • Netflix confirms KPop Demon Hunters has been watched more than 500 million times worldwide and what that means for its sequel and merchandising future • Major release-date shakeups for The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender and Pixar’s Gatto and why March rele

Jim and Len kick off the final Disney Dish of the year with holiday crowds, sold-out Lightning Lane Premier Passes, and one last lap through Jollywood Nights before pivoting into surveys, listener questions, and some unexpectedly nerdy math. Along the way, they remember a beloved Imagineer, dig into why Disney asks the survey questions it does, and break down the best times to roll the dice on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind if you are chasing that perfect song. Then Jim takes everyone deep into EPCOT history with the strange, expensive, and surprisingly high-stakes story of Magic Journeys, the 3D film that quietly kept opening day from turning into a full-blown disaster. NEWS • Lightning Lane Premier Pass prices hit record highs and still sell out across Walt Disney World during the holiday rush • Jollywood Nights sticks the landing in its later years and may now be Disney World’s most popular hard-ticket holiday event • A remembrance of legendary Imagineer Eddie Sato, including unrealized Mission S