The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the construction permits that just got filed for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They then discuss the “Encanto” -themed show that will be presented in front of CommuniCore Plaza later this Summe Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What’s the difference between a Milky Way bar and Three Musketeers Which Dinoland U.S.A. structures are supposed to survive this side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom being transformed into an “Encanto” -themed area What toy line did Disney Consumer Products launch in the mid-2000s with the hope that it would then become a “Disney Princesses” -like success with little boys Which “Clueless” star did Disney originally cast as Tinker Bell’s speaking voice How did Tom Staggs alter Jay Rasulo’s original plans for the Fantasyland expansion that was first announced back in September of 2009 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start off this edition of “I Want That Too!” by talking about 90s Con. They then take a look at the merch that was offered at this year’s International Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which national tragedy tripped the original theatrical release of Disney’s “Sword in the Stone” Who was originally supposed to be Mickey Mouse’s neighbor in the original version of Toontown at Disneyland Park in Anaheim What was some of the corporations who originally signed on to be Walt Disney World sponsors How did Chuuby the bird in “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” get his name Which sequence from a Disney animated feature from the 1960s do John Lasseter, Glen Keane & Andreas Deja cite as a reason that they pursued careers in animation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor starts off by revealing what he saw at the preview event for this year’s D23 Expo. Then Jim Hill shares a history of Genndy Tartakovsky’s never-completed “Popeye”  Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which D23 Expo events are going to presented this time around over at the Honda Center, rather than inside of the Anaheim Convention Center Why did Robin Williams want Walt Disney Productions to fly some Imagineers over to Malta back in 1980 Which sequel did Sony Pictures Animation officials ask Genndy Tartakovsky to work on out ahead of proceeding with his feature-length animated version of “Popeye” Why did Bluto get replaced with Brutus back in the early 1960s How did the cancellation of the “Sprockets” movie factor into Mike Myers agreeing to play the title role in Universal Pictures’ “The Cat in the Hat” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Disney World’s latest ticket offer for Florida residents. They’re then joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull who shares some behind-the-scenes stories Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What’s significant about the dates that WDW’s latest ticket offer is available for Where is the control booth for DCA’s “Grizzly River Run” attraction located Why are Universal Orlando officials so interested in learning where people plan on starting their next Florida vacation Where was the NYC version of David Copperfield’s Magic Underground restaurant supposed to be located What happens when you make the Cast Members who drive the monorail nervous   Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing the various ways to park-hop at the Universal Orlando Resort. They then talk about how Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating its 60th anniversary Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When did Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure first begin operates at IOA How much did “Kung Fu Panda 4” earned over its opening weekend in North America When did Hot Butterbeer go from being a seasonal thing at the Universal Parks to becoming a beverage you could get all year round How much did NBCUniversal spend to acquire Dreamworks Animation back in 2016 Which Disney Imagineer designed the original Glamour Tram for Universal Studios Hollywood back in 1964 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the 96th Academy Awards. They then take a look at how well “Kung Fu Panda 4” did at the domestic box office over this past weekend.  Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What did Totie Fields say to Gene Simmons when they met backstage at “The Mike Douglas Show” Which animated feature did many Hollywood insiders think was going to take home the Oscar this year Who is the author of the best-selling series of books that DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” is based on Which sitcom star from the 1970s played the villain in Disney’s “Scandalous John” How many people lost their jobs last week when Warner Bros Discovery announced that they were shutting down Roosters Teeth after 21 years Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Christina Harrison, who talks up the very best eats to be found at the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Len & Jim then take a closer look at Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea On this episode, listeners will learn about: Which attraction in Dreamworks Land will key off of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” Why are stores at the Disney theme parks still stocking “Monsters University” merch, more than a decade after this Pixar film was first released to theaters Which hit Fox TV series from the 1990s is The Walt Disney Company reportedly considering reviving When do young girls supposedly age out of being fans of the Disney Princess franchise How soon after the first “Frozen” film first opened in theaters did the Oriental Land Company announce that it would be adding a land keying off of that Academy Award-winning animated feature to Tokyo DisneySea Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing why “The Mandalorian & Grogu” will be shot in the State of California. They also talk about the first five episodes of Season 3 of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When will the new version of the “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” ride film debut at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland Paris What frustrated Ewan McGregor about the shooting of the finale of “Star Wars – Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith” Who was Billy Dee Williams’ stunt double when it came to the scene in “Return of the Jedi” when Lando Calrissian dangled over the Sarlacc pit When does Stellan Skarsgard believe that the second season of “Star Wars: Andor” will begin airing on Disney+ How will the announced layoffs at Electronic Arts reportedly impact that Star Wars-themed first-person shooter that Respawn Entertainment was working on Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Sean Bailey’s sudden departure from Walt Disney Studios. They then talk about why WDAS vet Hyrum Osmond will be sorely missed by “Frozen” fans Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How has the “Curious George Goes to Town” area at Universal Studios Florida been repurposed When was “Song of the South” last released to theaters What do “Psycho 4” and “A Day in the Park with Barney” have in common Which Disney franchise was based on Bambi’s best friend Why did Walt Disney Television Animation start producing series based on hit Disney films like “Aladdin” & “The Lion King” in the early 1990s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why the WDW Resort revealed its hotel rates for 2025 months ahead of schedule. They then wrap up their series about the construction of Tomorrowland at Disneyland Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Where the math actually maths for WDW’s free-entry-into-the-water-parks-on-arrival-day offer What’s different about the newly updated Tequila Experience at Epcot’s La Cava Where did hundreds of thousands of snow geese stop for a bite as they’re flying back to Canada When did the very first “Tomorrowland” -themed episode of the “Disneyland” TV show air during the first season of this ABC series Which Disney animator handled the ID monster in MGM’s “Forbidden Planet” Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the world of Disney merch with Lauren Hersey and Jim Hill as they explore the iconic Mickey Mouse Ear Hats. Learn how these beloved hats made their way into the parks and evolved into the Minnie Mouse Ear headband craze we see today, all starting from the Mickey Mouse Club.  In this episode, Lauren and Jim cover a wide range of topics, including: -The legacy of "The Lion King" from its original animation to Broadway and the upcoming Prequel. -The Disney Store's unique presence within Target stores. -Insights into when "Wish" the animated movie will hit Disney+ and why the Blu-Ray might become a collector's item -The evolution and significance of Minnie Ears within Disney culture. -An introduction to the new Disney Villains-themed wedding dresses. - A celebration of "Aladdin" on Broadway's 10th anniversary The #IWantThatToo podcast and web show is part of the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network. Catch today's episode wherever you get your podcasts and watch on YouTube @JimHillMedia. Learn more about your

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the change that’s reportedly in the works for “Skull Island: Reign of Kong.” They also talk about the Universal Monsters Tribute Store that just opened at CityWalk out in Hollywood Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When – according to Vin Diesel – will the “grand finale” of the “Fast & Furious” film series finally arrive in theaters Which Epic Universe attraction was being tested after dark late last week How much longer is the Peter Jackson version of “King Kong” than the original (which was released to theaters back in 1933) Which Disney Legend helped build the “King Kong Encounter” for the Universal Tram Tour back in the mid-1980s What was the one thing that Thierry Coup said that he regretted about his career in themed entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about Warner Bros Discovery’s Q4 earnings call. They then talk about which animated features & shorts took home awards at this year’s Annies Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What was the name of the “Fantasia” follow-up that Disney had in the works in the early 1980s How many nominations did “Nimona” have going into this year’s Annie Awards ceremony At which animation studio did Ken Melton start out sculpting maquettes Which members of the original “Fairly Oddparents” creative team are returning to work on “A New Wish” Who did Michael Eisner originally try & recruit to become as the celebrity conductor who’d then ride herd on “Fantasia Continued” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what’s about to happen to the NBA Experience at Disney Springs. They then talk about why kids back in the 1950s were absolutely crazed when it came to Disneyland’s “Autopia”  Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which “Star Wars” movie director just got hired by Universal Pictures to direct their next “Jurassic World” movie Why did the Imagineers insert all of those CG animals into “Soarin’ Around the World” What was originally supposed to transport Disneyland visitors from the Hub all the way to the very back of that theme park’s “World of Tomorrow” Where in World Celebration Gardens should you go if you want to do some people watching When did Disneyland’s Junior Autopia get renamed the Fantasyland Autopia Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the construction permit that has just been filed down in Florida for “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.” They then talk about how the characters from the “Young Jedi Adventures” animated series just visited Black Spire Outpost Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How many mattresses did General George Washington reportedly carry with him over the course of the Revolutionary War Who is supposedly funding Gina Carano’s wrongful termination suit against The Walt Disney Company & Lucasfilm How many episodes have been produced for Season Three of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” Which Star Wars character is rumored to be getting his own first-person video game from Respawn Entertainment How much did Harrison Ford’s copy of the fourth draft of the “Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope” script go for at auction this past weekend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then explains how Hong Kong Disneyland’s version of Sleeping Beauty Castle was transformed into the Castle of Magical Dreams Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How many ECVs can the new bus that’s joining the WDW transportation fleet carry at one time Why – when you’re given the opportunity by the Disney Cruise Line – you should always take the GYT How close does the Ultidor system at the Magic Kingdom get to that theme park’s Tomorrowland Speedway What was the difference between the construction materials that were used to build Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in Anaheim back in 1955 versus the materials that were used to build a second version of this iconic structure at Hong Kong Disneyland  Why did LegCo turn down the opportunity to have a “Star Tours” attraction added to Hong Kong Disneyland in the 2010s Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the “Disney Eats” line of home goods, accessories and apparel. They then talk about what’s been going on with the live-action version of “Lilo & Stitch” Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When did the Mickeyhead balloon initially come on the market How many popcorn carts in the Magic Kingdom did you have to visit if you wanted to collect a full set of the WDW 50th anniversary version of the Mickey Balloon-Shaped Popcorn Buckets What does “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” have in common with Disney’s upcoming live-action “Lilo & Stitch” movie Which Disney theme park treat have the Mouse’s masters of merch used as their inspiration for a new pet bed According to Licensing Magazine, why are millennials & Gen Z such big buyers of Stitch-themed merchandise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor returns with a detailed recap of what’s been going on with “Coyote vs Acme.” Then Jim Hill talks about the recently released trailer for “Iwaju,” that animated limited series from Disney & Kugali Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When will the “Valley of the Witches” be opening at Ghibli Park over in Japan Who reportedly personally petitioned Disney execs & Dwayne Johnson to get Thomas Kail the job as director of the live-action version of “Moana” How did Pixar’s “Turning Red” do at the North American box office this past weekend Where is “Tiana: The Series” (i.e., that new limited series for Disney+) being produced \ Who handled the live-action portion of “Looney Tunes: Back in Action” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the Universal-related trailers that aired during Super Bowl LVIII. They then pivot to talking about that 7-minute-long Epic Universe video that debuted online last week Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which Universal theme park offered its Guests the opportunity to view a trimmed down version of the Broadway musical, “Wicked” Why are fans of the Harry Potter films really going to want to check out the “House of Minalima” at Universal CityWalk Where in the still-under-construction Dreamworks Land at Universal Studios Florida can you find an over-sized spider Which two attractions were previously staged in the USF show building that currently houses “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon” How could Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games potentially impact the Universal theme parks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing a new land use plan that’s recently been revealed for the WDW Resort. They also wrap their series on the history of “Illuminations” SHOW BREAKDOWN: Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Why did the Imagineers just hate Epcot’s “Surprise in the Sky” show Which characters will soon begin making appearances at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa What did the most recent earnings call reveal about attendance level & hotel room occupancy rates at the WDW Resort How will Disney, taking a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic Games, potentially impact the Company’s rivals in the themed entertainment business Why would it have been a mistake to view the world premiere of “Illuminations” from the Norway pavilion back in late January 1988 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices