The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

With Len Testa away this week, Jim Hill is joined by Imagineer Jim Shull and Eric Hersey. Shull shares first-hand stories of the frantic 72 hours before Disney parks open - from sod being laid overnight at the Contemporary Resort in 1971 to carloads of flowers on Main Street Paris. Meanwhile, Eric helps cover the latest Universal Studios news, including surprising plans for Scooby-Doo and a deep dive into the popcorn bucket craze. Why opening a Disney park always comes down to a last-minute scramble Jim Shull’s behind-the-scenes account of preparing Euro Disneyland in 1992 How media crews and Imagineers clashed during opening-week chaos Universal FanFest Nights 2026 and its Scooby-Doo/Monsters mashup The future of collectible popcorn buckets and wild new flavors Theme park history isn’t always polished - sometimes it’s messy, funny, and unforgettable. This episode pulls back the curtain on those final 72 hours. Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and D

 In the 23rd installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid head down to the water. To be specific, Santa Monica, California. Where CBS tried to get in the theme park business by radically reimagining a 30-year-old amusement pier. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What was the original name of the first amusement pier in this location What nearby amusement park did Abbott Kinney build What was the first attraction on “The Million Dollar Pier” Who narrated POP’s 1958 guidebook and made an appearance in the Park What were the only two rides added to POP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jim and Eric tackle a tough headline out of Epic Universe as a guest tragedy forces the closure of Stardust Racers. From what happened to what comes next, they break down the details and share insights on ride safety across the theme park industry. Later in the show, listener Ernesto sparks a deep dive into the origins of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and how mid-century modern design shaped its creation. The latest on the Stardust Racers accident and Universal’s response How often serious injuries really occur at theme parks Why part of DreamWorks Land has already been torn out just months after opening Rock the Universe ticket deals and what they include The mid-century modern inspiration behind Cabana Bay and Universal’s hotel expansion A mix of news, history, and design deep-dives - all in one episode. Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into Disney’s favorite little purple dragon, Figment. From popcorn bucket mania to a live-action movie that never got off the ground, they trace Figment’s journey from Epcot icon to merchandising powerhouse. Along the way, they detour through Lowe’s and Spirit Halloween to check out exclusive Haunted Mansion décor and giant Rudolph displays that will test your willpower (and your storage space). Haunted Mansion animatronics and holiday mashups spotted at Lowe’s Figment’s rumored movie project with Seth Rogen’s production company The $250 million Imagination Pavilion redo that never happened How merchandise sales drive Disney’s storytelling choices Figment’s surprising cameos in Inside Out 2, Guardians, and beyond Even if the Figment movie remains a dream, Jim and Lauren show how one small dragon continues to cast a very big shadow over Disney history, merch, and fandom. Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale

This week on Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor rewind to the mid-1950s to uncover how a forgotten studio sale and one scrappy rodent changed television forever. Along the way, they’ll cover everything from box office updates to Paw Patrol holiday specials, plus the latest shake-ups inside Disney corporate. The Disney-related twist behind CBS launching Mighty Mouse Playhouse in 1955 How that decision created the Saturday morning cartoon tradition What the Jimmy Kimmel controversy means for Bob Iger and Disney’s upcoming animated releases New trailers and festival buzz for projects like The Sisters Grimm and Splinter Cell: Deathwatch From network rivalries of the 1950s to today’s streaming-first landscape, Jim and Drew connect the dots on how animation keeps reshaping the industry. Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales,

This week, Imagineer Jim Shull joins Jim Hill and Len Testa to finish the wild story of how Cars Land was built at Disney California Adventure. Along the way, the guys cover everything from gorillas and Muppets to a scuba diver who robbed Paddlefish. Tomorrowland’s Cool Ship replacement that looks suspiciously like a McDonald’s drive-thru The life of Gino the gorilla and why Animal Kingdom will never be the same A Florida man in scuba gear robs Paddlefish and swims away with the cash Sabrina Carpenter, Seth Rogen, and the Muppets’ big 50th anniversary comeback How Disney pulled off Cars Land’s massive rockwork and what it means for Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom From new construction projects to classic park traditions, this episode looks at the details shaping Disney’s past, present, and future. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10

Universal has filed demolition permits for nearly five acres of Islands of Adventure, and Jim and Eric break down what that could mean for the Lost Continent. The main feature of this week’s episode dives into the history of Merlinwood, the rise and fall of Dueling Dragons, and how Harry Potter reshaped the park. Could Zelda be next to take its place? Wicked toys hit Target shelves months before the movie release A 10-month closure looms for Jurassic Park River Adventure in Orlando Hidden Halloween Horror Nights stay-and-scream space revealed near Minion Blast Meet Hamikuma, the bizarre “bite bear” mascot from Universal Studios Japan Dueling Dragons, Merlinwood, and the long road from Lost Continent to Harry Potter Universal fans love to speculate, and this week’s stories offer plenty of fuel. From refurb rumors to the history of Lost Continent and the possibilities for its future, Jim and Eric keep you entertained from start to finish. Follow Eric on X and Instagram @Eri

In this second episode of The Case For with Chris Cox, the gavel drops on one of the earliest theme park traditions. Rope dropping: brilliant strategy or brutal wake-up call? Chris Cox and Len Testa make their cases while Judge Jim Hill listens for signs of sleep deprivation and theme park strategy gone too far. What’s on trial this week: The origins of rope dropping and why the ropes are mostly symbolic these days How jet lag gives UK visitors a secret advantage Whether staying at a Disney resort is now a requirement to rope drop effectively First-family perks, empty Main Streets, and cinnamon rolls the size of your face Why reverse jet lag might make “closing the park” the new rope drop TouringPlans data on who actually does rope drop and what the stats say Pro tips for maximizing your early hours and what not to rope drop Have you set an alarm for 5 a.m. to ride Rise of the Resistance? Or are you happy to sleep in and skip the stampede? We want to hear from you. Weigh in with your

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are back with another packed episode of Fine Tooning. From anime shattering records at the box office to Pixar showing off the future of Toy Story, the duo break down the biggest stories shaping animation this week. Demon Slayer’s record-breaking $70 million North American debut and what set this release apart Toy Story’s 30th anniversary celebration and the first five minutes of Toy Story 5 revealed at Destination D Disney updates on Frozen 3, Incredibles 3, and Coco 2 Streaming and theatrical news for Elio, Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc, Cat’s Eye, and ParaNorman Skydance’s reported bid for Warner Bros. Discovery and its potential impact on animation From record-breaking anime to billion-dollar mergers, Jim and Drew guide listeners through an especially eventful week in the world of animation. Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authen

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into the wild backstory of Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land and the strange “what ifs” that could’ve changed Radiator Springs forever. From Marty's Malt Shop to a road trip attraction fueled by beef jerky and Diet Mountain Dew, the alternate ideas were as quirky as they were ambitious. A new Disneyland ticket discount that signals softer bookings Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind’s Earth, Wind & Fire overlay Disney Cruise Line’s delay of the Disney Adventure out of Singapore Universal Orlando’s Golden Ticket Award wins and Len’s trip to Halloween Horror Nights The evolution of Cars Land - and how close we came to driving through “Cruise Street” instead Whether you’re here for the theme park news, HHN survival tips, or Jim’s deep dive into Disney Imagineering history, this episode has something for every fan. Buckle up - Radiator Springs wasn’t always the only road Disney could’ve taken. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors Unlocked Magic Unloc

In the 22nd installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid continue their look at C.V. Wood (the original president of Disneyland). In particular, what happened when Wood decided to enter direct competition with Disney and subsequently established his own theme park design company?  Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Why was Pleasure Island called “The Disneyland of the Northeast”  What became of that theme park’s mechanical Moby Dick Which city in Arizona did C.W. Wood help develop What were the Six Flags Over Texas upon the opening of that theme park? What are they now? What was the first runaway mine train coaster? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey are back with a packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast. From award-winning attractions to behind-the-scenes stories that almost made it to the big screen, this week covers a lot of ground: The new Jaws: Memories of Martha’s Vineyard book and the Academy Museum’s Jaws exhibition Remembering production designer Stuart Craig and his lasting impact on the Wizarding World Fresh rumors about a Harry Potter land in Universal’s upcoming UK park Epic Universe’s big wins at the Golden Ticket Awards, including Monsters Unchained and Dark Universe Universal’s new interactive Backlot Club membership and trivia game The history of Islands of Adventure’s early plans, from Jurassic Park concepts to Dudley Do-Right’s rushed debut Plus, Jim shares the long-lost Jurassic Park “baby Triceratops” and “T-Rex river chase” scenes that never made the original film, and how they eventually resurfaced decades later. Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey return with a jam-packed episode of I Want That Too, covering the latest Disney merch, clever marketing strategies, and holiday surprises. The rise of popcorn buckets in parks and movie theaters – from talking Mickey to mummy Stitch to a Tron lightcycle How Disney uses psychology to nudge us into spending more, from limited releases to sneaky menu tricks Nightmare Before Christmas merch expansions, books, and light trails around the globe Early Christmas décor spotted at Disneyland Paris – and why Disney (and retailers) get a head start on the holidays The surprising history of Winnie the Pooh at Disney, including cereal crossovers and rare collectibles From ghost Mickey buckets to glow-in-the-dark villain sneakers, Jim and Lauren unpack the ways Disney keeps fans coming back for “just one more thing.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Awards season is heating up, and Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are here to break it all down. From the Venice Film Festival and TIFF premieres to box office shocks and studio shakeups, this episode dives into the films and animated projects making headlines around the globe. Highlights include: Venice Film Festival winners and early buzz from TIFF “The Conjuring: Last Rites” breaking horror records Updates on “The Bad Guys 2” and Aaron Blaise’s hand-drawn short “Snow Bear” Disney’s new animated feature “Hexed” and “Ice Age: Boiling Point” What’s ahead for “Zootopia 2,” LEGO Disney Princess, and Bluey’s big-screen debut Whether you’re tracking festival favorites, the latest box office trends, or Disney’s evolving animation slate, this episode offers insights, context, and commentary you won’t want to miss. Support Our Sponsors Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authentic

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a Disney Dish full of hard-hitting questions like: is a popcorn bucket a collectible, a food container, or proof of life’s absurdity? Along the way, they tackle Disney’s latest surveys, new overlays, and a franchise that almost stalled out before becoming a billion-dollar juggernaut. Disney sets the closing date for Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom and spruces up Carousel of Progress with a new Walt Disney animatronic Tron Lightcycle Run trades neon blue for Nine Inch Nails red in a Tron: Ares overlay Disneyland Paris ticket pricing hints at when World of Frozen may open in 2026 Universal ponders the true meaning of souvenir popcorn buckets, from Aristotle to social media influencers Jim explains how Pixar’s Cars almost didn’t get made — and how Radiator Springs ended up saving Disney California Adventure From castle cake flashbacks to Schrödinger’s popcorn, this episode mixes history, news, and a little bit of existential dread — all with the usua

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a loaded episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, blending Halloween Horror Nights buzz with theme park history and rumors. Opening weekend reactions to HHN 2024, including Terrifier, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and the controversial “deathly afraid” lanyards RIP Ride Rockit demolition updates and Ghostbusters speculation for Universal’s front gate Could Back to the Future replace Fast & Furious? The latest whispers from insiders The Tooniversal deal that almost brought Looney Tunes and DC to Universal — and how its failure led to the Lost Continent Who really stole what? Disney borrowing from Knott’s, Universal borrowing from Disney, and the chain of “borrowed” ideas that shaped Dueling Dragons From HHN news to the “battle of borrowed rides,” Jim and Eric serve up insider scoops, history, and plenty of banter. Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DV

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey return with a new episode of I Want That Too, diving into Disney Princess Week, new merchandise drops, and the latest Disney history feature. From LEGO sidekicks to Bath & Body Works villains, they’ve got the stories (and opinions) Disney fans will want to hear. Highlights from Disney Princess Week, including merchandise, sidekick collections, and special events The “Meant to Be” adult rom-com book series reimagining Disney Princesses in modern settings Early fan reactions to Bath & Body Works’ Disney Villains collaboration EPCOT Food & Wine Festival merch, featuring Muppet Labs, Figment, and Chef Mickey collections Jim and Lauren revisit the story of Kay Kamen and continue their Disney cereal history deep dive From modern merch drops to classic collectibles, this episode blends Disney history, fan culture, and insider stories from Jim and Lauren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor kick off September with a packed episode of Fine Tooning, covering the biggest stories in the world of animation: The record-shattering success of KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix and what’s next for the franchise Updates on Big Mouth, its Emmy legacy, and the upcoming series Mating Season Aardman’s latest projects, including Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom Pixar’s Elio and how its international release stood out in unexpected ways 30 years of Toy Story returning to theaters, plus collectibles and nostalgia Bill Plympton and “Weird Al” Yankovic team up for a one-of-a-kind animation retrospective Jim and Drew also revisit classic shorts once shown at Disney-MGM Studios, share news from Studio Ghibli Fest, and look ahead at Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is park hopping the best way to squeeze every drop of Disney magic out of your vacation - or just an overpriced bus pass with extra steps? In this first episode of The Case For with Chris Cox, mind reader and performer Chris Cox squares off against theme park expert Len Testa, while Disney historian Jim Hill dons judge’s robe to deliver a verdict. What’s on trial this week: The strange history of park hopping at Walt Disney World (including a giant ticket costume) Costs, trade-offs, and whether that money is better spent on Dole Whip or dinner The joy - or misery - of buses, monorails, and the Disney Skyliner How Lightning Lane, rope drops, and UK vs. US vacation styles change the debate Why some families say “yes” to more rides, while others say “slow down and enjoy the parks” The verdict? You be the judge. Tell us if park hopping is your go-to Disney strategy - or just a fast pass to frustration. Follow the Hosts Chris Cox – https://www.magiccox.com Instagram - @magiccox

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a packed episode of The Disney Dish to discuss Magic Kingdom’s brand new Beak & Barrel Lounge, an immersive pirate-themed bar near Pirates of the Caribbean. Len shares firsthand impressions of the decor, the elusive animatronic pirate Rummy, and why it’s already drawing Trader Sam’s comparisons. Also in this episode: Why Disney villains might be the next big meet and greet trend Early entry’s 70 million dollar cost-cutting math Len’s thoughts on all-inclusive dining plans (and horrifying Gold Key memories) A hard truth about Jungle Cruise’s future in the Magic Kingdom The story behind Cars Land’s origins and how an unrealized DCA parade inspired it Plus: shoutouts to Surrey bike designers, a blood alcohol calculator for Food & Wine, and ashtray trauma from the 1970s. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service an