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PODCAST

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Join Jim Hill and co-hosts Len Testa, Drew Taylor, Brian Gaughan, Eric Hersey, and Lauren Hersey as they talk about the multi-faceted Walt Disney Company - including Pixar, Lucasfilm and Disney Studios - as well as Universal Studios and the world of collectibles.

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All Episodes

58:24

Get ready for a very animated San Diego Comic-Con...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/22

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by discussing “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” that new show at Disneyland Park in Anaheim. examineThey then look at how Paramount Pictures’ new “Smurfs” film performed at the domestic box office. For this episode, listeners will learn about: Who did Chris Buck & Kevin Lima originally want to voice Tantor the elephant in Disney’s animated version of “Tarzan” Which role will Josh Gad be playing in the live concert version of “Jesus Christ

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64:30

Epic Universe wants to know when exactly you plan on...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/21

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Don Hahn & Chris Merrit, the authors of “The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland.” This show kicks off a two-part interview that reveals how Walt’s family fun park first came to be. For this episode, listeners will learn about: Who bought the very first admission to Disneyland Park back in July of 1955 When is the third “Prep & Landing” holiday special – “The Snowball Protocol” – expected to debut on ABC Who did

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47:13

The Studio, the Sequel, and the Great White That Ate...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/18

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a jam-packed episode that swings from Halloween Horror Nights updates to the troubled legacy of Jaws 2. First, they unpack the latest HHN announcements, including the debut of the Terrifier haunted house and the moody new scare zone, Origins of Horror. Eric finally learns the difference between houses and zones - only took 60 episodes.Then, the duo gears up for a future trip to Philadelphia, where Universal Parks is launching their first-ever traveling exhibit

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48:35

From TV Screens to Main Street: Walt’s Media Master...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/17

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are back with a full dose of Disney merch, from the long-awaited debut of the Starlight Dream the Night Away parade to a viral collector toy that's creeping its way into the parks. Lauren breaks down everything she’s learned about La Boo Boos (and their knockoff cousins), while Jim connects the dots between Disney’s 1950s television strategy and why your Christmas ornaments now cost $80.Also in this episode: What to expect from Disney’s first nighttime parade in a

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47:22

SpongeBob Returns with Flying Dutchman and a...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/15

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into a wide-ranging conversation about box office trends, Comic-Con reveals, and the growing debate around casting A-list celebrities in animated films. Highlights include:Paramount debuts the first teaser for The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants – Mark Hamill joins as the Flying Dutchman, and Jim reflects on the franchise’s enduring magic. Godzilla’s 70th anniversary celebration hits San Diego Comic-Con – Drew previews

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58:04

The Jack Sparrow Problem Disney Didn’t See Coming...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/14

Len Testa and Jim Hill look at Disney’s latest surveys, hotel rumors, and Halloween Horror Nights announcements—then plunge into the second half of their deep-dive on Pirates of the Caribbean. This time, Jim reveals how Disney navigated a real-life guest frenzy over Captain Jack Sparrow, the surprisingly expensive costume drama that followed, and the face character chaos that nearly derailed New Orleans Square. Plus, early plans for a pirates-themed restaurant, and how Dead Man’s Chest almost broke

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46:48

Manufacturing the Magic: How Walt riding the rails...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/12

In the 18th installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid explore how Walt Disney’s lifelong fascination with trains impacted the development of his family fun park. Special guest Roger Colton sheds light on this specific aspect of Disneyland history.Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: * Why is Walt’s visit to the Chicago Railroad Fair in 1948 considered such an important moment in the development history of Disneyland * Which specific Disneyland

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53:17

When Universal Shut Down a Sequel: The Making of Jaws...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/11

Eric is packing for his return trip to Epic Universe - but before he battles the Florida heat, Jim takes him on a wild ride through box office records, coaster rumors, and a deep dive into the troubled waters of Jaws 2. In this episode: • Jurassic World Rebirth dominates globally—why Scarlett Johansson is now the highest-grossing lead actor• Updates on Universal UK: massive coaster plans, HHN expansion, and hotel additions• Universal Kids in Texas—new concept art reveals hotel details and

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46:27

The $10,000 Buzz Lightyear and the Real Story Behind...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/10

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey continue their Toy Story series with a deep dive into the franchise's merchandising legacy—and how a scrappy unknown toy company landed the rights that Mattel and Hasbro turned down. From the earliest Thinkway figures to today's collector's items worth thousands, they explore how Toy Story became one of the most profitable and collectible Disney properties of all time.Plus, Jim shares a personal behind-the-scenes story about the original vision for Toy Story 4, including

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55:07

Jurassic World Breaks Records, Elio Stalls, and...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/08

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into a packed slate of animation and entertainment news—including box office wins, deep animation history, and Broadway updates:Universal celebrates a huge opening for Jurassic World Rebirth with $318M globally, while How to Train Your Dragon crosses the half-billion mark. Disney’s Lilo & Stitch nears the billion-dollar club, expected to cross the threshold by the time Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters later this

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52:59

How Jack Sparrow Made It Into the Ride (and Why the...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/07

Len Testa and Jim Hill tackle a packed show, from new Eat to the Beat concert acts and Test Track Lightning Lane changes to a survey that hints at Disney bundling sports vacations with ESPN and Adventures by Disney. Then in the main segment, Jim unpacks the wild story behind the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise—including how one clever Imagineer added a cursed treasure twist to the ride years before it hit the big screen, and why Michael Eisner insisted on a subtitle that technically made no

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63:48

Why Apollo 13 Still Lands After 30 Years (Ep. 58)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/04

In this explosive Fourth of July episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey ride the rails of ghostly New England folklore and land in the middle of this year’s Halloween Horror Nights house reveals. From Norwegian monsters and homicidal dolls to the surprise announcement of Universal Horror Unleashed in Chicago, this episode is packed tighter than a holiday fireworks box.Then, Jim takes us on a moonshot-level deep dive into Apollo 13—the real mission, the Ron Howard film, and

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49:42

Toy Meets Tech: What Toy Story 5 Says About Disney’s...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/03

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack what Disney’s upcoming Toy Story 5 might really be about - and why it hits closer to home than you think. From Woody’s absence to Jessie’s promotion, and a new iPad-inspired character named Lilypad, this fifth entry isn’t just a sequel - it might be Disney’s most self-aware film yet. Jim and Lauren discuss how streaming, AI, and even shoppable shows are reshaping how Disney tells stories - and sells them. They also reflect on the

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37:24

Lilo & Stitch 2 Announced, Elio Holds, and Akira’s...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/07/01

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor reunite (despite a case of post-Annecy crud) to cover a wide range of animation and industry news, including: Disney officially announces Lilo & Stitch 2 after the live-action original crosses $945M globally. Elio holds better than expected with a solid second weekend as it climbs past $42M domestically. Live-action Tangled delayed to 2029, reportedly to make room for the Lilo & Stitch sequel. Warner Bros. loses the

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49:23

Rebuilding the Future: How Innoventions Replaced...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/06/30

Len Testa and Jim Hill cover the latest Disney news, including a major update to the dining reservation system, a rerouted parade to improve park flow, and the latest tweaks at Epic Universe. Then, Jim dives into the real story of how Epcot’s CommuniCore was shut down and transformed into Innoventions—Disney’s answer to a park in crisis. With budgets tight and tech aging fast, Michael Eisner turned to Las Vegas for inspiration, resulting in a CES-style exhibit hall packed with rotating sponsors,

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29:48

Manufacturing the Magic: Further Advancement in...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/06/28

In the seventeenth installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid continue their look back at the history of themed entertainment. This time around, they're joined by veteran Imagineer Joe Lanzisero, who looks back at how AA figures were developed for the Disney Parks.Throughout today's episode, listeners will learn about: How Electro the Robot wowed folks at the 1939 New York World's Fair How "Project Little Man" influenced the creation of "Great Moments with Mr

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47:02

Mike Aiello on Jaws, Halloween Horror Nights, and 30...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/06/27

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey welcome Universal Creative’s Mike Aiello for a special episode celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws and his own 30-year journey with the parks. From working as a teenage skipper on the iconic attraction to helping shape Halloween Horror Nights and Epic Universe, Mike shares stories of theme park transformation, Spielberg fandom, and why he always tries to sneak Bruce the Shark into his projects. Plus, Jim and Eric cover the latest on Halloween Horror Nights 34 and the

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55:07

The Poster Wars: How Aladdin, Fantasia, and Drew...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/06/26

In this art-filled episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive deep into the colorful world of Disney posters—on screens, in parks, and behind the scenes. From the hand-painted brilliance of legendary artist Drew Struzan to the merchandising missteps that infuriated Robin Williams, this show explores how Disney uses poster art to sell stories and spark emotion.Jim explains how Fantasia’s box office flop turned into a midnight movie cult hit, while Lauren shares her family’s New

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45:56

Annecy, Disneyland Paris, and the Animation News You...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/06/24

On this week’s jet-lagged edition of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor keep things quick but packed with insight. Drew is back from his travels—and despite the sleep deprivation, he’s ready to recap his time at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and his first-ever visit to Disneyland Paris.How Annecy 2025 addressed AI concerns and global animation trends Jared Bush’s surprising hint at the return of hand-drawn animation at Disney Highlights from Annecy’s

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55:04

Michael Eisner’s Teen Crisis: The Birth of Videopolis...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/06/23

Len Testa and Jim Hill look at recent updates across Walt Disney World and Epic Universe, including a new water play area in Animal Kingdom, a July reopening for Test Track, and a revealing Disney Cruise Line survey. Then in the main segment, Jim takes us back 30 years to the wild creation of Disneyland’s Videopolis—a teen dance club built in just 100 days that introduced churros, challenged norms, and (almost) ran over some tourists. New Indiana Jones-themed play area replaces Animal Kingdom’s

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1,340 results

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