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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

67:49

72 Hours Before a Disney Park Opens (featuring Jim...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/29

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

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40:11

Manufacturing the Magic: Looking back at Pacific...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/27

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

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50:03

Cabana Bay and the Resort Boom at Universal Orlando...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/26

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

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62:13

Figment’s Merch Magic and the Movie That Never Was...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/25

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

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48:47

How Mighty Mouse Accidentally Invented Saturday...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/23

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

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66:49

How Disney Built Cars Land and What It Means for...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/22

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

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57:42

From Dueling Dragons to Zelda Rumors: What’s Next for...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/19

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

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49:19

Disney’s Abandoned Snow White Sequels and Frozen 3’s...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/18

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey take listeners from this year’s stealth Muppets capsule release all the way to the projects Disney almost made — including a trilogy of dwarfs prequels and a Snow White spinoff that never saw the light of day. Along the way, they break down Toy Story’s 30th anniversary tie-ins, the first wave of holiday 2025 ornaments, and speculation out of Shanghai that Frozen 3 may center on the “wedding of the century” in Arendelle. The ultra-limited Muppets drop at Mickey’s of

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23:37

Rope Drop at Disney: Worth It or Way Too Early? (Ep. 2)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/17

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

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54:36

Demon Slayer Shatters Records, Toy Story 5 Sneak...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/16

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

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56:16

Cruise Street? The Alternate Cars Land That Almost...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/15

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

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32:16

Manufacturing the Magic: Disneyland’s Sister Parks –...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/13

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

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56:42

How Universal Snatched Rocky & Bullwinkle from Disney...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/12

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

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61:43

The Day Pooh Beat Davy Crockett (and Sold Cereal Too)...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/11

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

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48:01

From Venice to Toronto: Festival Favorites and Fall...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/09

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

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64:03

Dinosaur’s Last Ride, Tron Goes Red, and the Cars...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/08

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

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58:17

Who Stole It Better? Disney, Universal, and the...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/05

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

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57:08

Disney Princess Week, Villains Merch, and Disney...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/04

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

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47:17

Inside Netflix’s Biggest Animated Hit and What’s Next...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/02

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

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48:18

Birds, Booze & The Beak & Barrel: Magic Kingdom’s New...

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network ·

2025/09/01

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

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1,325 results

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