Claim OwnershipThe Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
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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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In this episode, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down the latest in animation news, including:
Ne Zha 2’s historic box office run – How the Chinese animated epic became the highest-grossing animated film worldwide, surpassing Frozen 2.
Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King and DreamWorks’ Dog Man hit digital – What their home release means for the industry.
The rise of adult animation – Robot Chicken celebrates 20 years, while Nikelodeon expands its lineup with Avatar: The Seven Havens.
Disney+’s latest animation drops – Thoughts on Win or Lose and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
The Simpsons’ Disney+ exclusives – Are they living up to the hype?
Tune in for expert analysis, behind-the-scenes stories, and the latest in animation!
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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey hop into the season with stories of springtime mishaps, Disney merch drops, and a full breakdown of the difference between spoilers and Easter eggs (the movie kind, not the chocolate kind).
The infamous Disneyland orchid drop of the 1950s and other early Easter entertainment ideas
A look at this year’s Easter basket-ready merch, from plush Stitch bunnies to adorable Ewok Village Dorables
Disney’s new Lululemon collection and a pricey hoodie that’s… just a black hoodie
Brooks Run Disney shoes and Lauren’s comfort-first shoe philosophy
The origin of Easter eggs in video games and how Pixar carried the tradition into animation
Hidden details in Frozen, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Little Mermaid
The legacy of Disney's Easter TV specials and how hidden Mickeys started as subtle rebellion
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Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.
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Jim Hill & Eric Hersey kick off a brand-new show which offers a different take on Universal Parks & Experiences. Highlights include an interview with Carson Luter from Universal Creative about “Villain Con Minion Blast”
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
How did the 24 films that Universal Pictures released in 2023 do at the worldwide box office
Which character from an Alfred Hitchcock film is paid tribute to in “Villain Con Minion Blast”
What’s significant about the name Universal choses for its Texas park project, at least from a SEO perspective
Which Marvel-themed attraction just closed at Universal Studios Japan
What’s the secret to racking up a big score on “Villain Con Minion Blast”
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Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how difficult it’s been to keep up with Universal Orlando’s rapidly changing COVID-related safety policies. They then discuss NBC Sports’ concerns about the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games
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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 @EricHersey
Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia
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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 Glendale
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin refurb timed to Toy Story’s 30th
Holiday merch highlights — from Madame Leota to a blown-glass ticket book
Frozen 3 rumors teased at a Disney licensing event in China
The surprising history of Snow White sequels, re-releases, and theme park lore
Closing out, Jim and Lauren reflect on Disney’s long tradition of reusing, reviving, and reimagining its classics — and why some stories get told while others sit on the shelf.
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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 verdict on social media and let us know which side you're on.
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Chris Cox – https://www.magiccox.com
Instagram - @magiccox
Twitter/X - @bigcox
Len Testa – https://www.touringplans.com
Instagram - @len.testa
BlueSky - lentesta.bsky.social
Jim Hill – https://jimhillmedia.com
Instagram - @jimhillmedia
Twitter/X - @jimhillmedia
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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.
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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
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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?
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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
Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia
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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.”
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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.
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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 usual Testa-Hill banter.
SHOW NOTES
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
Twitter/X - @bigcox
Len Testa – https://www.touringplans.com
Instagram - @len.testa
BlueSky - lentesta.bsky.social
Jim Hill – https://jimhillmedia.com
Instagram - @jimhillmedia
Twitter/X - @jimhillmedia
Next case: rope dropping at Disney Parks - because nothing says “vacation” like a 5 a.m. wake-up call.
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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
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In the 21st installment of this educational series, Shelly and Noe Valladolid talk about what happened when C.V. Wood (the original president of Disneyland) went off in 1956 and set up his own theme park design company. This episode takes a close look at Freedomland & Magic Mountain
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many theme park designers did C.V. Wood take with him when he exited Disneyland
What was the first theme park that Wood worked on after he stopped working for Walt
How was Freedomland’s opening day much like the one that Disneyland experienced back in 1955
What similarities did Magic Mountain have with Walt’s original family fun park
Who were some of the stars that performed at Freedomland
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Leslie Bricusse... who wrote the Christmas Carol songs. His last name is pronounced 'brick-cuss', not 'brew-sick'.
James - If you're going to do a show about the origins of the ELP, you need to go to Amazon Kindle and get a copy of Lights by Ben Sherman... It's the backstage story with some of the names (barely!) changed to protect the innocent. RS
Jim - Ashamed to tell you I HAD a copy of the Roger Rabbit Hollywood-based prequel script and lost it when I lost my storage space years ago. I got some juicy details I can share if you're interested... RS
Len's obnoxious and constant laughter combined with Jim's amazing insight and knowledge made this episode particularly trying... but necessary... to endure.
Really, Jim? "Rod Sterling"?! It's Serling.
Jim - 1970... The year I worked Xmas parade costume issue, the top 10 feet of the Main St. tree burned after park hours. The company bought a tree from a local lot, hoisted it up and decorated it. By morning the next day no one could tell the difference!
Jim - There is STILL no 'P' in Bibbidy-Bobbidi-Boo! RS
Jim - AL SMITH?!
Jim - Thanks so much for sharing Ron's story. I wept at the telling... RS
Jim - There is no 'P' in 'Bippity Boppity Boo'... "The thingamabob that does the job" is pronounced 'BiBBidy BoBBidy Boo'! RS
Jim - Have you ever heard of a type of cannon called a 'howitzer'? That's where WED got the idea for the name of their scent cannons, as used in Imagination and Energy. It's not pronounced "how-iss-sizer"... it's called a 'Smellitzer'!