The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim and Len kick off the final Disney Dish of the year with holiday crowds, sold-out Lightning Lane Premier Passes, and one last lap through Jollywood Nights before pivoting into surveys, listener questions, and some unexpectedly nerdy math. Along the way, they remember a beloved Imagineer, dig into why Disney asks the survey questions it does, and break down the best times to roll the dice on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind if you are chasing that perfect song. Then Jim takes everyone deep into EPCOT history with the strange, expensive, and surprisingly high-stakes story of Magic Journeys, the 3D film that quietly kept opening day from turning into a full-blown disaster. NEWS • Lightning Lane Premier Pass prices hit record highs and still sell out across Walt Disney World during the holiday rush • Jollywood Nights sticks the landing in its later years and may now be Disney World's most popular hard-ticket holiday event • A remembrance of legendary Imagineer Eddie Sato, including unrealized Mission Space concepts and behind-the-scenes stories • Animal Kingdom survey questions raise eyebrows about shaded seating and what Disney might really be testing FEATURE • How Kodak sponsorships, lost 3D filmmaking knowledge, and a $7 million budget led to Magic Journeys • Why Magic Journeys was one of the only EPCOT opening-day attractions that actually worked as planned • Murray Lerner, improvisation, and the near-panic inside Imagineering as the film fell behind schedule • The experimental reach-and-flinch moments that made Magic Journeys unforgettable and unrepeatable For this episode's full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com. Start planning your 2026 Disney and Universal vacations with exclusive ticket discounts, including savings of $50 or more per person on four-day Walt Disney World tickets. Tickets link directly to your My Disney Experience account, fast and easy. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to save big. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This holiday week episode of the Epic Universal Podcast was recorded on Christmas Eve, which means Jim and Eric are juggling last minute shopping, customer service horror stories, and a surprisingly full slate of Universal news. From attractions closing sooner than expected to permits hinting at big changes in Islands of Adventure, this show looks both at what is ending and what might be coming next. They also zoom way out, from Epic Universe's nighttime ambitions to the possibility of Universal's next global park landing in a very hot climate. NEWS • The Horror Make-Up Show at Universal Studios Florida is officially closing January 4, with speculation swirling about what kind of reimagined experience might replace it. • New permits tied to Intamin suggest real movement in the Lost Continent area at Islands of Adventure, fueling renewed talk of a possible Legend of Zelda attraction. • Universal files trademarks for Celestial Goodnight, pointing strongly toward a nighttime spectacular at Epic Universe. • Ongoing guest surveys hint that a FanFest-style separately ticketed event could be headed to Universal Orlando, featuring IPs like Lord of the Rings, Pokémon, Godzilla, and K-Pop Demon Hunters. • Universal is reviewing bids for a long-term transportation system connecting Epic Universe with the original Universal Orlando campus. FEATURE • A Wall Street Journal report revives talk of a Universal Studios park in Saudi Arabia, likely financed by the Saudi government through a licensing deal. • How this potential project echoes past international ventures like Dubailand, including what went wrong and what Universal may have learned. • Why indoor, climate-controlled parks are the only viable model for the region and how this mirrors Disney's recent Middle East strategy. • What all of this says about Universal's future, from regional parks like Universal Kids Resort to massive international expansions. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Be Our Guest Vacations, a platinum-level earmarked travel agency specializing in Universal and Disney destinations. Get started on your next adventure at BeOurGuestVacations.com and let them know the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a Christmas Day edition of I Want That Too, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey wrap up the year with a festive mix of Disney merch news, pop culture crossovers, and a deep dive into Jim Henson's long love affair with holiday specials. Along the way, the conversation connects some surprising dots between a largely forgotten Henson TV special and the early creative struggles that eventually led Pixar to Toy Story. NEWS • The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta closes out its Festive Features exhibit showcasing rare Jim Henson holiday puppets • Disney's Hollywood Studios opens early to handle crowds eager to see Taylor Swift Eras Tour costumes • A new Disney Store Princess shirt sparks Swiftie speculation thanks to its lyric-inspired design • Disney Store holiday merchandise drops to 50 percent off before Christmas, shifting end-of-year shopping strategies FEATURE • Why Jim Henson repeatedly turned to holiday specials as creative and financial anchors • How A Christmas Toy reunited the Fraggle Rock team after the series ended • The long-running fan theory connecting A Christmas Toy, Pixar's Tin Toy, and Toy Story • How Pixar's abandoned holiday special pitch ultimately became a theatrical classic HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, from the same trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market. If a Disney or Universal trip is anywhere on your wish list, UnlockedMagic offers great ticket deals handled by experts who know Disney travel inside and out. Visit UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Dan Graney ring in the holidays with a Marvel conversation that somehow involves hacked PayPal accounts, cardboard Star Wars memories, and one of the strangest trailer rollouts in studio history. As Marvel's Doomsday marketing quietly unravels through shaky theater footage and strategically ignored leaks, the guys dig into what's really going on behind the scenes - and why this controlled chaos may actually be the plan. Along the way, they unpack the emotional and narrative risks of bringing Steve Rogers back into the MCU, especially now that he's apparently a dad. NEWS • Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday teaser rollout goes sideways as multiple theater-only trailers leak online • Chris Evans' Steve Rogers quietly returns - with a baby - raising major Endgame continuity questions • Marvel reportedly plans a rotating, four-week Doomsday teaser strategy tied to Avatar: Fire and Ash • Sony clamps down fast on a leaked Spider-Man: Brand New Day teaser while Marvel lets its leaks breathe FEATURE • Why revisiting Steve Rogers' Endgame ending is both risky and emotionally loaded • How kids, legacy, and family may define the stakes of Doomsday and Secret Wars • A wild theory: Is Steve Rogers immune to Doctor Strange's Spider-Man memory spell? • When leaks stop being accidents and start becoming the marketing strategy HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: The Hubbubbery | Website: thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, where you can score real discounts on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets - sometimes up to 12 percent off. Run by the same team behind the DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, Unlocked Magic makes planning your next trip to Central Florida easier and more affordable. Tell them Jim and Dan sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Drew Taylor sidelined by a nasty case of the Christmas crud, Jim Hill flies solo for this end-of-year edition of Fine Tooning. After a bit of seasonal vamping, Jim dives into animation news before kicking off the first half of a deep-dive holiday history lesson. This week's episode sets the stage for a story that begins with a modest Disney featurette and ends up triggering one of the biggest upheavals in the history of Walt Disney Feature Animation. NEWS • Avatar: Fire & Ash dominates the global box office with a massive $345 million opening weekend. • Angel Studios' David surprises with a strong $22 million domestic debut, outperforming several major animated releases. • Zootopia 2 continues its historic run, crossing $1.27 billion worldwide and exceeding the original film by more than $200 million. • The Academy reveals its Best Animated Short shortlist, with notable inclusions and at least one eyebrow-raising omission. • Adult Swim renews Haha, You Clowns for two additional seasons after an initially underestimated debut. FEATURE • The origins of Disney's 1978 animated featurette The Small One and why the studio once believed it would become a perennial holiday classic. • How Charles Tazewell's mid-20th-century holiday stories caught Disney's attention and lingered in development for nearly 15 years. • Behind-the-scenes tensions at Walt Disney Feature Animation in the late 1970s, including the controversial decision to hand directing duties to Don Bluth. • Why this seemingly small production planted the seeds for a massive creative and personnel shakeup soon to come. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Drew Taylor - IG: @DrewTailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlocked Magic helps you save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, sometimes up to 12 percent off. Plan ahead for your 2026 Central Florida trip by picking your dates, grabbing your tickets, and letting the savings add up at UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam from Sam's Disney Diary joins Len and Jim to spill the (highly theatrical) tea on Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, the Disney Destiny - where character “meet-and-greets” have evolved into full-on, semi-improvised encounters that can follow you across the voyage. Then Jim heads back to where Disney's in-park 3D film history really begins, from the 1950s 3D Jamboree at Disneyland to the studio's eternal talent for repurposing anything that is not nailed down. NEWS • Taylor Swift's Eras Tour costumes will stay on display at Walt Disney Presents: One Man's Dream through January 23, 2026 • Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith plays its final riff on March 1, 2026 - with a “summer” reopen that is, as always, Disney-flexible • The Muppet Show special with Sabrina Carpenter hits Disney+ on February 4 - and may be a stealth pilot for a bigger revival • The Boathouse at Disney Springs lands as one of America's top-grossing independent restaurants - fueled by sheer, glorious volume • A reported FTC allegation about Pepsi + Walmart “pricing power” takes an extra twist once Len connects the dots to Disney's current CFO talk about dynamic pricing FEATURE • Sam breaks down how Disney Destiny's characters run “meet-and-play” moments - Pirates pub invites, Cruella's improv songwriting, and other “be here later” surprises • The ship's hero-vs-villain throughline (hello, Loki) and why it feels like Disney quietly recycled some Galactic Starcruiser know-how • The Haunted Mansion parlor sticks around - now with an in-app AR hunt to round up “escaped” ghosts • Jim rewinds to Disney's earliest 3D experiments, including Disneyland's 1956-era 3D Jamboree and the studio's short-lived 1950s 3D flirtation For this episode's full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com GUEST • Sam Marraccini - IG: @samsdisneydaily | X: @SamsDisneyDiary | Website: SamsDisneyDiary.com Sam's Disney Diary+2X (formerly Twitter)+2 FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic - visit UnlockedMagic.com for special discounts on Disney theme park tickets for 2026. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 28th installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid turn their attention to the Sunshine State. Which is where Walt, after an extensive land search, decides to build the East Coast version of Disneyland in the 1960s Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What are some of the shell company names that Disney used while purchasing pieces of property outside of Orlando How did a plucky news maven figure out what Walt was up to in Central Florida Why did Walt lie about Project Florida What were the very first pieces of infrastructure that Walt Disney Productions built down there in those swamps off of I-4 What exactly was the Reedy Creek Improvement District Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Eric kick off this week's show with a very on-brand travel mishap from Jim's latest Hallmark-fueled road trip, then pivot back to the stuff you came for - Universal news, theme park weirdness, and one surprisingly deep dive into how Frankenstein's Monster became the pop culture template we all still recognize today. Along the way: Epic Universe breadcrumbs, a Vegas horror venue that might be scarier for its empty queue than its monsters, and why Boris Karloff's dentures deserve their own credit line. NEWS • Universal's proposed UK theme park clears another hurdle, with the project advancing in the approvals process and still targeting a 2031 opening • Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas adds a holiday horror overlay, but reports suggest the venue can feel eerily empty even during a supposedly busy week • A new “Galactic Expo” mural lands inside the Men in Black Alien Attack gift shop, packed with sci-fi Easter eggs • A new Men in Black film is reportedly in development - and Jim has thoughts on what that could mean for the long-running attraction • Universal's latest “Whatever Makes You Happy” merch drop leans hard into 1980s nostalgia, mashing up brands that make Eric do a double-take FEATURE • Why Universal rushed Frankenstein (1931) into production after Dracula hit big - and how it helped the studio dig out of debt • The behind-the-scenes moment when director James Whale spots Boris Karloff in the commissary and decides his face has “startling possibilities” • The unglamorous reality of monster-making: punishing makeup sessions, 65 pounds of costume, and the physical toll that followed Karloff for years • The lost-but-legendary Technicolor Frankenstein footage from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty that fans have been hunting for decades HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Be Our Guest Vacations - plan your next adventure with a platinum-level, earmarked travel agency offering concierge service for Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Disney parks, cruises, and more. Get started at beourguestvacations.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are back for a very seasonal edition of I Want That To - and Jim's latest “project” involves tracking down tiny reindeer snowmobiles to complete his Cars holiday display (because apparently Santa's sleigh rules apply to Radiator Springs too). From there, the conversation jumps into Disney's new “Find Merchandise” test inside My Disney Experience, the company's eye-popping $1 billion investment in OpenAI, and why dynamic pricing is suddenly giving everyone Instacart flashbacks. Then Jim takes Lauren (and all of us) on a deep-dive into the origin story of Disney's Sing-Along VHS line - including how a Max Fleischer Rudolph short ended up inside Disney's Very Merry Christmas Songs tape. NEWS• Disney is testing a new “Find Merchandise” feature in the My Disney Experience app to help guests search for specific items and check availability at select locations (including World of Disney at Disney Springs). • Disney's reported $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI sparks a debate about guardrails, character usage, and curation, especially as AI-generated content gets easier to make (and easier to misuse). • The latest Instacart dynamic pricing controversy raises alarms about different customers seeing different prices, prompting the big question: is Disney heading down a similar road with ticket pricing? • Disney's CFO signals dynamic pricing for domestic parks in 2026, with Jim and Lauren weighing the business upside against the guest-side pain of budgeting and “reading the room.” FEATURE• A surprisingly twisty history lesson on how Disney's early VHS strategy helped create the Sing-Along Songs phenomenon - and why making kids sing along was (possibly) the point. • The story behind Very Merry Christmas Songs (1988), including how it had to be assembled on a brutal retail timeline to hit shelves in early October. • How Disney licensed (cheaply) a hand-drawn Max Fleischer Rudolph (1948) short originally made for Montgomery Ward store Santa lines - and why it looks better on YouTube than it did on VHS. • Why this tape became a yearly tradition: the “one remaining VHS player” holiday background classic for tree-decorating season. HOSTS• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORTSupport the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSORThis episode of I Want That To is brought to you by our friends at UnlockedMagic.com, the same trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and the DVC Resale Market. If you're planning a Disney trip, they've got the best deals on Walt Disney World tickets - visit UnlockedMagic.com to grab the best ticket deals and make your next Disney trip just a little bit more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Snack credits are either the best little “vacation cheat code” Disney ever slipped into the Dining Plan - or a spreadsheet-powered trap that turns your family trip into a competitive sport. This week in the Court of the Disney World Resort, Len Testa and Chris Cox argue whether snack credits are a smart way to stretch your Walt Disney World dollars, or just a confusing system that rewards the deeply committed and mildly deranged. Along the way, there is Starbucks math, Epcot festival strategy, and at least one Easy-Bake oven-related conflict of interest. HIGHLIGHTS • Why snack credits can be a secret weapon at EPCOT festivals - especially when you know which items creep up toward that $10 “sweet spot.” • The maddening part of the Dining Plan - there is no consistent rule for what counts as a snack, so you're stuck hunting for the logo like it's a scavenger hunt. • The “snack credit endgame” - realizing on your last day you have a pile of credits left, and suddenly you're importing Rice Krispies treats through customs. • Using snack credits for “breakfast” (because apparently cheesecake counts as dairy and eggs) and other vacation logic that only makes sense inside the Disney bubble. • The philosophical divide - gaming the system for maximum value vs. enjoying the feeling that “past you paid for this,” so present you can just say yes and keep moving. For this episode's full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com • Chris Cox - IG: @magiccox | X: @bigcox | Website: magiccox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor and Jim Hill kick off this week's show with a genuinely wild media landscape where holiday releases, awards season, and corporate maneuvering are all colliding at once. From a brewing battle over Warner Bros. Discovery to Disney's latest tech-flavored swing, the first half is a rapid tour through what's breaking (and what might be breaking next). Then Jim takes the wheel solo for a longer, history-packed trip over the rainbow, tracing how animation veterans, studio deals, and a certain pair of feuding cartoon animals keep finding their way back to Oz. NEWS • Netflix and Paramount Skydance are reportedly lining up competing bids for Warner Bros. Discovery, with the situation edging into hostile takeover territory • Disney signs a three-year OpenAI licensing and investment deal, reportedly tied to short-form character content and platform experimentation • Zootopia 2 clears the $1 billion worldwide mark, adding to a renewed “WDAS is back” narrative after recent holiday stumbles • The trailer drops for Andy Serkis' Animal Farm, with Seth Rogen voicing Napoleon and Angel Studios handling distribution • A quick remembrance of animator Tony Benedict, whose career path traced the industry's mid-century churn from Disney to TV animation FEATURE • Why Chuck Jones left Termite Terrace, briefly detoured to Disney, then later set up shop at MGM • How Disney's MGM licensing deal and the later Turner-Time Warner corporate shuffle complicated who “owned” what in the Oz rights maze • The surprisingly effective mash-up of MGM legacies in Tom & Jerry and the Wizard of Oz (and why it was successful enough to inspire a return trip) • A lightning round of other animated Oz side-quests, including costly misfires and international oddities HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlocked Magic - Get real savings on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, sometimes up to 12% off. Unlocked Magic is run by the same team behind the DVC Rental Store and the DVC Resale Market, so you can pick your dates, grab your tickets, and go. Visit UnlockedMagic.com and let them know Drew and Jim sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Construction at Animal Kingdom's upcoming Encanto attraction is finally starting to pop above the fence line, and Jim and Len do what they do best - stare at aerial photos until they start seeing ride-height changes and possible “big thing” anchors. Then the show veers into a surprisingly tight math problem: is it actually cheaper for an American couple to fly to Japan and do Tokyo Disney than it is to do a weekend at Walt Disney World? (Spoiler: the internet is almost right, which is somehow worse.) NEWS• Aerial photos suggest the Encanto ride site at Animal Kingdom may include a ride-height change (and at least one very suspicious hole in the ground).• Orange County tourist tax collections hit a new record for October, up 15 percent year over year - yes, people are still going to Orlando.• Disney Cruise Line Port Canaveral numbers show strong October sailings - Disney Magic at 81 percent occupancy, Treasure and Wish at 89 percent.• Hallmark and Disney team up for the first in-park holiday movie, “Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True,” arriving in 2026.• Disney's surprise AI headline: a reported $1 billion OpenAI investment tied to Disney characters appearing in Sora, and what Disney might really be building toward. FEATURE• Why Remy's Ratatouille Adventure (and its Paris counterpart) reportedly switched from 3D to 2D - guest comfort, visibility, and the ongoing cost of 3D glasses.• The long history of Disney's ever-changing 3D eyewear “story names,” from MuppetVision safety goggles to opera glasses and beyond.• The wild near-miss: Avatar: Flight of Passage allegedly came close to becoming 2D, and how producer Jon Landau pushed back. For this episode's full show notes, click here. HOSTS• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSORThis episode's Disney-ish News is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com - from our friends at DVCRentalStore.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From queue changes to construction walls to nighttime lagoon testing, the parks offer plenty to parse this week. The guys then pivot from the Epic Universe lagoon to Universal's classic monsters, using the buzz around Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein to explore how the 1931 film lurched into existence. Expect lost projects, studio pivots, and a Monster role Bela Lugosi famously refused. NEWS • VelociCoaster ends its single rider line, likely due to party sorting and load-efficiency issues. • Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly shopping DC theme park rights to Universal, raising big questions for Marvel, Six Flags, and international parks. • Removal of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit sparks speculation, though new construction-wall posters suggest general theming rather than a specific IP. • Nighttime testing at the Epic Universe lagoon shows projection effects featuring a bird-or-dragon silhouette. • Universal Studios Hollywood opens sales for FanFest Nights and a late-night New Year's Eve event, prompting questions about noise control before Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift debuts. FEATURE • Guillermo del Toro's long-gestating Frankenstein began as a Universal concept more than a decade ago. • Jim walks through how Universal's early monster era took shape under financial pressure following the 1929 crash. • The studio acquired stage rights to Frankenstein after Dracula's success, initially planning it for Bela Lugosi, who rejected the role. • The episode ends as Universal begins hunting for a new star, eventually leading James Whale to discover Boris Karloff in the studio lunchroom. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Be Our Guest Vacations, a platinum-level earmarked travel agency offering concierge planning for Universal, Disney, cruises, and more. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Lauren ring in the holidays with a very merchy episode of I Want That Too, recorded just after Lauren's family Polar Express adventure. From Disney Visa mailers and annual passholder calendars to Stitch-heavy gift guides, they dig into how Disney is trying to steer your holiday shopping. • Disney's “Home for the Holidays” Disney Rewards Insider issue and the surprise AP calendar reveal a full-court press of plush, Stitch, cruises, and watch-list marketing aimed at shaping your seasonal shopping. • Stitchmas dominates both online and in-park displays, with plush, pajamas, and matching family sets claiming a massive share of holiday floor space. • Disney Parks Blog releases multiple holiday gift guides spotlighting games, books, Frozen favorites, Zootopia tie-ins, and Lorcana must-haves for fans of all stripes. • While Disney pushes big-ticket items like the $399 LEGO castle, Jim and Lauren highlight personal picks including Dick Van Dyke's new book, Disney-branded Crocs, the Tokyo Disney Mickey gnome, and the classic monorail set. • Despite limited Cars Land holiday merch in the parks, Jim notes stronger Cars Christmas selections at Kohl's, Walmart, and BoxLunch, plus his near-purchase of Target's leftover 2021 Winter Series die-casts. • A listener tip confirms the red truck Mickey popcorn bucket sells out nightly at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, creating steep eBay markups. • Looking ahead, Zootopia 2's box office success is backed by a large retail program, while Pixar's Hoppers gets a lighter rollout as Disney gears up for major Toy Story 5 merchandising. • 2025's Toy Story and Tangled anniversary lines show mixed traction, as Jim previews everything from collector dolls to Woody's Clint Eastwood-inspired poncho look and recommends watching for Twice Upon a Year markdowns. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, your go-to source for top-tier deals on Disney and Universal trips, offering discounted tickets and planning tools to make your next Central Florida vacation even more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Avengers: Endgame heads back to theaters, the Road to Doomsday widens, theme park tectonics start shifting, and Hulk's stair-related temper sets off an unintended butterfly effect across the entire MCU. Jim and Dan break down Marvel's theatrical chess moves, assemble Sam Wilson's emerging Avengers roster, and dive into a feature story where one very irritated green guy accidentally rewrites the multiverse. It's a packed episode that swings from box office strategy to deep-cut timeline chaos. NEWS • Avengers: Endgame returns to theaters in September 2026 as a strategic warm-up for Avengers: Doomsday • Dan unveils a new theory about the Endgame metal-pounding audio, suggesting the 2026 rerelease could reveal Doctor Doom forging his mask as a symbolic handoff from Tony Stark • Early Doomsday lineup reveals Sam Wilson's Avengers team, including Thor, Loki, Shang-Chi, Falcon, and Ant-Man • Universal reportedly explores DC character licensing, creating the possibility of Marvel and DC living side-by-side in Orlando • Rumor Corner: Destin Daniel Cretton may direct the first post–Secret Wars Avengers film; She-Hulk's MCU future remains uncertain FEATURE • How one joke in Endgame – Hulk being forced to take the stairs – becomes the domino that creates the entire Multiverse Saga • Loki's escape, the TVA's rise and fall, and the chain of events that leads to No Way Home, Wanda's rampage, and Steve and Tony's emotional finales • Why Hulk's bad stair day may be the secret narrative blueprint the Russos lean on for Avengers: Doomsday HOSTS • Jim Hill – IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Dan Graney – YouTube: @TheHubbubbery | Facebook: /thehubbubbery | Website: thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey – Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR UnlockedMagic.com – Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, sometimes upwards of 12 percent off. Planning a 2026 trip? Choose your dates, grab your tickets, and enjoy the savings. And be sure to tell them Jim and Dan sent you.Unlocked Magic If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Drew unpack one of the biggest industry shakeups in years as Netflix snaps up Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that reshapes everything from Adult Swim to the broader animation marketplace. Then the guys follow the yellow brick road into this week's feature, exploring the strange, stop-and-start history of Hollywood's many attempts to revisit Oz, from Disney's abandoned visions to Filmation's long-delayed Journey Back to Oz. NEWS • Netflix acquires Warner Bros. Discovery for $82.7 billion and what this lightning-fast deal could mean for Paramount, cable networks, and Adult Swim. • How the sale compares to Disney's 2017–2019 acquisition of Fox once you adjust for inflation. • Industry chatter around the merger's approval process amid concerns from competing studios. FEATURE • A colorful tour through Hollywood's many post-MGM attempts to return to Oz. • Disney's near-miss projects, including the almost-produced “Rainbow Road to Oz.” • Rankin/Bass, Chuck Jones, and the surprising number of animated Oz interpretations in the 1960s. • Filmation's turbulent decade-long journey to complete Journey Back to Oz, featuring Liza Minnelli, missing dialogue tapes, and recycled Sammy Cahn music. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic — where you can save up to 12 percent on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets. Planning a 2026 trip? Pick your dates, grab your tickets, and let Unlocked Magic handle the rest. And don't forget to tell them Jim and Drew sent you.UnlockedMagic.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len and Jim race through a packed week of Disney and Universal updates before diving into how the Roy E. Disney Animation Building went from an architectural showpiece to the creative model for Hollywood Studios' upcoming Magic of Disney Animation attraction. NEWS • Disney outlines major 2026 refurbishments, Bluey offerings on both coasts, and new character entertainment. • EPCOT confirms Flower & Garden dates, attraction reopenings, and steep winter hotel discounts for Visa cardholders. • Universal celebrates FIA honors while advancing a three-phase transit plan connecting its resorts and parks. • Listener questions lead to discussions on vacation packages, Tron Ares timing, and the rise of non-alcoholic beverage offerings. • Jim and Len break down New Year's Eve crowd patterns, phased closures, and survival strategies for the busiest days of the year. FEATURE • Jim revisits architect Robert A.M. Stern's Disney work, from Casting Center to Celebration to the Roy E. Disney Animation Building. • The building's iconic exterior contrasts with an interior layout that frustrated traditional animation workflows. • Lasseter's renovation sends teams to a former WDI fabrication site where films like Zootopia and Moana take shape amid industrial ambiance. • The redesigned building's collaborative layout now inspires Hollywood Studios' upcoming Magic of Disney Animation experience. For this episode's full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | IG: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR The Disney Dish news segment is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com from DVC Rental Store, offering discounted 2026 Disney theme park tickets. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim kicks off this week's show with a wild winter travel saga involving airport shutdowns, missing donuts, and a 3 a.m. pickup run that somehow beats the incoming snowstorm. From there, he and Eric dive into a new Universal survey aimed squarely at teens, explore construction movement in Lost Continent, and track down the long-missing Monsters Café icons now hiding backstage in Dark Universe. They also unpack the Grinch's sudden takeover of holiday marketing before shifting into a deep-dive feature on the long, winding, neon-lit creation of Universal CityWalk Hollywood—a project Lou Wasserman first dreamed up nearly three decades before it opened. NEWS • Teen-focused Universal survey hints at interest in genre preferences, event awareness, and horror-driven engagement. • Activity in Lost Continent sparks renewed speculation about future land plans and potential tie-ins to Wicked's box office momentum. • Classic Monsters Café statues resurface behind Dark Universe, raising questions about their next life in the parks. • McDonald's unveils a Grinch meal, highlighting the odd licensing divide between animated, live-action, and promotional designs. • Universal updates its disability access program, shifting to a more streamlined digital Attractions Assistance Pass. FEATURE • How Lou Wasserman's 1966 idea evolved into the modern, open-air entertainment district known as CityWalk. • Why Universal insisted CityWalk be “not a mall,” but a curated neighborhood blending neon art, unique shops, and LA culture. • The surprising role of historic neon, UCLA programming, and an 18-screen movie palace in shaping the development. • Early expansions, closures, and how CityWalk continues to evolve ahead of Universal Hollywood's third on-site hotel. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, powered by the DVC Rental Store. Planning a 2026 trip to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? Save 10 percent or more on deluxe accommodations at:UnlockedMagic.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off the long Thanksgiving weekend, Jim and Lauren crawl out from under their leftover Pilgrim sandwiches to talk about Zootopia 2 absolutely owning the holiday box office, how that might shape Disney's sequel strategy, and the must-have merch that is already slithering into the parks. They also dig into McDonald's massive 70th anniversary Happy Meal promotion, Disney's official holiday book guide, and a couple of doorstop tomes that are now living in the Hersey household. In the back half, Jim takes Lauren on a whirlwind tour through nearly 80 years of Disney's talking-animal history - from Song of the South all the way to Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. NEWS • Zootopia 2's Thanksgiving opening pulls in a projected 156 million dollars domestically and around 400 million dollars overseas in just five days - more than half a billion total and one of the biggest Thanksgiving hauls ever. • How those numbers stack up against Wicked for Good and last year's Moana 2, plus why Universal probably is not panicking while it waits for the inevitable Wicked sing-along edition and a newly announced Galinda prequel novel. • The debut of Gary the Snake - a gloriously weird Zootopia 2 sipper at Disneyland - and Jim's crusade to track down Nog the snow seal pup plush that was gifted to Disney Television Animation staffers. • McDonald's 70th celebration Happy Meal, featuring 70 different Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and classic character toys with two figures per box - plus online grumbling over who made the cut (hello, Clarabelle) and who suspiciously did not (sorry, Cinderella). • Disney Parks Blog's holiday book guide, from deep-dive art and history titles like the X Atencio tribute and John Landau's memoir to Moana's “What if she stole the heart?” Twisted Tale, kid-friendly atlases, scratch-n-sniff adventures, and the giant Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks and Bring the Magic Home books currently threatening Lauren's fingernails. FEATURE • A crash course in Disney's history with anthropomorphized animals - starting with the animated sequences in 1946's Song of the South and why so many artists remembered that era as their happiest time at the studio after returning from World War II. • The rise and fall of the abandoned Chanticleer project, the “Roy's Boys” money feud with Walt, and how that detour accidentally sent Mark Davis to Imagineering where he helped create icons like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. • How The Aristocats, Robin Hood, and even The Jungle Book paved the way for modern animal worlds - including the infamous animation recycling in Robin Hood's “Phony King of England” sequence that sharp-eyed fans still spot today. • The long development path from the shelved spy thriller Savage Seas, starring Jack Savage, to the fully realized animal metropolis of Zootopia - including John Lasseter's notes, Jared Bush's CIA family background, and the last-minute decision to swap Nick Wilde out for Judy Hopps as the true lead. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode of I Want That Too is brought to you by our friends at UnlockedMagic.com - the same trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market. If you are planning a trip to Central Florida to visit Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, the Unlocked Magic crew has some of the best deals on tickets, so do yourself a favor and use UnlockedMagic.com to make your next vacation just a little more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of The Case For, Jim and Chris dive deep into the foamy, sugary mystery of Butterbeer – from its first mention in Prisoner of Azkaban to its billion-calorie domination of Universal's theme parks. Along the way, they track the near-miss Disney deal, J.K. Rowling's taste-testing power, and exactly why Len Testa is currently horizontal. It's a sweet, strange, and slightly sticky journey through theme park history. FEATURE • How Butterbeer evolved from J.K. Rowling's books to real-world theme park phenomenon • Disney's early plans for a Harry Potter mini-land – and how the deal slipped through their fingers • Universal's long development process, the top-secret taste test in Scotland, and why the drink became a runaway hit • The many forms of Butterbeer across the Wizarding World, from frozen to fudge to the notorious cream puff HOSTS • Jim Hill – IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Chris Cox – IG: @magiccox | X: @bigcox | Website: magiccox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey – Strong Minded Agency If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim goes solo this week while Drew speeds back toward LA for an early press screening of “Avatar: Fire & Ash.” In the meantime, Jim catches us up on a very eventful week in animation news, from the monster launch of “Zootopia 2” in China to Disney Parks animatronics already slipping into B mode. He also spotlights new shorts, holiday specials, and takes a deep dive into the surprising Hollywood history behind “The Wizard of Oz.” NEWS • Zootopia 2 shatters expectations with a $156M domestic debut and a staggering $275M in China. • Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia Land proves to be a major factor in the sequel's overseas success. • Early operational issues arise with the Clawhauser animatronic at Animal Kingdom's new “Zoobetter Together” attraction. • Plymptoons launches a TikTok account and announces a December studio art sale in NYC. • Locksmith Animation debuts “Cardboard,” a touching new short drawing awards-season buzz. FEATURE • Jim traces the fascinating Hollywood history of “The Wizard of Oz,” from Disney's thwarted attempt to acquire the rights to the abandoned “Rainbow Road to Oz.” • How MGM's 1939 classic became a television institution and shaped Disney's musical ambitions. • A preview of next week's continuation on animated Oz adaptations of the 1960s and 70s. For this episode's full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, where you can save up to 12 percent on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets. Just pick your dates, grab your tickets, and go. And when you do, please let the folks at Unlocked Magic know that Drew and Jim sent you.Unlocked Magic If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a week wandering Walt Disney World with Len and Jim Shull, Jim goes solo this episode to share fresh Orlando observations, big theme park news, and the triumphant tale of finally getting inside Trader Sam's Grog Grotto after a decade of trying. From Zootopia 2's massive box office to the latest on dynamic pricing, Magic Kingdom expansion hints, and some curious choices around holiday traditions at the Grand Floridian, this one covers a lot of ground. And yes, there will be tiki mugs. NEWS • Disney officially announces that The World of Frozen opens at Disneyland Paris on March 29, 2026. • CFO Hugh Johnston publicly confirms dynamic pricing expansions at Disney parks after a year of corporate pushback. • Zootopia 2 posts a remarkable $556 million global opening weekend. • Ongoing fan hunt for the hidden Joe Rohde at Zootopia Zoo Better Together—Jim Shull reveals where to look. • Early visuals emerge around the Magic Kingdom expansion, with notable activity near Seven Seas Drive and Floridian Way. FEATURE • The full saga of Jim's 10-year quest to enter Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. • Why going late - very late - is the key to getting inside this tiny tiki temple. • Comparisons between Trader Sam's, the new Beacon Barrel in Adventureland, and The Perch at the Grand Floridian. • Updates on this year's missing Grand Floridian Gingerbread House and what might happen next. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, the same team behind the DVC Rental Store. If you're planning a trip to Central Florida and want discounted tickets to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando - often 10 to 12 percent less than elsewhere - visit UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Eric unwrap a very different kind of holiday story this week: the wild, demanding, and downright unbelievable making of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). Fresh from Jim's trip to IAAPA and holiday visits to the Universal parks, the guys trace how the film's production shaped today's Grinchmas offerings, from the makeup performers wear to the version of Whoville Universal still uses. Along the way, they dig into this year's seasonal additions, Wicked's strong opening, and the latest rumblings from Epic Universe. NEWS• Universal Orlando and Hollywood launch their holiday seasons, including new decorations, Tribute Store theming, and Grinchmas updates • Wicked for Good posts a massive opening weekend, powering Universal's awards-season buzz• Epic Universe construction heats up with a major new permit near the Ministry of Magic• Butterbeer expands again with Coffee Mate creamers arriving nationwide soon FEATURE• The unbelievable true story of making the 2000 Grinch.• The intense Hollywood bidding war that secured Dr. Seuss's beloved book for Universal• What Jim Carrey endured inside a full yak-fur bodysuit, yellow contacts, and nine-hour makeup sessions• The military-level torture survival training Carrey received just to get through filming• How Ron Howard, Rick Baker, and even Eddie Murphy tried to keep morale up on set• And how all of this still influences the Grinch performers greeting guests at Universal today HOSTS• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com• Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSORThis week's episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic. Save on regular Disney theme park tickets and discounted after-hours event tickets when you book through UnlockedMagic.com. Lock in your winter plans while deals last! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Lauren celebrate Thanksgiving with a whirlwind mix of Disney history, holiday nostalgia, and a merch-filled New York adventure. From Wicked-branded ice rinks and a Zootopia 2 takeover at JFK to Macy's exclusive parade collection and a stop at the Harry Potter Store, Lauren brings back a suitcase full of stories. Jim then dives into the legacy of Don Knotts, his long relationship with Disney, and how he ended up voicing Mayor Turkey Lurkey in Chicken Little. A cozy, funny, and very seasonal edition of I Want That Too. HIGHLIGHTS Lauren's NYC trip featuring massive Wicked and Zootopia 2 marketing across Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and JFK Inside Macy's Disney Thanksgiving Day Parade collection, plus Marvel arcade surprises A butterbeer meetup at the Harry Potter Store and standout Potter merch finds Jim's holiday watchlist, including the debut of Prep and Landing: Snowball Protocol A deep dive into Don Knotts' Disney career and his final animated role as Turkey Lurkey HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by unlockedmagic.com, the trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market. Planning a Disney trip? They can help you secure the best deals on Walt Disney World tickets—sometimes as much as 12 percent off. Pick your dates, grab your tickets, and be sure to tell them Jim and Lauren sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Dan return with a pre-Thanksgiving episode that mixes Orlando sidewalks, MCU speculation, and a defrosting turkey that may or may not be plotting its escape. They cover everything from Universal's uneven holiday decorations to the unexpectedly emotional Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony for Chadwick Boseman. From there, the guys dive headfirst into Marvel's latest rumblings, including Wonder Man's very meta cameo and the increasingly loud whispers about the Russo Brothers shaping the MCU's next storytelling era. It's a lively one, recorded just days before the pie-and-TV marathon begins. NEWS Universal Orlando holiday observations, including the conspicuously undecorated Marvel Super Hero Island and a stellar Captain America meet and greet. Updates on Black Panther 3, including casting buzz and the heartfelt Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony honoring Chadwick Boseman. Early discussion of Doomsday, Secret Wars, and shifting MCU release timelines. New info on Disney Plus' Wonder Man series and its unexpectedly meta Josh Gad connection. The Avatar: Fire and Ash runtime reveal and how it ties into the first Doomsday trailer launch. FEATURE Why the Russo Brothers may return as creative architects of Marvel's “Mutant Saga,” and what that means after the bumpy post-Endgame years. How the MCU's parliament is shifting strategy away from homework-heavy storytelling. What the Russos must resolve as Marvel transitions out of the multiverse era and toward a unified, mutant-inclusive future. For this episode's full show notes, click here. HOSTS Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery | Facebook: /thehubbubbery | Website: thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW Facebook: JimHillMediaNews Instagram: JimHillMedia TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlock real discounts on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets with Unlocked Magic. Sometimes savings reach up to 12 percent, and the service is run by the trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and the DVC Resale Market. Pick your dates, grab your tickets, and go. Tell them Jim and Dan sent you. Website: Unlocked Magic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down just hours before Zootopia 2 preview screenings begin, they dig into the film's early reactions, the surprising box-office shape of the holiday season, and the escalating economics behind today's animated franchises. HIGHLIGHTS Early reactions to Zootopia 2 and what Drew learned from scoring sessions and long-lead press days. How Wicked: For Good outpaced the original film's opening—and why reviews may complicate the long-term outlook. Stephen Schwartz's long history with animation—from Pocahontas to The Prince of Egypt—and his record-breaking opening weekend. A surprise Thanksgiving return for Prep & Landing and why Snowball Protocol deserved more promotion. Drew breaks down the blockbuster salaries behind Frozen 3 and 4—and how favored-nations deals shaped the cast's negotiations. Tim Allen completes his Toy Story 5 recording, plus a look back at the franchise's evolving pay scale. Trailer talk: David, Hoppers, and what Pixar's 2026 slate signals for the studio. Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Drew Taylor — X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team at DVC Rental Store — offering discounted Disney theme park tickets, including special events. Save on your next trip at UnlockedMagic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa, Jim Hill, and veteran Imagineer Jim Shull hit the IAAPA Expo show floor in Orlando, exploring the newest ride systems, vendor innovations, and behind-the-scenes stories fueling the future of themed entertainment. NEWS A look at how IAAPA blends professional showcase, industry reunion, and pop-up amusement park—complete with traffic, parking challenges, and surprises at every booth. Zamperla's full-size demo of its new interactive “flap-to-fly” ride, where sensors track arm movements to lift riders higher. The stacked-track, heart-shaped family coaster concept designed to fit high-capacity thrills into a tiny footprint. Mack Rides' water-coaster hybrid for Dollywood: a tracked boat that transitions between basins, rapids, and coaster moments. The debut of brand-new industry tech, including an AI park-operations platform launched just two weeks earlier—so new the vendor couldn't answer most questions yet. Why Imagineers were quietly examining faux-fossil rockwork in a small booth—possible clues to future projects. A vendor's dramatic countdown-clock presentation that fell apart when no one realized the microphone was dead. The team's ongoing quest for pickle-flavored cotton candy and other baffling IAAPA food innovations. Len's impromptu pitch to Doppelmayr about Universal's transportation RFQ—and the unexpectedly enthusiastic response. Why IAAPA acts as “old home week” for themed entertainment pros, with surprise run-ins, backstage conversations, and stories that won't be public for years. Full show notes available here: Show Notes Hosts Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.comJim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.comJim Shull (Veteran Imagineer) — X/Twitter: @JimShull | YouTube: @jimhshull | Website: jimhshull.com Patreon Support the Disney Dish and get exclusive content, early episodes, and behind-the-scenes stories. Join us at:https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agencyhttps://strongmindedagency.com Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team at DVC Rental Store — offering discounted Disney theme park tickets, including special events. Save on your next trip with Unlocked Magic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into the latest Universal Orlando updates before turning to a deep-dive tribute to Jay Stein — the visionary who transformed Universal's backlot tour into a spectacle factory and helped define the studio's signature “JayBang” style of themed entertainment. NEWS NBC's Wicked: One Wonderful Night special sparks strong reactions as Universal's cross-promotions continue everywhere from Dunkin' to TV tie-ins. New 2026 Universal Orlando ticket options clarify how multi-day guests can access Epic Universe more than once. Reddit reactions and critic reviews paint a wide spectrum of opinions on Universal's latest TV musical marketing moment. Preparations continue around Orlando as fans look ahead to more detailed Epic Universe rollouts. FEATURE — A TRIBUTE TO JAY STEIN How a 26-year-old studio problem-solver was handed one directive: “Fix the tram tour.” The creation of the very first “JayBang”: the 1968 Flash Flood, sending 20,000 gallons of water rushing past the tram. The shift from generic “movie magic” to effects pulled straight from current Universal Pictures releases. The Eiger Sanction–inspired glacier tunnel illusion, which evolved into one of the most memorable tram finales ever built. Why Jay Stein's fingerprints can still be felt across every fireball, near-miss shark, collapsing bridge, and runaway vehicle in Universal's attraction lineup. Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Eric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com Patreon Enjoying the show? Your support helps us bring more insider history, analysis, and interviews to the feed. Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, where listeners can save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets — including select after-hours events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney merch meets Disney history this week as Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack the newest releases tied to Zootopia 2 before shifting gears into a deep dive on one of the most pivotal films in studio history. Then, Disney historian and author Todd James Pierce joins the show to share how Mary Poppins reshaped the future of the company — with behind-the-scenes stories you've never heard. NEWS The newest Zootopia 2 merch drops at Disney Store and World of Disney, from Judy Hopps Loungefly to new plush and spirit jerseys. Box-office expectations for the Zootopia sequel as it heads into Thanksgiving weekend. A first look at Disneyland's odd and delightful new souvenir guide. Disney's unexpected collaboration with Formula One. FEATURE Interview: Todd James Pierce — The Making of Mary Poppins and How It Transformed Disney How the 1964 classic became the studio's turning point during Walt's most ambitious era. Julie Andrews, Hayley Mills furniture, and other wonderfully strange details from Todd's research. Why Mary Poppins helped fund the expansion that made Walt Disney World possible. The years-long archival detective work that went into Todd's book. Walt's evolving creative priorities — and how this single film changed everything. Guest Todd James Pierce Website: toddjamespierce.com Podcast: Disney History Institute Books: Three Years in Wonderland, The Life and Times of Ward Kimball, The Making of Mary Poppins and How It Transformed Disney Hosts Jim Hill X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia Instagram: @JimHillMedia Website: jimhillmedia.com Lauren Hersey X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ Patreon Support the show and get exclusive content!https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor UnlockedMagic.com — your trusted source for the best Walt Disney World ticket deals, including savings on special event nights like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Make your next Disney trip a little more magical at UnlockedMagic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jim Hill joins Len Testa and Chris Cox in the Court of the Walt Disney World Resort to open the mailbag and dive into your comments on park hopping, rope dropping, resort strategy, and the joys of solo touring. HIGHLIGHTS What real guests say about when park hopping actually pays off Why longer UK trips flip the park-hop vs. slow-down debate The surprising power of resort location — and why Epcot area hotels keep winning Rope dropping vs. teenagers: an age-old (and very sleepy) dilemma Solo trips, flexibility, and the freedom to wander at will Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.comLen Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.comChris Cox — X/Twitter: @bigcox | Instagram: @magiccox | Website: magiccox.com Patreon Love the show and want to support more episodes like this? Join us on Patreon and get early access and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Production Credits Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the long Thanksgiving weekend approaches, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into a flurry of newly dropped animation trailers, surprising box office projections, and the industry shifts shaping Spring and Summer 2026. Recorded just as holiday season ramps up, this week's Fine Tooning mixes news, nostalgia, and some unexpected industry history. HIGHLIGHTS Why studios dropped so many major trailers this week — and what their early online rollouts say about today's marketing playbook. A look at the weekend box office projections, including the strong debut for Now You See Me, Now You Don't 3 and the surprising second-week drop for Predator: Badlands. Angel Studios' upcoming animated musical David and its early pre-sale strategy heading into the crowded December slate. First impressions of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants — plus memories from the 1980s Jetsons revival session featuring Mel Blanc. Updates on Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie, new leadership at Paramount Animation, and how “evergreen” franchises like Toy Story continue to evolve. A quick detour into the Magic Castle, close-up magic legends, and why those spaces still influence entertainment creatives today. Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.comDrew Taylor — X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work Patreon Love what we do? Support the show and get exclusive content at:https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, where you can save up to 12% on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets — including select after-hours events and holiday offerings. Run by the same trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market. When you book, tell them Drew & Jim sent you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Len Testa unpack Disney's expanding multimodal transportation plans, field listener questions on “Dwarfgate” and the state of restaurant seating, and dig into the remarkable story of how Richard Nixon ended up declaring “I am not a crook” at Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort. NEWS Disney expands its airport luggage transfer program to include Southwest Airlines arrivals, bringing back a little bit of that old Magical Express magic. A deeper look at Disney's FY2025 earnings reveals what that surprising 4% Q4 attendance dip likely means. Updates on the Polynesian Tower's Wailulu Bar & Grill and the return of the Garden View Lounge afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. After 35 years, the rights to Roger Rabbit revert to creator Gary K. Wolf—sequels may be on the horizon. Universal explores a new 4–5 mile transportation system linking Epic Universe, CityWalk, and I-Drive. Listener questions on Dwarfgate, Tablegate, and how early to line up for key attractions. A look at why Disney still asks detailed spending questions on surveys—even when they already know many of the answers. FEATURE The full story of why President Richard Nixon's “I am not a crook” press conference happened at the Contemporary Resort, and how that moment shaped Disney's early public image. Full show notes available here: Show Notes Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com Patreon Enjoying the show? Support the Disney Dish and get exclusive bonus content at:https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team at DVC Rental Store—where you can save 10% on regular and special-event Disney tickets, including Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey trace the ambitious — and ultimately ill-fated — vision for Universal's Dark Universe, from the scrapped sequel to The Mummy to Tom Cruise's push to reinvent himself as the studio's modern Van Helsing. NEWS Universal courts talent and headlines by hiring Mark Platt and director Lorene Scafaria for a Sabrina Carpenter–led Alice in Wonderland musical. Comcast explores a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs advising. Competing interest from Netflix and Apple raises the stakes ahead of WBD's planned corporate split. Peacock sets a new premiere date for The Epic Ride documentary, now featuring rare dragon-drone testing footage from Epic Universe. A closer look at how the industry shake-ups could affect theme park rights, licensing, and future Universal IP development. FEATURE The original plan for a direct sequel to 2017's The Mummy — and how the story would have expanded Dr. Jekyll's organization and the gods-and-monsters mythology. Why Tom Cruise's version of Nick Morton was conceived as the entry point to a larger shared universe… and how internal plans positioned him as the modern Van Helsing, monster hunter and connective tissue between films. How Cruise's hands-on creative control — the same instinct that later led Top Gun: Maverick to a $1.4B box office — clashed with Universal's rollout of the Dark Universe brand. A breakdown of what actually killed the Dark Universe: mismatched expectations, a premature cinematic universe announcement, and a marketing campaign Cruise felt undermined the film he delivered. Why Epic Universe's Dark Universe land succeeds where the films didn't — channeling classic-monster storytelling without the burden of a forced franchise blueprint. HOSTS Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.comEric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com PATREON Love the show? Support more insider stories, deep dives, and history of themed entertainment at:https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ FOLLOW US Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia PRODUCTION Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlocked Magic — Save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including discounts on after-hours events like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Start planning at UnlockedMagic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey ring in the holiday season with a look at Disney Lorcana's newest expansion, Whispers in the Well—a set packed with gorgeous art, new gameplay mechanics, and some of the deepest Disney cuts yet, from The Black Cauldron to Gargoyles. Then they shift from gothic fantasy to nostalgic action as they trace the surprising rise, fall, and resurgence of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, including the merch craze that once swept toy aisles and the collector market that's exploding again today. HIGHLIGHTS Celebrating Fantasia's anniversary and the release of JB Kaufman's new making-of book. Lorcana's “Whispers,” new boost mechanics, and art featuring The Black Cauldron, Gargoyles, and Zootopia characters. Why fans are hoping for a dedicated Art of Lorcana book. The wild history of Power Rangers merch, from '90s shortages to today's sky-high collector prices. How shifting toy trends are affecting Super Sentai in Japan—and why Power Rangers nostalgia is booming again. Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Lauren Hersey — X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ Patreon Enjoy bonus episodes and support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market—offering the best deals on Walt Disney World tickets, including the lowest available prices for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to plan a more magical trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Dan Graney unwrap a stocking full of Marvel mayhem in this fourth episode of the Marvel Us Disney reboot — a show equal parts MCU, theme-park history, and pop-culture cheer. They start with LEGO's new Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails (yes, that's T-A-I-L-S), plus a check-in on Jeremy Renner, David Harbour, and this year's Marvel merch blitz, Unwrap the Universe. From there it's on to the big one: Avengers: Doomsday. The Russos return, Robert Downey Jr. re-enters the MCU — as Doctor Doom — and the franchise looks to reset the board ahead of Secret Wars. Later, Jim and Dan explore Simu Liu's “love letter to superhero movies,” Patrick Stewart's possible farewell, and a “What If” worth debating — would Marvel even exist without the MCU? Finally, Jim opens the vault for Theme Park Archaeology, uncovering the Marvel attractions that never were — from Hong Kong's Oscorp Tower of Terror to Disneyland's unbuilt Wakanda expansion — and a first look at Rocket & Groot's Galaxy Spin coming to Disney Cruise Line. HIGHLIGHTS LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails debuts Nov 14 on Disney+ Avengers: Doomsday trailer drops Dec 19 with Avatar: Fire & Ash Simu Liu's “love letter” to superhero movies & Patrick Stewart's rumored retirement MCU legacy talk: Kang, Shuri, and the future of Black Panther Theme Park Archaeology: the Marvel rides that never made it to the parks Rocket & Groot's Galaxy Spin sets sail March 10, 2026 aboard the Disney Adventure Hosts Jim Hill — @JimHillMedia | @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.comDan Graney — @TheHubbubbery | @TheHubbubbery | thehubbubbery.com Support the Show Enjoy Marvel Us Disney? Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early-access episodes:patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia Production Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic — the smarter way to book Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, with real discounts up to 12% off, including after-hours events like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor salute Veterans Day and talk about Xavier “X” Atencio, the new Disney Editions book celebrating the Imagineer behind the Haunted Mansion's “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” Then, Drew and Jim dive into the weekend box office — from Predator: Badlands breaking franchise records to the upcoming Zootopia 2 — before Jim goes solo to finish his deep-dive on the 20th anniversary of Chicken Little: Disney's first CG feature and the film that changed everything at the studio. HIGHLIGHTS Disney Legend spotlight: The new Xavier X. Atencio biography reveals rare sketches, wartime cartoons, and Haunted Mansion concept art — including the one-eyed cat that almost was. Box office breakdown: Predator: Badlands lifts Disney past $4 billion for 2025, while Zootopia 2's early projections could redeem TRON: Ares' underperformance. Streaming watch: Netflix's In Your Dreams wins praise from Collider and The Hollywood Reporter; Star Wars: Visions Vol. 3 drops on Disney+. The forgotten fowl: Why Chicken Little struggled in 2005 — from corporate pressure and story changes to a release window crushed by Goblet of Fire. Animation turning point: How Pixar's arrival, John Lasseter's leadership, and Ratatouille's success permanently shifted Disney away from hand-drawn animation. Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Drew Taylor — X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work Patreon Support Fine Tooning and the entire Jim Hill Media Podcast Network at patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com — where Disney and Universal fans can save up to 12% on park tickets and after-hours events like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Powered by the same trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill continue No Negative November with a look at Zootopia's new 4D adventure, listener trip-planning wisdom, and the surprising book that inspired Disneyland's first mountain. NEWS Zootopia: Better Zoo-gether debuts at Animal Kingdom — The Tree of Life theater gets a major refresh with a new story, water gags, and a charming Benjamin Clawhauser animatronic. Holiday highlights return — Tree of Life Awakenings now plays nightly thanks to early sunsets, and the beloved Merry Menagerie puppet experience returns November 14. Storytime with Santa Deadpool — A holiday twist hits Avengers Campus, complete with meta Christmas jokes and Greek Orthodox canon accuracy. Listener questions answered — From the best Bay Lake Tower villas for New Year's Eve fireworks to whether it's time for Tables in Wonderland to return. Disney's shrinking parades — Why the Festival of Fantasy looks lighter on dancers and floats—and how Disney's still managing two parades a day at Magic Kingdom. FEATURE The Making of the Matterhorn — Jim shares the wild story of how a 1950s family film led Walt Disney to send a postcard from Switzerland that simply said: “Build this.” How Banner in the Sky and Third Man on the Mountain inspired Walt's alpine obsession. Why the Matterhorn nearly became a luge-style attraction (yes, really). The creative legacy of director Ken Annakin, whose films also led to Swiss Family Treehouse and Sleeping Beauty Castle. Full show notes available here: Show Notes HostsJim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.comLen Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com Support the Show Love what we do? Support The Disney Dish on Patreon for exclusive bonus shows and early access: patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia Produced by Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store. Save up to 10% on Disney park and event tickets, including Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights — only at unlockedmagic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 26th installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid takes us back to Tampa, Florida in 1959. Which is where a bird sanctuary built next to a brewery hospitality center eventually turned into thrill ride central. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about • Where was the first Busch Gardens located • How did Busch Gardens in Tampa react to the opening of Walt Disney World • What happened to the wooden coaster Gwazi • What American dynasty backed Colonial Williamsburg • What became of Busch Gardens Houston's Orient Express railroad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a newly surfaced Universal guest survey that hints at Epic Universe joining the resort's Annual Pass lineup — and what that could mean for crowds, pricing, and park strategy. Plus, Jim shares a real-life road trip saga straight out of a Hallmark movie, and the guys unpack Universal's latest headlines from Orlando to Hollywood. NEWS A listener-sent Universal survey suggests Epic Universe may soon be included in AP tiers. Comcast's Q3 results show a 19% jump in theme park revenue, driven by Epic's first full quarter. The Burning Blade Tavern's fire effect goes dark — and fans dub it “The Invisible Blade.” Jim explains why Spider-Man still appears in Universal marketing — thanks to a contract clause requiring 20% Marvel representation in Islands of Adventure ads. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz return for a brand-new Mummy sequel, proving Universal's monster legacy isn't dead yet. FEATUREJim continues his deep dive into Universal's ill-fated Dark Universe — the studio's ambitious attempt to build a monster-filled cinematic universe. From Dracula Untold to The Mummy (2017), discover how even A-list stars and big budgets couldn't resurrect the undead franchise. Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Eric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com PatreonSupport Epic Universal and other Jim Hill Media shows at patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow UsFacebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer CreditsEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic — where you can save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including after-hours events. Visit UnlockedMagic.com today and tell them Eric and Jim sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey trade glass for grain in this I Want That Too deep dive into Disney's hidden world of woodwork. From the Arribas Brothers' new handcrafted photo albums to the retro-chic Mickey Christmas truck popcorn bucket, the episode celebrates the artistry behind Disney's most tactile treasures. Then, master woodcarver Raymond Kinman joins the show to reveal how his marquees for Indiana Jones Adventure, Country Bear Playhouse, and Pooh Corner helped define the look and feel of Disney parks for generations. HIGHLIGHTS Discover Disney's new Arribas Brothers wood collection, including carved photo albums and frames that blend luxury with nostalgia. The unexpected rise of wood-inlay trading pins — and why collectors should grab them now before they disappear into the secondary market. A seasonal favorite returns: the Mickey Christmas Truck popcorn bucket rolls into Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Raymond Kinman, Imagineering collaborator and artisan of countless attraction marquees, shares how a single white lie launched his Disney career. Learn the difference between a sign and a marquee—and why those subtle details matter to the storytelling of every attraction. Inside Kinman's hand-tool craft: from carving Indiana Jones Adventure's eight-foot mahogany marquee to shaping the beloved Big Al from Country Bear Jamboree. How Kinman overcame setbacks (and even carved one-handed after an accident) to deliver Disney magic on deadline. His modern “Hippie Camp” retreats in Grass Valley, CA—where he now teaches beginners the timeless art of woodcarving. GuestRaymond Kinman — Website: woodcarverguru.com | Facebook: facebook.com/RaymondKinman Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Lauren Hersey — X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ PatreonSupport I Want That Too and the entire Jim Hill Media Podcast Network at patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow UsFacebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer CreditsEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic — your trusted source for discounted Disney tickets and special-event savings. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Order in the court! Judge Jim Hill presides as Len Testa and Chris Cox debate whether Walt Disney World's deluxe resorts truly justify their sky-high price tags. From monorail convenience and poolside fireworks to theming, dining plans, and “three-zone bathrooms,” this episode puts Disney luxury on trial. But when the verdict's in, will comfort, convenience, or cost win the day? HIGHLIGHTS Chris argues the magic of waking up to a Savanna view at Animal Kingdom Lodge — even if you're rushing to the bus five minutes later. Len breaks down travel times, room sizes, and the math behind “$210-a-night happiness.” Jim recalls the evolution of Disney's resort categories — and how Grand Floridian's grandeur has changed over time. A deep dive into the perks of Deluxe dining, early-entry hours, and the eternal battle between park time and resort time. The trio reflects on nostalgia, theming, and the real price of that “Disney bubble.” Hosts Chris Cox — X/Twitter: @bigcox | Instagram: @magiccox | Website: magiccox.com Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com PatreonSupport the show and get bonus episodes at patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow UsFacebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer CreditsEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency SponsorInterested in sponsoring this show? Contact us here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor mark the 20th anniversary of Chicken Little — Disney's first fully computer-animated feature — and trace how the film's rocky launch reshaped the studio's animation strategy in the mid-2000s. Recorded the morning after Daylight Savings Time kicked in, this episode mixes history, humor, and behind-the-scenes insight as the guys unpack what really happened inside Disney Animation during one of its most volatile eras. HIGHLIGHTS Drew and Jim revisit the creative chaos that followed The Emperor's New Groove and how Mark Dindal & Randy Fullmer's next project evolved into Chicken Little. Why Bob Iger's early plans to buy Pixar cast a shadow over the film's release. How Chicken Little became both a casualty and catalyst in Disney's CGI transformation. Updates on the new Zootopia Zoobetter Together 4-D show at Animal Kingdom and why fans may want to wait for the Merrie Menagerie's return. Studio Ghibli Fest's finale screenings of The Boy and the Heron, plus news on Laika's upcoming Wildwood and ESPN's animated Monsters Funday Football event. Hosts Drew Taylor — X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Patreon Support Fine Tooning and the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network on Patreon: patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com — where you can save up to 12% on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, including hard-ticket events like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim wraps up the story of Raglan Road and explains how one Irish pub helped inspire the full transformation of Pleasure Island into today's Disney Springs. Along the way, Len kicks off No Negative November and the crew answers listener trip-planning questions with their best “only happy thoughts” energy. The origins of Raglan Road and how authentic Irish design found a home at Walt Disney World Why its immediate success made Disney rethink the entire Pleasure Island plan How that rethink led from Hyperion Wharf to the Disney Springs we know today EPCOT strategy debate: one-day visit vs. After Hours event Jollywood Nights character advice and what to prioritize Updates on Disney and Universal ticket options and offerings A classic Disney story that starts in a pub and ends with a whole new district. 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 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Halloween episode, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig up the spooky story of Universal's Dark Universe - the ambitious attempt to build a monster-filled cinematic universe that never rose from the grave. From The Mummy's box office stumble to the Wolfman's cursed production, the duo unpacks how a failed film series still inspired one of Epic Universe's most anticipated lands. Along the way, they discuss park attendance stats, ticket changes, and a few frightfully fun surprises. 2024 Themed Entertainment Association attendance report reveals Universal's shifting rankings Why Universal paused 3-Day Annual Pass sales and what it means for Epic Universe access The rise and fall of The Mummy reboot and the costly chaos behind The Wolfman Inside Universal's forgotten plans for Creature from the Black Lagoon and Dracula Untold How the ashes of a movie misfire gave life to Epic Universe's monster-filled Dark Universe land Even the monsters couldn't scare away Jim and Eric's curiosity—hear the full tale of how Universal's cinematic dream turned into a theme park triumph. Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia 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, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this jam-packed episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into Disney's newest fantasy franchise in the making - and how “Impossible Creatures” could become the studio's answer to Harry Potter. Along the way, they unwrap this year's Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party merch, explore Disney's surprising partnership with a British luxury retailer, and share the little-known story of how Angela Lansbury became Disney's most magical apprentice witch in Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Why Disney's new Impossible Creatures book deal has fans speculating about a new cinematic universe The history and evolution of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party merch — and what's new this year How Disney Parks collectibles are showing up in high-end department stores overseas The rare story behind Angela Lansbury's casting in Bedknobs and Broomsticks The surprising connection between Disney's holiday magic and its next big fantasy gamble From collectible cards to Christmas merch to classic movie magic, this episode has something for every Disney fan. 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, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this monster-sized episode of Marvel Us Disney, Jim Hill and Dan Graney celebrate Halloween week by looking at the King of the Monsters' surprising return to comics — and how Godzilla is now battling heroes across both the Marvel and DC universes. Along the way, the duo breaks down Marvel Zombies' success, Jessica Jones' comeback, and new details from Disney's ever-evolving Avengers attractions. How Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe and Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong became a reality The long, strange history of Godzilla's connection to Marvel Comics Marvel Zombies' strong Disney+ debut and what it means for a possible sequel Kristen Ritter's return as Jessica Jones and what it signals for Daredevil: Born Again Updates on Avengers Campus attractions — and why Marvel's theme park rights are still a legal maze Big monsters, bigger crossovers, and a dash of Disney history — it's a jam-packed Halloween edition of Marvel Us Disney. 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, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices