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Len reports on a behind-the-scenes rethink of Magic Kingdom's upcoming Villains Land, with Imagineering now under pressure to deliver not just “like” but “love.” The guys also touch on Epic Universe's revenue strategy, Universal's aggressive 2026 ticket bundles, and what a Mayan archaeology conference might reveal about the future of Indiana Jones at Animal Kingdom. NEWS• Magic Kingdom reverses the second Disney Starlight parade route to ease Main Street exits.• Universal debuts a 6- or 7-day ticket with Epic Universe access and a $300 hotel dining credit.• Epic Universe updates Early Park Admission again, adding Battle at the Ministry and more Dragon experiences.• Universal taps The Boring Company for a potential next-gen transportation system.• “Project Atlas” is believed to be Shanghai Disneyland's second gate.• Villains Land concepts revisited post-holidays, with Imagineering asked to go bigger and bolder.• The indoor dark ride is now positioned as the long-term Lightning Lane Single Pass anchor.• Restaurant design shaped by fixed-price dining and per-cap revenue goals.• Mayan mythology themes - bats, jaguars, owls - surface at an archaeology conference tied to Indy research. FEATURE• The 1992 debut of Disney's Hotel New York at Euro Disneyland and Michael Eisner's “architecture patron” era.• How architect Michael Graves' postmodern, Art Deco-inspired design celebrated early 20th-century Manhattan.• Why the 561-room hotel closed in 2019 for a full reinvention into Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel.• Inside the 2021 reopening: 350+ Marvel artworks, exclusive commissioned pieces, and Tony Stark's wall of armor.• The new coffee table book, Disney Hotel New York: The Complete Art Collection, and why it finally makes every piece viewable. 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 | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSORThe Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com from our friends at DVCRentalStore.com. Save on Walt Disney World theme park tickets - often below Disney's direct pricing - and get expert help planning your next trip. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to start planning today. 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 reports on a behind-the-scenes rethink of Magic Kingdom's upcoming Villains Land, with Imagineering now under pressure to deliver not just “like” but “love.” The guys also touch on Epic Universe's revenue strategy, Universal's aggressive 2026 ticket bundles, and what a Mayan archaeology conference might reveal about the future of Indiana Jones at Animal Kingdom. NEWS• Magic Kingdom reverses the second Disney Starlight parade route to ease Main Street exits.• Universal debuts a 6- or 7-day ticket with Epic Universe access and a $300 hotel dining credit.• Epic Universe updates Early Park Admission again, adding Battle at the Ministry and more Dragon experiences.• Universal taps The Boring Company for a potential next-gen transportation system.• “Project Atlas” is believed to be Shanghai Disneyland's second gate.• Villains Land concepts revisited post-holidays, with Imagineering asked to go bigger and bolder.• The indoor dark ride is now positioned as the long-term Lightning Lane Single Pass anchor.• Restaurant design shaped by fixed-price dining and per-cap revenue goals.• Mayan mythology themes - bats, jaguars, owls - surface at an archaeology conference tied to Indy research. FEATURE• The 1992 debut of Disney's Hotel New York at Euro Disneyland and Michael Eisner's “architecture patron” era.• How architect Michael Graves' postmodern, Art Deco-inspired design celebrated early 20th-century Manhattan.• Why the 561-room hotel closed in 2019 for a full reinvention into Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel.• Inside the 2021 reopening: 350+ Marvel artworks, exclusive commissioned pieces, and Tony Stark's wall of armor.• The new coffee table book, Disney Hotel New York: The Complete Art Collection, and why it finally makes every piece viewable. 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 | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSORThe Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com from our friends at DVCRentalStore.com. Save on Walt Disney World theme park tickets - often below Disney's direct pricing - and get expert help planning your next trip. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to start planning today. 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
Michael Eisner returns to the Disney spotlight in a surprisingly candid, long-form interview that has fans buzzing. Lauren and Eric break down Eisner's comments on park pricing, Bob Chapek, AI, and the future of Disney leadership - plus what it means in today's theme park landscape. Then, the Savannah Bananas bring Banana Ball back to Disneyland, and Lightning Lane Premier Pass sells out for seven straight days at Walt Disney World. Is Disney's most expensive skip-the-line option here to stay? HIGHLIGHTS Michael Eisner sits down with Graham Bensinger for his most in-depth Disney interview in years, sharing candid thoughts on leadership transitions, pricing, and the modern company. Eisner describes the Chapek era as “a marriage made in hell” while praising Bob Iger's succession and leadership instincts. Disney confirms a $1 billion AI investment and partnership with OpenAI, with plans to explore internal tools, advertising analytics, and controlled character licensing for AI-generated content. Lightning Lane Premier Pass sells out for seven consecutive days at Magic Kingdom during Presidents Day week, with prices reaching up to $449 per person plus tax. The Savannah Bananas return to Disneyland on March 26, bringing Banana Ball energy, cavalcades, and castle-front performances to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. The Bananas' fan-first model, viral growth, and MLB stadium sellouts make them a natural marketing match for Disney's experiential brand strategy. For this episode's full show notes, click here. HOSTS Eric Hersey – X: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey Lauren Hersey – X: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW – DIS & HERS Website: DisAndHers.com Instagram: @disandhers TikTok: @disandhers Facebook: Dis and Hers YouTube: Dis & Hers FOLLOW – JIM HILL MEDIA Facebook: JimHillMediaNews Instagram: JimHillMedia TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited & 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
On Monday, Michael Eisner's interview with Graham Bensinger went live. In that conversation, Eisner discussed topics from Jimmy Kimmel to Donald Trump to Steve Jobs to Harvey Weinstein. In today's episode, Rick discusses the various topics discussed while adding extra context.
Ralf is terug uit Orlando en deelt met ons zijn avonturen. Michael Eisner, oud CEO van The Walt Disney Company, stond deze week uitgebreid in de aandacht met een uitgebreid interview. We praten over de beste kandidaten voor de positie van Josh D’Amaro als baas van Disney Parks and Experiences. Natacha Rafalski lijkt goede papieren te hebben. Voor de derde week op rij hebben we het over The Muppets; zij blijven records breken en we zouden D-Tales niet zijn als we niet zouden speculeren over meer Muppets in de parken. Meer Muppets = beter! Shownotes Family Guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJUotvfMI7Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RmIrHWoYW8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8sgCPD3eWM Michael Eisner interview: https://youtu.be/IVNUaa4AbpU?si=QfHhyeRfAWQ3P8dU Hoofdstukken D-Tales steunen? Wordt Donalteur! https://petjeaf.com/d-tales 0:00 Welkom Bij D-Tales #453: Winter In Nederland & Orlando ❄️ 01:45 10 Jaar D-Tales: Feest In Breda + Wat Komt Eraan In De Aflevering
We just got back from a packed Disneyland trip over Super Bowl weekend… and somehow ended up there for Disney California Adventure's 25th anniversary.In this episode, we break down:• The $5 million popcorn cart at Magic Kingdom• Staying at Pixar Place Hotel for the first time• Rope-dropping Indiana Jones and dominating Fantasyland• Why mobile ordering saved us HOURS on the 25th anniversary popcorn bucket• Getting absolutely drenched in the FRONT ROW of Tiana's Bayou Adventure• Letting our older boys babysit so we could ride together• Paint the Night vs. Disney World parades (yes… we said it
In 2009, Disney released The Princess and the Frog, introducing Tiana as their first African-American Disney princess, paving the way for more diverse representation in animation.The CGI animation boom and the disappointing box office returns of the early 2000s had left a scar at Disney, and behind the scenes, there was huge change in the animation department. By 2004, then-CEO Michael Eisner had closed Disney's traditional 2D animation department, convinced that hand-drawn animation was dead.What followed was a corporate coup, with Roy E. Disney leading a campaign to oust Eisner, which worked spectacularly. When Pixar's John Lasseter took over Disney Animation in 2006, his first act was to bring back the very art form Eisner had killed.Lasseter immediately re-hired legendary directors Ron Clements and John Musker, who had left Disney just months earlier after years with projects in development hell following Treasure Planet's failure.Despite the numerous controversies around representing Disney's first Black princess—from changing her name from "Maddy" and her job to avoid slavery connotations, to criticism that she spends only 17 minutes of the film in human form, they ended up with Tiana, one of Disney's most accomplished, hard-working and important princesses, and what was being developed as The Frog Princess became The Princess and the Frog.The film's stunning animation style, represents a heartfelt return to traditional hand-drawn techniques, combined with modern digital artistry to create a visually captivating experience, but as we all know, it didn't last, and The Princess and the Frog became both a creative triumph and a bittersweet swan song for an art form that defined Disney's legacy.Mentioned in this episode: How Disney's Princess and the Frog Has A Problem With Black Males by JoJo Boy Wonder on YouTubeSupport Verbal DioramaLoved this episode? Here's how you can help:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on your podcast app
In overviewing 2026 I said that the naming of a new CEO would be the most important milestone of the year for Disney. In truth, it may be the biggest moment of the decade. Today, February 3rd 2026, The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced that, in a unanimous vote held on Monday, it elected Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro to become Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. We look first at the context of that announcement, and the specifics behind it, to include the promotion of Dana Walden, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment into a new role. We'll see what others have to say about this, to include not only James Gorman, Chair of The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors, but Bob Iger, current CEO, and even Michael Eisner, the former CEO of the company. We'll then highlight some of the tactical challenges ahead as well as the strategic opportunities moving forward, in this, one of the most unique companies in the world. Join us as we offer Disney Insights to the appointment of the new CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Josh D'Amaro. _____________________________________________________ Disney Insights YouTube Page--Check it out and subscribe. DisneyInsights.com--So many resources at our home site. Be sure to subscribe to receive notice of upcoming podcasts. Disney Insights Facebook Page--Come join and interact in conversation with others. My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available! Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence. ________________________________________________________ Check out Zanolla Travel to book your next vacation! David & Leah Zanolla ZanollaTravel.com Owner/Agents (309) 863-5469 _________________________________________________________ Performance Journeys This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level. Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench. Need Consulting? I've worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena. Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership excellence, and employee engagement. Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!
In 1995, Disney was the undisputed king of animation. But behind the scenes, a decade-long war for creative control was just beginning. This is the story of how a "vendor" named Pixar became Disney's biggest rival, and how Steve Jobs used a string of billion-dollar hits to force a total regime change in Burbank. From the "Circle 7" secret studio to the high-stakes negotiations over Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo, we're exploring the corporate battle that nearly destroyed the Disney/Pixar partnership—and the unlikely friendship between Bob Iger and Steve Jobs that eventually saved it. In this video, we explore: The 1995 Pixar IPO that turned the power dynamic upside down. Michael Eisner's "Experimental Era" and Disney's struggle for identity. The "Sequel War" and the "free" movie that fueled Steve Jobs' resentment. Bob Iger's Hong Kong epiphany and the $7.4 billion deal that changed animation forever. If you love exploring how Disney connects to the broader world of history, business, and pop culture, make sure to SUBSCRIBE https://www.youtube.com/@synergylovescompany?sub_confirmation=1 Podcast: Listen to Synergy Loves Company → https://synergylovescompany.com Support the Show: Shop official Synergy Loves Company merch → https://shop.synergylovescompany.com Affiliate Disclosure: Some links above may be affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel! Connect with Me: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/synergylovescompany Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/erichsynergy.bsky.social Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/synergylovescompany Credits / Resources: • Synergy Loves Company is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries. • Images and clips are used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and education. Until next time, keep discovering the magic in everything! This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
<目次>(0:00) Intro(0:34) Welcoming Peter Levin from Griffin GP(1:44) Griffin GP's crazy office(3:51) Finding gaps in the gaming market(6:50) Investing in both games and non-games(8:41) Arrested development and engagment in games(11:29) MMA and Japan(14:39) Going to In-N-Out with Akebono(15:57) Baseball has helped open Japanese representation(17:17) Disney's golden era and Michael Eisner's role(20:56) Mickey Mouse chatting with Mario without permission(21:59) Investing in repeat founders in gaming(25:54) Why are we seeing more gaming related movies?(35:08) Original versus sequels in gaming(38:20) How game evolves alongside fan interactivity(41:28) Finland's unique gaming ecosystem(45:01) Other talent hotspots and Japan's special market(48:58) What Japanese product would Peter sell in the US?(51:28) What game does Peter keep coming back to?Griffin Gaming Partners | Griffin is one of the world's leading venture funds focused exclusively on gaming, with $1.5 billion under management — investing at the intersection of content, social platforms, and software infrastructure.https://griffingp.com/Peter Levinhttps://griffingp.com/ggp-team/<About Off Topic>Podcast:Apple - https://apple.co/2UZCQwzSpotify - https://spoti.fi/2JakzKmOff Topic Clubhttps://note.com/offtopic/membershipX - https://twitter.com/OffTopicJP草野ミキ:https://twitter.com/mikikusanohttps://www.instagram.com/mikikusano宮武テツロー: https://twitter.com/tmiyatake1
Show #274. In this episode of the Skull Rock Podcast, hosts Aljon and Dave Bossert engage in a lively discussion about the recent changes at Lucasfilm, with Kathleen Kennedy stepping down and Dave Filoni taking the helm, sparking discussions about the future of the Star Wars franchise and its impact on fans. Ed Nowak, former Deputy General Counsel for the Walt Disney Company, shares insights into the intricate world of Disney's legal challenges and the evolution of the animation industry. Ed reflects on the impact of management changes at Disney, including the return of Roy Disney and the influence of key figures like Michael Eisner and Frank Wells on the company's direction. The discussion also touches on the legacy of Roger Allers, co-director of The Lion King, who recently passed away, highlighting his contributions to Disney and the animation community.We are now on Patreon! Click this link to support the show -Skull Rock Podcast | Join our crew! | Patreon. Skull Rock Podcast is powered by Riverside.fm. Click HERE and start making great podcasts today!Visit theoldmillpress.com! Faceboook |X/Twitter |Instagram |Youtube - Aljon Go (aljongo) - Instagram - Aljon's Dining at Disney Podcast - Sorcerer Radio - All Disney Music, All Day Long SRSounds.com - E-mail: aljon@skullrockpodcast.com ||Dave Bossert (@dave_bossert) • Instagram - Email dave@skullrockpodcast.com. For behind-the-scenes stories and articles, visit davidbossert.com. Shop using our Amazon affiliate HERE. The Skull Rock Podcast is one of the best Disney podcasts you must follow (feedspot.com). LISTEN to Dave's "Tunes Behind the Toons" segment on Sirius/XM's Disney Hits channel 133.
This week, Rick continues his conversation about Michael Eisner and the Disney Renaissance. In this episode, he talks about the two highest grossing animated movies of the Renaissance.
As Rick continues his series on former-Disney chairman and CEO Michael Eisner, he turns his attention to the Disney Renaissance. This week, he will cover the first three animated movies of the Renaissance.
California native Sue Firestone reflects on five decades of creativity, resilience, and reinvention—from Malibu's fires to Montecito's rebirth, from model homes to hospitality design, and from Disney resorts to her namesake product lines. SFA Design founder Sue Firestone to explore how her lifelong relationship with nature, her passion for authenticity, and her intuitive approach to design continue to shape California's aesthetic identity. From building one of the largest model home merchandising firms in the country to collaborating with Disney and launching her own collections, Firestone shares how creative intuition, empathy, and mentorship have guided her through the shifting tides of design and business. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. Design Hardware - A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home! TimberTech - Real wood beauty without the upkeep The Convo By Design Icon Registry is presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy company. Pacific Sales is comprised of long time professionals who love design and architecture as much as you do. Which is why it is so fitting that they present this recognition of some of the worlds greatest design talent every month here on Convo By Design. You are going to hear all about hit, right after this. Show Topics: Origins of a Designer: Growing up in Malibu, studying pottery, and finding her way into interior design. California's Resilient Spirit: Reflections on natural disasters, community recovery, and the role of design in rebuilding. Design as a Learned Craft: Why intuition helps, but practice, empathy, and listening are key to mastering the art. From Model Homes to Hospitality: Building a design empire through flexibility, storytelling, and collaboration. Inside the Disney Experience: Working under Michael Eisner, defining narrative-driven environments, and lessons in leadership. Letting Go of Control: How to scale creativity—mentoring, trusting teams, and avoiding micromanagement. The California Look: Organic, sustainable, and casual-luxury living as an enduring influence. Product Design & Legacy: Transitioning from client work to her own branded lines with Kravet and A. Rudin. Business of Design: How retail and social media shifted client behavior—and why great design still requires professionals. The Next Generation: Why designers must remain storytellers, environmentalists, and lifelong learners. This wraps up another episode of the Convo By Design Icon Registry. A celebration and recognition of a true master in the art of design and the mastery of all that encompasses in the pursuit of making better the lives of those they serve. And, giving back along the way. Thank you, Sue.. Thanks for listening to Convo By Design. Thank you to my partner sponsors, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home for presenting the Convo By Design Icon Registry and Convo By Design partner sponsors, TimberTech and Design Hardware. And thank you for taking the time to listen. I couldn't do this without you, wouldn't want to. I hope this show helps you stay motivated, inspired and focused so you can rise above the chaos. -CXD
Before Bob Iger made multi-billion dollar acquisitions for Disney, Michael Eisner purchased some smaller companies that had a big impact. One of those companies was Mirimax. While Disney got credibility, respect, and money from the addition, they ended up having to make a deal with the devil. Rick will talk about that acquisition in the 250th episode of the show.
Flight 46: Iconic former domestic and international planning and development executive for both Disney and Universal, Frank Stanek. When you view construction photos or videos of Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan and other major themed entertainment projects around the globe, the focus is typically on those crazy creative folks — not the guys in the suits. But the truth is that if it weren't for the guys in the suits who secured the site and the funding, strategically planned the project, and oversaw the budgets and schedules, those crazy creative folks wouldn't have anything to design or build! Frank Stanek is probably the most famous "suit" in our industry today, having worked for Walt and Roy Disney on the New York World's Fair and Mineral King before joining WED Enterprises to oversee business planning and development. He helped to create Walt Disney World, Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris before working directly with Michael Eisner and Frank Wells as the Walt Disney Company's first Corporate Vice President of Planning. After a stint with the Japanese firm Dentsu, Frank was recruited to MCA/Universal, where he became President of International Business Development and oversaw the Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal projects in Spain, Korea, and China. Set your timepiece now and plan to join us as one of the themed entertainment industry's most storied planning and development execs shares his wisdom and tales from the trenches in what promises to be Zoomcast for the ages!
Rick does a hotel review for the place where he stayed on his recent visit to Walt Disney World. After that, Rick talks about how former-Disney chairman and CEO Michael Eisner had the chance to pander to the wrong type of people, but instead stood on principle and morals.
Join AJ, Mike, and Chris as we dive into the history of Festival of the Lion King, one of Walt Disney World's most beloved stage shows. Opening alongside Disney's Animal Kingdom on April 22, 1998, the show was originally designed as a quick, temporary solution, but it grew into a fan-favorite production that's still running today.We explore the fascinating journey of the show, including:The origins of Camp Minnie-Mickey and the companion show Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends.How the Lion King Celebration Parade at Disneyland influenced Animal Kingdom's show.Michael Eisner's last-minute push for characters and stage shows at Animal Kingdom.Disney Legend Ron Logan's leadership and the recycling of parade floats to create the production.Writer and director Reed Jones, his early Disney career, and his vision for a celebratory musical revue rather than a simple retelling of the film.A detailed walkthrough of the show itself from the Tumble Monkeys to the fire knife dancer to the aerial “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” duet.The show's upgrades over time, including moving from its original “shed” theater in Camp Minnie-Mickey to the Harambe Theater when Pandora – The World of Avatar was announced.The pandemic closure, the scaled-down A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King, and the triumphant full return in 2022.A look at the Hong Kong Disneyland version and how it differs from Walt Disney World's.Join us as we celebrate the story of a show that was meant to be temporary but became an Animal Kingdom icon.00:00 Welcome to 90s Disney01:12 Festival of the Lion King Introduction01:33 Disney in the 90s Recap01:58 Animal Kingdom's Opening Day04:29 Beastly Kingdomme and Budget Cuts06:56 Camp Minnie-Mickey: A Temporary Solution09:05 Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends Show11:00 Lion King Celebration Parade at Disneyland14:21 Creating Festival of the Lion King17:47 The Show's Key Performers and Acts32:59 Voice Actors33:40 Theater Upgrades and Popularity34:38 Timon's Articulated Head and Other Upgrades35:55 Pandora and the New Harambe Theater38:37 COVID-19 Impact and Show Modifications41:59 Full Return of the Festival of the Lion King43:45 Hong Kong's Festival of the Lion King45:27 Disney Stage Shows and Personal Experiences52:08 Listener Emails and CommentsFollow UsBlue Sky | Twitter/X | Facebook | Threads | InstagramEmail: 90sDisneyPodcast@gmail.com
Rick will talk about the 30th anniversary of Pocahontas with a superfan of the movie; how Wicked may be integrated in the Universal theme parks; and how someone can live the life of a travelling RV driver with someone doing it.
In this episode, J.B. and Eddie dive into The Wild (2006), Disney's forgotten attempt at a Pixar replacement. From Kiefer Sutherland's surprising voice work to the “Kmart Pixar” animation style, the guys break down why this film flopped and how it represents the rock bottom of Disney's animation era. They explore the behind-the-scenes corporate drama of Michael Eisner vs. Pixar, compare The Wild to Madagascar and Cars, and reflect on how Bob Iger's Pixar deal changed everything. Plus, they unpack Disney news, including a new Prep & Landing Christmas special, the Mandalorian & Grogu trailer, Spider-Man production troubles, and the latest controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel.
BULLETIN: SEASON 4 EPISODE 16, COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN In an Oval Office news briefing crazy even by his standards, Trump answered a question about the FCC blackmailing of ABC over Charlie Kirk by changing the topic to himself, making up a statistic that "94, 95, 96, or 97 percent" of all network television stories about him are critical of him, and declaring of such criticism: "That's really illegal, in my opinion." In Trump's damaged condition he could forget this by morning. But after this week's mafioso style shakedown of ABC by the FCC and the owners of Sinclair to force Jimmy Kimmel off the air by FCC Commissioner, Brendan Carr, the real question is - what if he doesn't? What if somebody like Carr in his administration decides to curry favor with Trump by trying to enforce an "it's illegal to criticize Trump" declaration"? Taking the two stories together, and perhaps adding in Trump's threat to declare something that doesn't really exist (Antifa) a "terrorist organization" (which could just as easily lead to him declaring you a member of Antifa and thus a "terrorist") the FCC's action is so bad that it provoked serious, well-thought-out, sober yet angry condemnation Friday afternoon from the unlikeliest of sources: Senator Ted Cruz, who warned Republicans that the government needed to stay out of the bullying media business. Whether that will register with Trump remains to be seen. For now the gist is: Trump says criticizing him (or in the best possible interpretation, criticizing him a LOT) is illegal. He cannot remain president under such circumstances.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Don't Kill the Messenger with movie research expert Kevin Goetz
Send Kevin a Text MessageIn this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Dick Cook, the former Chairman of Walt Disney Studios known as "the filmmaker's Chairman." From his humble start as a Disneyland train operator to running one of Hollywood's most successful studios, Dick shares how his Bakersfield roots and team-oriented leadership helped deliver some of Disney's most loved and profitable films, including Finding Nemo, The Lion King, National Treasure, and Pirates of the Caribbean.From Bakersfield to Disneyland (01:42) Dick shares how a 17-year-old with railroad experience landed a job operating Disney's steam train and monorail, setting the stage for an extraordinary career journey.Small-Town Values in Hollywood (06:10) Growing up in Oildale, California, Dick explains how losing his father at 12 and his mother's dedication to baseball helped shape his character.The Disruption Era (12:38) Dick discusses joining Disney during the home video and pay television revolution, when many thought it would kill the theatrical business.Learning from Legends (17:25) Dick shares insights from working with Disney visionaries like Jeffrey Katzenberg, Michael Eisner, and Card Walker.Convincing Eisner on Pirates (20:43) The inside story of how Dick had to sell Michael Eisner on Pirates of the Caribbean, an expensive pirate movie with an arthouse actor that became a massive franchise.The Team Philosophy (32:33) Dick emphasizes how success came from building loyal teams and treating the movie business as "a game" - serious work that he genuinely loved doing with people he cared about.Green-Lighting Lessons (35:54) Dick walks through his decision-making process for approving films, from budget considerations to the ancillary market.Remembering The Alamo (37:37) A candid discussion about one of his biggest missteps, how killing the protagonist at the end of the second act doomed The Alamo, and why pre-green-light audience testing might have caught the flaw.Friday Night Phone Calls (40:44) Dick recalls the excitement of Splash's surprising opening weekend success, when hand-calculated box office numbers seemed too good to believe.Dick demonstrates how humility, small-town decency, and collaborative leadership can drive Hollywood success while maintaining his integrity.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with others. We look forward to bringing you more behind-the-scenes revelations next time on Don't Kill the Messenger.Host: Kevin GoetzGuest: Dick CookProducer: Kari CampanoWriters: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari CampanoAudio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)For more information about Dick Cook:Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_CookIMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1693424/bio/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dick-cook-0958774aFor more information about Kevin Goetz:Website: www.KevinGoetz360.comAudienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack
The lads welcome special guest Tim Kelly this episode for a whirlwind of Disneyland in the '70s, from speeding Casey Jr. trains and Skyway shenanigans to fireworks misfires and Tinker Bell crash landings. Tim also dives into his days as a pitcher, scout, and coach with the Dodgers and Angels — including unforgettable moments at Dodgers Fantasy Camp with Joe Walsh of the Eagles, stories of big-band nights at the park, and Michael Eisner's quirky Angels era. It's trains, tunes, and trouble all rolled into one.
Len Testa and Jim Hill welcome award-winning mind reader and performer Chris Cox (BBC and Broadway) for a deep dive into one of Disney's most fascinating “what could have been” stories. The ambitious plans for David Copperfield's Magic Underground restaurant How the New York flagship nearly opened before money troubles pulled the plug Michael Eisner's enthusiasm for magic and themed dining in the 1990s Why Disney-MGM Studios was slated to host Copperfield's magical dining experience How timing, costs, and the decline of themed restaurants caused the project to vanish From collapsing billboards in Times Square to a restaurant where your table might levitate, this is the story of the Disney dining experience that almost was — and why it disappeared. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service 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
Len Testa and Jim Hill welcome award-winning mind reader and performer Chris Cox (BBC and Broadway) for a deep dive into one of Disney's most fascinating “what could have been” stories. The ambitious plans for David Copperfield's Magic Underground restaurant How the New York flagship nearly opened before money troubles pulled the plug Michael Eisner's enthusiasm for magic and themed dining in the 1990s Why Disney-MGM Studios was slated to host Copperfield's magical dining experience How timing, costs, and the decline of themed restaurants caused the project to vanish From collapsing billboards in Times Square to a restaurant where your table might levitate, this is the story of the Disney dining experience that almost was — and why it disappeared. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service 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
Big Thunder Topic from Trammin' Episode 277Eureka! Michael Eisner exclaimed, after he came up with the master plan for Disney's California Adventure Park. What fever dream of his led to this fever dream of a theme park? To figure this out, we got a little help from Defunctland's Kevin Perjurer to try and find the logic in these decades-old decisions. Why are the burgers invading, why is the pizza singing, and just what is so bountiful about that valley? Join Kevin, Kirk & Rain as they soar into a defunct new episode of Trammin' - A Disneyland Podcast!Defunctlandhttps://www.youtube.com/defunctlandhttps://defunctland.com/Listen to full episodes every Windsday and topic-only uploads on Big Thunder Thursdays!InstagramTrammin' - https://instagram.com/TramminPodcastChristian Rainwater - https://instagram.com/imrainwaterMusicLocal Forecast - Elevator Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Trammin' - The Disneylanders, Addy DaddyUsed with permission.Character Art & AnimationNadia Dar - https://nadsdardraws.carrd.co/Trammin.comTrammin' is written without the use of Artificial Intelligence.©Trammin' - A Disneyland Podcast
Michael Eisner didn't start the trend of the Disney Company acquiring intellectual properties, but he did speed up the process that was then taken to Ludicrous Speed by Bob Iger. The Muppets characters were among those that Eisner spent years trying to bring into the Disney umbrella.
Eureka! Michael Eisner exclaimed, after he came up with the master plan for Disney's California Adventure Park. What fever dream of his led to this fever dream of a theme park? To figure this out, we got a little help from Defunctland's Kevin Perjurer to try and find the logic in these decades-old decisions. Why are the burgers invading, why is the pizza singing, and just what is so bountiful about that valley? Join Kevin, Kirk & Rain as they soar into a defunct new episode of Trammin' - A Disneyland Podcast!Defunctlandhttps://www.youtube.com/defunctlandhttps://defunctland.com/Listen to full episodes every Windsday and topic-only uploads on Big Thunder Thursdays!InstagramTrammin' - https://instagram.com/TramminPodcastChristian Rainwater - https://instagram.com/imrainwaterMusicLocal Forecast - Elevator Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Trammin' - The Disneylanders, Addy DaddyUsed with permission.Character Art & AnimationNadia Dar - https://nadsdardraws.carrd.co/Trammin.comTrammin' is written without the use of Artificial Intelligence.©Trammin' - A Disneyland Podcast
Disneyland Hotel was the first hotel or resort to feature the Disney name. Opened by Jack Wrather in partnership with Walt Disney, the Disneyland Hotel was not officially owned by The Walt Disney Company until Michael Eisner's Disney tenure, but it has been delighting Disneyland guests with Disney-themed spaces since October 1955. Today, the Disneyland Hotel includes four towers (Adventure Tower, Discovery Tower, Fantasy Tower, and Frontier Tower), six dining spaces (Goofy's Kitchen, Tangaroa Terrace, Trader Sam's and more), a monorail-themed E-Ticket pool, Disney shopping, and walking-distance proximity to Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney. In this episode, we discuss everything you need to know about staying at the Disneyland Hotel, reveal Imagineering details that make this property noteworthy, share reasons why you might want to stay here, and offer suggestions about how to make the most of your stay. To plan a trip, be sure to work with KMV Travel. Get bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more at patreon.com/imaginationskyway. Tag me and join the conversation below. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationskyway Instagram: www.instagram.com/imaginationskyway Facebook Group (ImagiNation): https://www.facebook.com/groups/imaginationskyway Facebook: www.facebook.com/imaginationskyway TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@imaginationskyway Threads: https://www.threads.net/@imaginationskyway Twitter: www.twitter.com/skywaypodcast Email: matt@imagineerpodcast.com How to Support the Show Share the podcast with your friends Rate and review on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagineerpodcasts-podcast/id1244558092 Join our Patreon Group - https://www.patreon.com/imaginationskyway Purchase merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/imagineer-podcast?ref_id=8929 Enjoy the show!
Enjoy this sample of P:TR - The Second Gate. Find even more Second Gate episodes at Patreon.com/PodcastTheRide Mike posted a photo of himself and Michael Eisner a few weeks ago. This podcast is the story of that photo. FOLLOW PODCAST: THE RIDE: https://twitter.com/PodcastTheRide https://www.instagram.com/podcasttheride BUY PODCAST: THE RIDE MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/podcast-the-ride PODCAST THE RIDE IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/podcast-the-ride Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Enjoy this sample of P:TR - The Second Gate. Find even more Second Gate episodes at Patreon.com/PodcastTheRide Mike posted a photo of himself and Michael Eisner a few weeks ago. This podcast is the story of that photo. FOLLOW PODCAST: THE RIDE: https://twitter.com/PodcastTheRide https://www.instagram.com/podcasttheride BUY PODCAST: THE RIDE MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/podcast-the-ride PODCAST THE RIDE IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/podcast-the-ride Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 504: Let's hop in our time-traveling monorail, crank up some radio Disney, and set the dial to the decade of slap bracelets, VHS tapes, and Disney dollars… because Traveling with the Mouse, we're heading back to the 1990s (aka the Disney Decade) and reliving all the things that made it pure magic. Michael Eisner […] The post Back to the 90's – The Golden Age of Disney Magic appeared first on Traveling With The Mouse.
After Rick talked about Dick Tracy with Maz earlier this year to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the movie, Sarah Says gave him a call to let him know that it is one of her five favorite movies of all-time. Of course, we have to hear from Sarah Says about this movie if she loves it so much.
“When you're creating something new, nobody can tell you how to do it because it hasn't been done yet." Notable Moments 00:52 – Ron's Disney legacy and first meeting with Jody 02:45 – Behind-the-scenes stories of parades and halftime shows 03:31 – Founding Disney Theatrical and Broadway tales 05:27 – Ron on budgets and working with Michael Eisner 06:55 – Teaching philosophy and student impact at UCF 10:16 – Value of live Q&A during teaching events 11:10 – Concept for a comprehensive Disney show history book 13:05 – Teaching career before and after Disney 16:03 – Encouragement to students: “Take no prisoners” 17:17 – Creating the Wild West show for Euro Disney 22:14 – On innovation: “Look again. There's always another answer.” 23:22 – Ron and Lee on candor, truth, and leadership 27:17 – Final voicemail from Ron to Jody Several years ago, Lee Cockerell surprised me when he said Ron Logan wanted to meet me. Ron, a Disney Legend who led global live entertainment for Disney, had seen my work with Lee and wanted help with legacy projects. That one introduction became a years-long friendship filled with stories, lessons, and laughter. Ron never did anything halfway. Whether we were watching videos of Disney parades or Super Bowl halftime shows, he narrated every decision with incredible detail and purpose. He'd talk through the music, the floats, the camera angles. Every element crafted for the perfect guest experience. It was storytelling, design, and leadership rolled into one magical conversation. We never recorded a podcast together, something I regret. But I do have clips that are small treasures of his voice and wisdom that I've held onto. In this episode, I share some of those pieces with you. You'll hear Ron reflect on budget discipline, the value of good teams, and his unwavering commitment to teaching the next generation. Ron Logan was a master of his craft and a generous mentor. He taught that creativity is problem-solving with heart and his legacy proves it. I miss him. But I'm honored to share his voice with you. Connect with Jody www.jodymaberry.com About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sugarjmaberry LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sugarjmaberry/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodymaberry
Folge 4/4: Nach einem erbitterten Machtkampf mit einem Disney-Erben muss Michael Eisner das Unternehmen verlassen. An seine Stelle tritt Bob Iger – mit einer klaren Strategie für die Zukunft: technologische Innovation, globale Expansion und neue kreative Universen. Während die Welt das 50. Jubiläum von Disneyland feiert, beginnt eine neue Ära. Doch als Iger überraschend abtritt, steht das Unternehmen vor einer entscheidenden Frage: Wer soll das Imperium in die Zukunft führen?Unsere allgemeinen Datenschutzrichtlinien finden Sie unter https://art19.com/privacy. Die Datenschutzrichtlinien für Kalifornien sind unter https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info abrufbar.
Len Testa and Jim Hill tackle a packed show, from new Eat to the Beat concert acts and Test Track Lightning Lane changes to a survey that hints at Disney bundling sports vacations with ESPN and Adventures by Disney. Then in the main segment, Jim unpacks the wild story behind the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise—including how one clever Imagineer added a cursed treasure twist to the ride years before it hit the big screen, and why Michael Eisner insisted on a subtitle that technically made no sense. New Eat to the Beat lineup adds Bowling for Soup, Jordin Sparks, and The Beach Boys Disney files plans for the Monsters Inc. Door Coaster building—yes, it's a real land ESPN and ABD surveys tease premium sports-based vacation packages What really happened to Pixar's Elio, and how politics may have changed the movie Behind the scenes of Curse of the Black Pearl: casting, rewrites, and a fake curse Plus, Len pitches a villains-themed restaurant where customer service is intentionally bad, and Jim explains why Tower of Terror on TV paved the way for Jack Sparrow in theaters. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you're a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don't forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Len Testa and Jim Hill tackle a packed show, from new Eat to the Beat concert acts and Test Track Lightning Lane changes to a survey that hints at Disney bundling sports vacations with ESPN and Adventures by Disney. Then in the main segment, Jim unpacks the wild story behind the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise—including how one clever Imagineer added a cursed treasure twist to the ride years before it hit the big screen, and why Michael Eisner insisted on a subtitle that technically made no sense. New Eat to the Beat lineup adds Bowling for Soup, Jordin Sparks, and The Beach Boys Disney files plans for the Monsters Inc. Door Coaster building—yes, it's a real land ESPN and ABD surveys tease premium sports-based vacation packages What really happened to Pixar's Elio, and how politics may have changed the movie Behind the scenes of Curse of the Black Pearl: casting, rewrites, and a fake curse Plus, Len pitches a villains-themed restaurant where customer service is intentionally bad, and Jim explains why Tower of Terror on TV paved the way for Jack Sparrow in theaters. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you're a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don't forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Len Testa and Jim Hill cover the latest Disney news, including a major update to the dining reservation system, a rerouted parade to improve park flow, and the latest tweaks at Epic Universe. Then, Jim dives into the real story of how Epcot's CommuniCore was shut down and transformed into Innoventions—Disney's answer to a park in crisis. With budgets tight and tech aging fast, Michael Eisner turned to Las Vegas for inspiration, resulting in a CES-style exhibit hall packed with rotating sponsors, interactive demos, and a built-in refresh cycle. Disney's new patent could make Haunted Mansion feel spookier A smarter parade route helps clear Main Street faster Why Tron still isn't available during Early Entry Epic Universe's early admission strategy evolves again The creation, success, and legacy of Innoventions It's a look at how Disney reimagined the future—and managed to sell it to sponsors one booth at a time. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you're a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don't forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Len Testa and Jim Hill cover the latest Disney news, including a major update to the dining reservation system, a rerouted parade to improve park flow, and the latest tweaks at Epic Universe. Then, Jim dives into the real story of how Epcot's CommuniCore was shut down and transformed into Innoventions—Disney's answer to a park in crisis. With budgets tight and tech aging fast, Michael Eisner turned to Las Vegas for inspiration, resulting in a CES-style exhibit hall packed with rotating sponsors, interactive demos, and a built-in refresh cycle. Disney's new patent could make Haunted Mansion feel spookier A smarter parade route helps clear Main Street faster Why Tron still isn't available during Early Entry Epic Universe's early admission strategy evolves again The creation, success, and legacy of Innoventions It's a look at how Disney reimagined the future—and managed to sell it to sponsors one booth at a time. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you're a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don't forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gillian is back for a second-straight week to talk about the 30th anniversary of her favorite Disney Princess movie, Pocahontas. Rick is also going to share two unique travel stories that he has had in the past few weeks.
Len Testa and Jim Hill look at recent updates across Walt Disney World and Epic Universe, including a new water play area in Animal Kingdom, a July reopening for Test Track, and a revealing Disney Cruise Line survey. Then in the main segment, Jim takes us back 30 years to the wild creation of Disneyland's Videopolis—a teen dance club built in just 100 days that introduced churros, challenged norms, and (almost) ran over some tourists. New Indiana Jones-themed play area replaces Animal Kingdom's Boneyard Test Track reopens July 22—why we still don't know what's inside Epic Universe adds stage permits and steampunk restaurant progress A Disney Cruise Line survey that might explain recent price drops The teen problem Disney had to solve—and how Videopolis became the answer Churros, breakdancing, and Michael Eisner's MTV-fueled moonshot Videopolis wasn't just a dance floor—it was a cultural reset, a churro revolution, and a crash course in fast-tracking theme park design. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you're a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don't forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Len Testa and Jim Hill look at recent updates across Walt Disney World and Epic Universe, including a new water play area in Animal Kingdom, a July reopening for Test Track, and a revealing Disney Cruise Line survey. Then in the main segment, Jim takes us back 30 years to the wild creation of Disneyland's Videopolis—a teen dance club built in just 100 days that introduced churros, challenged norms, and (almost) ran over some tourists. New Indiana Jones-themed play area replaces Animal Kingdom's Boneyard Test Track reopens July 22—why we still don't know what's inside Epic Universe adds stage permits and steampunk restaurant progress A Disney Cruise Line survey that might explain recent price drops The teen problem Disney had to solve—and how Videopolis became the answer Churros, breakdancing, and Michael Eisner's MTV-fueled moonshot Videopolis wasn't just a dance floor—it was a cultural reset, a churro revolution, and a crash course in fast-tracking theme park design. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you're a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don't forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Matt and Kevin kick off the first of our Season 9 series with a look back at why Disney California Adventure 2.0 had to happen. It's a backstory filled with 1990s Disney intrigue, Michael Eisner's hubris, and a whole lot of people trying to pretend they were making something worthy of a Disneyland companion park. SUPPORT THE SHOW! The 3028 has a PATREON! Join the patreon for access to secret shows and blogs, polls, a private discord with Matt and Kevin and more! If you want to support show show with a donation, you can do that via PAYPAL or VENMO at any time. And if you're in need of help with graphic design, business logos or other related art, check out Kevin's portfolio and receive a free, no-obligation quote!
Matt and Kevin look back on the building and opening of Disney's Town of Celebration in Florida. From Walt's EPCOT plans to Michael Eisner's manufactured nostalgia, Celebration represented a seminal achievement in Eisner's Disney Decade. SUPPORT THE SHOW! The 3028 has a PATREON! Join the patreon for access to secret shows and blogs, polls, a private discord with Matt and Kevin and more! If you want to support show show with a donation, you can do that via PAYPAL or VENMO at any time. And if you're in need of help with graphic design, business logos or other related art, check out Kevin's portfolio and receive a free, no-obligation quote!
In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with author Neil O' Brien about his book After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America's Favorite Media Company, which covers the years following Walt Disney's passing through the beginning of the Michael Eisner and Frank Wells ear..Links:Michael's Disneyland History SegmentsImportant DIS links and more information!Connecting with Walt on TwitterDreams Unlimited TravelOzCon International - Discount code: CWOZCON2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The first leg of our Soarin' series is coming in for a landing, but don't miss your connecting flight to the behind the scenes of what it took to evolve into Soarin' Around the World! We cover Michael Eisner urban legends, Disney smells, and the reason for why that L.A. scene induces so much fear!Check out our official website: https://www.makeitmagicalpodcast.comMake it Magical merch is available now at https://www.bonfire.com/store/make-it-magical-podcast/!!! Grab yourself some new gear from our online store and rep your favorite Disney podcast. Support the show and shop here!Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MakeitmagicalpodSupport the show and Buy Us a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/makeitmagicalUse our code MAGICALPOD20 for 20% off your next order at Park Hop TeesUse our code MAGICAL10 for 10% off your next order at Crowned AthleticsUse our code MAGICAL15 for 15% off your next order at Magic Candle CompanyGrab some Disney books from our Amazon StorefrontEmail us anytime at: makeitmagicalpod@gmail.comInstagram: @makeitmagicalpod
Join Mike, Rikki, and Pam today as we answer lots of your Listener Questions! We start the show with news of the 2026 Walt Disney World package release that happened yesterday! We talk about the "Kids Eat Free" offer that will be available for all of 2026, plus discuss the perks that are returning for on-site guests during the 2026 travel year as well! We also get questions about scheduling a "Capture Your Moment" session at Disney's Animal Kingdom at park opening, regrets Michael Eisner might have had over Mission: SPACE, tickets with an athletic event at ESPN Wide World of Sports, and much more! Please come join the BOGP Clubhouse on our Discord channel at www.beourguestpodcast.com/clubhouse! Thank you so much for your support of our podcast! Become a Patron of the show at www.Patreon.com/BeOurGuestPodcast. Also, please follow the show on Twitter @BeOurGuestMike and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beourguestpodcast. Thanks to our friends at The Magic For Less Travel for sponsoring today's podcast!
This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill are joined by award-winning journalist Neil O'Brien to explore the most under-reported period in Disney's history—the years between Walt's death and Michael Eisner's arrival. Neil's new book, "After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America's Favorite Media Company," uncovers how Ron Miller, Walt Disney's son-in-law and former CEO, helped shape the modern Disney we know today. The Rise and Fall of Ron Miller – How Walt's son-in-law launched the Disney Channel, Touchstone Pictures, and Epcot, only to be forced out in 1984. The Black Cauldron's Lost Ride – Ron's ambitious plan for a Black Cauldron-themed boat ride at Disney parks that never happened. Secrets of Epcot's Design – How a vacant lot in Diane Disney's neighborhood inspired Walt's vision for a utopian city. Universal's New Fan Event? – Is Universal planning a sci-fi, fantasy, and anime-themed fan festival at Universal Orlando Resort? Join Len, Jim, and Neil for a deep dive into Disney's forgotten history, abandoned projects, and the decisions that shaped the company's future. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you're a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don't forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill are joined by award-winning journalist Neil O'Brien to explore the most under-reported period in Disney's history—the years between Walt's death and Michael Eisner's arrival. Neil's new book, "After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America's Favorite Media Company," uncovers how Ron Miller, Walt Disney's son-in-law and former CEO, helped shape the modern Disney we know today. The Rise and Fall of Ron Miller – How Walt's son-in-law launched the Disney Channel, Touchstone Pictures, and Epcot, only to be forced out in 1984. The Black Cauldron's Lost Ride – Ron's ambitious plan for a Black Cauldron-themed boat ride at Disney parks that never happened. Secrets of Epcot's Design – How a vacant lot in Diane Disney's neighborhood inspired Walt's vision for a utopian city. Universal's New Fan Event? – Is Universal planning a sci-fi, fantasy, and anime-themed fan festival at Universal Orlando Resort? Join Len, Jim, and Neil for a deep dive into Disney's forgotten history, abandoned projects, and the decisions that shaped the company's future. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you're a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don't forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices