The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Disney is changing how guests spend - and skip - their time in line. Lauren and Eric look at the retirement of the Disney Play Parks app, what could happen to interactive experiences like Galaxy’s Edge and DuckTales World Showcase Adventure, and the many ways families keep themselves occupied while waiting for attractions. Then they head to Animal Kingdom, where Expedition Everest has ended its longtime single rider option, raising questions about whether Disney is beginning to rethink single rider lines across Walt Disney World. HIGHLIGHTS • The Disney Play Parks app officially retired on September 16, ending years of interactive games, trivia, and in-park experiences. • Lauren and Eric explore what the shutdown could mean for Galaxy’s Edge activities, Soarin’ trivia, DuckTales World Showcase Adventure, and future MagicBand+ integration. • From Heads Up! and Hidden Mickeys to editing vacation photos, they look at the many ways guests keep themselves occupied in Disney attraction queues. • Expedition Everest has discontinued its single rider line as Disney tests a different loading process designed to improve standby efficiency. • Could staffing, queue design, loading efficiency, and Lightning Lane strategy lead Disney to rethink single rider lines at attractions across Walt Disney World? HOSTS • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney’s Cars is turning 20, and Lightning McQueen and Mater are still racing through Disney’s merchandise machine with new Loungefly releases, Formula 1 collaborations, and more on the horizon. Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey also explore the merchandise inside the newly opened Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including its animation-inspired Ink & Paint collection. Plus, they look at Disney’s latest experiment in collectible cast member dolls and wonder which theme park roles should get the doll treatment next. Along the way, Lauren reports back from a massive Ohio flea market and what longtime collectors are saying about the changing market for Disney memorabilia. NEWS • The Magic of Disney Animation is now fully open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, complete with exclusive studio-inspired merchandise. • Disney’s new Ink & Paint collection leans into model sheets, character sketches, and the look of the animation process. • Cars celebrates its 20th anniversary with new Lightning McQueen merchandise, Loungefly designs, and fresh collaborations. • A new Disney Parks collectible doll inspired by Guest Relations raises a bigger question: Which Cast Member role should Disney turn into a doll next? • Lauren’s trip to Rogers Flea Market reveals how longtime collectors are downsizing while a new generation searches for nostalgia and authenticity. FEATURE • Jim looks back at how Cars grew from a successful Pixar film into a massive merchandise franchise. • Mater’s breakout popularity helped reshape the series, from Cars 2 to Mater’s Tall Tales and decades of collectibles. • With a new preschool series and a Walt Disney World attraction on the way, Disney continues introducing Cars to another generation of fans. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Plan your next Orlando getaway with BeOurGuestVacations.com, a Disney travel agency and Universal planning partner that can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that go into planning your vacation - all at no additional cost for their planning services. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens if you skip rope drop at Magic Kingdom and deliberately start your Disney day at 9, 10, or even 11 a.m.? Len Testa and Chris Cox explore how late arrivals can still build a smart touring strategy, from starting in Adventureland to exploiting mid-morning wait-time lulls and saving Tomorrowland for after dark. They also look at the trade-offs, including extra walking, afternoon weather, and the point when arriving late makes a comprehensive Magic Kingdom tour impossible. Plus, Jim Hill considers how Piston Peak and Villains Land could completely change these strategies in the years ahead. HIGHLIGHTS • Why Adventureland and Jungle Cruise make a strong starting point for a 9 a.m. arrival. • How Haunted Mansion and "it's a small world" can experience useful mid-morning wait-time lulls. • Why sleeping in can mean significantly more walking when you're chasing lower waits around Magic Kingdom. • How thunderstorms, nighttime atmosphere, and party days can reshape a late-start strategy. • Why Piston Peak and Villains Land could eventually shift Magic Kingdom's touring "center of gravity." HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - touringplans.com • Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox - Instagram: @magiccox - magiccox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into Hasbro’s “Transformers: The Apology Tour,” marking 40 years since Transformers: The Movie traumatized a generation by killing Optimus Prime. They also look at Peter Cullen’s final performance as the Autobot leader, his lesser-known Disney animation work, and Jim Cummings’ pointed reaction to the latest class of Disney Legends. Plus, there’s animation news from DreamWorks, Netflix and Laika, along with a box-office milestone for Coyote vs. Acme. HIGHLIGHTS • DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island heads to theaters on September 25 as the studio previews an extended opening sequence. • Netflix keeps KPop Demon Hunters in the spotlight with new General Mills cereals while unveiling the trailer for its Cinderella-inspired animated musical Steps. • Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn is headed to Netflix in December, while Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory is slated for a theatrical run before its 2027 streaming debut. • Coyote vs. Acme crosses $50 million at the domestic box office, passing the reported price Ketchup Entertainment paid for its distribution rights. • Hasbro’s “Transformers: The Apology Tour” revisits the still-infamous death of Optimus Prime in the 1986 animated feature. • The 40th-anniversary theatrical release pairs Transformers: The Movie with the new CG short Optimus Prime: Awakening, featuring Peter Cullen’s final performance as Optimus Prime. • Jim and Drew trace Cullen’s Disney animation history, including his work as Eeyore and the original voice of Monterey Jack on Chip ’n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers. • Jim Cummings’ reaction to the latest Disney Legends ceremony sparks a larger discussion about who the honor should recognize. • Laika releases the final trailer for Wildwood ahead of its October theatrical debut, with Drew’s The Art of Wildwoodarriving from Rizzoli Universe. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Disney or Universal Orlando vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that make vacation planning easier, all at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning your next getaway. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill cover the latest Walt Disney World news, from a Toy Story 5 overlay at Hollywood Studios and shifting timelines for Tropical Americas to Disney’s experiments with themed cruises and DVC owner surveys. They also answer listener questions about Moana’s missing ride presence, Coral Reef surprises, and annual pass payment plans for out-of-state DVC members. Then Jim digs into the surprising history of the Walt Disney Transportation Company, when Disney seriously considered selling PeopleMover technology to airports, shopping centers, and planned communities around the world. NEWS • Alien Swirling Saucers gets a Toy Story 5-inspired overlay, complete with new music. • The Magic of Disney Animation settles into limited daytime hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. • Disney quietly removes the 2027 date from its Tropical Americas project page as major domestic attraction openings appear to shift toward 2028. • Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show remains closed, with work expected to accelerate after Halloween Horror Nights. • New DVC and Disney Cruise Line surveys explore member finances, contract sales, and just how deeply guests want themed cruises to go. FEATURE • Jim traces the origins of the Walt Disney Transportation Company and Disney’s effort to commercialize its theme park transportation technology. • The Magic Kingdom’s PeopleMover was envisioned as a working showroom for potential clients building airports, shopping centers, and communities. • Disney once planned an extensive transportation network linking the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village with nearby development. • Houston Intercontinental Airport became the rare real-world customer, installing a Disney-designed PeopleMover system that has operated for decades. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Disney Dish News is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com. Whether your team is already struggling through football season or you simply need a Walt Disney World getaway to look forward to, Be Our Guest Vacations can help plan the trip. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Eric dig into a busy week of Universal news, from unexpected trouble with the King Kong animatronic at Islands of Adventure to fresh signs of expansion behind Dark Universe at Epic Universe. They also check out Universal Monsters collectibles at Sonic, a new CityWalk hot dog destination, and The Traitors taking over part of Universal’s Great Movie Escape. Then Jim continues the story of Abbott and Costello, revealing how Lou Costello’s push to change the comedy team’s financial arrangement helped set the stage for serious tensions behind the scenes. NEWS • The King Kong animatronic at Skull Island: Reign of Kong is damaged during maintenance, leaving questions about when the attraction will fully return. • New construction behind Dark Universe fuels speculation about Epic Universe’s first major post-opening expansion. • Fat One’s Hot Dogs and Italian Ice prepares to open at Universal CityWalk with Joey Fatone on hand for the festivities. • The Traitors brings themed décor to Universal’s Great Movie Escape as NBCUniversal promotes the series across CityWalk. • Sonic celebrates Halloween with a Universal Monsters Wacky Pack collection featuring Frankenstein, Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and more. FEATURE • Jim explains why Universal eventually honored Abbott and Costello with their own building on the studio lot. • Lou Costello pushes to change the team’s traditional salary split after their films become enormous hits for Universal. • Abbott and Costello tour the country selling more than $85 million in war bonds during World War II. • A devastating 1943 phone call sets the stage for the troubled final chapter of the comedy team’s story. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning your next Universal getaway? Be Our Guest Vacations can help you choose the right hotel, tickets, and extras, whether you’re visiting Epic Universe in Orlando or heading west to Universal Studios Hollywood. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com and mention that the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney vacation planning has never offered more information, so why can it still feel harder than ever to know where to begin? Lauren and Eric look back at Disney’s beloved VHS and DVD planning videos, the TV specials that once helped families get excited for a trip, and the shift toward YouTube, TikTok, creators, and influencers. They also discuss Disney’s new AI-powered vacation planning experience and whether technology can replace the simple, polished overview that once introduced newcomers to Walt Disney World. HIGHLIGHTS • Disney is testing a new AI-guided vacation planning experience designed to help guests compare resorts, dates, festivals, and activities. • Disney’s Created in LA event brings together hundreds of creators, storytellers, and executives as the company deepens its relationship with online creators. • Influencers and creator partnerships are increasingly filling the promotional role once occupied by traditional Disney vacation specials. • Lauren and Eric revisit the Disney vacation planning VHS tapes and DVDs that helped generations of guests prepare for and get excited about their trips. • They explore why Disney moved away from long-form planning videos in favor of shorter online content through PlanDisney, YouTube, and social media. • Classic Travel Channel and television specials captured the parks with polished, host-led storytelling that is increasingly rare today. • Disney Plus documentaries such as The Imagineering Story and Behind the Attraction offer deeper looks at the parks, but serve a different audience than first-time vacation planners. • Could an annual Disney planning special on Disney Plus or YouTube give first-time visitors the simple starting point they still need? HOSTS • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey - Instagram: @erichersey - strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney is leaning harder than ever into adult collectors, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey look at how "kidulting" is reshaping the company's merchandise strategy. They also dig into Disney's upcoming anniversary-driven retail plans, the unusual merchandising challenge surrounding Walt Disney Animation Studios' Hexed, and the growing importance of collectibles aimed squarely at grown-up fans. Then Jim heads back to the earliest days of Disney toys for the story of Marx, Disney Kins, a massive West Virginia toy factory, and one tiny Timothy Mouse who may have gone on a very unexpected adventure. HIGHLIGHTS • Disney's Hexed faces an unusually compressed merchandise rollout after a major character change late in production. • Star Wars prepares for its 50th anniversary with new theatrical activity and a major consumer-products push. • Disney is already looking ahead to Mickey's 100th and Marvel's 90th as year-long merchandising opportunities. • "Kidulting" is becoming an increasingly important part of Disney's strategy as adults drive demand for toys, dolls, collectibles, and premium collaborations. • From limited-edition dolls to high-end fashion partnerships, Disney is finding new ways to reach fans wherever they already shop. • Listener Mike inspires a look back at Louis Marx and Company, one of Disney's earliest major toy partners. • The Marx factory in Glen Dale, West Virginia once became one of the world's largest toy-manufacturing operations. • Jim revisits Disney Kins, the tiny hand-painted figures that brought Mickey, Ludwig Von Drake, classic animated characters, and more to toy shelves beginning in the 1960s. • A childhood encounter with a very small Timothy Mouse Disney Kin gives Jim one of his more unusual collecting stories. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Plan your next Disney or Universal vacation with Be Our Guest Vacations, a platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and Universal Preferred Platinum planning partner. Their vacation-planning services come at no additional cost to you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Feige is promising major “pinch-me” moments for Avengers: Secret Wars, and all signs increasingly point to Doctor Doom sitting at the center of Marvel’s next big reset. Jim Hill and Dan Graney break down the newest Avengers: Doomsday rumors, the Russo Brothers’ unusual script process, Wanda speculation, and the possible future of Vision Quest. They also dig into new Marvel casting, Avengers Campus construction, Jack Kirby tributes, Star Wars’ post-sequel plans, and the return of classic Indiana Jones comics. HIGHLIGHTS • Kevin Feige calls Doctor Doom the centerpiece of Secret Wars and teases crossover moments Marvel fans have never seen on screen. • The Russo Brothers reveal Avengers: Doomsday began production without a finished script, describing the screenplay as a “living organism.” • New rumors point toward Wanda Maximoff’s possible return and suggest Doom may be targeting characters whose lives were changed by time travel and the multiverse. • Noah Jupe joins Secret Wars in a mystery role, sparking theories ranging from Franklin Richards and Doom’s son to Molecule Man and the Beyonder. • Vision Quest is now positioned around the same point in the MCU timeline as Spider-Man: Brand New Day and may be laying groundwork for Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. • Marvel casting chatter includes Asa Germann as Angel, reported Al Pacino talks, Emma Myers rumors, and Destin Daniel Cretton returning for another Spider-Man movie. • Disney’s World Builders offers a closer look at Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab, including the ride systems and Marvel technology behind the attractions. • Jack Kirby’s legacy gets new attention through an Avengers Campus tribute, a New York street dedication, and upcoming books exploring his career. • Star Wars begins moving beyond the sequel trilogy with its New Jedi Order era while the original 1977 film prepares for a 50th-anniversary IMAX release. • Marvel’s classic Indiana Jones comics return in deluxe collections alongside a brand-new series set after Raiders of the Lost Ark. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery | Facebook: /thehubbubbery | thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Disney or Universal vacation can get complicated fast. Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, tickets, reservations, and the many details that go into a Central Florida trip, with planning services provided at no additional charge. Start planning at BeOurGuestVacations.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor kick things off with Drew’s behind-the-scenes perspective on moderating the press day for DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island, the studio’s Filipino mythology-inspired adventure. Then they run through the latest animation and box office news, from Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Coyote vs. Acme to Toy Story 5, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Aardman’s anniversary celebrations. Finally, Drew shares an early look inside the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles and how it compares with the nearby Academy Museum. HIGHLIGHTS • Drew goes behind the scenes of DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island press day and the film’s celebration of Filipino mythology and folklore. • Spider-Man: Brand New Day closes in on another major domestic box office milestone as Practical Magic 2 takes the weekend’s top spot. • Coyote vs. Acme continues its theatrical run while details begin emerging about its eventual 4K Steelbook release. • Pixar Place Hotel gets a Monsters, Inc. Halloween makeover as Disney marks 25 years of both the Pixar classic and Haunted Mansion Holiday. • Aardman celebrates its 50th anniversary with a Wallace & Gromit pop-up and the theatrical arrival of Shaun the Sheep and the Beast of Mossy Bottom. • Drew gets an advance tour of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park and compares it with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Disney or Universal vacation? The team at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, cruises, and all the details that go into making your trip easier to plan - at no additional cost to you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill are back with Disney news, listener questions, and the conclusion of Jim’s history of Disney family suites. They check out the latest Walt Disney World updates, from Magic of Disney Animation previews and EPCOT festival dates to Jollywood Nights demand and new vacation discounts. Then Jim traces how a stalled Pop Century expansion, the success of Nickelodeon Family Suites, and Disney’s experiments at All-Star Music ultimately led to Art of Animation. Plus, the guys look at Disney Cruise Line’s intriguing adults-only survey and wonder what an expanded Skyliner network might have looked like. NEWS • Magic of Disney Animation previews reveal Olaf Draws, Off the Page, Once Upon a Studio Theater, and the colorful Drawn to Wonderland play area. • EPCOT sets dates for Festival of the Arts and Flower & Garden while Coral Reef prepares to reopen ahead of the holiday season. • Strong Jollywood Nights sales could point toward an even larger role for the after-hours event in future holiday seasons. • Universal Orlando rolls out an aggressive Florida resident ticket offer covering Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe. • Disney Cruise Line surveys guests about adults-only sailings, while dozens of upcoming cruises receive special offers and discounted fares. FEATURE • Jim finishes the story of Disney’s family suites, beginning with Pop Century’s ambitious original plans and the unfinished Legendary Years section. • The surprising success of Nickelodeon Family Suites helped convince Disney that larger family accommodations could be a major draw. • All-Star Music became Disney’s testing ground before the company transformed Pop Century’s abandoned expansion into Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. • Jim explains how Art of Animation’s opening was strategically paired with New Fantasyland - and how the Skyliner later transformed the appeal of Disney’s value and moderate resorts. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR The Disney Dish News is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com. If the back-to-school rush has already worn you out, the team can help you plan some much-needed rest and relaxation at Walt Disney World. Our friends at DVCRentalStore.com can also help you explore Disney Vacation Club rental options for your next stay. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey start with the latest Universal news, including a new Wicked live-to-film concert tour, Epic Universe performance commentary from Comcast, Rock the Universe 2027, and fresh developments involving Harry Potter. They also look at Universal Pictures crossing the $4 billion mark at the worldwide box office and what recent hits could mean for the parks. Then Jim digs into the remarkable Universal history of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, from helping keep the studio afloat during World War II to the monster-filled movies that gave the comedy duo a second wind. NEWS • Wicked Part One in Concert brings the Universal film to venues including Radio City Music Hall with a live symphony orchestra. • Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong discusses Epic Universe attendance, guest satisfaction, and the park's long-term performance. • Rock the Universe returns to Universal Studios Florida in January with two nights of Christian music performances. • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues leaning into the original film cast with familiar Wizarding World faces taking the Broadway stage. • Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi plans new Harry Potter areas inspired by Diagon Alley, Hogwarts Castle, and the Forbidden Forest. • Universal Pictures becomes the first studio of the year to cross $4 billion at the worldwide box office. FEATURE • Jim traces how Abbott and Costello went from burlesque and radio to becoming two of Universal's most valuable stars. • The duo's rapid-fire production schedule helped generate crucial box office revenue for Universal during the World War II era. • Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein unexpectedly revitalized their film career and launched a run of "meet" movies involving Universal Monsters and other screen icons. • Later films offer a fascinating glimpse at the Universal backlot, including locations audiences would eventually recognize from productions such as Back to the Future. • Jim also spotlights a young Henry Mancini, whose early work at Universal included music for Abbott and Costello films before his celebrated Hollywood career. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Universal getaway? The travel professionals at Be Our Guest Vacations can help you choose the right hotel, tickets, and extras for your trip to Universal Orlando Resort, Epic Universe, or Universal Studios Hollywood. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney World is getting ready to celebrate its 55th anniversary with a retro-inspired merchandise collection, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into why this milestone may be getting more attention than expected. They also look at Disney's decision to close several international online stores and what that move could signal about the company's evolving retail and licensing strategy. Plus, Lauren breaks down Disney's push into premium athleisure and a new mash-up of two popular merchandise trends: customizable headbands and mystery collectibles. NEWS • Walt Disney World's 55th anniversary collection brings retro colors, classic Mickey artwork, and merchandise celebrating all four parks. • A limited-edition Cinderella doll inspired by Prince Charming Regal Carrousel could become one of the anniversary's most sought-after collectibles. • Disney is closing its online stores in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia as the company leans on authorized retail partners in those markets. • Disney's new understated athleisure collection takes aim at the park-going audience already wearing brands like lululemon and Alo. • Disneyland combines customizable character headbands with mystery collectibles for a new Disney Villains release featuring Maleficent, Ursula, Hades, Yzma, and more. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Plan your next Disney or Universal vacation with Be Our Guest Vacations. Their experienced travel planners can help with hotels, tickets, dining reservations, and the details that make vacation planning easier, all at no additional cost to you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A thousand pieces of candy from one Oogie Boogie Bash sounds impressive, but is collecting that much really the best way to spend a Disney Halloween party? Lauren and Eric dig into one guest's massive candy haul, debate the best and worst Halloween treats, and compare America's favorite candies. Then they turn to Disney attractions and ask whether guests actually enjoy becoming part of the story - from being "That Guy" at Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor to getting picked as the Rebel Spy on Star Tours. HIGHLIGHTS• An Oogie Boogie Bash guest reportedly collected more than 1,000 pieces of Halloween candy in a single night.• Lauren and Eric debate whether maximizing your candy haul is worth the price and limited time of a Disney Halloween party.• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups lead the candy rankings, while alternative trick-or-treat handouts and divisive favorites spark a Halloween debate.• Do Disney fans prefer simply observing an attraction's story, or being pulled into the action at Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Star Tours, and beyond?• Eric shares possible strategies for becoming "That Guy" or the Rebel Spy, while Lauren revisits her quest to get noticed by the Mandalorian and Grogu. 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

Theme park POV videos can help you plan a trip, prepare kids for an attraction, and even avoid a motion-sickness disaster - but do they also rob you of the one thing you can never get back: the first-time surprise? Jim Hill presides as Len Testa and Chris Cox debate whether watching ride-through videos counts as useful research or outright spoiling. Along the way, they revisit Rise of the Resistance, Epic Universe, Harry Potter attractions, attraction A and B modes, and some painfully memorable spoilers from movies, television, and books. HIGHLIGHTS • Whether watching a theme park POV video before riding should count as research or a spoiler. • How Rise of the Resistance A and B modes can change your perception of the attraction. • Why POV videos can be genuinely useful for families, accessibility planning, seating configurations, and motion-sickness concerns. • The problem Imagineers face when guests experience highly themed queues through their phones instead of their surroundings. • Jim, Len, and Chris share the worst spoilers they have ever encountered - including one especially brutal Harry Potter bookstore incident. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - touringplans.com • Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox - Instagram: @magiccox - magiccox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill dig into the latest Disney parks news before tracing how Epcot’s humble festival food booths evolved into permanent Global Marketplaces with open kitchens. TouringPlans researchers Amy Schinner and Christina Harrison join the show to talk Food & Wine, while Disney surveys hint at possible themed cruises, Halloween party strategy, and how much guests trust Disney’s planning tools. Plus, listener questions cover Tomorrowland, attraction relocations, parking garages, underwater pool music, and one extremely ambitious Carousel of Progress Halloween overlay. NEWS • Lakeshore Lodge gets a July 1, 2027 opening date, while Tiana’s Bayou Adventure prepares for its first major refurbishment. • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is set for an extensive refurbishment, and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill is preparing to close at Disney Springs. • Disneyland breaks ground on its new eastern parking and transportation hub as Universal prepares to open Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift. • Disney Cruise Line is returning to New York in 2027, while a new survey tests guest interest in themed Disney cruises. • Amy Schinner and Christina Harrison join Len and Jim for a look at this year’s EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. FEATURE • Jim traces the roots of EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival back to the Walt Disney World Village Wine Festival and its move to EPCOT in 1996. • The California Grill’s successful open-kitchen concept helped inspire a new approach to festival food booths around World Showcase. • Permanent gas, electrical, and water connections transformed temporary booths into the more elaborate Global Marketplace locations guests know today. • With EPCOT operating festivals through much of the year, Disney continues converting temporary food locations into permanent festival infrastructure. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. (Coming Soon) HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - touringplans.com GUEST • Amy Schinner - TouringPlans researcher • Christina Harrison - TouringPlans researcher FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR The Disney Dish news is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com from our friends at DVCRentalStore.com. Whether you’re planning Disney or Universal, Be Our Guest Vacations can help make the trip easier for the whole family. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor return with a packed round of animation news, beginning with a fascinating follow-up to their Tim Curry tribute and the real story behind his brief run as the Joker on "Batman: The Animated Series." They break down a record-setting summer at the box office, from "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "The Odyssey" to the theatrical comeback of "Coyote vs. Acme," "Cars," and "Akira." Plus, Jim and Drew look ahead to new projects from Matt Braly and Dana Terrace, the return of "Spirited Away: Live on Stage," and the upcoming opening of the revamped Magic of Disney Animation at Disney's Hollywood Studios. NEWS• Why Tim Curry's frightening Joker ultimately gave way to Mark Hamill on "Batman: The Animated Series."• "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" helps push the Summer 2026 domestic box office to a record $4.7 billion.• "Coyote vs. Acme," the 20th anniversary re-release of "Cars," and a 4K IMAX restoration of "Akira" find audiences in theaters.• Matt Braly's "Clara and the Below," Dana Terrace's "Knights of Guinevere," and "The Owl House" graphic novel "The Long Lived King" move forward.• "Spirited Away: Live on Stage" heads to theaters as Disney's Hollywood Studios prepares to open the new Magic of Disney Animation. HOSTS• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work FOLLOW• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORTSupport the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSORPlanning a Disney or Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, cruises, and the details that make vacation planning easier, all at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning your next getaway. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey unpack a packed week of Universal news before celebrating Star Trek’s 60th anniversary with a look back at Universal’s surprising history with the franchise. They discuss the closure of Animal Actors on Location, new developments surrounding Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, Universal Nights at Epic Universe, and a major expansion opportunity for Universal Studios Japan. Then Jim revisits Universal Studios Hollywood’s Star Trek Adventure and explains how an ambitious transporter effect later found a second life at Islands of Adventure. NEWS • Universal Studios Florida’s Animal Actors on Location will permanently close on November 2, opening up a potentially valuable redevelopment site. • Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift prepares for its September 16 opening at Universal Studios Hollywood as questions remain about neighborhood noise mitigation. • Universal Nights at Epic Universe adds more dates after strong demand for the limited-capacity after-hours event. • Halloween Horror Nights gets underway at Universal Studios Hollywood, including new haunted houses, Terror Tram experiences, and the expanding mythology of Hamikuma. • Universal Studios Japan could gain roughly 15 acres through the acquisition of neighboring Nippon Steel property, creating room for a major future expansion. FEATURE • Star Trek celebrates 60 years since the original NBC series premiered on September 8, 1966. • Universal Studios Hollywood’s Star Trek Adventure gave guests the chance to perform inside recreated Enterprise sets and take home their own VHS souvenir. • Paramount’s limited theme park licensing deal helped bring Star Trek experiences to both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida. • The transporter illusion developed for Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas shared some remarkable stagecraft DNA with Poseidon’s Fury at Islands of Adventure. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning your next Universal Orlando Resort adventure? The travel professionals at BeOurGuestVacations.com provide personalized concierge service to help with resort stays, theme park tickets, and special extras. Be sure to mention that the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Halloween keeps arriving earlier, but when does spooky season actually begin? Lauren and Eric look at Disney’s ever-expanding Halloween calendar, the rise of “Summerween,” and whether August is becoming the new October. Then they tackle Disney’s new NFL character collection, debating the pairings that scored big, the choices that left fans scratching their heads, and which characters might have made better hometown mascots. HIGHLIGHTS • When should Halloween season officially begin - July, August, September, or October?• How Disney’s Halloween parties and merchandise keep creeping earlier on the calendar• Why “Summerween” searches and early Halloween shopping are surging• Disney’s character pairings for all 32 NFL teams• The best, worst, and most confusing Disney-NFL mascot choices, from Pete and the Steelers to Darth Vader and the RaidersHOSTS 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

Disney merchandise is changing fast, and this week Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into the trends coming out of D23, from bag charms and high-end collectibles to the rise of "quiet luxury" fandom. They also look at the frustration surrounding supposedly special D23 merchandise appearing on DisneyStore.com almost immediately after the event. Then the conversation shifts to World Princess Week, where Disney is pushing its princess brands into fitness, jewelry, fashion, and other lifestyle categories aimed squarely at grown-up fans. NEWS • Disney's next limited-time pop-up store heads to Paramus, New Jersey, following the crowds and long lines seen in Pittsburgh. • Licensing industry observers see Disney moving beyond character T-shirts toward bag charms, premium collectibles, home decor, publishing, and understated "quiet luxury" merchandise. • Limited-edition D23 collectibles continue to command huge demand - and eye-popping prices on the secondary market. • Fans question the value of D23 merchandise access after many convention items appeared on DisneyStore.com just one day after the event. • Disney continues expanding major brand collaborations, with new collections tied to Vera Bradley, Loungefly, Crocs, ColourPop, Pandora, and more. • World Princess Week's "Create Your World" campaign pushes Disney Princess into lifestyle categories built around confidence, personal interests, and self-expression. • Disney partners with Peloton on a princess-inspired Pilates class while Crowned Athletics brings princess branding into fitness apparel. • Pandora expands the franchise into higher-end jewelry with a Disney Princess lab-grown diamond collection featuring Tiana, Jasmine, Moana, and Snow White. • Jim and Lauren look ahead to how projects including live-action Tangled and Frozen 3 could fuel the next wave of Disney Princess merchandise. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Disney or Universal vacation can get complicated fast. The team at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help with hotels, tickets, reservations, and the many details that go into planning your trip - all at no additional cost for their planning services. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Dan Graney sort through another packed week of Marvel news, from increasingly wild Avengers: Doomsday theories to the surprising changes coming with Avengers: Endgame Encore. They dig into rumors surrounding Spider-Man's symbiote suit, Doctor Doom, Wanda, Hawkeye, and Thanos before looking at Marvel's new Doomsday watch list and the debate over Endgame's revamped color grading. The conversation also turns to the troubling story behind Wonder Man's cancellation and an encouraging first look at Vision Quest, where Ultron, artificial intelligence, and questions of identity take center stage. HIGHLIGHTS • Avengers: Doomsday rumors include a possible symbiote suit for Tom Holland's Spider-Man and speculation over multiple versions of Doctor Doom. • A new Marvel Comics definition of "incursion" could change how fans interpret the Avengers' time heist in Endgame. • Avengers: Endgame Encore arrives September 25 with additional footage, Doomsday sneak peeks, and a noticeably more saturated color grade. • Marvel has released a 15-title Disney+ watch list designed to prepare viewers for Avengers: Doomsday. • New reporting sheds light on Wonder Man's cancellation and renews questions about Marvel's handling of several recent characters and projects. • Vision Quest showrunner Terry Matalas describes the series as a story about humanity's responsibility for the artificial intelligence it creates. • James Spader returns as Ultron, whose consciousness has apparently been trapped inside Vision's mind since Avengers: Age of Ultron. • Paul Bettany and the creative team explore Vision's identity, parenthood, and outsider status alongside Tommy Shepherd's own search for who he really is. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery - Facebook: /thehubbubbery - thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Disney or Universal vacation can get complicated fast. The team at Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the many details that go into planning a Central Florida vacation, all at no additional cost to you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coyote vs. Acme finally gets its theatrical moment, and Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into the surprisingly strong opening weekend for the long-shelved Warner Bros. Animation film. They also reflect on the losses of Tim Curry and Peter Cullen, as well as stop-motion and visual-effects legend Phil Tippett’s retirement and the liquidation of Tippett Studio. Plus, the guys run through the latest animation news, from Aardman’s new Pokémon series to changes at Warner Bros. Animation and a promising awards run for Tangles. NEWS • Coyote vs. Acme opens to a strong $15.4 million weekend after Ketchup Entertainment’s theatrical rescue of the Warner Bros. Animation film. • Jim and Drew remember Tim Curry and Peter Cullen and look back at their lasting contributions to animation and entertainment. • Phil Tippett retires as his legendary Berkeley studio prepares for liquidation, prompting a look back at his remarkable stop-motion and visual-effects career. • Disney+ lands Aardman’s new Pokémon animated series, while Sam Register prepares to step down from Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios. • IFC picks up Tangles for an Oscar-qualifying run, and Stranger Things: Tales from '85 returns with a new Season 2 trailer. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Disney or Universal vacation can get complicated fast, and our friends at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help. They’re an EarMarked by Disney travel agency at the Platinum level and a Universal U Preferred Platinum Planning Partner. They can help with hotels, tickets, reservations, cruises, and all the little details that come with planning a trip. Best of all, their planning services come at no additional cost to you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill dig into the long road that eventually led Disney to build Art of Animation Resort, from an abandoned Toontown-inspired family suites hotel near the Contemporary to the unfinished half of Pop Century. Along the way, they explore how the success of Nickelodeon’s family-suite hotel caught Disney’s attention, why Bob Iger brought Steve Jobs into the evaluation process, and how Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid became the resort’s defining themes. Plus, Len and Jim discuss Lakeshore Lodge, Disney’s latest premium credit card survey, potential Epic Universe annual pass perks, and listener questions about fireworks, cruise ports, Star Tours, and monorail capacity. NEWS • Disney reveals new Lakeshore Lodge room categories ahead of its July 1, 2027 opening. • A Disney credit card survey tests premium perks including Lightning Lane access, resort benefits, complimentary park tickets, and club-level access. • Universal Orlando surveys guests about Epic Universe annual passes, reservations, Express benefits, parking, and Halloween Horror Nights perks. • Epcot adjusts opening hours for select RunDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend dates. • Universal Orlando debuts the new Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir show for Halloween Horror Nights. FEATURE • Disney once considered a highly exclusive Toontown-inspired family suites hotel beside the Contemporary Resort. • The financial troubles surrounding Disneyland Paris helped derail Disney’s early family-suite plans. • The success of Nickelodeon’s all-suite Orlando hotel convinced Disney there was significant demand for larger themed accommodations. • Disney transformed the long-abandoned Legendary Years section of Pop Century into Art of Animation Resort. • Bob Iger invited Steve Jobs to review prototype Art of Animation rooms before Disney committed to the project. For this episode’s full show notes, click here.HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Disney Dish news is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com, helping guests plan their next Disney vacation. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey round up the latest Universal news, including Halloween Horror Nights rehearsals, Hamikuma’s arrival in Orlando, Dufftoberfest in Springfield, and new developments tied to Fast & Furious on both coasts. They also look at Universal Studios Hollywood’s new backlot photo experience and what may be ahead for The Simpsons during Halloween Horror Nights. Then Jim remembers Tim Curry with the story behind Ridley Scott’s Legend, from its Disney-inspired origins to Curry’s demanding transformation into the Lord of Darkness. NEWS • Halloween Horror Nights rehearsals suggest Sinners and Stranger Things could be among the event’s biggest draws. • Hamikuma, Universal Japan’s zombie bear mascot, makes his way to Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando. • The Deathly Afraid necklace returns for HHN 2026 with a 35th anniversary design. • Dufftoberfest brings seasonal Duff Beer back to Springfield, U.S.A., while Simpsons Halloween offerings hint at more to come. • Universal continues work on Fast & Furious attractions while Hollywood adds a new backlot photo experience. FEATURE • Jim looks back at Tim Curry’s performance as Darkness in Ridley Scott’s 1986 fantasy Legend. • Scott originally envisioned the film as an elaborate live-action fantasy inspired by the mood and imagery of classic Disney animation. • Curry’s Darkness makeup involved extensive prosthetics, massive horns, stilts, and hours in the makeup chair each day. • The production went through multiple cuts and different musical scores before developing a cult following in the years after its release. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Plan your next Universal vacation with Be Our Guest Vacations. Their travel professionals provide personalized concierge service for resort stays, theme park tickets, and special extras throughout Universal Orlando. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com and mention the Epic Universal Podcast. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A viral Disneyland encounter has the Disney community debating where fandom ends and personal boundaries begin. Lauren and Eric unpack the controversy surrounding "Peter Pan Girl" Tony, the online backlash, and whether character performers need stronger safeguards when guest interactions become uncomfortable. Then they turn to another viral theme park debate: guests renting ECV scooters for races, videos, and general shenanigans at Walt Disney World. Along the way, they consider Disney adults, sports fandom, online bullying, accessibility, and why a little kindness goes a long way in the parks. HIGHLIGHTS • The viral "Peter Pan Girl" controversy sparks a debate over Disney fandom, personal boundaries, and online bullying. • Former character performers and Disney fans weigh in on whether roaming characters need better safeguards during uncomfortable guest interactions. • Lauren and Eric ask why obsessive Disney fandom gets treated differently from sports, music, and celebrity fandoms. • Viral videos of guests racing and playing around on Walt Disney World ECV scooters raise new accessibility and safety concerns. • Could misuse of scooters and other mobility devices eventually lead Disney to tighten its theme park policies? 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

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey remember Dolly Parton by exploring her long and surprisingly deep connection to Disney. Jim recounts the ambitious Feature Animation Florida project that nearly gave Dolly a starring role in a hand-drawn/CG hybrid set in Appalachia, variously known as My Peoples, Angel and Her No Good Sister, and A Few Good Ghosts. They also look back at Dolly's appearances with Disney, her relationship with Miley Cyrus, the growth of Dollywood and the Imagination Library, and Jim's own conversation with the country music legend. HIGHLIGHTS • How Dolly Parton became Miley Cyrus's Aunt Dolly on Hannah Montana. • Dolly's Disney connection stretching back to Walt Disney World's 15th anniversary celebration. • The story behind Barry Cook's abandoned Feature Animation Florida project My Peoples. • Why Disney paired traditional human animation with CG Appalachian folk-art characters. • The all-star voice cast that included Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, Ashley Judd, Travis Tritt, Hal Holbrook, and more. • How the project evolved through titles including Elgin's Peoples, Once in a Blue Moon, Angel and Her No Good Sister, and A Few Good Ghosts. • Michael Eisner's enthusiastic reaction shortly before Disney ultimately shut the project down. • How changing attitudes toward hand-drawn animation and Disney's strained relationship with Pixar helped bring the film - and Feature Animation Florida - to an end. • Jim remembers interviewing Dolly about the Imagination Library and asking her about the Disney movie that never made it to theaters. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Disney or Universal vacation can get complicated fast. The team at BR Guest Vacations can help with hotels, tickets, reservations, and all the little details that go into planning your trip, with planning services offered at no additional cost. Start planning your next vacation at BeOurGuestVacations.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listener mail takes over the Court of the Disney World Resort as Jim Hill, Len Testa, and Chris Cox revisit some of their most debated Walt Disney World cases. The trio weighs in on the perks guests most want Disney to restore, from Magical Express and package delivery to longer park hours, while listeners make surprisingly persuasive arguments involving everything from deluxe-resort toilet paper to last-day character breakfasts. They also dig into spontaneous character encounters, the operational logic behind the 3 p.m. Festival of Fantasy Parade, and the best viewing spots around Magic Kingdom. Stick around for a bonus round of TouringPlans forum poll results and a listener story about an unforgettable turn as Magic Kingdom Grand Marshals. HIGHLIGHTS • Why package delivery and Disney's Magical Express remain high on guests' wish lists. • The unexpected Walt Disney World perk that may separate Deluxe Resorts from Value Resorts: better toilet paper. • Why roaming characters can feel more magical than scheduled meet-and-greets or character dining. • The strategy behind Magic Kingdom's 3 p.m. parade - plus listener picks for the best Festival of Fantasy viewing spots. • TouringPlans forum poll results reveal which Disney perks, character experiences, and parade strategies listeners prefer. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com • Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox | Instagram: @magiccox | magiccox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fine Tooning is back with a packed post-D23 week of animation news, as Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into fresh trailers, release dates, box-office milestones, and one potentially very big Disney revival. The conversation ranges from Laika’s long-awaited Wildwood and Warner Bros. Animation’s Margie Claus to Blue Eye Samurai, LEGO Star Wars, and the remarkable theatrical run of Toy Story 5. Jim and Drew also discuss Brent Spiner’s unexpected suggestion that a new Gargoyles series may be headed to Disney+, and remember Hayden Panettiere and her early voice work as Princess Dot in A Bug’s Life. HIGHLIGHTS • Brent Spiner may have accidentally revealed that a Gargoyles revival is in development for Disney+. • Laika unveils the first trailer for Wildwood ahead of its October 23 theatrical release. • Margie Claus sets a November 12, 2027 release date with Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Octavia Spencer, and Andrew Scott. • Blue Eye Samurai previews Season 2 while Netflix announces a third and final season for 2028. • Jim and Drew look at the latest animation-related box-office numbers, including Toy Story 5 and Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie. • Jim remembers Hayden Panettiere and her performance as Princess Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life. • Panettiere’s memoir offers a revealing look at the demanding voice-recording process behind the Pixar film. • Drew reflects on Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and the continuing legacy of Light the Fuse. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a fall getaway to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that can make an Orlando vacation easier to manage. Their vacation-planning services come at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning.If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill unpack a packed slate of D23 parks announcements, from Disneyland’s newly promised Tomorrowland overhaul to major additions coming to Walt Disney World. They dig into Tropical Americas, Piston Peak, Villains Land, Monstropolis, Figment and Dreamfinder’s return to EPCOT, and Disney’s surprising promise to finally address Expedition Everest’s Yeti. Then Jim looks back at the history of Disney-MGM Studios’ Ewok Village, its connection to Star Tours, and the unusual road that brought George Lucas’ galaxy to a Hollywood-themed park. NEWS • Disneyland plans a Tomorrowland overhaul inspired by the land’s original sense of hope and optimism. • Disney California Adventure’s Pandora project moves behind Tomorrowland while Avengers Infinity Defense, Stark Flight Lab, and the Coco attraction continue taking shape. • Walt Disney World reveals new details for Tropical Americas, Piston Peak National Park, Villains Land, and the phased opening of Monstropolis. • Dreamfinder and Figment are headed back to EPCOT in a still-mysterious new “flight of fancy” into Imagination. • Disney says Expedition Everest’s long-static Yeti will finally be addressed, though exactly what “fixing” the figure means remains to be seen. FEATURE • Jim traces the 1989 opening of the Ewok Village at Disney-MGM Studios, months before Florida’s Star Tours began carrying guests to Endor. • Learn why Florida’s Star Tours wound up at the Studios instead of Tomorrowland and how Disney tried to make George Lucas part of the park’s identity. • The story explores George Lucas’ inspirations for the Ewoks, the abandoned Wookiee plans for Return of the Jedi, and Disney’s enthusiasm for the franchise’s most marketable forest dwellers. • Plus, Jim revisits unrealized ideas including a Sci-Fi Channel UFO headquarters and the Roger Rabbit-themed Toontown Transit simulator. For this episode’s full show notes, click here.HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Disney Dish News is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.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. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey trace the unlikely journey of Stranger Things from the Duffer Brothers' rejected pitch to one of Netflix's defining franchises - and a recurring Halloween Horror Nights favorite. They revisit how Universal translated Hawkins and the Upside Down into elaborate haunted houses, why the creative partnership worked so well, and how those early attractions helped prove that fans wanted to physically step inside Netflix's worlds. Then Jim and Eric bring the story up to the present with Netflix House in Philadelphia and the latest Stranger Things experience headed to Halloween Horror Nights 35. FEATURE • How Matt and Ross Duffer turned their original Montauk concept into Stranger Things after a string of network rejections. • Why the show's mix of Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, 1980s nostalgia, and breakout young performers became a cultural phenomenon. • How Stranger Things first came to Halloween Horror Nights in 2018, with the Duffer Brothers giving Universal extensive creative access. • The painstaking work behind recreating Hawkins, the Byers house, the Upside Down, and the Demogorgon for Universal Orlando and Hollywood. • Why the 2019 and 2023 Stranger Things houses evolved differently on each coast rather than becoming simple clones. • Jim and Eric's visit to Netflix House at King of Prussia and its immersive Stranger Things experience. • How Netflix expanded Stranger Things into touring experiences, live theater, permanent attractions, and other extensions beyond the streaming series. • What Halloween Horror Nights 35 could represent as one of the final major theme park celebrations of Hawkins and its characters. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com• Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Universal Orlando Resort vacation? The travel professionals at BeOurGuestVacations.com offer personalized concierge service to help with resort stays, theme park tickets, and special extras for your Universal adventure. Be sure to mention that the Epic Universal Podcast sent you.If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric and Lauren are back from Anaheim with a firsthand look at the highs, lows, long lines, virtual queues, and very passionate Disney fans of D23. They break down what worked at the convention, what frustrated attendees, and whether the experience is worth the trip. Then they turn to Disney's Parks presentation, where exciting updates involving Figment, Dreamfinder, the Expedition Everest Yeti, and more sometimes got lost inside an unusual celebrity-heavy production. From Alan Menken and Bedknobs and Broomsticks to merchandise resellers and one unforgettable Reddit discussion about convention hygiene, this is D23 from his, hers, and your perspective. HIGHLIGHTS • D23 brought together theme park fans, collectors, cosplayers, gamers, movie fans, and nearly every corner of Disney fandom. • Eric and Lauren compare the convention's virtual queues, reservation system, merchandise lines, and the planning required to get the most out of the weekend. • Resellers and professional line-waiters sparked frustration as high-demand D23 merchandise became increasingly difficult for some guests to access. • Attendees suggested fixes ranging from tighter purchase limits to badge-linked reservations and better communication. • Transportation to the Honda Center became another pain point, including reports of lengthy delays when a shuttle bus broke down. • Eric and Lauren review the D23 Parks presentation and question whether its talk-show-style production delivered enough substance for hardcore Disney fans. • Neil Patrick Harris, Sheryl Crow, Beck, Gloria Gaynor, Los Lobos, and other performers gave the presentation plenty of spectacle, though the pacing sometimes overshadowed the announcements. • The return of Dreamfinder and Figment generated excitement, but the lack of specifics left fans wondering exactly what Disney has planned. • Expedition Everest's long-broken Yeti is finally getting attention, giving longtime Disney Parks fans one particularly memorable announcement. 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

Fresh from D23 in Anaheim, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack what it was really like to shop the show floor, from virtual queues and coveted merchandise to fans finding creative ways around the reservation system. Lauren shares what surprised her about D23 Day at Disneyland, the new Imagineering apparel collection, and Disney’s increasingly social-media-driven activations. Then Jim and Lauren turn to legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde and his new book, Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible, including how Rohde’s work connects the Adventurers Club to Disney’s later Living Character Initiative. NEWS • D23 Day at Disneyland brings massive merchandise lines, exclusive releases, and the Hatbox Ghost popcorn bucket frenzy. • Disney’s D23 shopping system puts fans up against limited virtual queues for the Marketplace, Mickey’s of Glendale, the Company Store, and other high-demand locations. • Lauren explains how some attendees gamed shopping reservations, paid others to hold places in line, and bought merchandise in bulk. • Disney+ and Hulu lean heavily into photo activations and social sharing across the D23 show floor. • The new Walt Disney Imagineering apparel collection turns out to be understated clothing designed by Imagineers for Imagineers - with a very unusual mobile-order shopping process. FEATURE • Jim and Lauren discuss Joe Rohde’s Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible and what sets it apart from a traditional Disney memoir. • Rohde offers a behind-the-scenes look at Imagineering’s creative process, leadership style, and the development of experiences such as the Adventurers Club. • Jim traces the roots of Disney’s interactive “living characters” from the Adventurers Club back to an unusual talking vulture once installed inside Disneyland’s Club 33. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Plan your next Disney or Universal vacation with Be Our Guest Vacations. Their team can help with hotels, tickets, reservations, cruises, and the details that make vacation planning easier, all at no additional planning cost. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill returns from the D23 Expo with a firsthand look at Marvel’s latest reveals, while Dan Graney digs into a new Avengers: Doomsday trailer that appears to answer several theories from Episode 23. They break down Doctor Doom’s motivations, Marvel’s newly revealed X-Men cast, Vision Quest, and the latest trailer for Ahsoka Season 2. Then the conversation turns to a crossover that once sounded like a Patton Oswalt punchline but is now real: Marvel and Star Wars are officially colliding in the five-issue Hope Assembles comic series. HIGHLIGHTS • The new Avengers: Doomsday trailer offers fresh clues about Victor Von Doom, his lost family, and his plans for the multiverse. • Jim reports from D23 on Marvel’s TVA-style experience, Doom’s throne room, and a detailed blueprint of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. • Marvel reveals a new X-Men cast including Sadie Sink, Kit Connor, Christopher Abbott, Samara Weaving, Indy Navarrette, and Adam Driver as Mister Sinister. • Vision Quest brings White Vision face-to-face with manifestations of familiar MCU artificial intelligences, including JARVIS and Ultron. • Ahsoka Season 2 sets up Thrawn’s war, Ahsoka’s continuing questions about her Jedi identity, and new mysteries involving Baylan Skoll and the Mortis mythology. • Marvel and Star Wars collide in Hope Assembles, a five-issue comic series written by Kevin Smith with art by David Marquez. • Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca cross into Marvel’s Earth-616, where heroes including Captain America, Spider-Man, Black Widow, and Hulk enter the fight. • Doctor Doom and Marvel villains join forces with Darth Vader and the Empire in a crossover that makes Patton Oswalt’s legendary Parks and Recreation filibuster feel strangely prophetic. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery | Facebook: /thehubbubbery | thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning ahead is never too soon, whether it is for a movie ticket or your next Disney or Universal trip. Visit UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew and Jim take a break from Disney’s D23 fan expo festivities to talk about everything they learned in a jam-packed set of panels and announcements! NEWS • The End of Oak Street beats Paw Patrol at the box office but Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into first place again  • The threequels are coming! Zootopia 3, Frozen 3, and The Incredibles 3 are all on their way • Jodie Foster has her first animated role in Hexed alongside Walton Goggins as Beef Roger Crumbchuck • Kingdom Hearts finally gets an animated series along with a new entry in the Final Fantasy meets Disney video game series • Pixar gets spooky with the upcoming Ghost Market, in what is being described by Pete Docter as its first ‘horror movie’  • Drew is hosting a special 15th anniversary screening of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica, California on August 22nd at 7:30PM featuring a live virtual Q&A with director Brad Bird (and another mystery in-person guest along with other surprises!) HOSTS • Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @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 - StrongMindedAgency.com SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, the go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 theme park vacation is on your radar, their team can help you save money while making the planning process easier. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Jim Hill Media Sponsorship Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into the latest Universal news before tracing the surprisingly humble origins of Universal Studios Hollywood’s Prop Plaza. They cover Art the Clown taking over the Terror Tram, new Halloween Horror Nights experiences, Fast & Furious coaster construction on both coasts, and Universal Hollywood’s efforts to address neighborhood noise concerns. Then Jim tells the story of MCA executive Albert Dorskind, the struggling Universal commissary, and how a simple tourist lunch stop helped set the stage for the modern Studio Tour. NEWS • Art the Clown from the Terrifier films takes over the Terror Tram at Universal Studios Hollywood for Halloween Horror Nights 2026. • Nikki from Obsession is set to roam Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood as a surprise character encounter. • Universal Hollywood introduces daytime Unmasking the Horror lights-on tours through select Halloween Horror Nights houses. • Additional sound barriers are being installed near Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift as Universal responds to neighborhood noise concerns. • Track installation is now complete on the new Fast & Furious coaster under construction at Universal Studios Florida. FEATURE • How MCA executive Albert Dorskind transformed Universal’s money-losing studio commissary by inviting Hollywood sightseeing buses onto the lot. • Why tourist demand convinced Universal that visitors wanted more than lunch - they wanted to see how movies and television were made. • How the success of the original 1964 Universal Studio Tour led to the creation of Prop Plaza as a midway stop for food, restrooms, props, and entertainment. • From giant Land of the Giants props and a coin-operated Model T to early stunt performers and the A-Team van, Prop Plaza became an early blueprint for interactive Universal attractions. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Universal vacation? The travel professionals at BeOurGuestVacations.com can work with you one-on-one to build a trip around the hotel, tickets, and extras that matter most to you. Whether you are headed to Universal Orlando Resort, Epic Universe, or Universal Studios Hollywood, mention that the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill are on the ground in Anaheim for D23, where they dig into the week's Disney news before exploring how Anaheim evolved from vineyards and citrus groves into the home of Disneyland. Along the way, they examine a Disney patent that could create the illusion of elevation changes on future attractions, a proposed Spaceship Earth television series, and Bob Chapek's upcoming book. Then Jim traces the fascinating history of the Anaheim Packing House and the agricultural economy that helped make Walt Disney's land purchase possible. NEWS • A newly published Disney patent could make riders feel as though they're climbing or dropping while their ride vehicle remains on a flat surface. • Could the technology be destined for the upcoming Encanto attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom? • Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is already selling out select dates at both ends of the 2026 event calendar. • Another infrastructure problem hits Disney's Wilderness Lodge, this time involving water service at Boulder Ridge. • Disney is developing a Spaceship Earth-inspired television project built around teenagers, time travel, and a threat to Earth's future. • Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek prepares to tell his side of the story in his upcoming book, Behind the Castle Walls. FEATURE • Jim traces Anaheim's beginnings to 50 German families who established a thriving wine-growing community in the 1850s. • Root rot pushed the region from vineyards toward orange groves and walnut farms, helping reshape Anaheim's agricultural economy. • Railroad expansion turned the Anaheim Packing District into a major hub for shipping fresh California produce across the country. • Falling agricultural land values helped Harrison "Buzz" Price identify Anaheim as the ideal location for Walt Disney's new family park. • Disneyland's arrival accelerated Anaheim's transformation from an agricultural community into a tourism destination. • The historic Anaheim Packing House survived redevelopment pressure and reopened in 2014 as a modern food hall that preserves a piece of the city's past. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. (Coming Soon) HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Disney Dish News is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is underway, and Be Our Guest Vacations can help you plan a Walt Disney World trip filled with Halloween fun, costumes, and plenty of candy. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are packing their bags for Anaheim and previewing what Disney fans can expect from D23 Day and the 2026 D23 Ultimate Fan Event. They dig into Disneyland exclusives, anniversary merchandise, rare character appearances, and some unexpected collectibles hitting the show floor. Along the way, Jim explains the history behind the Disneylandia name, Lauren investigates Disney's growing interest in repurposing park materials, and both try to make sense of Atari's surprising return to the Disney gaming conversation. HIGHLIGHTS • D23 Day at Disneyland brings exclusive merchandise, commemorative ears, a character cavalcade, and rare appearances by Merlin and the Blue Fairy. • The Disneylandia collection revives a name with roots in one of Walt Disney's earliest pre-Disneyland concepts. • Hunchback of Notre Dame and Alice in Wonderland anniversary merchandise join a packed lineup of D23 collectibles. • Atari arrives at D23 with new Toy Story releases, retro Disney games, and an exclusive convention pin. • Harveys turns retired Soarin' Over California seat belts into collectible bags as Jim and Lauren explore Disney's history of repurposing park materials. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Disney vacation can get complicated in a hurry. The experienced team at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help plan your Disney vacation, Universal vacation, cruise, or next big adventure without the stress of handling every detail yourself. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren and Eric audit Disney’s major D23 parks announcements from 2019 through 2024 to see which projects opened, changed, stalled, or quietly disappeared. Using their new “D23 Promise Meter,” they examine the difference between blue-sky concept art and projects concrete enough to influence a future Disney vacation. They also look ahead to the 2026 showcase, weighing likely updates for Villains Land, Piston Peak, Tropical Americas, DisneylandForward, Figment, Tomorrowland, and other rumored projects. The big question is whether Disney needs another wave of announcements or simply needs to prove that its existing plans are moving forward. HIGHLIGHTS • Lauren’s audit tracks dozens of Disney Parks announcements from the 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024 D23 events. • The D23 Promise Meter separates blue-sky ideas from named projects, active construction, and confirmed opening dates. • Piston Peak, Villains Land, Tropical Americas, Monsters, Inc., and Disneyland expansion plans still need important details. • Eric and Lauren evaluate community predictions involving Figment, Tomorrowland, Spaceship Earth, Animal Kingdom, and a possible resort near the parks. • The hosts debate whether the 2026 showcase should reveal new attractions or focus on delivering what Disney has already promised. 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

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are both built for beating the Florida heat, but which Walt Disney World water park deserves the edge? Jim Hill presides as Len Testa and Chris Cox compare the parks' histories, theming, slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and kid-friendly offerings. Along the way, they revisit River Country, Disney's long-gone shark swim, Summit Plummet, and the surprising executive vacation that helped push Typhoon Lagoon into development. The verdict ultimately comes down to what kind of water park day you want - tropical relaxation or bigger thrills. HIGHLIGHTS • How Jeffrey Katzenberg's frustrating attempts to visit River Country helped inspire Typhoon Lagoon. • Why Typhoon Lagoon's massive surf pool remains one of Walt Disney World's most distinctive water park experiences. • The lost shark-swimming attraction that combined frigid water with some very nervous guests. • Why families with younger children may prefer Typhoon Lagoon, while older kids and thrill seekers may lean toward Blizzard Beach. • Summit Plummet, Crush 'n' Gusher, Misadventure Falls, lazy rivers, transportation quirks, and the strengths of both parks. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com • Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox | Instagram: @magiccox | magiccox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are getting ready for D23 2026 with a look at the animation news, movies, and announcements worth watching before the big Disney Entertainment Showcase. Along the way, they check in on the box office, upcoming Looney Tunes and PAW Patrol releases, and a newly announced Family Guy spin-off. Then Jim and Drew revisit some memorable animation moments from past D23 Expos and consider what Disney, Pixar, and 20th Century Animation might bring to the stage this year. HIGHLIGHTS • Coyote vs. Acme prepares for its August 28 theatrical release from Ketchup Entertainment. • PAW Patrol 3: The Dino Movie adds dinosaurs to the franchise as Jim and Drew consider its box-office potential. • Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey, Toy Story 5, and Minions & Monsters continue shaping the 2026 box-office conversation. • Adult Swim's President Curtis earns a second season while Fox orders The Stewie Show for the 2027-2028 television season. • Jim and Drew preview D23 2026 and the animation announcements that could emerge from Disney's Entertainment Showcase. • The Simpsons Movie 2, The Bluey Movie, Ice Age: Boiling Point, Gatto, Frozen 3, Incredibles 3, Coco 2, and Monsters, Inc. 3 are among the projects potentially in the spotlight. • Drew looks back at memorable D23 animation presentations, including Idina Menzel performing "Let It Go," the reveal of Get a Horse!, and the onstage pitches for Gigantic and Coco. • Jim revisits the complicated road to Pixar's The Good Dinosaur and recalls an emotional early screening with director Peter Sohn. • Drew previews the 15th-anniversary 35mm screening of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and his upcoming book, The Art of Wildwood. • Jim spotlights Welcome to Wackyland: The Wonderful World of Bob Clampett and the unusual Disney history connecting Clampett, Roald Dahl, and The Gremlins. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning your next Disney or Universal adventure? Let the experts at BeOurGuestVacations.com help plan your resort stay, theme park tickets, cruises, and special extras with personalized concierge service. Be sure to mention that Drew and Jim sent you.If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill dig into Disney’s latest theme park attendance numbers, new Lakeshore Lodge concept art, Disneyland’s possible return to an old favorite, and some surprisingly revealing guest surveys. Listener questions cover everything from GLP-1 drugs and Disney dining to the possible return of Tables in Wonderland and new retail ideas for Disney Springs. Then Jim begins the history of Disney’s family suites by tracing how global events repeatedly reshaped Walt Disney World hotel plans, culminating in the stalled second half of Disney’s Pop Century Resort after 9/11. NEWS • Walt Disney World reports a 3% increase in domestic theme park attendance during Disney’s fiscal third quarter. • Disney adds a new preshow to Zootopia: Better Zoogether to help guests follow the attraction’s story. • New Lakeshore Lodge concept art reveals the resort lobby, Moon Glade restaurant, Bay Lake Provisions, and other dining spaces. • Disneyland rumors suggest the Main Street Electrical Parade could once again return in 2027. • Universal announces Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness and Killer Klowns from Outer Space for Halloween Horror Nights. FEATURE • Jim looks back at Disney hotel projects that were dramatically altered by world events, including the proposed Asian Resort at Seven Seas Lagoon. • The COVID-19 pandemic upends Disney’s ambitious plans for EPCOT and Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. • Disney begins developing Pop Century as another massive value resort near the Wide World of Sports complex. • After 9/11 sends tourism and hotel occupancy plunging, Disney halts work on Pop Century and leaves the unfinished Legendary Years buildings standing for nearly a decade. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Disney Dish News is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com. Plan your Walt Disney World vacation, including a trip to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, with the team at Be Our Guest Vacations. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey catch up on the latest Universal news, from Halloween Horror Nights announcements in Hollywood to some changes underway at Universal Studios Florida. They also discuss whether Universal could ever follow Disney into the cruise business and look back at a WaterWorld performer whose run spanned three decades. Then Jim traces the surprising history of Hard Rock Cafe and explains how a restaurant built before Universal Studios Florida even opened grew into a major part of the Universal Orlando Resort. NEWS • Killer Klowns from Outer Space returns to Halloween Horror Nights with a new house at Universal Studios Hollywood. • The Purge: Dangerous Waters is returning to the WaterWorld arena as a nighttime stunt spectacular. • Longtime WaterWorld performer Greg Dolph receives a sendoff after 30 years playing the Deacon at Universal Studios Hollywood. • Universal Studios Florida’s entrance arch gets a fresh coat of paint as work continues around the park entrance. • Jim and Eric consider whether Universal could someday test the waters of the cruise industry. FEATURE • The upcoming closure of Miami’s longtime Hard Rock Cafe sends Jim back to the chain’s unlikely beginnings in London. • Learn how Hard Rock arrived at Universal Studios Florida two months before the theme park itself opened in 1990. • Jim explains how the original guitar-shaped restaurant became an unexpected observation post for curious Walt Disney World executives. • From CityWalk and the Coliseum of Rock to the Hard Rock Hotel, discover how the brand became deeply connected to Universal Orlando - and what eventually happened to that original restaurant. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning your next Universal Orlando Resort adventure? Let the experts at Be Our Guest Vacations take care of the details. Their travel professionals provide personalized concierge service and can help with your resort stay, theme park tickets, and special extras from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Jurassic Park to Epic Universe. Be sure to mention that the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Lauren examine Disney’s decision to move Consumer Products under the studio umbrella and what it reveals about the company’s larger “One Disney” strategy. They explore how films such as Toy Story 5 can generate value far beyond the box office through streaming, merchandise, and long-term franchise growth. The conversation also covers Disney’s new NFL merchandise collection before Jim concludes his three-part history of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, from its Mary Blair mural and Top of the World restaurant to Bay Lake Tower and the expansion of Disney Vacation Club. NEWS • Why Disney is moving Consumer Products closer to its film studios. • How merchandise, streaming, and box office results combine to measure the true value of Disney intellectual property. • Disney’s NFL collection pairs all 32 teams with characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. • Woody joins the Dallas Cowboys, Captain America represents the New England Patriots, and Darth Vader meets the Las Vegas Raiders. • Lauren and Jim suggest Disney character pairings for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. FEATURE • How the Contemporary Resort developed an identity around its monorail, architecture, and towering Mary Blair mural. • The rise and fall of the Gulf Coast Room, Top of the World, Broadway at the Top, and the Fiesta Fun Center. • Why Disney added Bay Lake Tower and continued expanding Disney Vacation Club around the Magic Kingdom monorail loop. • The construction challenges that still shape the Contemporary Resort and Disney’s plans near the Transportation and Ticket Center. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Plan your next Disney, Universal, cruise, or adventure vacation with the experienced team at BeOurGuestVacations.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a packed weekend in Philadelphia, Lauren and Eric add up the cost of museums, sightseeing tours, Netflix House experiences, concerts, movies, and more to ask an unexpected question: Is Disney actually a good value? They compare ticket prices through the lens of “cost per enjoyable hour,” from Walt Disney World and regional amusement parks to Broadway shows, sporting events, and increasingly expensive concerts. The answer may surprise Disney fans, but please keep it away from anyone responsible for raising ticket prices. HIGHLIGHTS • A Philadelphia weekend reveals how quickly individually reasonable attractions can add up. • The Franklin Institute, a double-decker bus tour, and Netflix House go head-to-head with the average price of a Disney ticket. • Lauren and Eric calculate the “cost per enjoyable hour” of theme parks, concerts, movies, sports, and Broadway shows. • Concert tickets, parking, merchandise, and $19 chocolate-covered strawberries deliver their own form of sticker shock. • Disney’s upfront price may hurt, but the amount of entertainment packed into a full park day could make it a stronger value than expected. 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 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 Hill and Dan Graney unpack a massive stretch of Marvel news, beginning with the first official Avengers: Doomsday trailer, poster, and ticket sales. They examine Doctor Doom’s hidden symbolism, Steve Rogers’ suspicious reunion with Thor, Loki’s possible new role, and the clues buried in Marvel’s Comic-Con presentation. Then they discuss Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider casting, the official collapse of Mahershala Ali’s Blade, Marvel’s changing television plans, and the spoiler-filled arrival of ****** in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. NEWS • The Avengers: Doomsday trailer and poster reveal new clues about Doctor Doom, Battleworld, Steve Rogers, Thor, and Loki. • Ryan Gosling officially joins the MCU as Ghost Rider, while Mahershala Ali’s long-delayed Blade movie is finally declared dead. • Black Panther 3, the X-Men reboot, Deadpool 4, Vision Quest, and Wonder Man all receive major Comic-Con updates. • Full spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, including the movie’s possible Oscorp setup. • Tom Holland discusses Spider-Man’s future, Miles Morales, and the succession plan for whoever eventually follows Peter Parker. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery - Facebook: /thehubbubbery - thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a late-summer trip to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? The experts at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help with hotel reservations, theme park tickets, and the details that make a Central Florida vacation easier. Let them know Dan and Jim sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor return with animation news from San Diego Comic-Con, Netflix House Philadelphia, and the latest streaming and box-office releases. Drew shares what it was like moderating DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island panel for a packed Ballroom 20 crowd, while Jim explores how animated characters become theme park attractions and merchandise. Then the episode travels back to Disney’s postwar era for the story of character actor Billy Gilbert, whose booming personality and famous comic sneeze helped bring Sneezy and Willie the Giant to life. NEWS • Drew Taylor recounts moderating the Forgotten Island panel at San Diego Comic-Con. • Jim visits Universal Studios Theme Park: The Exhibition and explores how animation is translated into rides, animatronics, costumes, and merchandise. • Netflix House Philadelphia brings The Mitchells vs. the Machines and other Netflix films to the big screen inside the Tudum Theater. • Toy Story 5 crosses the billion-dollar mark as Minions & Monsters continues its worldwide theatrical run. • Dragon Striker earns a second season following its Disney+ debut and Comic-Con promotional push. FEATURE • How vaudeville performer and character actor Billy Gilbert became the original voice of Sneezy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. • Why Walt Disney remembered Gilbert when the studio needed a performer who could make Willie the Giant both threatening and childlike. • The long development journey that transformed The Legend of Happy Valley into the Mickey and the Beanstalk segment of Fun and Fancy Free. • How Willie the Giant continued appearing in Disney projects and theme park locations long after Gilbert’s final performance. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Let the experts at BeOurGuestVacations.com help with your hotel, theme park tickets, and vacation planning. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and guest co-host Drew Taylor explore the newly updated version of “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including fresh dialogue designed to make the show’s storyline easier to follow. They also examine the water-pressure failure that temporarily disrupted operations across Disneyland and Anaheim, along with Disney’s long history of conserving and recycling water inside its parks. Then Jim completes his history of “Turtle Talk with Crush,” tracing the interactive show from EPCOT and Disney California Adventure to cruise ships and children’s hospitals. NEWS • “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” receives new introductory dialogue from Mayor Winddancer. • Judy Hopps’ closing lines are revised to clarify Dawn Bellwether’s role in disrupting Zootopia Day. • The changes may help prepare the attraction for a possible future home at Disney California Adventure. • A citywide water-pressure drop temporarily closes Disneyland restaurants and restrooms. • Universal Studios Hollywood begins soft-opening “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.” FEATURE • “Turtle Talk with Crush” evolves from an unrealized Columbia-based attraction into a global Disney favorite. • The interactive show expands from EPCOT and Disney California Adventure to Hong Kong, Tokyo and Disney Cruise Line. • Disney adapts Crush’s conversations for cruise-ship dining rooms and smaller audiences. • A Children’s Hospital of Orange County installation gives young patients a more intimate opportunity to interact with Crush. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR The Disney Dish news is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com. Their vacation-planning team can help make your next Walt Disney World trip a little more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey take listeners inside Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute, an interactive look at how Universal Creative designs modern attractions. Along the way, they explore concept art, animatronics, coaster engineering, projection mapping, Halloween Horror Nights props, and development materials from Epic Universe. Jim and Eric also discuss the new Ozzy Osbourne Halloween Horror Nights houses, the noisy debut of Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift, Comcast’s latest theme park results, and Universal’s new Al Roker-led video series. NEWS • Halloween Horror Nights officially announces Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness houses for Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. • The two Ozzy Osbourne houses will feature different scenes, music, imagery, and interpretations of the rock icon’s career. • Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift begins soft openings at Universal Studios Hollywood, reaching speeds of up to 72 miles per hour. • Nearby Toluca Lake residents and golfers report hearing screams from the new coaster beyond the park. • Universal explores potential movie adaptations based on classic Atari properties, including Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, Pong, and Yars’ Revenge. FEATURE • Jim and Eric tour Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute. • The exhibition traces the attraction-development process from early blue-sky concepts to completed rides and themed environments. • Displays feature concept art, mood boards, scale models, ride vehicles, animatronics, projection technology, costumes, and Halloween Horror Nights artifacts. • Interactive stations allow guests to operate animatronics, design roller coasters, experiment with lighting, and create themed merchandise. • Epic Universe receives significant attention through materials connected to Dark Universe, the Ministry of Magic, and other new attractions. • The exhibition highlights the engineering, storytelling, technology, food, merchandise, and live entertainment behind Universal’s theme parks. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter and Instagram: @erichersey - strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Plan your next Universal Orlando vacation with personalized concierge service from Be Our Guest Vacations. Their travel professionals can help arrange resort stays, theme park tickets, and special extras for your Universal adventure. Be sure to mention the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore how Disney is rethinking retail, from temporary Disney Store locations and outlet oddities to Imagineering’s new Yen Sid lifestyle brand. They also recap their Pennsylvania road trip, including Netflix House, the surviving Disney Store outlet in Lancaster, and some surprisingly stubborn souvenir prices. Then Jim continues the story of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, revealing how prefabricated rooms, U.S. Steel, and a costly construction crisis nearly derailed Walt Disney World’s opening. NEWS • Disney Store pop-ups in Pittsburgh and Paramus appear set to remain open through the 2026 holiday season. • Lauren and Jim assess whether Pennsylvania’s isolated Disney Store outlet is worth a dedicated road trip. • Disneyland merchandise turns up in surprising quantities at an East Coast Disney outlet. • Netflix House offers a compelling new model for immersive entertainment, dining, and retail inside a former department store. • Walt Disney Imagineering introduces Yen Sid, a subtle lifestyle apparel brand designed for knowledgeable Disney fans. FEATURE • Why Disney’s Contemporary Resort was briefly promoted as the Tempo Bay Resort. • How U.S. Steel’s prefabricated hotel-room system fell behind schedule before Walt Disney World’s opening. • Why Roy O. Disney authorized a $100 million buyout to regain control of the Contemporary and Polynesian projects. • How rushed construction led Disney to begin repairing Contemporary Resort rooms less than two years after opening. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Plan your next Disney or Universal vacation, cruise, or adventure with the experienced team at BeOurGuestVacations.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do Disney fans actually enjoy listening to trip report podcasts? Lauren and Eric dig into podcast popularity data, compare several long-running Disney shows, and debate what makes a trip report worth hearing. Then they put the format to the test with stories and practical takeaways from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, Bay Lake Tower, Walt Disney World, and Universal Orlando during the summer heat. HIGHLIGHTS • What Listen Notes rankings suggest about the popularity of Disney trip report podcasts • Why useful tips and honest opinions matter more than a minute-by-minute vacation recap • Disney’s Vero Beach Resort wins over even a dedicated beach skeptic • First impressions of Bay Lake Tower, including its rooms, views, location, and resort perks • Summer crowds, dining discounts, heat strategies, and hotel experiences at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando 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 by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenny Snyder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

Finding the perfect spot for Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy Parade is a case of location, timing, and avoiding the Florida sun. Len Testa and Chris Cox compare parade-viewing locations from Frontierland to Main Street, while Jim Hill considers how construction and changing crowd patterns could affect their advice. They also explore whether skipping the parade entirely may be the smarter strategy for guests hoping to take advantage of lower attraction wait times. HIGHLIGHTS • Why the curb near Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe may offer the best combination of shade, food, and parade views. • How Frontierland construction and reduced viewing space could make arriving early more important. • The advantages and drawbacks of watching from Liberty Square, the central hub, and Main Street, U.S.A. • Why the porch near Tony’s Town Square may be one parade-viewing location to avoid. • How attraction wait times can dip while the Festival of Fantasy Parade moves through the park. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - touringplans.com • Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox - Instagram: @magiccox - magiccox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill examine a revealing new Disney survey asking whether guests trust DisneyWorld.com, whether the site acts in their best interest, and whether it should be considered the definitive source for vacation planning. They also discuss Disney’s questions about Epic Universe, softer attendance and dining demand, and the growing complexity of planning a theme park vacation. Then Jim continues the history of Imagineering’s Living Characters Initiative by tracing the path from Mickey’s Toon Elevator and Fashion Chat with Cruella de Vil to Stitch’s Photophone, the interactive Disneyland experiment that helped pave the way for Turtle Talk with Crush. NEWS • Disney surveys guests about whether they trust DisneyWorld.com to provide transparent, accurate, and helpful vacation information. • New survey questions explore whether Disney’s website should be considered the source of truth over independent planning sites. • Disney asks Epic Universe visitors whether Universal added days to their vacations or pulled attendance away from Walt Disney World. • Comcast reports continued strength at Epic Universe alongside softer performance across the broader Universal Orlando Resort. • Slower table-service dining demand raises questions about Lightning Lane habits, pricing, GLP-1 medications, and Disney’s future restaurant strategy. FEATURE • Imagineering searches for the right Disney character to lead a real-time interactive experience. • Mickey Mouse proves too polite, while Cruella de Vil proves too intimidating for younger guests. • Stitch’s Photophone opens inside Disneyland’s Innoventions shortly after the release of Lilo & Stitch. • Cast members use cameras, voice performance, pre-animated movements, and personalized jokes to bring Stitch to life. • The attraction’s limited capacity helps Imagineering rethink the format and develop the larger-scale experience that became Turtle Talk with Crush. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Plan your next Disney vacation with BeOurGuestVacations.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Universal Orlando is putting Fast & Furious - Supercharged in park, and Jim Hill and Eric Hersey revisit how the troubled attraction made the jump from the Universal Studios Hollywood tram tour to a standalone Florida ride. They also unpack a rush of Halloween Horror Nights announcements, including Fortnite and Evil Dead, plus the apparent early reveal of an Ozzy Osbourne house. Along the way, the hosts discuss The Odyssey's blockbuster debut, new ride-system speculation, and a listener-assisted correction to their He-Man history. NEWS • Fortnite's Fortnitemares is headed to Halloween Horror Nights as a scare zone on both coasts. • Evil Dead Burn joins the Halloween Horror Nights 35 haunted-house lineup. • A prematurely released audio advertisement appears to have revealed an Ozzy Osbourne-themed house. • Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey delivers a massive opening weekend for Universal Pictures. • A new equipment permit fuels speculation about future Pokémon or Zelda attractions. FEATURE • Fast & Furious - Supercharged will operate for the final time at Universal Studios Florida on August 16, 2026. • Jim traces the attraction's evolution from the grand finale of Universal Studios Hollywood's tram tour to its costly Orlando counterpart. • The hosts examine why a screen-based party bus never delivered the Fast & Furious experience guests expected. • With Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift testing in California and another coaster rising in Florida, Universal is finally putting guests inside the franchise's cars. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter and Instagram: @erichersey - strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Save up to 12% on theme park tickets and explore a limited-time Universal Orlando offer featuring five days for the price of three at UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A major Space Mountain refurbishment may be under consideration at Walt Disney World, and the rumor has Disney fans wondering how much of the classic attraction could change. Lauren and Eric break down reports of a possible retrack, redesigned queue and loading areas, updated ride vehicles, and new audio. They also discuss what an extended closure could mean for the PeopleMover and the larger future of Tomorrowland. Then, inspired by Space Mountain’s notoriously rough ride, they compare the Disney attractions most likely to leave guests sore, dizzy, or searching for a chiropractor. HIGHLIGHTS • The latest rumor surrounding a major Space Mountain refurbishment at Walt Disney World. • What a possible retrack, redesigned queue, updated vehicles, and new audio could mean for the attraction. • Why fans want Disney to preserve Space Mountain’s music, atmosphere, and classic Tomorrowland identity. • How an extended Space Mountain closure could affect the PeopleMover. • Whether Disney could add Star Wars, WALL-E, or another intellectual property to the ride. • Space Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Dinosaur, and Goofy’s Sky School compete for Disney’s roughest ride. • Mission: SPACE, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, Smugglers Run, and Summit Plummet also earn painful reputations. 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 by ⁠⁠⁠Jenny Snyder⁠⁠⁠ 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 Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack a whirlwind week of Disney and Universal discoveries, from a chaotic Lorcana release to a little-known Walt Disney World store hidden inside an Orlando parking garage. Lauren shares highlights from her latest theme park merchandise haul, including deeply discounted Universal gear and retro-inspired Contemporary Resort merchandise. Then Jim digs into the surprisingly smelly construction history connecting Seven Seas Lagoon, EPCOT, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Walt Disney World’s original hotels. NEWS • A limited-edition Disney Lorcana release creates massive crowds at Disney Springs and forces the cancellation of a London event. • Jim and Lauren consider whether artificial scarcity and reseller demand are helping fuel Lorcana’s popularity. • Lauren discovers an official Walt Disney World merchandise and ticket location hidden inside an International Drive parking garage. • Universal Orlando’s Brown Derby shop offers select current merchandise at discounts of up to 70 percent. • The Contemporary Resort leans into vintage Disney style with monorail merchandise, classic photography, and deep-cut references. FEATURE • The excavation of Seven Seas Lagoon required moving millions of cubic yards of ancient organic material. • EPCOT guests encountered an unforgettable odor when construction crews disturbed old World Showcase Lagoon debris during development of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. • Jim explains how Walt Disney World’s original hotels were designed to extend the storytelling beyond the Magic Kingdom. • Early resort concepts included Persian, Thai, Dutch, Cape Cod, and South Seas destinations positioned around Bay Lake. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Save up to 12 percent on Disney and Universal theme park tickets through UnlockedMagic.com, powered by the trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Dan Graney examine the Avengers: Doomsday poster everyone may have looked at wrong, including a nearly hidden Loki positioned at the center of the multiverse and a newly powered-up Thor. They also discuss Marvel Comics leaving New York for Burbank, Kevin Feige’s apparent Spider-Man: Brand New Day spoiler, and the increasingly wild X-Men casting rumors ahead of San Diego Comic-Con. Plus, Dan challenges the online narrative surrounding Supergirl and explains why theatrical box office may no longer tell the whole story. HIGHLIGHTS • Marvel Comics prepares to leave New York City after nearly 90 years and relocate its publishing operation to Burbank. • Stephen Wacker takes over as Marvel editor-in-chief while C.B. Cebulski shifts his focus to manga and Asian publishing projects. • Loki may be hiding in plain sight at the exact center of the Avengers: Doomsday ensemble poster. • Thor’s orange lightning could signal the arrival of the Odinforce and the MCU’s most powerful version of the character yet. • Andy Park’s final major Marvel Studios artwork carries an unexpectedly poignant Endgame connection. • Kevin Feige may have revealed Yelena Belova’s surprise appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. • X-Men casting rumors intensify ahead of Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con. • Vision Quest gets an October release date, Élodie Yung returns as Elektra, and Nova reportedly evolves from a series into a feature film. • Supergirl, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Masters of the Universe raise bigger questions about online negativity, streaming strategy, and how studios now measure success. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery - Facebook: /thehubbubbery - thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets through UnlockedMagic.com. Select your dates, purchase your tickets, and let the Unlocked Magic team know that Jim and Dan sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Netflix animation is having another monster year, with Nathan Greno’s body-swap comedy “Swapped” racing up the platform’s all-time rankings behind “KPop Demon Hunters.” Jim Hill and Drew Taylor also examine Disney’s uncertain live-action remake strategy, the return of “Hotel Transylvania” and a new theatrical Looney Tunes short. Plus, Drew shares highlights from his conversation with Greno about the making of Netflix’s latest animated hit. HIGHLIGHTS • “The Odyssey” dominates the worldwide box office while Disney’s live-action “Moana” suffers a steep second-weekend decline. • Disney moves ahead with “Tangled” and a possible continuation of “The Princess and the Frog” despite uneven remake results. • “Toy Story 5” approaches the billion-dollar mark as “Minions & Monsters” falls short of franchise expectations. • Sony and Amazon MGM prepare “The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania” for a theatrical release in 2027. • Disney Junior tests a YouTube-first launch strategy with the new animated preschool series “Ozzy Fox.” • Director Nathan Greno discusses the creation and unexpected streaming success of “Swapped.” • “Daffy Season” brings the Looney Tunes back to theaters with a modern spin on the classic rabbit-season-versus-duck-season routine. • Titmouse joins Meow Wolf’s upcoming Los Angeles exhibition as an animation and creative-design partner. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter and Instagram: @DrewTailored - drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Save up to 12% on Disney and Universal theme park tickets with UnlockedMagic.com. Their experienced team can help you find great ticket prices and make planning your next Florida vacation less stressful. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disneyland’s sold-out evening tickets, Walt Disney World dining trends, and a possible Space Mountain overhaul lead off this week’s Disney Dish. Len and Jim also answer listener questions about Cars Road Trip and Victoria & Albert’s before returning to the history of Imagineering’s Living Character Initiative. In the main feature, Jim explains how Turtle Talk with Crush emerged amid the deteriorating relationship between Michael Eisner, Steve Jobs, and Pixar. NEWS • Why Disneyland’s $59 evening tickets may owe their existence to Bluey and stroller traffic. • What the Coral Reef Restaurant’s move to seasonal operations could reveal about Lightning Lane spending and declining demand for table-service dining. • How a major Space Mountain refurbishment could improve reliability, capacity, and Tomorrowland operations. • Universal Studios Florida moves up the closing date for Fast & Furious - Supercharged. • Could Universal retain The Simpsons, or might Back to the Future eventually replace Springfield? FEATURE • How Finding Nemo became Pixar’s biggest hit despite Michael Eisner’s doubts about the film. • Why Steve Jobs held Cars back as leverage during Disney and Pixar’s contract negotiations. • How Disney’s Circle 7 Animation plans further damaged its relationship with Pixar. • Why Eisner approved Turtle Talk with Crush without seeking Pixar’s input, and how the experimental attraction outlasted Stitch’s Great Escape. For this episode’s full show notes, click here.HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Save on discounted Disney and Universal theme park tickets through UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey cover the latest Universal Orlando Resort news before digging into a surprisingly rich piece of Universal Studios Hollywood history: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe briefly taking over the upper lot during the 1985 holiday season. They start with Fourth of July offerings at Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, CityWalk, and Bar 17 Bistro, then look at Illumination’s box-office track record, Epic Universe guest surveys, and how Universal is comparing itself against Disney. The featured story traces He-Man’s Conan-inspired roots, Mattel’s toy-driven rise, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade connection, and why Masters of the Universe has never quite found a permanent theme park home. NEWS • Universal Orlando’s Fourth of July plans included patriotic stilt walkers, fireworks at Epic Universe, lagoon entertainment at Universal Studios Florida, and family-friendly festivities at CityWalk. • Jim highlights Bar 17 Bistro at Aventura Hotel as one of the best rooftop spots for seeing fireworks across Central Florida. • Minions and Monsters opens the discussion of Illumination’s reliable box-office machine and the studio’s next wave of films, including Sing 3, The Secret Life of Pets 3, and Not Alone. • Eric shares new Epic Universe survey questions about park hours, nighttime entertainment, guest satisfaction, and whether visitors leave for other Orlando-area options. • Jim and Eric discuss why How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk has become a new themed entertainment benchmark, and how Disney’s upcoming Villains Land may be compared against it. FEATURE • The feature begins with old photos of He-Man, Skeletor, Orko, She-Ra, and other Masters of the Universe characters appearing at Universal Studios Hollywood. • Jim and Eric trace the sword-and-sorcery path from Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories to Universal’s Conan the Barbarian films and the long-running Adventures of Conan stage show. • Eric explains how Mattel’s abandoned Conan toy plans helped lead to He-Man, Castle Grayskull, and the Masters of the Universe toy line. • The episode revisits the Filmation cartoon, the toy-and-TV boom of the 1980s, and the way He-Man became a playground staple for a generation. • Jim and Eric connect the 1985 Universal Studios Hollywood He-Man meet-and-greet to the Masters of the Universe Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float. • The conversation looks back at Gary Goddard’s 1987 Masters of the Universe movie, starring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella, and why it struggled despite the franchise’s popularity. • Eric explains why He-Man is unlikely to become a major Universal attraction, even as Masters of the Universe merchandise appears in Universal parks. • The discussion closes with Mattel Adventure Park’s proposed He-Man vs. Skeletor laser tag experience and what a future Castle Grayskull attraction might look like. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey, Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Thanks to UnlockedMagic.com, where Epic Universal Podcast listeners can save on theme park tickets for Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick off this week’s I Want That Too with concert merch sticker shock, a new family dog named Luna, and a surprising amount of Disney pet gear at Petco. They also dig into Disney’s new auction partnership with Heritage Auctions and the build-a-bag trend popping up in the parks. Then Jim traces the history of Walt Disney World’s value resorts, from the All-Stars to Pop Century to Art of Animation, and explains how 9/11 unexpectedly changed Disney’s hotel strategy. NEWS • Lauren shares the story of Luna the Wonder Dog and the Disney pet merchandise she discovered at Petco. • Disney fans may soon be able to bid on real theme park props and set pieces through a new Heritage Auctions partnership. • Jim explains why Disney Archives cannot keep everything, and how auctions can help fund the recovery of historically important items. • Disney’s new Build-A-Bag line brings mix-and-match customization to park handbags, straps, charms, and wallets. FEATURE • Jim revisits how Disney’s moderate resorts led directly to the creation of the All-Star value hotels. • The episode explores why Pop Century was built near Wide World of Sports, and how cheerleading and youth sports helped shape Disney’s hotel planning. • Jim explains how 9/11 stalled Pop Century’s expansion and left the Legendary Years section unfinished for years. • The story wraps with the rise of family suites and how Disney transformed that abandoned hotel space into Art of Animation. HOSTS • Jim Hill - @JimHillMedia • Lauren Hersey - @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Before you book your next Disney or Universal vacation, visit UnlockedMagic.com, powered by the trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store. They have helped guests save more than $20 million on theme park tickets, making your next trip just a little more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Drew and Jim to discuss the latest news in animation and check in on the box office of a live action adaptation that didn’t do quite as well as Disney may have hoped. They also take a close look at the career of actor Sterling Holloway and how his role as a tree in a Shirley Temple film The Blue Bird led to a call from Walt Disney. NEWS • Reflections on Sam Neill and Disney Legend Don Iwerks after their passing • Disney’s live action Moana underperforms at the box office • The internet is in an uproar about the upcoming Tangled because of the sets   FEATURE Jim discusses the career of actor Sterling Holloway who voiced many classic characters including the Cheshire Cat and was also the original voice of Winnie the Pooh! His work on that show led to a surprise call from a very important fan during his recovery from a heart attack, and he was even inducted as a Disney Legend in 1991. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @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 - StrongMindedAgency.com SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, the go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 theme park vacation is on your radar, their team can help you save money while making the planning process easier. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Jim Hill Media Sponsorship Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to meeting Disney characters at Walt Disney World, is it better to wait in line or let Mickey come to your table? Jim Hill presides as Chris Cox and Len Testa debate the case for traditional meet-and-greets versus character dining, weighing time, money, air conditioning, and those priceless vacation photos. Along the way, they salute the cast members who make these magical moments happen, even in heavy costumes under the Central Florida sun. HIGHLIGHTS • Why character meet-and-greets can create unforgettable moments, but also unpredictable waits. • The case for character dining as a smarter use of vacation time, especially for families with younger kids. • Len breaks down why posted character wait times can vary depending on popularity and guest interactions. • Chris shares how character meals helped his daughters warm up to Disney characters over time. • Jim looks back at the evolution of scheduled Mickey meet-and-greets at Walt Disney World. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.com • Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox, Instagram: @magiccox, Website: magiccox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disneyland’s bargain evening tickets disappear, Universal Orlando rolls out an unusually affordable Florida resident pass, and Epic Universe lights up the night with Celestial Goodnight. Len and Jim also examine revealing Disney and Universal guest surveys, a fog-screen patent that may be connected to Tropical Americas, and some wonderfully strange theme park history. Then Jim continues the story of Disney’s Living Character Initiative, tracing how Finding Nemo pushed Imagineering to bring animated characters into the parks faster than ever before. NEWS • Disneyland’s $59 evening tickets have sold out for the remainder of 2026. • Epic Universe debuts Celestial Goodnight, a new nighttime spectacular featuring fountains, fireworks, lighting effects, and the Helios Grand Hotel. • Universal Orlando introduces a $199 Florida resident pass offering unlimited visits to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure through December 16. • New Disney and Universal surveys raise questions about Lightning Lane planning, hotel benefits, dining revenue, and the value of Universal Express. • A Disney patent describes a 360-degree image projected onto a laminar-flow fog screen, potentially for a future animal-filled attraction. FEATURE • Universal’s rapid transformation of popular movies into theme park attractions forced Disney to reconsider its traditionally slow development process. • Finding Nemo became Pixar’s biggest hit to date, leaving Disney Parks searching for a faster way to bring Nemo and his friends to guests. • Before a permanent attraction could be built, Disney experimented with a tiny drivable Nemo character in the Magic Kingdom and at the Transportation and Ticket Center. • Imagineering’s solution became Turtle Talk with Crush, a groundbreaking interactive experience developed in roughly ten months and still entertaining guests today. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Save on admission to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Orlando, and select special events with UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey cover a busy week of Universal news, from Epic Universe’s long-awaited Celestial Goodnight fireworks debut to Universal Fan Fest Nights coming to Orlando this fall. They also check in on Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift testing at Universal Studios Hollywood, and Super Nintendo World heading to Singapore. Then Jim uses last week’s Backdraft discussion as a springboard for a look at Ron Howard’s decades-long relationship with Universal, from Parenthood and Backdraft to Apollo 13, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and beyond. NEWS • Epic Universe officially debuts Celestial Goodnight, its nighttime fireworks and fountain spectacular. • Universal Orlando announces Universal Fan Fest Nights, a limited-capacity after-hours event coming to Epic Universe this fall. • Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift begins testing at Universal Studios Hollywood, though early reports suggest it may not be as silent as advertised. • Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas adds a limited-time Resident Evil takeover with themed zones, puzzles, food, and characters. • Universal Studios Singapore announces plans for a Super Nintendo World expansion, raising questions about what new ride systems may eventually travel stateside. FEATURE • Jim traces Ron Howard’s path from child actor on The Andy Griffith Show to Happy Days star and eventual director. • The discussion follows Howard’s early directing career through Grand Theft Auto, Night Shift, Splash, Cocoon, and Willow. • Jim explains how Parenthood became the first movie shot at Universal Studios Florida before the park officially opened. • The episode connects Backdraft to Howard’s long Universal run, including Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey, Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Universal or Disney trip? Epic Universal Podcast listeners can save up to 12% on theme park tickets, including select after-hours events, through UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren and Eric look at a strange stretch of incidents around Walt Disney World, including the portable charger fire at “it’s a small world” and the surprisingly positive response to how Disney handled it. From there, the conversation turns into a bigger look at Disney media, clickbait headlines, repetitive blog posts, ad-heavy articles, Reddit threads, AI answers, and why fans are shifting toward creators they trust. It is a very Diz and Hers blend of park news, internet snark, and a real discussion about how Disney fans find reliable information now. HIGHLIGHTS A portable phone charger reportedly caught fire while guests were boarding “it’s a small world” at Magic Kingdom. Cast members quickly handled the incident, evacuated guests calmly, and the attraction reopened later that day. Lauren and Eric discuss whether Disney could ever restrict outside portable chargers, and why that seems unlikely for now. Recent Walt Disney World incidents, including resort issues, fire alarms, lightning impacts, and attraction disruptions, set the stage for the conversation. Disney fans are growing frustrated with repetitive blog coverage that stretches simple news into multiple ad-filled paragraphs. Lauren and Eric unpack how SEO, Google search habits, ad revenue, and AI answers have changed the way Disney news gets written and discovered. Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, podcasts, and trusted individual creators are becoming more important as fans look for real context and honest perspective. The episode asks what makes a Disney content creator worth following when everyone starts with the same basic facts. 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 by ⁠⁠⁠Jenny Snyder⁠⁠⁠ 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 Hill and Lauren Hersey kick off this week’s I Want That Too with a post-Fourth-of-July check-in, one very late ghost train, and a look ahead to Disney’s fast-arriving Halloween season. They dig into the latest D23: The Ultimate Fan Event merchandise previews, the surprisingly early Walt Disney World Halloween drop, and the return of 1990s-style Disney windbreakers. Then Jim explains how Disney’s moderate and value resorts reshaped Walt Disney World’s future, from Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans to the rise of the All-Star Resorts. NEWS • D23: The Ultimate Fan Event merchandise gets a stronger branded push this year, with new collections from Loungefly, Lug, Spirit Jersey, Nike, Lululemon, and more. • Disney’s WED Enterprises and Walt’s Office collections are drawing early collector buzz, including items inspired by Walt Disney’s everyday satchel and chili recipe. • Halloween merchandise has arrived at Walt Disney World earlier than ever, including Headless Horseman apparel, Cutie Ghost items, and a curious villains-as-beverages design. • Lauren compares Disney’s 2025 and 2026 Halloween merch timelines and asks whether August Halloween parties have permanently changed the retail calendar. • Retro 1990s-style Disney windbreakers are back at Disney Springs, raising a bigger question about which Disney Parks souvenirs from that era became true collectibles. FEATURE • Jim traces how Michael Eisner and the Bass brothers changed Walt Disney World’s hotel strategy by keeping more guests and more vacation dollars on property. • The story begins with Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney World’s first moderate resort, and its strategic location near EPCOT, Disney-MGM Studios, Typhoon Lagoon, and Pleasure Island. • Port Orleans and Dixie Landings expanded Disney’s moderate resort footprint, giving the company thousands of additional rooms aimed at a different vacation budget. • The All-Star Resorts were Disney’s answer to Kissimmee and St. Cloud value hotels, bringing oversized icons, lower nightly rates, and a distinctly Eisner-era design language to the property. • Jim shares a backstage story about spotting Michael Eisner’s All-Star Music test room, complete with the giant maraca that would later define the resort’s look. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2, Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Before you book your next Disney or Universal vacation, visit UnlockedMagic.com. Powered by the same trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store, Unlocked Magic helps guests save on theme park tickets and make their next Central Florida trip a little more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Dan Graney return from the Fourth of July weekend with Avengers on the brain, Spider-Man breaking trailer records, and X-Men ’97 stretching Marvel history across thousands of years. They dig into the rumored new Endgame Encore tag, how Spider-Man: Brand New Day may be quietly setting up the MCU’s mutant era, and why X-Men ’97 Season 2 feels like both a great show and a smart primer for Doomsday. Then Jim and Dan crown their first-ever Doctor Doom of the Week as Sony’s latest digital ownership moves spark a bigger conversation about physical media, preservation, and the original 1977 Star Wars returning to theaters. NEWS • Avengers: Endgame Encore is headed back to theaters with new footage, a fresh intro, and an exclusive end tag tied to Avengers: Doomsday. • Jim and Dan revisit their Doctor Doom theory as fans wonder whether Tony Stark’s famous hammering sound could be recontextualized for Victor von Doom. • Spider-Man: Brand New Day is breaking trailer records while hinting at mutating DNA, Damage Control, inhibitor tech, and the MCU’s coming mutant era. • Tom Holland says he wants to help bring Miles Morales into the MCU, echoing the mentor role Robert Downey Jr. played for him. • X-Men ’97 Season 2 launches with a time-hopping three-episode premiere that moves from the future to 1997 to ancient Egypt. FEATURE • Sony earns the first Doctor Doom of the Week title after paid digital movies begin disappearing from PlayStation libraries due to expired licensing. • Jim and Dan unpack why GTA 6’s reported physical release raises concerns about empty boxes, download codes, and the decline of game discs. • The conversation turns to preservation, ownership, and what gets lost when digital storefronts replace shelves of movies, games, and Blu-rays. • Disney’s planned IMAX release of the original 1977 theatrical cut of Star Wars offers a hopeful counterpoint for fans of film history and physical media. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery, Facebook: /thehubbubbery, Website: thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets with UnlockedMagic.com, from the team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor take a Fourth of July detour on Fine Tooning for a deep dive into the first 50 years of Disney animation directors. With Ron Clements’ memoir now pushed to October and The Great Mouse Detective celebrating its 40th anniversary, Jim and Drew trace how Disney’s animated features evolved from Walt’s hands-on oversight to the rise of the CalArts generation. Along the way, they revisit Snow White, Dumbo, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, The Rescuers, The Black Cauldron, and the film that helped set the stage for Disney animation’s next era. HIGHLIGHTS • Ron Clements’ long-awaited memoir, Making Disney Magic, gets another release-date delay. • The Great Mouse Detective turns 40, giving Jim and Drew the perfect excuse to revisit Disney animation’s directing history. • Walt Disney’s role in shaping Snow White, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi gets a fresh look. • The wartime package films reveal how Disney kept animation alive during a difficult stretch for the studio. • The conversation follows the handoff from veteran Disney directors to the CalArts generation that changed feature animation. FEATURE • How early Disney animated features used supervising directors, sequence directors, and Walt’s final creative say. • Why Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, and Sleeping Beauty marked a major postwar rebuilding period. • How Wolfgang Reitherman’s run helped define the studio’s animated output after Walt’s death. • Why The Rescuers, The Fox and the Hound, The Black Cauldron, and The Great Mouse Detective became turning points for the next generation of Disney storytellers. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored, Instagram: @drewtailored, Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com. If a Disney or Universal trip is on your radar for 2026, Unlocked Magic helps you lock in great ticket prices without the stress, all handled by people who know the parks and how to save you money. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill start this week’s Disney Dish with news from Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Orlando, and the wider entertainment industry before digging into listener questions and recent theme park patent applications. They discuss Typhoon Lagoon’s upcoming maintenance closure, Disneyland’s unusual evening ticket offer, the new pirate-to-skeleton effect in Pirates of the Caribbean, and Universal’s long-awaited Hellraiser Halloween Horror Nights house. Then Jim continues his history of Disney’s Living Character Initiative with a look at Pixar Place, Toy Story Mania, and the short-lived Luxo Jr. figure that hopped into Hollywood Studios history. NEWS • Typhoon Lagoon is scheduled to close for annual maintenance on September 9, 2026, leaving Blizzard Beach as Walt Disney World’s open water park. • Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party sees another sold-out date, with Len and Jim looking at why early weekend parties disappear quickly. • Level99 opens at Disney Springs, prompting a discussion about interactive play spaces, Disney Quest, and why Disney IP is not part of the experience. • Disneyland introduces a $59 evening ticket for select summer nights, suggesting softer attendance in Southern California. • Universal Orlando announces Hellraiser for Halloween Horror Nights, giving Pinhead a long-awaited haunted house spotlight. FEATURE • Jim revisits the Living Character Initiative after Disney’s 2006 Pixar acquisition reshaped priorities inside Imagineering. • Mickey’s Midway Mania becomes Toy Story Mania as Pixar characters move to the center of Disney’s park strategy. • Hollywood Studios’ Pixar Place is designed as a tribute to Pixar’s Emeryville campus, complete with a Florida version of Toy Story Mania. • The Luxo Jr. figure debuts as a six-foot-tall living character but vanishes after only about ten months due to weather exposure and trademark complications. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, from our friends at DVC Rental Store. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/DISNEYDISH⁠⁠⁠⁠ Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey break down Comcast’s planned split from NBCUniversal and Sky, and what that could mean for Universal’s theme park business. They look at how a standalone NBCUniversal might affect future park investment, especially after years of Comcast enthusiasm for rides, lands, and Epic Universe. The episode also covers a big week of Halloween Horror Nights announcements, new Universal CityWalk updates, and animation news from Annecy. Then Jim shares the fiery history of how Ron Howard’s Backdraft became a Universal Studios Hollywood attraction. NEWS • Comcast plans to split NBCUniversal and Sky into a standalone publicly traded media company. • Jim and Eric discuss how this could reshape Universal Parks funding, strategy, and future growth. • Halloween Horror Nights announces Hellraiser for both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. • Universal reveals original HHN houses including Invasion: Alien Abduction and Cyber Goria. • Universal CityWalk Orlando appears to be improving its bus terminal entry ahead of peak crowds. FEATURE • Jim looks back at Ron Howard’s 1991 film Backdraft and how Universal turned it into a lower lot attraction. • The Backdraft attraction used intense flame effects, controlled heat, and a surprise platform drop to put guests in the middle of a warehouse fire. • The episode revisits the 1990 Universal backlot fire and the rapid rebuilding of New York Street. • Jim explains how Backdraft opened during Universal Studios Hollywood’s push to become a full motion-picture-based theme park. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey, Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Epic Universal listeners can save up to 12% on theme park tickets, plus save on after-hours events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, with UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren and Eric take on two Disney resort stories that had the online community fired up this week. First, they unpack why the Grand Floridian gingerbread house may be going away for reasons that have less to do with gingerbread and more to do with crowd flow, guest satisfaction, and deluxe resort expectations. Then they turn to Wilderness Lodge, where a multi-day air conditioning outage during extreme Florida heat raised big questions about communication, compensation, and what guests should expect from a premium Disney resort. HIGHLIGHTS The Grand Floridian gingerbread house will not return for the 2026 holiday season. Lauren and Eric discuss whether the beloved holiday tradition became too successful for its own good. The Disney community debates whether deluxe resort lobbies should prioritize paying hotel guests over day visitors. The new Grand Floridian lobby bar and changing guest-flow needs may have helped push Disney toward smaller gingerbread displays. Wilderness Lodge guests faced a major air conditioning outage during one of the hottest weeks of the year. Disney’s response included fans, compensation, and relocation offers, but guest experiences varied widely. 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 by Jenny Snyder 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 Hill and Lauren Hersey kick things off with Fourth of July traditions, viral Disney merch, and the growing strategy behind park-specific popcorn buckets and venue-branded souvenirs. Lauren digs into the early arrival of 2027 Walt Disney World merchandise, the mini Mickey ear keychains taking over social media, and why Hollywood Studios suddenly feels like a collectible popcorn bucket hotspot. Then Jim shares the story of Disney Texposition, a proposed Dallas-area regional entertainment concept that could have brought a little bit of Walt Disney World magic to Texas decades before Universal Kids Resort. NEWS • Disney’s 2027 dated merchandise has already started appearing at Walt Disney World, beginning with a calendar that may hint at next year’s design direction. • Lauren breaks down the viral mini Mickey and Minnie headband keychains, including why the plain black Mickey version became the must-find souvenir. • Hollywood Studios continues to lean into specialty popcorn buckets, from Lightning McQueen to Bullseye, Sam Eagle, Star Wars, and more. • Jim and Lauren discuss whether Disney is using park-exclusive buckets and merchandise to move guests around Walt Disney World. • Baseline Tap House gets its moment in the spotlight as Jim explains the Disney MGM Studios history hiding behind that surprisingly specific t-shirt. FEATURE • Jim tells the story of Disney Texposition, a planned Dallas-area regional entertainment center developed with the Rouse Company in the late 1980s. • The project would have blended Pleasure Island, Disney MGM Studios, character dining, themed shopping, live shows, and simulator attractions into a smaller regional Disney experience. • Disney considered the Texas concept as a possible gateway that could encourage families to book larger trips to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. • Jim explains how Disneyland Paris financial troubles helped derail Disney Texposition, just before Disney shifted focus to another regional project: Disney’s America. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2, Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a trip down to Florida to visit the parks is on your radar for the summer of 2026, head over to Unlocked Magic and let their team help make your next vacation a little more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill presides over another not-so-weighty session of The Case For as Len Testa and Chris Cox debate which lost Walt Disney World guest services deserve a comeback. Inspired by a listener email about resort package delivery, the trio weighs the case for bringing back in-park purchase delivery, Magical Express, resort airline check-in, wider Extra Magic Hours access, longer park days, and even those wonderfully impractical resort mugs. Along the way, they consider whether these old perks were just guest-service niceties or clever ways for Disney to keep visitors shopping, dining, and planning their next trip. HIGHLIGHTS • Why resort package delivery may have quietly shaped how much merchandise guests bought in the parks • The argument for bringing back Magical Express as both transportation and a moving Disney marketing moment • How resort airline check-in is starting to return in limited form for select Value Resort guests • Whether Extra Magic Hours should once again be available to more Disney resort hotel guests • Why Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom may have the strongest case for longer operating hours HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.com • Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox, Instagram: @magiccox, Website: magiccox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor is back from Annecy, sleep-deprived but fully loaded with animation news, studio reveals, and a few very good Brad Bird breakfast stories. This week, Jim and Drew look at Toy Story 5’s massive second weekend, Supergirl’s box office debut, and the Minions’ return to the big screen before diving into what Drew saw at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. From DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island to new Warner Bros. Animation projects, Disney and Pixar updates, and a tribute to Lilo & Stitch voice actress Daveigh Chase, it is a packed tour through the current state of animation. HIGHLIGHTS • Toy Story 5 continues its huge theatrical run, pushing Disney past $3 billion at the 2026 worldwide box office. • Supergirl opens below last summer’s Superman debut, while several genre titles continue to hold spots in the domestic top ten. • Minions & Monsters heads toward a major Independence Day weekend launch after its Annecy screening. • Drew shares what it was like covering Annecy while filing stories, hosting press conferences, and juggling interviews throughout the festival. • Forgotten Island gets the spotlight as one of DreamWorks Animation’s funniest and most heartfelt upcoming projects. • DreamWorks confirms Donkey, a Shrek spinoff prequel centered on Eddie Murphy’s beloved character. • Warner Bros. Animation announces a packed slate, including Last Laugh, Krypto, Absolute Batman, Adventure Time, and a Powerpuff Girls feature. • Disney and Pixar updates include Gatto, Loving Dory, Hexed, and the 2D/CG hybrid Lilo & Scratch. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored, Instagram: @drewtailored, Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Disney or Universal trip in 2026? UnlockedMagic.com helps you lock in great ticket prices without the stress, with support from people who know the parks and how to save you money. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill start with snow shovels, snapping turtles, and New Hampshire’s ongoing audition for “America’s Australia,” then move into a packed Disney Dish. This week, they cover Disney’s holiday party calendar, the Grand Floridian gingerbread house retirement, tightening resort-access rules, the BoardWalk’s new Hurley Burley lounge, Disneyland’s Celebrate Soulfully Yardfest, and Universal Kids Resort’s very sunny Texas debut. They also dig into new DVC survey perks, listener questions about Europa Park, Australia in World Showcase, and whether Epcot is due for a monorail-adjacent hotel. Then Jim continues Disney’s living-character history with Dinotopia’s odd but memorable second life at Walt Disney Studios Park. NEWS • Disney’s Hollywood Studios may be targeting August for Magic of Disney Animation, though the building may have opinions of its own. • Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights return with schedules that neatly zip together across the holiday season. • The Grand Floridian gingerbread house is being retired, raising questions about resort crowds, access rules, and guest satisfaction. • Disney’s resort-access language continues to tighten around holiday decorations, dining reservations, and who gets to visit which lobby. • The BoardWalk’s former Jellyrolls space is set to become Hurley Burley, with family entertainment by day and a 21-and-up lounge by night. • Disneyland’s Celebrate Soulfully Yardfest brings HBCU bands, drumlines, and Mickey Mouse as drumline major to Downtown Disney. • Universal Kids Resort opens in Texas with early chatter about short rides, light landscaping, and a shade situation that may require SPF and optimism. FEATURE • Jim explains how sets from ABC’s 2002 Dinotopia miniseries wound up on the Studio Tram Tour at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris. • Waterfall City helped fill out a park that opened with a small budget and a very large need for things guests could see from a tram. • The segment revisits Dinotopia, Reign of Fire, Catastrophe Canyon, and the strange art of letting narration do the work of missing dragons. • Jim sets up next week’s look at Pixar Place, the Living Character Initiative, and the Luxo lamp story that still gives Imagineers the thousand-yard stare. For this episode’s full show notes, click here.View transcript here.HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR The Disney Dish News is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, from the friends at DVC Rental Store. Visit UnlockedMagic.com for discounted theme park admission at prices better than Disney’s. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/DISNEYDISH⁠⁠⁠ Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a very Oz-heavy opening, from new Wicked-adjacent publishing news to the limited reopening dates for North Carolina’s Land of Oz. Then they unpack the latest Halloween Horror Nights announcements, Universal Studios Hollywood’s new security setup, and the early reactions to Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. The episode wraps with a fond farewell to CityWalk Orlando’s Hot Dog Hall of Fame and a deep dive into Steven Schussler, the Rainforest Cafe creator whose themed-dining imagination helped shape restaurants at Disney, Universal, and beyond. NEWS • Land of Oz tickets go on sale as the park prepares for its limited 2026 September operating dates. • Halloween Horror Nights adds the original house Madlands: Caged Cannibals to the Orlando lineup. • H.R. Bloodengutz returns with a new Halloween-focused haunted house and plenty of old-school HHN lore. • Universal Studios Hollywood shifts security screening to new perimeter hubs around CityWalk. • Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas faces early online criticism ahead of its July 1 opening. FEATURE • Eric shares his last visit to Hot Dog Hall of Fame before the CityWalk favorite closes in July. • Jim looks back at Steven Schussler’s path from Rainforest Cafe to T-Rex, Yak & Yeti, The Boathouse, and Hot Dog Hall of Fame. • The hosts explain how themed dining, oversized ambition, and a house full of animatronic animals helped reshape restaurants at Disney and Universal. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey, Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Visit UnlockedMagic.com to save on theme park tickets and select after-hours event tickets. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Springs transportation changes have the Disney community split, and Lauren and Eric dig into why this resort bus and water taxi policy is about more than just closing a parking hack. They look at how resort amenities, beignets, pools, and fireworks viewing have all become part of the broader “who gets access?” debate. Then they shift to Pixar, Toy Story 5, online movie rankings, and the surprisingly passionate arguments over WALL-E, Monsters Inc., Onward, Lightyear, and Cars 2. HIGHLIGHTS Disney Springs transportation restrictions begin June 28, limiting resort buses and water taxis to Disney Resort Hotel guests and guests with qualifying reservations. Lauren and Eric discuss why some fans see the change as a reasonable fix, while others see it as limiting access to the wider Walt Disney World bubble. The conversation expands to resort hopping, Port Orleans beignets, pool access, and how influencer-shared “hacks” can change guest behavior. Eric and Lauren consider whether these changes will actually reduce crowding or simply create new workarounds for determined guests. Toy Story 5 sparks a bigger conversation about Pixar rankings and which films fans defend the hardest. Lauren and Eric compare internet favorites like WALL-E, Ratatouille, Coco, The Incredibles, and Toy Story 2 with their own family’s picks. Monsters Inc., Onward, Toy Story 4, Lightyear, Cars 2, and The Good Dinosaur all get pulled into the debate over Pixar’s best and worst. 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

This week on I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey look at how Toy Story 5 is already reshaping the summer box office, the Disney collector market, and the fast-food promotional landscape. Lauren digs into Lorcana’s sudden surge, Disney Springs’ new merch-drop rules, and the growing trading-card gold rush around Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Magic: The Gathering. Then Jim and Lauren unpack Disney Store’s AI shopping experiment, the new Hakuna Matata Lion King Broadway collection, Cinderella Castle snow globe nostalgia, and why Disney picked Papa John’s, Wendy’s, Subway, and McDonald’s for this summer’s movie tie-ins. NEWS • Toy Story 5 opens huge at the box office, with Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and Smarty Pants helping Disney dominate the summer conversation. • Disney Lorcana enters a new collector frenzy as older cards become harder to find and Pixar characters arrive in the Wild’s Unknown set. • Disney Springs introduces new merch-drop procedures, including later garage openings, wristbands, and designated waiting areas. • Topps Chrome Disney and Marvel’s Magic: The Gathering collaboration show how Disney is leaning deeper into trading cards and tabletop fandom. • Disney Store begins testing a generative AI shopping assistant designed to recommend gifts and products through natural-language prompts. FEATURE • Jim explains why Disney chose Papa John’s for Toy Story 5, turning Pizza Planet into a real-world promotional hook. • Wendy’s answers with a Minions and Monsters drive-thru activation that reportedly drew massive crowds in California. • Subway gets in early with a live-action Moana meal, collectible cups, and a Fandango ticket-code incentive. • McDonald’s remains in Disney’s promotional orbit, with Hexed positioned for a Thanksgiving push tied to Happy Meal visibility. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2, Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR I Want That Too is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a trip to the parks is on your radar for summer or fall of 2026, head to UnlockedMagic.com and let their team help make your next vacation a little more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Dan Graney dig into a wild week of Marvel speculation, from murky Avengers: Doomsday leak drama to Sony’s carefully controlled Spider-Man: Brand New Day rollout. They also spotlight the Muppets’ latest Marvel crossover before Dan unveils a Doctor Doom theory that may reframe Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU return entirely. Plus, brisket, burnt ends, Muppet Treasure Island covers, and one very big question: what if Tony Stark was never the rule, but the exception? HIGHLIGHTS • Jim and Dan break down the blurry Avengers: Doomsday footage leak and the debate over whether it was real, AI-enhanced, or both. • Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo Brothers tease Doomsday as a structurally ambitious, emotionally complex follow-up to Infinity War and Endgame. • Spider-Man: Brand New Day ticket sales arrive with a tiny cast video instead of the trailer fans expected. • The new Brand New Day trailer points toward a Spidey-versus-Hulk showdown and a world where almost no one remembers Peter Parker. • The hosts dig into the mystery of who still remembers Peter Parker, from Savage Hulk to a possible Jean Grey connection. • Marvel’s The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe celebrates The Muppet Show’s 50th anniversary with Kermit, Gonzo, Deadpool, and one very mean Uncle Ben joke. • Dan lays out his big Doctor Doom theory: what if Doom is the multiversal constant and Tony Stark was the one heroic anomaly? • Jim connects the theory back to Doctor Strange’s “one” winning timeline and the possibility that the MCU only ever had one good Tony Stark. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery, Facebook: /thehubbubbery, Website: thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets with UnlockedMagic.com. Unlocked Magic is run by the same team behind the DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, with real discounts that can sometimes reach upwards of 12% off. Tell them Dan and Jim sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill cover a packed Disney Dish news lineup, from Disney’s “virtual reservations” patent to new Disney Springs transportation checks, rare two-day ticket discounts, and Disneyland Autopia’s electric future. They also dig into listener questions about steak pricing, Jersey Week crowds, and whether Disney’s new AI trip-planning tools could reshape vacation booking. Then Jim takes us back to the early days of Imagineering’s Living Character Initiative, where Mickey’s Toon Elevator, Dinotopia, and one very complicated dinosaur helped pave the way for interactive characters in the parks. NEWS • Disney’s hotel-room patent appears to confirm how “virtual reservations” can hold back short stays to protect longer bookings. • Walt Disney World expands verification checks for buses and boats leaving Disney Springs. • A rare two-park, two-day ticket deal targets late-summer demand at EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. • Lakeshore Lodge’s Pocahontas-themed pool area, The Wetlands, gets a closer look. • Disneyland’s Autopia faces a February 2027 deadline to retire its gas-powered engines. FEATURE • Jim traces the Living Character Initiative back to Push the Talking Trash Can and Mickey’s Toon Elevator. • Lucky the Dinosaur’s development gets tied to ABC’s short-lived Dinotopia era, allegedly. • Imagineering’s early living-creature tech needed carts, batteries, and a whole lot of legal caution. • The story sets up Disney’s next wave of interactive characters after the Pixar acquisition. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. View transcript here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Disney Dish News is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, from the friends at DVCrentalStore.com, offering discounted theme park admission at prices better than Disney’s. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/DISNEYDISH⁠⁠ Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a packed Epic Universal Podcast covering the newest Halloween Horror Nights reveal, fresh Epic Universe developments, and more chatter from Universal Orlando and Hollywood. Eric shares impressions from his Helios Grand Hotel stay, while Jim digs into the latest Universal news from Stranger Things to the United Kingdom resort. Then Jim uses Steven Spielberg’s new UFO movie Disclosure Day as a launchpad for the strange story of Night Skies, the terrifying alien film that nearly became E.T. NEWS • Stranger Things returns to Halloween Horror Nights with a new house tied to the final season of the Netflix series. • Jim and Eric weigh whether Stranger Things or Sinners will be the marquee Halloween Horror Nights draw this year. • Epic Universe prepares to debut Universal’s Celestial Goodnight, a nighttime spectacular with fireworks, fountains, and music. • A major new Dark Universe permit points to a 71,000 square foot structure, fueling speculation about Universal Monsters expansion. • The hosts discuss Universal United Kingdom Resort rumors, including possible James Bond, Back to the Future, Paddington, and Lord of the Rings connections. FEATURE • Jim traces the road from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to the abandoned Night Skies project. • The feature explores the real 1955 Hopkinsville, Kentucky UFO incident that inspired Spielberg’s scarier alien concept. • Jim explains how Melissa Matheson helped transform Night Skies into E.T. while Spielberg was filming Raiders of the Lost Ark. • The story also covers Rick Baker’s unused alien designs, Columbia’s rejection of E.T., and why Disney passed on the project. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey, Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Visit UnlockedMagic.com to save up to 12% on theme park tickets, with Express Pass options now available for even more savings. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are back with a merch-packed episode that starts at Target, swings through Walt Disney World, and lands deep in Mickey Mouse history. Lauren shares what she spotted on her latest Florida trip, from Muppets merch and Uncle Deadly deep cuts to Disney’s colorful new Logo Mania collections. Then Jim looks back at Disney’s repeated attempts to give Mickey Mouse a milestone birthday celebration big enough for the big screen, and why those plans often arrived late, changed shape, or became something else entirely. NEWS • Golden Girls returns to the bookstore with Death on the Lanai, the second mystery novel in Disney’s sitcom-inspired series. • Target’s Disney Fan Snacks line brings character-shaped chips to the aisle, including Darth Vader corn chips and Grogu-inspired flavors. • Toy Story 5 merch arrives early with Ginormous, a truly oversized plush pig that may require its own shopping cart. • Lauren checks out Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets merch, including Kermit keychains, Miss Piggy gear, and Animal-focused designs. • Walt Disney World’s Logo Mania collections lean into color-coded Disney fan moments, from Last Day of Trip Blues to Popcorn on Main Street. FEATURE • Jim revisits how The Sorcerer’s Apprentice began as a Mickey birthday short before growing into Fantasia. • Disney’s planned Jack and the Beanstalk feature for Mickey’s 15th birthday was derailed by World War II and eventually reshaped into Fun and Fancy Free. • Mickey’s 60th birthday brought a star-studded NBC special and the temporary Magic Kingdom land that became surprisingly permanent. • The abandoned Search for Mickey Mouse would have sent Disney characters across the animated canon before evolving into Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a trip to the parks is on your radar for 2026, head over to Unlocked Magic and let their team help make your next vacation just a little bit more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren and Eric are back from another Epic Universe visit, and this time Helios Grand Hotel may have changed the whole conversation. They break down whether one day is enough at Epic, how early entry helped them knock out major attractions before lunch, and why Battle at the Ministry should probably be your first stop. Then they compare Universal attractions to Disney favorites to help Disney fans figure out what belongs on their must-do list. HIGHLIGHTS Lauren and Eric test whether one day is enough at Epic Universe after three separate visits. Helios Grand Hotel early entry proves to be a major advantage for getting to Battle at the Ministry. Their morning strategy includes Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, Monsters Unchained, Stardust Racers, and more before lunch. Lauren shares online feedback from Epic Universe guests debating one day, two days, Express Pass, and resort stays. Disney fans get Universal ride comparisons, including Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and Slinky Dog Dash. Battle at the Ministry gets compared to Rise of the Resistance, especially for its jaw-dropping queue. Monsters Unchained, Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness, Yoshi’s Adventure, and The Untrainable Dragon all get matched with Disney-style reference points. Eric and Lauren each pick the Universal experience they think Disney fans should try first. 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

The courthouse is drying out, so Jim Hill, Len Testa, and Chris Cox relocate to the mailroom for a listener mail edition of The Case 4. This episode revisits recent debates about Disney World lounges, Disneyland Lightning Lane strategy, and Universal Orlando’s hotel categories. Along the way, the panel weighs in on communal seating, pricey mocktails, park-hopping fatigue, Epic Universe hotel demand, and whether a “throwaway” Universal room can still make vacation math work. HIGHLIGHTS • Listener reactions to Beak and Barrel, GEO-82, and the communal seating problem at Disney World lounges. • A closer look at why $18.50 mocktails may be harder to swallow than $25 cocktails. • Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World Lightning Lane strategy, including why extra park days can beat park hopping. • Why Disneyland’s same-day Lightning Lane drops may work better there than they would in Florida. • Universal Orlando’s “Signature Collection” confusion and whether Helios belongs in that category. • The Universal deluxe hotel math behind Express Pass perks, ghost stays, and throwaway rooms. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.com • Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox, Instagram: @magiccox, Website: magiccox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor look at a packed week in animation, from the box office surprises around Disclosure Day and Obsession to the latest honors for Aardman’s founders. They also preview Pixar’s Gatto, salute Floyd Norman’s upcoming Academy Honorary Award, and remember Tinker Bell reference model Margaret Kerry. The main event is Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch 2, with Chris Sanders returning to write and direct a brand-new story for everyone’s favorite blue alien experiment. NEWS • Disclosure Day opens big for Universal while Obsession continues its remarkable box office run. • Jim and Drew talk physical media, Hoppers on Disney+, and Best Buy’s exit from DVDs and Blu-rays. • Aardman founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton receive knighthoods as the studio celebrates with a Royal Mint coin. • Pixar’s Gatto gets a closer look, including its Venice setting, painterly style, and voice cast. • Floyd Norman is set for an Academy Honorary Award, while Jim and Drew remember Margaret Kerry’s legacy as Tinker Bell’s live-action reference model. FEATURE • Disney moves ahead with live-action Lilo & Stitch 2 for May 2028. • Chris Sanders returns to write and direct after voicing Stitch in both the original animated classic and the 2025 live-action remake. • Jim and Drew discuss how Angel, Stitch’s pink counterpart from the animated series, may factor into the sequel. • The conversation connects Sanders’ busy slate, from The Wild Robot to Lilo & Stitch, with Disney’s long-running affection for Experiment 626. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia • Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored, Instagram: @drewtailored FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR If a Disney or Universal trip is on your radar for 2026, UnlockedMagic.com helps you lock in great ticket prices without the stress. Head to UnlockedMagic.com to grab the best ticket deals and make that future trip just a little more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Len Testa start with Monstropolis, Disney park capacity, Universal patents, and the sort of tequila event that makes you check whether your Epcot admission is included. Then Jim looks back at Disneyland’s very first Grad Nite, held on June 15, 1961, when 8,500 well-dressed seniors were locked inside the park until 4:30 a.m. Along the way, they cover Life magazine’s lost photo spread, chaperone lounges, forbidden long hair, and the timeless teenage urge to stash contraband somewhere near Autopia. It is history, logistics, and questionable decision-making, which is to say: high school. NEWS • Monstropolis details reveal “Human Day,” a walking route inspired by Mike and Sulley’s commute, and Disney’s growing fondness for “you’re invited to a special day” ride premises. • Grand Floridian Cafe closes July 19 for refurbishment, raising the important question of whether the menu gets more than new curtains. • La Cava del Tequila hosts a July 14 Epcot event with tastings, cocktails, lunch at San Angel Inn, and a commemorative 1982 menu. • Disneyland restores all-day park hopping, while early signs of DisneylandForward construction point toward a new parking structure and future DCA expansion. • Listener questions cover theme park capacity math, House of Mouse villains, Monstropolis pin trading, and whether Universal’s latest patents could make vending machines and park transportation a lot smarter. FEATURE • Jim traces how Disneyland’s original Grad Nite grew out of Walt’s decision to close Holidayland and Jack Lindquist’s search for a new after-hours revenue stream. • The first Grad Nite brought 8,500 students from 28 Southern California high schools to Disneyland for $6 each, or about $67 in today’s money. • Life magazine sent four photographers and shot thousands of photos, only to bump the planned spread when the Berlin Wall changed the news cycle. • Disneyland’s Grad Nite rules included school buses, dress codes, chaperones, locker checks, planter searches, and haircuts for boys whose hair dared to touch a collar. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Disney Dish News is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, from the friends at DVC Rental Store. With the longest days of the year approaching, Unlocked Magic can help you save on your next Disney trip, giving you more time to hunt for the elusive ghost of the forest, Bongo, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/DISNEYDISH⁠⁠ Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor is back from the Toy Story 5 Premiere and Jim Hill gets all the details! They talk about some highly anticipated projects like The Doomies heading to Disney Plus, some Treehouse of Horror-related theming coming to The Simpsons at Universal, and plenty of other animation they’re looking forward to like Gatto from Pixar (with a teaser dropping pretty much right now!) NEWS • Toy Story 5 has it’s premiere, and Drew was there to get the scoop • Ice Age Boiling Point is on it’s way in February 2027 • Pixar’s Gatto is coming shortly after in March 2027, with a teaser trailer dropping June 11th • Universal may be losing The Simpsons theme park rights, but they’re planning some spooky changes in the coming years • Friend of the show Josh Gad karate kicked his way back into Book of Mormon after 14 years at the Tony’s and as it turns out, he’s still amazing FEATURE •Toy Story 5 had its premiere and Drew has now seen the film twice, so what’s going on with all of the Buzz Lightyears? Jim and Drew talk about his reaction (without diving into spoilers) and some of the new tech Drew is hoping will make its way into a movie-accurate Buzz toy.  HOSTS • Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @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 - StrongMindedAgency.com SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, the go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 theme park vacation is on your radar, their team can help you save money while making the planning process easier. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Jim Hill Media Sponsorship Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Swifties, Cars, and the Mystery of Mickey’s Missing Plaque (Ep. 103) Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey start this week’s episode with a merch-minded look at Disney’s latest collaborations, from Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 tie-in to the 20th anniversary of Cars. They also dig into how Disney is already positioning Mickey Mouse for his 100th birthday in 2028 through fashion, music, wellness, and lifestyle partnerships. Then Jim takes Lauren back to Mickey’s 50th anniversary celebration and the strange story of the bronze plaque that once marked the birthplace of Steamboat Willie in New York City.  NEWS • Taylor Swift’s newly confirmed Toy Story 5 song sends Swifties hunting for Disney-Pixar Easter eggs. • Toy Story 5 builds even more buzz ahead of its June 2026 theatrical release. • Disney celebrates 20 years of Cars with new anniversary merchandise and a Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket. • The upcoming Piston Peak expansion at Walt Disney World keeps Cars front and center for the next generation. • Disney’s Main Street marketing initiative begins laying the groundwork for Mickey Mouse’s 100th birthday. FEATURE • Jim explains why Mickey Mouse did not always have one official birthday. • The episode traces how Dave Smith and the Disney Archives helped settle on November 18, 1928. • Jim revisits Mickey’s 50th anniversary celebration in New York City, including Ward Kimball’s whistle-stop tour. • The mystery of the missing Steamboat Willie plaque leads to Broadway, Shrek the Musical, and Jeffrey Katzenberg. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2, Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Dan Graney talk about the latest, highly caffeinated Doomsday advertising stunt, and a certain friendly neighborhood Spider-Man makes his way to a neighborhood across the pond - what exactly is he doing there? Then take a trip down memory lane as they talk about the advertising genius that put Richard Pryor into Star Wars! Or more aptly, put Star Wars into everyone’s favorite 70's variety shows. NEWS • Jim and Dan discuss the surprise pop-up “green” coffee shop which may or may not have held some hidden Doomsday clues in the menu • Spider-Man was recently spotted in London suspiciously filming something at the same time the Russo Brothers are in town, and with Brand New Day coming in July, the guys wonder if this is another Shawarma-style tag or maybe setting the scene for Spider-Man in Doomsday • Stan Lee is back, Excelsior! Only, is that such a good thing? ElevenLabs thinks so, and they’re betting you want him to read you a bedtime story • Darth Vader arrives on Batuu in the new Marvel Comics series Echoes of the Empire, and the Disney folks are finally getting that sweet, sweet corporate synergy between Lucasfilm, Marvel, and the parks FEATURE • Jim and Dan talk about the “Yes, they really did that.” Star Wars television variety show appearances and of course, the much maligned and strangely beloved Star Wars Christmas Special HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery | Facebook: /thehubbubbery | Website: thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR • UnlockedMagic.com - Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets through the trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=marvelus If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren and Eric talk through the nightmare scenario every theme park fan secretly worries about: getting stuck high above the ground on a ride. From a real-world roller coaster evacuation in Galveston to Disney attractions like the Skyliner, Space Mountain, Incredicoaster, and the monorail, they weigh which breakdowns would be terrifying and which might actually be kind of cool. Then they pivot to another theme park hazard: clickbait Disney news sites, including Hersheypark’s online clapback and the outlets fans trust most. HIGHLIGHTS A Galveston roller coaster evacuation sparks a bigger conversation about the scariest possible ride breakdowns. Eric shares what it was like being evacuated from Space Mountain with the lights on. Lauren and Eric debate whether attractions like the Skyliner, monorail, Incredicoaster, and Pixar Pal-A-Round are worse in theory than in practice. Disney ride evacuations can feel more like behind-the-scenes adventures than disasters, depending on the attraction. Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Living with the Land all land on the “wouldn’t mind getting stuck there” list. Hersheypark calls out a misleading theme park news post, kicking off a discussion about Disney clickbait. Clickbait headlines, ad-heavy sites, and vague rumors make theme park news harder to trust. The fan community weighs in on trusted park news sources, from Disney Tourist Blog to BlogMickey and WDWMagic. 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 Jenny Snyder & 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 Hill and Len Testa are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a globe-trotting look at how Toy Story became one of Disney’s most reusable theme park ideas. First, they cover the latest from Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Orlando, and Disney Cruise Line, including Magic of Disney Animation details, Villains Land rumors, Oogie Boogie Bash logistics, and possible Universal expansion plans. Then Jim Shull shares how Toy Story Playland, Toy Story Hotel, and multiple international Pixar projects moved from clever pitch to built reality. Along the way, there is Godzilla, synergy, Stanley cups, and at least one very laminated airline milestone. NEWS • Bluey’s Wild World shifts to standby as opening-day crowds settle down. • Victoria & Albert’s retains its Michelin star, while Kappa at Four Seasons does not. • Disney reveals new activity areas for The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios. • Jim, Len, and Jim Shull discuss the latest Villains Land rumors, including Maleficent, Hades, and possible dark ride concepts. • Universal updates include Universal United Kingdom Resort, Lost Continent demolition, Back to the Future speculation, and Epic Universe expansion pads. FEATURE • Jim Shull recalls seeing the original Toy Story before release at a SIGGRAPH screening in Los Angeles. • The team traces how Pixar’s growing relationship with Disney led to Toy Story Playland in Paris and later Toy Story Lands in Hong Kong and Shanghai. • Shull explains the “Andy’s backyard” conceit and how guests were meant to feel toy-sized inside the land. • The discussion turns to Toy Story Hotel in Shanghai and Tokyo, including how Pixar collaboration changed the way Disney handled character design. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.com GUEST • Jim Shull - X/Twitter: @JimShull, YouTube: @jimhshull, Website: jimhshull.com FOLLOW • Jim Hill Media Podcast Network - Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews, YouTube: @jimhillmedia, TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR The Disney Dish News is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, from our friends at DVCRentalStore.com. Visit UnlockedMagic.com for discounts that make your next Disney trip cheaper than ever. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠https://nordvpn.com/DISNEYDISH⁠ Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey cover a busy Universal news week, from Universal Kids Resort pricing and seasonal operations to new rotating experiences planned for Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas. They also check in on Universal Studios Hollywood’s Mega Movie Summer, including Wicked meet-and-greets, Minions menu items, Fast and Furious teases, Jaws treats, and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey getting some serious backlot synergy. Then Jim digs into the surprisingly fiery history of Universal Studios Hollywood, tracing nearly a century of backlot blazes, rebuilds, and close calls. NEWS • Universal Kids Resort in Frisco now has a July 1 grand opening date, with one-day tickets, two-day tickets, annual passes, and resort packages revealed. • Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas appears to be leaning into a year-round event calendar, with rotating seasonal experiences planned through 2027. • Universal Studios Hollywood’s Mega Movie Summer includes The Odyssey props, Minions meet-and-greets, Fast and Furious food, Jaws-themed treats, and Wicked photo opportunities. • Jim and Eric speculate that all the Fast and Furious activity at Universal Hollywood may point to Hollywood Drift getting closer to opening. FEATURE • Jim walks through the major fires that have hit Universal Studios Hollywood, from brush fires in the 1930s and 1940s to suspected arson on the lower lot. • The episode revisits the devastating 1990 fire that destroyed portions of New York Street, Courthouse Square, classic cars, and parts of the tram tour. • Jim explains how the 2008 backlot fire destroyed the King Kong Encounter and led to King Kong 360 3D becoming part of the Studio Tour. • The conversation also touches on Universal’s repeated rebuilding efforts, its water-pressure problems, and why so much of the backlot is more recreation than original movie history. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey, Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Epic Universal listeners can save up to 12% on theme park tickets and now purchase ExpressPass through UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into Disney’s latest wave of merch-driven experiences, from a London pop-up built around Disney UU collectibles to Trader Sam’s 15th anniversary tiki mug celebration. They also track the growing Toy Story 5 promotional push, including Papa John’s Pizza Planet packaging, movie theater collectibles, and Grogu’s new blue Nilla Nummies. Then Jim turns to Disney’s newly reimagined Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios and asks whether Disney will properly honor the Florida animation team that helped create Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, and more. NEWS • Disney tests another ticketed-style merch experience with a Disney UU collectible pop-up in London. • Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar celebrates 15 years with a new anniversary mug and expanded food offerings. • Papa John’s rolls out Pizza Planet boxes and Toy Story 5 personal pan pizzas tied to the film’s release. • AMC, Cinemark, and Regal prepare exclusive Toy Story 5 popcorn buckets, cups, blankets, and collectible tie-ins. • Grogu gets his own blue Nilla Nummies cookies as Mandalorian and Grogu merch keeps expanding. FEATURE • Jim looks at the newly opened Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. • The reimagined space pays tribute to Disney’s California animation history, from Hyperion to Burbank. • The conversation turns to the often-overlooked legacy of Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida. • Jim hopes the finished Magic of Disney Animation attraction includes meaningful nods to Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, John Henry, and the artists who made them. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2, Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a 2026 park trip is on your radar, head over to UnlockedMagic.com and let their team help make your next vacation a little more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren and Eric explore why Disney fans seem to be craving real-world experiences again, from the surprising turnout at the reopening of the Disney Store in Pittsburgh to Disney's continued push toward immersive entertainment. They discuss what thousands of fans standing in line for a retail opening reveals about today's Disney audience, whether digital fatigue is driving people back to physical spaces, and how Disney may be adapting to that demand. Then they dive into Disney's newly announced overhaul of Carousel of Progress, examining the planned updates, fan reactions, and what the changes could mean for one of Walt Disney World's most historic attractions. HIGHLIGHTS Why thousands of Disney fans stood in line for the reopening of the Disney Store at Ross Park Mall and what it says about today's Disney audience. Lauren and Eric explore whether fans are craving real-world Disney experiences more than merchandise itself. Discussion of Disney's growing focus on immersive experiences, from retail concepts to theme park expansion. Could digital fatigue be driving fans back toward physical spaces, events, and shared fandom experiences? Ideas for how Disney could bring more regional experiences to fans who don't regularly visit the parks. Disney announces a major refresh of Carousel of Progress, including new scenes set in the 1960s, 1980s, and Y2K era. The hosts examine fan reactions to the changes and debate whether updating the attraction honors Walt Disney's original vision. Why Carousel of Progress remains one of Walt Disney World's most historically significant attractions and what its future could look like. 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 this episode of The Case For, Len Testa and Chris Cox debate one of the most practical planning questions facing Disneyland visitors: if you can only choose one upgrade, should you spend your money on Park Hopper access or Lightning Lane? Along the way, they compare the unique advantages of Disneyland's compact layout, discuss how Lightning Lane functions differently in California, and explore whether staying off-site might actually unlock a better overall vacation strategy. As always, Jim Hill presides over the proceedings before inviting listeners to help render the final verdict. HIGHLIGHTS • Len and Chris compare the value of Park Hopper and Lightning Lane at the Disneyland Resort. • A look at how Disneyland's Lightning Lane system differs from Walt Disney World, including day-of booking and frequent attraction drops. • Why Disneyland's walkable layout makes park hopping dramatically easier than at Walt Disney World. • The surprising math behind off-site hotels versus Disneyland Resort hotel pricing. • How Lightning Lane Premier Pass can eliminate much of the planning and phone-checking that comes with a park day. 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 dive into one of the busiest weeks in animation and entertainment news, from early reactions to Pixar's Toy Story 5 and its surprisingly Jessie-focused story to major developments involving Rick & Morty, X-Men '97, Jorge Gutierrez, and Netflix animation. Along the way, they unpack box office surprises, discuss the end of Disney Twenty-Three magazine, and explore what the future may hold for some of animation's biggest franchises. This episode also includes Drew's thoughts after seeing the first 45 minutes of Toy Story 5 and a look at why Pixar may have another blockbuster on its hands. NEWS • Early box office projections suggest Toy Story 5 could set a new franchise opening weekend record. • Pixar's Hoppers arrives on home video as the film continues its strong theatrical run. • Universal launches major Minions & Monsters promotion ahead of the film's July debut. • D23 members react to the discontinuation of Disney Twenty-Three magazine. • Rick & Morty's President Curtis is getting his own Adult Swim spin-off series. FEATURE • Drew shares impressions after seeing the first 45 minutes of Toy Story 5. • New details reveal a deeper continuation of Jessie's story from Toy Story 2. • The film revisits one of the franchise's most emotional storylines in an unexpected way. • Could Toy Story 5 set the stage for even more adventures beyond the fifth film? HOSTS • Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: @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 - StrongMindedAgency.com SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, the go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 theme park vacation is on your radar, their team can help you save money while making the planning process easier. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Jim Hill Media Sponsorship Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill recap a busy week in the parks, from the debut of Bluey at Disney's Animal Kingdom and the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run experience to Universal's latest expansion rumors. They also dive deep into Disney's surprise announcement that Carousel of Progress will receive its most significant overhaul in decades, including new scenes, new narration, and a fresh look at the future. Along the way, Jim shares the attraction's fascinating history, from its roots in Edison Square to its journey through the 1964 World's Fair and beyond. NEWS • Len shares his experience aboard the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run featuring new Mandalorian and Grogu story elements. • Bluey officially arrives at Disney's Animal Kingdom, drawing massive opening-day crowds and virtual queue demand. • Disney announces a major reimagining of Carousel of Progress, with new time periods and an all-new future scene. • Universal removes Express Pass access from Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure beginning July 1. • New permits and construction activity hint at future expansions for Dark Universe and the Wizarding World at Epic Universe. FEATURE • The surprising origins of Carousel of Progress and Disney's abandoned Edison Square concept. • How General Electric helped transform the attraction from a Disneyland proposal into a 1964 World's Fair centerpiece. • The attraction's move from Disneyland to Walt Disney World and the evolution of its story over six decades. • Why Disney's latest update may secure Carousel of Progress as a Magic Kingdom staple for generations to come. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR UnlockedMagic.com - https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=disneydish EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠https://nordvpn.com/DISNEYDISH⁠ Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor unpack a packed week in animation and themed entertainment news, from Warner Bros. officially developing a standalone Rick & Morty movie to Disney’s growing Bluey presence in both Anaheim and Orlando. Along the way, the duo discuss Universal Fan Fest’s future, the surprising Memorial Day box office performance of The Mandalorian & Grogu, and why Disney is already planning big for Mickey’s centennial celebration in 2028. They also pay tribute to legendary voice actor Tom Kane and share updates on Adventure Time, Hello Kitty, and the ever-expanding world of animated features headed to theaters over the next few years. HIGHLIGHTS • Warner Bros. officially begins development on a standalone Rick & Morty movie directed by series veteran Jacob Hair • Disney introduces Bluey’s Best Day Ever at Disneyland while Walt Disney World prepares to launch Bluey’s Wild World with a virtual queue system • Universal may bring Fan Fest to Islands of Adventure as Hollywood’s version wraps up its 2026 run • The Mandalorian & Grogu overperforms at the Memorial Day box office with projections climbing past $100 million • Netflix lands Cannes animated feature In Waves while Sony Pictures Classics acquires Iron Boy • Adventure Time: Side Quests heads to Hulu with Pendleton Ward’s universe continuing to expand • Disney and licensing insiders preview Frozen 3, Incredibles 3, Gatto, and Star Wars: Starfighter at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas • Why Warner Bros. believes a Rick & Morty feature film can work as a true theatrical event rather than an extended TV episode • Drew shares details from Disneyland’s new animation and Bluey-themed experiences, including updates on Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios • A look at Universal’s rumored Zelda-themed plans and how Fan Fest could evolve on the East Coast • Remembering beloved voice actor Tom Kane, from Star Wars and Powerpuff Girls to the voice of the Walt Disney World Monorail HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR UnlockedMagic.com - Save on Disney and Universal theme park tickets with expert planning help and exclusive offers: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=finetooning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey break down the first major Halloween Horror Nights announcement for 2026, dig into Universal’s quiet decision to remove Hagrid’s from Express Pass, and discuss what’s going on with Universal Kids Resort in Texas after a series of accidental leaks. Then Jim looks back at the creation of Back to the Future: The Ride and the forgotten Canadian simulator attraction that helped inspire it, all while tracing the career of visual effects legend Doug Trumbull. NEWS • Universal officially announces a Sinners haunted house for Halloween Horror Nights in both Orlando and Hollywood, inspired by the Oscar-winning vampire film set in 1930s Mississippi • Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood tickets go on sale with RIP Tours, Frequent Fear passes, and premium add-ons already available • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is quietly removed from Universal Orlando’s Express Pass lineup beginning July 1 • Universal’s Mega Movie Parade return is delayed until June 5 as operational adjustments continue behind the scenes • Universal Orlando prepares a Steven Spielberg Summer Tribute Store featuring Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and the upcoming Disclosure Day film • Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas accidentally leaks July opening details and early ticket pricing online FEATURE • Jim revisits the origins of Back to the Future: The Ride on its 35th anniversary • The forgotten Tour of the Universe attraction inside Toronto’s CN Tower helped inspire Star Tours and Universal’s simulator rides • Visual effects pioneer Doug Trumbull’s work on 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters, and Blade Runner shaped the future of theme park attractions • Behind-the-scenes stories from Trumbull’s Massachusetts rope mill studio where the Back to the Future ride film was created • Why Universal originally planned an entirely different Back to the Future ride experience before switching to the Biff Tannen storyline HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey - Instagram: @erichersey - Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR UnlockedMagic.com - Save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, now including Express Pass options: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=epicjhm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices