The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Len Testa shares what it was like to watch Disney Springs’ new nighttime show from Saratoga Springs. Jim Hill then finishes his history of the miniature golf courses at the WDW Resort Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Why do Disney execs really need to pay attention to what Jenny Nicolson shared throughout her four-hour-long “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” video What makes the Bacchus hole at “Fantasia Gardens” so difficult for golfers How long after the theme for “Winter Summerland” was selected did this miniature golf course open up right next door to Blizzard Beach What did Tiger Woods have to say about “Fantasia Fairways” Which buildings at Disney’s Saratoga Springs should offer the very best views of “Disney Dreams That Soar” (EDITOR’S NOTE: on the side facing Disney Springs Lake) Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by discussing a rare Disney book found at the Brimfield Flea Market. They then take a look at Disney-MGM’s old Streetmosphere program Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: What “Star Trek” vet directed “Three Men & a Baby” for Touchstone Pictures Which forest creature recently turned up on Jim’s front porch When was “Lady & the Tramp” first released to theaters How much did it originally cost to build the Disney-MGM Studio theme park What will you find at the corner of Mickey Avenue & Dopey Drive on the Disney Lot in Burbank Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the media preview that was recently held for Universal Studios Florida’s reimagining Kidzone area. They then look back at the “Pink Panther” film series Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Where did Duffy AKA the Disney Bear initially exclusively sell on Disney World property back in 2002 Why is the new entrance sign for USF’s “E.T. Adventure” attraction deliberately designed to look like something you associate with a forest How did MGM/UA decide to cash in on the “Muppet Babies” craze back in the mid-1980s Which classic Universal cartoon character is reportedly being given the “Hidden Mickey” treatment inside of DreamWorks Land What are the themes of the first three mazes announced for Universal Orlando’s 2024 edition of Halloween Horror Nights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the first full trailer for Netflix’s “Ultraman: Rising.” They then talk about “Flow,” the dialogue-free post-apocalyptic animated feature which will be debuting at Cannes next week In this episode, listeners will learn about: Who will be voicing Garfield’s Dad in the new animated feature that Sony will be sending out to North American theaters on May 24th Which George Lucas-produced film was Marvel Productions trying to turn into an animated series in 1984 What company did Illuminations get into bed with back in 2017 to help promote the release of “Despicable Me 3” How many “South Park” specials have Matt Stone & Trey Parker produced for Paramount+ so far What was the name of the very first puppet-based series that Jim Henson produced for television Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing who gets to experience “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” when as part of that WDW attraction’s month-long grand opening event. They then take a look at the interior of the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: What does Disney’s Hollywood Studios do when the IT system at the WDW Resort crashes When might we see a second Taylor Swift concert film show up on Disney+ How did Jack Wrather deal with Disneyland being closed on Mondays & Tuesdays during that theme park’s off-season starting back in the late 1950s What does the future hold for Magic Bands Why is it very appropriate that the road directly behind the Disneyland Hotel is called Walnut Street Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In the second installment of this new educational series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid discuss the ancestors of today’s Renaissance fairs. To be specific, some of the primitive “rides” that could be found at these medieval entertainments In this episode, listeners will learn about:  Elephants walking across the frozen Thames What fairs were like in faraway India How an exhibition of two goats led to today’s county fairs Why Canada’s Hants County Exhibition, the first major fair in North America, is still in operation today What it was like to attend a Frost Fair in the heart of London Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how well the 25th anniversary re-release of “Star Wars – Episode One: The Phantom Menace.” They also share Ahmed Best’s conflicted memories of portraying Jar Jar Binks Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:  According to Josh Gad, which specific brand of cookie is repeatedly visually referenced within the “Star Wars” universe How many Star Wars fans took part in the shoot for the video which promotes the iPhone 15’s “Precision Finding” feature Which big box store currently has TruMoo’s Star Wars Blue Milk in stock (Bonus question: Which direct competitor of this store does NOT have Blue Milk) Who did President Joe Biden recently personally give a tour of the Oval Office to When is Star Wars Celebration Japan being held next year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the premiere episode of this new podcast series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid explore the origins of themed entertainment. To be specific, how early trade fairs led to the first amusements. Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:  How gunpowder, tea, and paper from China shaped Europe How Rome got the secret of Silk Privileged fairs in Medieval Europe Christmas markets that still operate today And the earliest forms of entertainment  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking up “Exploding Kittens.” They then take a look at Mark Dindal’s career as the director of full-length animated features Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What was the one-and-only film to be produced by Turner Feature Animation Why is the Henson family reportedly not all that fond of Pixar’s “Monsters Inc” How many “Garfield” TV specials were produced for CBS back in the late 1988 / early 1990s Where can you go to get an earlier look at “Slide,” Bill Plympton’s next animated film Who voiced Anna & Elsa’s Mom in the first “Frozen” movie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about what happens next with Disneyland Forward now that the Anaheim City Council has officially approved this project. They also discuss what Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed at the Company’s most recent earnings call. Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How long will the WDW version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad be down for rehab What’s interesting about Disney’s decision to extend the permit it had with the South Florida Water Management District for the area between Fort Wilderness & Wilderness Lodge for another 5 years Which moderate resort at WDW will be having its guest room refurbished now through November What did Michael Eisner want to originally call the water thrill park that the Company first announced for Florida back in December of 1985 Who did Disney initially hire to write the screenplay for that Studio’s “Typhoon Lagoon” movie Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the latest “Despicable Me 4” trailer. They then review what Universal Parks & Experiences just revealed about Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World. Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: What new variety of Butterbeer-based treat is now available for purchase at the Universal Parks Why was “Yoshi’s Adventure” reportedly not built as part of Phase One of Universa Studios Hollywood’s “Super Nintendo World” What show is now going to be presented inside of USF’s “A Day in the Park with Barney” theater Which Australian-based company wound up with the rights to make “Bluey” & “Despicable Me” toys How far along now is the construction of Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the series finale for that Lucasfilm Animation production, “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.” They then talk about how pleased Paramount+ is with the debut of its “Knuckles” mini-series Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Where did the “Bluey’s Big Play” traveling stage show make its North American debut When will “The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish” be debuting on Nickelodeon Who was supposed to voice the title character in Jorge Guiterrez’ “I, Chihuahua” When did the $70 million custom-built Walt Disney Feature Animation – Florida production facility officially come online Which animation historian will be creating original content for the Classic television Network’s soon-to-debut channel, MeTV Toons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the latest news coming out about the Epic Universe project. They also talk about why Bay Lake Tower is undergoing a year-long refurbishment in the not-so-distant future Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Which crime figure from the 1930s inspired Ma Beagle & the Beagle Boys How is Fort Wilderness’ remote location reportedly impacting DVC sales for the cabins there How many animated series featuring Disney’s “Stitch” character have been produced to date How could the Beyond Big Thunder project potentially impact the Rivers of America at WDW’s Magic Kingdom Which two living character initiative shows plowed the road for “Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration” Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Star Wars Day, Disney-Henson Complex History and Rare Muppet Collectibles Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey start this week’s show by discussing the latest developments in the "Disneyland Forward" project and what this means for future expansions. They talk about Star Wars Day Merch and share the deep and complex history between Disney and the Jim Henson Company, highlighting how this relationship has evolved over the years. In This Episode: New Pandora Merch lighting up Animal Kingdom Sneak Peek at Donald Duck's 90th Collection. Muppets in Space and the Disney-Henson Relationship: Learn about the significance of this project in their complex history. Jim's Rare Muppet Collection and the story behind it. YouTube Title- Part 1: New Experience Coming to Disneyland, Pandora Merch, and Sneak Peek Donald Duck 90th Anniversary collection. Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey share the stories behind the Disney collectibles. In this episode, they kick things off with the "Disneyland Forward" Updates and the exciting expan

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by congratulating Israel Perez & the team at WDW’s Victoria & Albert’s for the Michelin star they were just awarded. They then welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a discussion of WDSP’s upcoming “Alice & the Red Queen: Back in Wonderland” show For this episode, listeners will learn about: Why – when WDW Cast Members finally get to preview “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” – they may come at this revamped flume ride from backstage How far along is the “Disneyland Forward” project when it comes to Anaheim’s approval process What’s interesting about that construction permit that just got pulled for Epcot’s “Journey into Imagination” pavilion The “Frozen” star recently got the opportunity to try his hand at conducting on the Disneyland Railroad Why – when it comes to updating and/or making significant changes to the African side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – the Imagineers have very limited choices Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking up Pixar Fest (which starts this weekend at Disneyland Park). They then look ahead to which studios will be doing presentations at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival & Market For this episode, listeners will learn about: How many Disney-related items are coming up for bid at Van Eaton Galleries’ next big event, “The Joel Magee Auction: Part Two” Which Pixar veteran is directing “Transformers One” for Paramount Animation When will “Robot Dreams” be released to select theaters in North America What became of the plaque in the lobby of NYC’s Broadway Theater which commemorates “Steamboat Willie” ‘s world premiere in that same space back in 1928 Who was supposed to originally voice Fiona in the “Shrek” film series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the tram accident that happened this past weekend at Universal Studios Hollywood. They then take a close look at the perks annual passholders will be able to enjoy at the Universal Orlando parks starting in May. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which Universal horror classic got transformed from a silent film to a sound picture in 1929 Why did Universal Studios Florida push back the opening of “Twister … Ride It Out” from March of 1998 to early May of that same year Which store used to occupy the space in Universal CityWalk that’s now being transformed into the Epic Universe preview center Back in 1931, who did Universal Pictures originally announce was going to star in that Studio’s upcoming production of “Frankenstein” Which cartoon character is at the wheel of that popcorn bucket that Universal Hollywood is now selling to commemorate the 60th anniversary of that theme park’s tram tour Learn more about your ad

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start this week’s show by revisiting the whole did-Greedo-shoot-first issue. They then talk about what the last few episodes of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” seem to be setting up Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: What honor will George Lucas be receiving at this year’s Cannes Film Festival Where can Disneyland visitors view that theme park’s “Fire of the Rising Moons” fireworks display What did Harrison Ford want to have happen to Han Solo in “Return of the Jedi” Which animated series was the first “Star Wars” show to be set in the era of the High Republic How did Leslie Headland – the showrunner for “Star Wars: The Acolyte” – describe this new limited series for Disney+ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts at Universal Orlando. They then look back at Disney’s reaction to Mattel’s 1972 announcement of its Circus World theme park project Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How many times will Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights be presented this year What’s the name of the bay that the “World of Frozen” is built alongside at the theme park formerly known as Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris What price range is Universal reportedly considering when it comes to admission to its new kid-friendly park currently under construction in Bliss, TX Why are the popcorn buckets sold at the Disney Parks in Anaheim & Tokyo so much nicer than the ones that are sold at the WDW Resort How were the elephants dressed at the groundbreaking ceremony for Circus World back in April of 1973 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking up "Ultraman: Rising.” They then discuss which animation studio is soon to be honored with a Palme D’Odr at this year’s Cannes Film Festival For this episode, listeners will learn about: Which character in Pixar’s “Up” did Peter Docter’s daughter Elizabeth voice What does the future potentially hold for the “Bluey” animated series Which Pixar film was “B.O.O,” DreamWorks Animation’s cancelled supernatural comedy, supposed to go head-to-head with back in June of 2015 How long is the “Mary Blair’s Wonderland: Imagining Disney’s Alice” exhibit running at the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University Which Animal Planet series from the 2000s is Warner Bros. Pictures Animation reportedly using as the jumping-off point for a feature-length project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices