The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Dive into the world of Disney merch with Lauren Hersey and Jim Hill as they explore the iconic Mickey Mouse Ear Hats. Learn how these beloved hats made their way into the parks and evolved into the Minnie Mouse Ear headband craze we see today, all starting from the Mickey Mouse Club.  In this episode, Lauren and Jim cover a wide range of topics, including: -The legacy of "The Lion King" from its original animation to Broadway and the upcoming Prequel. -The Disney Store's unique presence within Target stores. -Insights into when "Wish" the animated movie will hit Disney+ and why the Blu-Ray might become a collector's item -The evolution and significance of Minnie Ears within Disney culture. -An introduction to the new Disney Villains-themed wedding dresses. - A celebration of "Aladdin" on Broadway's 10th anniversary The #IWantThatToo podcast and web show is part of the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network. Catch today's episode wherever you get your podcasts and watch on YouTube @JimHillMedia. Learn more about your

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the change that’s reportedly in the works for “Skull Island: Reign of Kong.” They also talk about the Universal Monsters Tribute Store that just opened at CityWalk out in Hollywood Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When – according to Vin Diesel – will the “grand finale” of the “Fast & Furious” film series finally arrive in theaters Which Epic Universe attraction was being tested after dark late last week How much longer is the Peter Jackson version of “King Kong” than the original (which was released to theaters back in 1933) Which Disney Legend helped build the “King Kong Encounter” for the Universal Tram Tour back in the mid-1980s What was the one thing that Thierry Coup said that he regretted about his career in themed entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about Warner Bros Discovery’s Q4 earnings call. They then talk about which animated features & shorts took home awards at this year’s Annies Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What was the name of the “Fantasia” follow-up that Disney had in the works in the early 1980s How many nominations did “Nimona” have going into this year’s Annie Awards ceremony At which animation studio did Ken Melton start out sculpting maquettes Which members of the original “Fairly Oddparents” creative team are returning to work on “A New Wish” Who did Michael Eisner originally try & recruit to become as the celebrity conductor who’d then ride herd on “Fantasia Continued” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what’s about to happen to the NBA Experience at Disney Springs. They then talk about why kids back in the 1950s were absolutely crazed when it came to Disneyland’s “Autopia”  Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which “Star Wars” movie director just got hired by Universal Pictures to direct their next “Jurassic World” movie Why did the Imagineers insert all of those CG animals into “Soarin’ Around the World” What was originally supposed to transport Disneyland visitors from the Hub all the way to the very back of that theme park’s “World of Tomorrow” Where in World Celebration Gardens should you go if you want to do some people watching When did Disneyland’s Junior Autopia get renamed the Fantasyland Autopia Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the construction permit that has just been filed down in Florida for “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.” They then talk about how the characters from the “Young Jedi Adventures” animated series just visited Black Spire Outpost Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How many mattresses did General George Washington reportedly carry with him over the course of the Revolutionary War Who is supposedly funding Gina Carano’s wrongful termination suit against The Walt Disney Company & Lucasfilm How many episodes have been produced for Season Three of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” Which Star Wars character is rumored to be getting his own first-person video game from Respawn Entertainment How much did Harrison Ford’s copy of the fourth draft of the “Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope” script go for at auction this past weekend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then explains how Hong Kong Disneyland’s version of Sleeping Beauty Castle was transformed into the Castle of Magical Dreams Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How many ECVs can the new bus that’s joining the WDW transportation fleet carry at one time Why – when you’re given the opportunity by the Disney Cruise Line – you should always take the GYT How close does the Ultidor system at the Magic Kingdom get to that theme park’s Tomorrowland Speedway What was the difference between the construction materials that were used to build Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in Anaheim back in 1955 versus the materials that were used to build a second version of this iconic structure at Hong Kong Disneyland  Why did LegCo turn down the opportunity to have a “Star Tours” attraction added to Hong Kong Disneyland in the 2010s Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the “Disney Eats” line of home goods, accessories and apparel. They then talk about what’s been going on with the live-action version of “Lilo & Stitch” Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When did the Mickeyhead balloon initially come on the market How many popcorn carts in the Magic Kingdom did you have to visit if you wanted to collect a full set of the WDW 50th anniversary version of the Mickey Balloon-Shaped Popcorn Buckets What does “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” have in common with Disney’s upcoming live-action “Lilo & Stitch” movie Which Disney theme park treat have the Mouse’s masters of merch used as their inspiration for a new pet bed According to Licensing Magazine, why are millennials & Gen Z such big buyers of Stitch-themed merchandise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor returns with a detailed recap of what’s been going on with “Coyote vs Acme.” Then Jim Hill talks about the recently released trailer for “Iwaju,” that animated limited series from Disney & Kugali Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When will the “Valley of the Witches” be opening at Ghibli Park over in Japan Who reportedly personally petitioned Disney execs & Dwayne Johnson to get Thomas Kail the job as director of the live-action version of “Moana” How did Pixar’s “Turning Red” do at the North American box office this past weekend Where is “Tiana: The Series” (i.e., that new limited series for Disney+) being produced \ Who handled the live-action portion of “Looney Tunes: Back in Action” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the Universal-related trailers that aired during Super Bowl LVIII. They then pivot to talking about that 7-minute-long Epic Universe video that debuted online last week Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which Universal theme park offered its Guests the opportunity to view a trimmed down version of the Broadway musical, “Wicked” Why are fans of the Harry Potter films really going to want to check out the “House of Minalima” at Universal CityWalk Where in the still-under-construction Dreamworks Land at Universal Studios Florida can you find an over-sized spider Which two attractions were previously staged in the USF show building that currently houses “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon” How could Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games potentially impact the Universal theme parks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing a new land use plan that’s recently been revealed for the WDW Resort. They also wrap their series on the history of “Illuminations” SHOW BREAKDOWN: Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Why did the Imagineers just hate Epcot’s “Surprise in the Sky” show Which characters will soon begin making appearances at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa What did the most recent earnings call reveal about attendance level & hotel room occupancy rates at the WDW Resort How will Disney, taking a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic Games, potentially impact the Company’s rivals in the themed entertainment business Why would it have been a mistake to view the world premiere of “Illuminations” from the Norway pavilion back in late January 1988 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by taking a close look at Epic Universe concept art. They then continue their discussion of the development “Illuminations,” EPCOT Center’s break-through nighttime show Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When (just to be safe) one should go about ordering their tickets for Pride Nite at Disneyland Why is the Universal Helios Grand Hotel positioned the way it is, facing into Epic Universe Park How Universal Studios Hollywood plans to use the cars themselves that Guests will ride in on that theme park’s new “Fast & Furious” coaster to mitigate noise pollution in the surrounding community Where did WDW Entertainment come across the searchlights that then added a popular feature to “A New World Fantasy” Why did Walt Disney Productions suddenly decide to buy the Gibson Greeting Card company in the Late Spring of 1984 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how much they’re looking forward to the final season of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.” They also talk about where the upcoming “Great Circle” game fits in chronologically with the first three “Indiana Jones” films Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which character from the “Star Wars” prequels is Marvel Comics now honoring with his first-ever four issue, limited series How many times – to date – has John Williams been nominated for an Oscar Has Daisy Ridley read the script yet for “Star Wars: New Jedi Order” How did Bob Iger’s return as Disney’s CEO impact Patty Jenkins’ “Rogue Squadron” movie Which Two-time Academy Award winner voices Jimmy, the mechanical soldier, in “Rebel Moon -- Part One: A Child of Fire” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the NextGen wands that may soon begin appearing in the Wizarding World over at the Universal Parks. They also discuss Disney’s possible plans to expand the Indiana Jones franchise. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What was especially innovative (circa 1982) about the barges that were used in “Le Carnaval de Lumiere” Why is the Magic Kingdom running its “Festival of Fantasy” parade twice daily on certain days during the month of February How is Disney+ potentially impacting the Company’s spending with it comes to Disney’s theme parks When it comes to Disney theme park rides, what’s the difference between on-board audio and attraction narration Should the Hatbox Ghost be counted as one of the 999 Happy Haunts that reside in Disney’s Haunted Mansion Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Jim Hill & Eric Hersey kick off a brand-new show which offers a different take on Universal Parks & Experiences. Highlights include an interview with Carson Luter from Universal Creative about “Villain Con Minion Blast” Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How did the 24 films that Universal Pictures released in 2023 do at the worldwide box office Which character from an Alfred Hitchcock film is paid tribute to in “Villain Con Minion Blast” What’s significant about the name Universal choses for its Texas park project, at least from a SEO perspective Which Marvel-themed attraction just closed at Universal Studios Japan What’s the secret to racking up a big score on “Villain Con Minion Blast”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill starts off this week’s show with a solo news section. Then Drew Taylor joins the fun in a pre-taped segment that looks back at Gary Rydstrom’s animated films Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How many Annie nominations did Pixar’s “Elemental” receive this year Which William Shakespeare play provided the inspiration for “Strange Magic” What Pixar movie were the blobby alien characters seen in “Lifted” originally designed for When is the sequel to “Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey” supposed to arrive in theaters How well did Pixar’s “Soul” do when it was finally released to theaters earlier this month Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Disney historian Dave Bossert to the show. They then discuss what made this Tomorrowland walk-thru exhibit so memorable to park guests Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which sitcom star voiced Nine Eyes in the American version of “The Timekeeper” In what far-flung corner of the globe did Dave Bossert recently encounter a cocoanut chair What’s different about the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival ending on May 27th When is it expected that Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion will re-open to the public later this year Which Disney Legend was effectively the person in charge of the House of the Future / oversaw its three updates Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the recently announced “Mandalorian & Grogu” film project. They also discuss how the first C3PO AA figure was created for “Star Tours” Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What are Kylo Ren’s original story in the Disney-produced “Star Wars” trilogy supposed to have been like Why has production of the previous announced Rey-tries-to-revive-the-Jedi-Order film project been delayed yet again What scene was the first to be shot during production of “Return of the Jedi” back in January of 1982 Which well-known British actors were reportedly considered to be inside of Darth Vader’s helmet when Luke finally removed his Dad’s face plate in Episode VI Who accidentally revealed that C3PO was supposed to the pilot of the StarSpeeder 1000 in “Sat Tours: The Adventures Continue” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In a solo show this week, Jim Hill starts things off by recapping what happened at this year’s Golden Globe. He shares what he’s heard about the lay-offs that are reportedly coming to Pixar Animation Studios later this year. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about; When will the Blu-ray version of Disney’s “Wish” be hitting store shelves Where did Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera set up their first animation-for-television studio in Hollywood What do Disneyland fans have to say about the “Pixar Fest” marquee / photo-up that weill be set in that theme park later this Spring Which infamous Hollywood mogul from the 1940s & 1940s helped fund the creation of H-B Enterprises, Inc. Why is the “Superman” TV series from the 1950s (i.e., the one that starred George Reeves) sometimes associated with Charlie Chaplin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then shares stories about WDI’s years-long effort to create synced-up soundtracks for thrill rides at the Disney theme parks For this episode, listeners will learn about: How you can best take advantage of the snack credits when it comes to WDW’s recently relaunched Dining Plan When will Florida’s version of “Country Bear Jamboree” be closing for its previously announced reimagining / retooling Which two restaurants in the southwest corner of WDW’s Magic Kingdom share a common kitchen When did Disneyland’s version of Space Mountain suddenly close with little or no notice to that theme park’s Cast or the general public What’s kind of concerning about the new floor plan for the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing which animated films are up for awards at the 2024 Golden Globes. They take a look at some of the superhero-themed animation that’s headed your way. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What did Disney initially charge for VHS and beta versions of that Studio’s films When will Season 2 of “Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur” debut on the Disney Channel Which four US cities did Walt Disney Home Video field-test the idea of selling VHS copies of the Studio’s film When did DC Comics first publish its “Crisis on Infinite Earths” series Which three Golden Globes was “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” up for this year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices