The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Len Testa, Jim Hill, and Imagineer Jim Shull dig into the wild, weird, and wonderfully unsafe history of Disney’s unbuilt Alice in Wonderland walkthrough attraction—complete with collapsing stairs, spinning barrels, and push-bag trees. Also in this episode: Disneyland’s Funhouse That Never Was – Concept art and site plans reveal a walkthrough filled with rotating platforms, disorienting ramps, and a healthy disregard for OSHA. Why Alice’s Walkthrough Got the Axe – Was it the cost, the chaos, or the fact that guests might leave with concussions and playing cards in their pockets? Alice’s Maze Lives On – How elements of the walkthrough survived in Paris and Shanghai—hedges, live-action inspiration, and all. Buzz Lightyear’s Costume Was a Health Risk – The original walk-around suit nearly wrecked cast members’ backs and required Disney to cover chiropractor visits. Everest and the Yeti (Still Broken) – Jim Shull gives the latest on Disco Yeti, ride longevity, and why any real fix won’t happen until Ex

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking up Season Two of “Andor.” They then closely examine the “Star Wars” -related panels & programming at this year’s WonderCon. For this episode, listeners will learn about: Which Cole Porter song features the line “ … what a swell party this is” How many films based-on-Stephen-King-stories films will Mark Hamill be appearing in this year Who was a last-minute replacement for Harrison Ford / stood in for this “Star Wars” veteran as a presenter at this year’s Academy Awards Which film from the first “Star Wars” trilogy will be presented in its original form at this year’s British Film Institute Film on Film Festival How many pieces are there in the new LEGO Star Wars set which then recreates Jango Fett’s Firespray Class Starship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey take a closer look at Hop, Illumination’s forgotten holiday hopeful, and why Easter has never quite found its Elf or Home Alone. From Universal’s big swings to nostalgic flops, they explore what makes holiday movies stick - and why the Easter Bunny keeps missing the mark. •      Why Hop had all the ingredients for success… but still faded into obscurity •      A look back at forgotten Easter specials like The Tale of the Bunny Picnic and Here Comes Peter Cottontail •      The challenge of making Easter “cinematic” compared to Christmas •      Wicked’s Peacock streaming success and speculation on future park tie-ins •      Epic Universe’s Parisian land and its links to Fantastic Beasts •      Horror Unleashed teases its Las Vegas Scarecrow maze •      Gabby’s Dollhouse heads to the big screen - and maybe to DreamWorks Land •      First look at the Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 trailer and HHN speculation Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Universal vacation? Be

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey hop into the season with stories of springtime mishaps, Disney merch drops, and a full breakdown of the difference between spoilers and Easter eggs (the movie kind, not the chocolate kind). The infamous Disneyland orchid drop of the 1950s and other early Easter entertainment ideas A look at this year’s Easter basket-ready merch, from plush Stitch bunnies to adorable Ewok Village Dorables Disney’s new Lululemon collection and a pricey hoodie that’s… just a black hoodie Brooks Run Disney shoes and Lauren’s comfort-first shoe philosophy The origin of Easter eggs in video games and how Pixar carried the tradition into animation Hidden details in Frozen, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Little Mermaid The legacy of Disney's Easter TV specials and how hidden Mickeys started as subtle rebellion Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. T

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by offering birthday greetings to a modern animation master. They then welcome Neil O’Brien, author of “After Disney,” to discuss what it was like to work on the Burbank Lot back in the Late 1970s / Early 1980s Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: When did “BOOP: The Musical” do its out-of-town try-out in Chicago How long after Charles Dickens’ death was his short story, “Life of Our Lord,” published When did Glen Keane first begin working at Walt Disney Animation Studio Which song from DreamWorks Animation’s “The Prince of Egypt” wound up winning an Oscar Who did Andreas Deja share a room at Disney Studios with during the development of The Black Cauldron” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined this week by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a super-sized edition of this podcast. As these three first recap Len’s recent visit to Orlando’s newest theme park and then discuss what recent stock market fluctuations might mean for Disney’s previously announced plans for its Florida Resort Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Which “Isle of Berk” attraction might remind Epic Universe visitors of a certain opening day attraction over at IOA What did Bob Iger reportedly talk about when he dropped in on an ABC News editorial meeting last week? Why Epic Universe undoubtedly will be a better looking theme park in a year’s time Which Epic Universe attractions will have the lowest hourly ride capacity? What percentage of WDW visitors typically travel from Canada to visit that resort annually SHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey break down the biggest stories in the Universal Parks universe, including new details on Epic Universe’s Annual Passholder preview days and Universal’s officially announced theme park in the UK. Plus, they wrap up their deep dive into Universal Studios Hollywood’s 1960s Mardi Gras de Mexico and explore what these early events meant for the future of theme park entertainment. Epic Universe preview day tickets go live - Eric shares his plan for a family-first experience The Epic Universe photo ban is lifted - what it means for social media and spoiler-sensitive fans Speculation on ride tech and show elements, including the Dart animatronic and Dark Universe misdirection Universal announces its new UK park, with rumored lands pulled from Epic Universe, Beijing - and possibly even a James Bond presence Ghostbusters props appear at the Film Vault in Orlando - teasing a Horror Nights tie-in or more? Universal Studios Hollywood's earliest tram tour effects, including foam boulders, fl

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey celebrate the 30th anniversary of A Goofy Movie with new Loungefly backpacks, wild Powerline-themed hats, and a deep dive into the film’s fan-favorite status. Then, they break down some of Disney’s latest merch trends - including crossbody water bottle holders, park-inspired baseball jerseys, and popcorn bucket Christmas ornaments… in April. Plus, Jim shares the fascinating story of how Disney built Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! inside two U.S. parks, and why the once-hot game show fizzled fast. From lanyards and leather jackets to cruise giveaways and Cloisonné pins, this episode is packed with merch nostalgia and a surprising lesson in theme park timing. A Goofy Movie 30th anniversary merch breakdown Popcorn bucket ornaments (and why they’re arriving in spring) Baseball jersey fashion taking over the parks Dooney & Bourke’s new line featuring Disney animation classics The rise and fall of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! at Disney parks Be Our Guest Va

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down the biggest stories shaking up the animation world, including: The explosive box office debut of A Minecraft Movie – Surpassing expectations with $157 million, becoming the biggest opening ever for a video game adaptation. Disney pauses its live-action Tangled remake – After Snow White’s underperformance, the studio rethinks its strategy for adapting more recent animated hits. CinemaCon 2025 highlights – Major announcements from Paramount and Disney, including updates on Elio, Zootopia 2, How to Train Your Dragon, The Smurfs, and a John Wick animated prequel. Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke plummets post-IMAX run, while The Day the Earth Blew Up vanishes from the charts. TV animation shake-ups – New seasons for Phineas & Ferb and South Park, and multi-season renewals for The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy, and American Dad. Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld – A new animated anthology from Lucasfilm launching May 4 on Dis

This week, Jim Hill is joined by special guest Ruben Bolling, the award-winning cartoonist behind Tom the Dancing Bug, while Len Testa is off cruising with a buffet (hopefully). From sweaty Brer Bear suits to Buzz Lightyear’s chiropractor bills, Jim and Ruben explore the history—and hazards—of Disney character costumes. Plus, they dive into the future of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, the legacy of Expedition Everest, and how Imagineers tell stories without saying a word. Costume Carnage – Why early walk-around characters were sweaty, heavy, and occasionally hazardous (spoiler: fiberglass and rebar were involved). Buzz Lightyear’s Evolution – From the world’s heaviest action figure costume to a full ride refresh coming soon to Magic Kingdom. Expedition Everest Turns 19 – A look at Animal Kingdom’s mountain masterpiece and whether the Yeti might finally get his glow-up. Drone Shows Grounded – Following an incident in Orlando, all drone shows are on pause—but what does that mean for Disney’s night

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey take a wild detour into Universal’s 1960s event history—when guests could watch a ceremonial Aztec princess sacrifice as part of the “Mardi Gras to Mexico” celebration. Yes, really. They also dive into the latest Universal news and rumors leading up to Epic Universe’s debut. Universal’s new Epic Universe Portal Tour and how it’s drawing nationwide attention A full breakdown of Epic Universe’s Express Pass pricing and early reactions The $150 Monster Make-Up Experience—worth the price or a pass? Rumors surrounding Rip Ride Rockit’s removal and what could replace it Drones returning to CineSational: how Universal is reviving nighttime shows The Voladores de Papantla, Aztec dancers, tequila bars, and scripted sacrifices that defined Universal’s wild early festival days Deep-cut park memories like the Jack Benny vault tour and a Creature from the Black Lagoon meet-and-greet Show Notes For links, photos, and more context from this e

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore the colorful world of theme park merchandise—from Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival to Universal’s Epic Universe rollout—and spotlight a pastel plush lineup that’s taking over Japan (and maybe your shelf next). Figment’s Flattening at Flower & Garden – Lauren shares her thoughts on Disney’s 3D-printed topiaries, the orange spirit jersey, and whether Figment is looking a little… squished this year. Captain Cacao and Universal Merch Madness – Jim breaks down Universal’s plans to “Adopt a Dragon,” upgrade wands with haptic tech, and introduce new mascots, including a butter beer-loving bear. Cherry Blossom Duffy and the Pastel Plush Invasion – From Baymax in bloom to sleepy Marie, Jim and Lauren review Japan’s newest spring merch—and speculate if Duffy’s soft-spoken friends will ever click stateside. Bounding for the Gala – Lauren previews her Disneybound look for the Epcot 40th Anniversary Gala, complete with Cinderella blue and glas

In this milestone 300th episode, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into the biggest animation stories of the week, including: GKIDS’ 4K re-release of Princess Mononoke – How this Studio Ghibli classic led the box office in per-screen average nearly three decades after its debut. Disney’s Snow White struggles at the box office – What the 66% second-week drop means for the future of live-action remakes. Jon Lovitz and Al Jean hint at a revival of The Critic – Could Jay Sherman return for a new season in today’s influencer-driven media world? Warner Bros. to demolish Building 131, once home to Looney Tunes legends like Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng. Netflix orders a live-action Scooby-Doo origin series, reimagining the gang’s early days at summer camp. A Goofy Movie turns 30 – A new Disney+ documentary is on the way, and Disneyland celebrates with a Max-as-Powerline popcorn bucket. Join Jim and Drew as they celebrate 300 episodes of Fine Tooning with industry insight, animation history, and a look at wh

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill take you back to a time when Hollywood Studios had no Sunset Boulevard and how a red car, a Rocketeer supper club, and Roger Rabbit rides nearly changed everything. Plus, Universal’s first Epic Universe guest survey raises big questions about whether there’s enough to do on opening day. Sunset Boulevard: The Original Plan – A deep dive into the never-built red car route, the South Seas Club from The Rocketeer, and a Dick Tracy ride with real Tommy guns. Roger Rabbit Land That Never Happened – From Baby Herman’s runaway buggy to Mickey’s MovieLand, Jim shares what was almost built. Epic Universe Survey Leaks – We’ve got the first guest experience survey, and Universal’s biggest concern might be: “Is there enough to do?” Disney World Discounts Everywhere – Free dining, kids half off, and hotel deals… but why so many at once? Buzz Lightyear’s Big Upgrade – A new ride vehicle and show scene just in time for Toy Story 5. DVC Sales Office in Canada? – Why Epcot’s Canada Pavi

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey uncover the surprising 1960s Hollywood event that helped inspire Universal Studios’ Mardi Gras celebrations today. Plus, they unpack the latest rumors, leaks, and hotel openings as Epic Universe edges closer to launch. • Mardi Gras Origins: How Universal’s “Fiesta Mexicana” and “Mardi Gras de Mexico” laid the groundwork for today’s fan-favorite events. • Epic Universe Hotel News: Terra Luna opens for bookings—what it means for the summer rush. • Mario Kart Express Rumors: New signage reveals a possible upgrade to the most popular ride in Super Nintendo World. • Leaked Footage Controversy: Team member previews are underway, but influencers sneaking in early may risk ruining the magic. • Power Rangers & Military Discounts: Jim and Eric answer listener questions about live shows and lesser-known perks. • Abraham Lincoln in the Hills?: The quirky story behind a statue that once stood tall in Universal’s early years. It’s a mix of park histor

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey go full collector mode with stories of forgotten plush, rare merch, and the unexpected international success of one very determined Disney bear. The Return of Duffy – From Tokyo-exclusive meet-and-greets to his spot in Disneyland’s new cavalcade, Disney is going all in (again) on Duffy and his friends. The Secret Origin of the Disney Bear – Before he was Duffy, he was an unloved plush at Once Upon a Toy—and Jim shares the wild backstory of how he became a phenomenon in Japan. The Lost Legacy of the Disney Store – With a 38th anniversary celebration underway, Lauren and Jim reflect on the rise and fall of the beloved retail chain. D23 Frustrations and Freebies – From vanishing magazines to exclusive shopping windows, Lauren makes her case for why members deserve more (and maybe a plus-one). Collector PSA – If you love Disney merch history, Lauren recommends checking out Up for Auction, the CW series hosted by Chris Hardwick that’s loaded with

In this episode of Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Jim Hill and Drew dive deep into the latest news and developments in the world of animation: Snow White’s Slow Start – Disney’s live-action remake stumbles at the box office, and Drew shares his take after seeing the film. Coco 2 Announced (and Unannounced) – A sequel to Pixar’s Coco is confirmed by Bob Iger... and then quietly walked back. The Elio Overhaul – Pixar’s original story of a shy kid mistaken for Earth’s leader has been rewritten into a buddy comedy. Drew breaks down the changes in tone, direction, and voice cast. The Long Journey of Toy Story 5 and Tron: Ares – Updates on test screenings and long-in-development sequels finally seeing the light of day. Forgotten Disney Projects – From the scrapped Rose Red spinoff to the sci-fi Snowstar, Jim and Drew explore the alternate versions of Snow White that never made it to the screen. Coyote vs. Acme & Looney Tunes Drama – Ketchup Entertainment offers Warner Bros. $50 million for the rights to rele

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill are joined by DVC expert Paul Krieger to finally wrap up the long-running series on Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge—now Lakeshore Lodge. They explore how this project evolved from concept to construction, what’s next for the Fort Wilderness area, and how Disney Vacation Club is changing the way it builds and brands new resorts. Reflections Becomes Lakeshore Lodge – How Disney quietly rebranded and reimagined the long-delayed Bay Lake resort. DVC's Changing Design Philosophy – From rustic to refined: Why today’s DVC resorts look more like luxury hotels than themed lodges. Water Features and Cabins Revealed – What new blueprints and site plans tell us about the size of the pool complex and three distinct cabin types. The Rise of Fort Wilderness as a DVC Mega-Resort – 350 cabins, plus Lakeshore Lodge, could make it the largest DVC footprint at Walt Disney World. DVC History with Paul Krieger – A crash course in the evolution of the Disney Vacation Club—from Old Key We

In this episode of Looking at Lucasfilm, Jim Hill and Brian Gaughan explore the wild intersections of Star Wars history, theme park updates, and forgotten Lucasfilm curiosities: A closer look at Disney’s abandoned 1979 sci-fi project “Snow Star,” a reimagined Snow White set in space. New budget details and storytelling ambitions behind The Mandalorian & Grogu film, debuting May 22, 2026—alongside a new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride film featuring Mando and Grogu. WonderCon 2025 preview: Panels every Star Wars fan should catch, from trivia parties to cosplay and behind-the-scenes insights on Skeleton Crew and Kenobi. A deep dive into Bruce Vilanch’s new memoir and how it unpacks the creation—and chaos—of the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. From scrapped film concepts to theme park expansions and the bizarre TV moments Lucasfilm would rather forget, this episode is packed with Star Wars storytelling both new and nostalgic. Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Unive

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive deep into the surprising and nostalgic story of Nickelodeon’s presence at Universal Studios Florida—from green slime to dark rides and beyond. Plus, they share the latest updates on Epic Universe and more theme park buzz. Highlights include: Nickelodeon at Universal Studios Florida: How a rent-free deal brought Nick Studios to Orlando and made Double Dare, the Slime Geyser, and Nick-themed attractions part of theme park history. Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast & SpongeBob Square Store: The rise (and fall) of Nick’s attraction presence in the park—and what stayed behind. SpongeBob in Las Vegas: Eric’s review of the new dark ride at Circus Circus and the surprising quality of this family-friendly experience. Epic Universe Parking Lot Names Revealed: Eric and Jim break down the new themed lot sections like Monster, Gamer, and Hero. Universal Hollywood’s Free Parking Updates: What new perks mean for Gold and Platinum passholder