The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about “Inside Out 2” ‘s continuing dominance at the worldwide box office. They then discuss some of the television-related news that came out of this year’s Annecy International Film Festival and Market For this episode, listeners will learn about: What’s the subtitle of the next holiday special in Disney’s “Prep & Landing” series supposed to be called Who did Steven Spielberg want to hire to handle all of the animation in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” What’s the title of the new “Gravity Fall” -related book that’s supposed to hit store shelves on July 23rd Where is the world premiere of DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” going to be held What happened in the “Pig Head” scene that was cut out of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by looking at the “Dark Universe” concept art that the Universal Orlando Resort just revealed. Then they wrap up their history of fireworks displays at Disneyland Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Who was Disney’s partner when it came to developing a compressed air-based launch system for its fireworks displays When is work supposed to get underway on the refurbishment of WDW’s version of Big Thunder Mountain Why do golf enthusiasts love the 18-hole putting green over at the Palm & Magnolia course Where had the Imagineers originally wanted to build an Ursula-themed spinner at Disney California Adventure What was the computer-controlled fireworks firing system that Harold “Mickey” Aronson designed for the Disney Parks called Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of "I Want That Too," Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill discuss the history of Disney's first animated star. Then Oswald collector Noe Valladolid shares how he acquired some of his most valuable pieces. For this episode, listeners will learn about: How "Inside Out 2” blew past its initial box office projections Where at Disney Springs you can find the new Aloha Collection mini-store What veteran sports broadcaster did Disney trade to NBCUniversal in exchange for a certain cartoon rabbit Where on the Disney Lot in Burbank Oswald was hiding in plain sight for decades Which souvenir from Universal Studios Japan do Oswald collectors especially lust after  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing what Universal Parks & Experiences has just revealed about Epic Universe’s next land.  They also continue the tale of USH’s efforts to get more monsters into that theme park In this episode, listeners will learn about: Where’s the best place to stand in Universal Studios Florida to view “CineSational: A Symphony Spectacular” On which coast did the “Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” show first debut Why did Stephen Sommers pass up the opportunity to make a third “Mummy” movie at Universal Pictures How is Voodoo Doughnuts getting in on the celebration of the 60th anniversary of USH’s Tram Tour Which Classic Universal Monster is rumored to be getting his own attraction as part of a future expansion of Darkmoor Village Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor is fresh back from France. And he tells Jim Hill all about the animated films that he got to see at this year’s international animation film festival and market For this episode, listeners will learn about: What did Nick Park have to say when he learned of Steven Spielberg’s love of the runaway train scene in “The Wrong Trousers” Which recently retired Disney Legend received this year’s Annecy Walk of Fame Award Where do Porky, Daffy & Petunia Pig work in “The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” The work of which visual futurist reportedly served as the inspiration for the world in which Dreamworks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” is set How is Disney expanding the cast for “Moana 2”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the operational issues that “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” continues to have during its preview period. They also share listeners' theories about why WDW sit-down restaurants have seemed so empty lately Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: What changes have been made to the on-board narration for Disneyland’s Mark Twain When will the revamped version of “Country Bear Jamboree” be opening at the Magic Kingdom in Florida Who personally supervised the fireworks display over Seven Seas Lagoon back on October 23, 1971 What’s happening with WDW’s old “Pirates Leagues” facility Why were the fast food restaurants & motels built around Disneyland back in the Late 1950s / early 1960s all clustered around the corner of Harbor & Katella Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In the fourth installment of this new educational series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid look at even more early World’s Fairs. With the focus this time around being on French advances in themed entertainment. In this episode, listeners will learn about: • Why the Exposition Universelle de Paris of 1899 dwarfed all others • How the temporary Eiffel Tower led to the discovery of gamma rays  • The problem with “human zoos” • Why the Tower’s most vehement critic dined there every day • Which themed international buildings served as a precursor for EPCOT’s World Showcase Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the technical issues “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” has been facing during its Cast Member preview period. They also take a look at the room décor for WDW Island Tower (i.e., that new DVC which will be opening right next to WDW’s Polynesian Village Resort on December 17th) In this episode, listeners will learn about: Why would Owen & Dolly Pope always tour the corrals at Disneyland’s Circle D Ranch the mornings after fireworks had been shot off at Walt’s family fun park When will Jollywood Nights be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year How far back can the Disneyland tradition of a rope drop at the opening of the park be traced Where did Disneyland management turn when it needed to recruit additional security officers to help man that theme park Which Tomorrowland attraction back in the 1960s was able to handle 4000 Guests an hour Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the teaser trailer for “Moana 2.” They also closely examine which Disney Princess moves the most merchandise. Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Why did the Magic Kingdom eventually remove the Disney Princess float from its “Share a Dream Come True” parade What were the three robots in Universal Pictures’ “Silent Running” called Which “Will & Grace” star read the role of the Snow Queen in one of the earliest table reads done for Disney’s “Frozen” What happened inside of the Magic Kingdom on the morning of 9/11 When did the delayed version of WDW’s “100 Years of Magic” celebration finally get underway Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing Universal Orlando’s new Premium Scream offering. They also continue their look back at how USH kept trying to build a successful show around the Universal Classic Monsters Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Where can one find that new Butterbeer Cart souvenir candy bucket at the Universal Orlando Resort How long after “The Simpsons Ride” opened in 2008 did Springfield Fast Food Boulevard come online Who designed the 20-foot-tall animatronic serpent in USH’s “Conan: A Sword & Sorcery Spectacular” show What is the technical name for that space which scareactors hide in before jumping out & frightening event attendees at Halloween Horror Nights When Disney World started holding its “Night of Joy” after-hours hard ticket events Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how “The Garfield Movie” has been doing at the domestic box office. They also share some fond memories of Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman In this episode, listeners will learn about:  Which animated feature – released to theaters a year ago this week – sold $120 million worth of tickets over its opening weekend in North America What part of the score for “Pooh’s Hunny Hunt” (i.e., the first trackless ride at a Disney theme park) did Richard M. Sherman personally direct What limitation of early CG convinced Pixar’s original brain trust that they needed to make movies like “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo” & “Wall-E” According to early box office projections, how much is “Inside Out 2” expected to earn over its first weekend in domestic release In the future, what will the new release pattern be for the animated features released by Pixar Animation Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the opening weekend of performances of “Disney Dreams That Soar.” They then look back at how fireworks got started at Disneyland Park in the late 1950s In this episode, listeners will learn about: Why Universal Orlando decided to change the name of Epic Universe’s racing coaster When will work begin on the retheming of Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Which musical acts is Universal Creative reportedly considering using as the jumping-off point for a maze at a future Halloween Horror Night Why are dining reservations suddenly far easier to get at WDW’s sit-down restaurants Where will road improvements soon begin on Disney World property Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In the third installment of this new educational series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid look back at the first World’s Fairs. More importantly, the impact that these ambitious expositions had on society In this episode, listeners will learn about: Where in London was the Great Exposition staged Which structure at the Great Exposition inspired a popular WDW restaurant What marvels from the Victorian Age were on display during this 5-month-long event Which event held in France just four years later attempted to throw the Great Exposition of London into eclipse Why is the Palais d’Industrie considered Napoleon III’s “ego building” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Jim Hill first talks about how “The Garfield Movie” did domestically over the long Memorial Day Week. He then discusses that new YouTube documentary, “Beyond the Glass: The WDW Animation Building” Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Which fairy tale classic was supposed to have served as the basis of Disney’s first-ever live-action musical for television How much of the staff up in Emeryville was reportedly let go as part of the recent round of lay-offs at Pixar Animation Studios Which two movie musicals did the Sherman Brothers write the score AND the screenplays for How many films have been produced to date as part of the “Mad Max” movie series Which installment has been the highest-grossing film (to date) in the “Kung Fu Panda” series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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