The Disney Dish with Jim Hill - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill — Places & Travel
The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

The Disney Dish Podcast with Jim Hill and Len Testa
Dive into the fascinating world of Disney with theme park historian Jim Hill and Len Testa as they uncover the stories behind the magic. From breaking news and in-depth analyses to quirky historical tidbits and behind-the-scenes secrets, The Disney Dish offers a unique blend of humor, expertise, and insider knowledge.
Whether you’re a die-hard Disney fan, a theme park aficionado, or just curious about the history and future of Disney parks and resorts, this podcast has something for everyone.
What to Expect:

Breaking Disney News: Stay up to date on the latest happenings at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney’s global parks.

Historical Deep Dives: Learn how classic attractions were created, the stories behind Disney’s biggest decisions, and the Imagineering ingenuity that brought it all to life.

Listener Q&A: Get answers to your burning questions about the parks, attractions, and Disney culture.

Exclusive Insights: Gain access to insider details and stories you won’t find anywhere else.

Fun & Humor: Enjoy the wit and camaraderie of two Disney enthusiasts who know how to make even the most technical details entertaining.

With decades of combined experience and an unmatched passion for all things Disney, Jim and Len guide you through the parks, the stories, and the magic in a way only they can.
Your journey to the happiest podcast on earth starts here. Subscribe today!

Copyright: © Copyright Jim Hill Media 2022

Latest Episodes:

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 488: Disney Cruise Line coming to Japan Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Disney author & historian Foxx Nolte. Who gives them a preview of his latest book, “Scoundrels, Villains, & Knaves: Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Popular Culture”

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

What are the differences between the VIP tours offered at WDW versus those made available to visitors at the Universal Orlando Resort

Which train show staged back in the mid-1940s reportedly influenced the design of New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park

What’s the rumored reason that character greetings are not being offered as part of Lightning Lane Multi-pass

Which scene was originally designed for the Escher Staircase area for WDW’s version of the Haunted Mansion

What’s kind of intriguing about the fact that the Themed Entertainment Association has yet to release its annual Theme Park Index (which lists theme park attendance numbers) has yet to be released for 2024

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 487: A look at LEGO’s lengthy relationship with Disney Parks & Experiences Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the different “lands” that Guests can explore once they board the Disney Adventure (which begins sailing out of Singapore in 2025).

They also share a survey from Universal Orlando about this Resort’s version of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Which musical acts will be appearing at this year’s “Eat to the Beat” concert series as part of the 2024 edition of EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival

When did Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith come back online at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

How many passengers is the Disney Adventure supposed to be able to accommodate on each sailing of this new DCL vessel (Bonus question: How many crew members will be on board to service these passengers)

According to Greek mythology, which three very different things is the God Poseidon supposed to watch over / be in charge of

What happened to attendance levels at EPCOT Center & Disney-MGM Studios theme park right after Disney’s Animal Kingdom first opened in April of 1998

Show Notes

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Lightning Lane Multi Pass is supposed to work (Ep. 486) Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing

WDW’s Genie+ replacement.

They then walk through exactly what happened backstage at

Disneyland prior to the launch of that Park’s “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks

Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:

 How far in advance will on-site Guests be able to book Multi Pass reservations

 When is this new ride reservation system supposed to officially come online at

the Walt Disney World Resort

 What holiday-themed projection show is supposed to be updated as part of the

2024 edition of “Jollywood Nights”

 Where did Disneyland used to store its fireworks back in the 1980s

 Why did Disneyland’s firemen go around backstage checking doors & windows

an hour before “Fantasy in the Sky” launched

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 485: Is WDW getting ready to revamp the My Disney Experience app Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 484: How were Disneyland’s fireworks impacted by the Clean Air Act Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 483: What were Disneyland’s first fireworks show like Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 482: How “Date Nite at Disneyland” got started Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 481: Up before dawn with “Disney Dreams That Soar” May 27, 2024

Show notes

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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 480: When the Disneyland Hotel had a miniature golf course May 20, 2024

Show notes

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 479: What became of that “Typhoon Lagoon” movie Disney was going to make May 13, 2024

Show notes

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Related Podcasts