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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:

Birds, Booze & The Beak & Barrel: Magic Kingdom’s New Pirate Lounge Sets Sail (Ep. 547) Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a packed episode of The Disney Dish to discuss Magic Kingdom’s brand new Beak & Barrel Lounge, an immersive pirate-themed bar near Pirates of the Caribbean. Len shares firsthand impressions of the decor, the elusive animatronic pirate Rummy, and why it’s already drawing Trader Sam’s comparisons.

Also in this episode:

Why Disney villains might be the next big meet and greet trend
Early entry’s 70 million dollar cost-cutting math
Len’s thoughts on all-inclusive dining plans (and horrifying Gold Key memories)
A hard truth about Jungle Cruise’s future in the Magic Kingdom
The story behind Cars Land’s origins and how an unrealized DCA parade inspired it

Plus: shoutouts to Surrey bike designers, a blood alcohol calculator for Food & Wine, and ashtray trauma from the 1970s.

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The Vanishing Act: David Copperfield’s Lost Disney-MGM Studios Attraction (with Chris Cox) (Ep. 546) Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Len Testa and Jim Hill welcome award-winning mind reader and performer Chris Cox (BBC and Broadway) for a deep dive into one of Disney’s most fascinating “what could have been” stories.

The ambitious plans for David Copperfield’s Magic Underground restaurant
How the New York flagship nearly opened before money troubles pulled the plug
Michael Eisner’s enthusiasm for magic and themed dining in the 1990s
Why Disney-MGM Studios was slated to host Copperfield’s magical dining experience
How timing, costs, and the decline of themed restaurants caused the project to vanish

From collapsing billboards in Times Square to a restaurant where your table might levitate, this is the story of the Disney dining experience that almost was — and why it disappeared.

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Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

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What Disney’s Firework Ratings Reveal About the Future (Ep. 545) Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into how fans really rate Disney’s nighttime spectaculars — and why those scores decide which shows stay and which ones fade away. Along the way, they cover the latest park news and wrap up the story of how Jack Sparrow sailed into Pirates of the Caribbean.

TouringPlans survey data reveals the winners and losers among Disney’s fireworks and nighttime shows
Why “average” ratings are the kiss of death for spectaculars like Enchantment
New menus and a $65 all-you-can-eat croissant buffet at Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival
Destination D23 schedule updates, including hints of a Villains Land presentation
Construction progress on Disneyland’s new Marvel e-ticket attraction
Universal’s permit filing that could mean another Epic Universe hotel
How Johnny Depp, Captain Barbossa, and Davy Jones made their way into the Pirates of the Caribbean rides

From fan-favorite fireworks to the behind-the-scenes drama of Pirates overlays, this episode blends data, history, and Disney news you won’t hear anywhere else.

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Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

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

Disney’s Big Earnings Surprises and the Pirate Makeover of Magic Kingdom (Ep. 544) Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Len Testa and Jim Hill break down Disney’s latest earnings call, including park attendance trends, hotel occupancy shifts, and how Epic Universe may be quietly impacting Orlando tourism. They also review a fascinating new Disney Cruise Line survey that tests potential discounts and onboard perks, as well as what those offers could mean for future sailings.

Listener questions cover everything from the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow projection tech to Walt Disney World’s mysterious white bus lane lights, and Jim continues his multi-part history of how Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbossa found their way into the Pirates of the Caribbean attractions. Along the way, they explore the behind-the-scenes stories of the Pirate Tutorial, the Pirates League, and Disney’s new Beak and Barrel lounge at Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s domestic attendance and hotel occupancy results

How Epic Universe is influencing local tourism

What a Disney Cruise Line survey reveals about future promotions

Why Captain Jack’s meet-and-greets were tightly controlled

The evolution of pirate-themed experiences in the parks

Time Stamps

Intro (00:18:18)
Break 1 (00:29:24)
Break 2 (00:42:05)
SHOW NOTES

Support Our Sponsors

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠

DVC Resale Market

Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free.

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DVC Rental Store

Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offprovideciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures!

⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠

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

From Disney Food Blog to Bookstore Shelves: AJ Wolfe’s Disney Adults (Ep. 543) Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

While Len Testa enjoys a well-earned week off, Jim Hill is joined by special guest AJ Wolfe of the Disney Food Blog to talk about her new book Disney Adults: Exploring and Falling in Love with a Magical Subculture. But first, Jim shares updates from around Walt Disney World, including real demolition progress for the Monsters Inc. Door Coaster, the curious lack of vertical construction for Encanto Land, and new details about the General Joe Potter ferry accident currently under investigation.

Why Disney Adults may be “the most hated group on the internet”
What’s missing from Animal Kingdom’s Encanto and Zootopia areas
The Monsters Inc. Door Coaster transforms Muppet Studios
Fantastic Four meet-and-greet rules (and international waters loopholes)
A heartfelt tribute to longtime podcast collaborator Brian Gaughan

AJ Wolfe also shares behind-the-scenes stories from her Disney Food Blog journey, the early days of Disney dining coverage, and why writing Disney Adults meant sharing some very personal truths—debt, joy, and all.

Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Adults-Exploring-Falling-Subculture/dp/1668069210

Support Our Sponsors

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠

DVC Resale Market

Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free.

⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠

DVC Rental Store

Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offprovideciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures!

⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠

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. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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

Disney Starlight gets off to a strong start at WDW’s Magic Kingdom (Ep. 542) Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by taking a close look at the recently announced plans to revamp the Animation Courtyard area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

They then continue their interview with Don Hahn & Chris Merritt, the authors of “The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland”

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

· What aspect of the actual entrance to Disney Studios out in Burbank is about to be replicated in Florida
Why do you want to pay close attention to those sets of dancers that are positioned between the floats for Disney World’s new nighttime parade Where will the new “Drawn to Wonderland” aspect of DHS’s “Magic of Disney Animation” likely be located inside the old Walt Disney Feature Animation – Florida building

Which almost-built Disneyland attraction would have sent you home with a perhaps unhealthy glow

Why is it already difficult to find an on-property room at the WDW Resort for a reasonable price during mid-December of this year

SHOW NoTES

Support Our Sponsors

DVC Resale Market

Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free.

⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠

DVC Rental Store

Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offprovideciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures!

⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠

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. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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

Epic Universe wants to know when exactly you plan on visiting (Ep. 541) Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Don Hahn & Chris Merrit, the authors of “The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland.” This show kicks off a two-part interview that reveals how Walt’s family fun park first came to be.

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

Who bought the very first admission to Disneyland Park back in July of 1955
When is the third “Prep & Landing” holiday special – “The Snowball Protocol” – expected to debut on ABC
Who did Walt bring in to help the Evans brothers with the horticultural aspect of Disneyland Park
What did Adventures by Disney’s “Take Me Out to the Ballparks” trip entail
Why was DHS’s “Legend of Jack Sparrow” show so short-lived

Support Our Sponsors

DVC Resale Market

Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free.

⁠Learn More⁠

DVC Rental Store

Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures!

⁠Learn More⁠

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. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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

The Jack Sparrow Problem Disney Didn’t See Coming (Ep. 540) Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Len Testa and Jim Hill look at Disney’s latest surveys, hotel rumors, and Halloween Horror Nights announcements—then plunge into the second half of their deep-dive on Pirates of the Caribbean. This time, Jim reveals how Disney navigated a real-life guest frenzy over Captain Jack Sparrow, the surprisingly expensive costume drama that followed, and the face character chaos that nearly derailed New Orleans Square. Plus, early plans for a pirates-themed restaurant, and how Dead Man’s Chest almost broke the box office and the parks.

Why a cleared canal near Magic Kingdom might be future hotel space
Christmas party dates, Festival of the Holidays updates, and DJ Dance Pants
How Disneyland kept guests from mobbing Jack Sparrow face characters
The $60,000 costume that sparked a parade of cease and desist letters
A scrapped pirates dining experience that had Jack eating off your plate

Also: Warner Bros. surveys some Vegas-worthy IP ideas, Morrissey or Horror Night house?, and why Robin Williams’ mime days live on in Disney animation trivia.

Support Our Sponsors

DVC Resale Market

Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free.

DVC Rental Store

Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures!

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. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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

How Jack Sparrow Made It Into the Ride (and Why the Curse Wasn’t His) (Ep. 539) Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Len Testa and Jim Hill tackle a packed show, from new Eat to the Beat concert acts and Test Track Lightning Lane changes to a survey that hints at Disney bundling sports vacations with ESPN and Adventures by Disney. Then in the main segment, Jim unpacks the wild story behind the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise—including how one clever Imagineer added a cursed treasure twist to the ride years before it hit the big screen, and why Michael Eisner insisted on a subtitle that technically made no sense.

New Eat to the Beat lineup adds Bowling for Soup, Jordin Sparks, and The Beach Boys
Disney files plans for the Monsters Inc. Door Coaster building—yes, it’s a real land
ESPN and ABD surveys tease premium sports-based vacation packages
What really happened to Pixar’s Elio, and how politics may have changed the movie
Behind the scenes of Curse of the Black Pearl: casting, rewrites, and a fake curse

Plus, Len pitches a villains-themed restaurant where customer service is intentionally bad, and Jim explains why Tower of Terror on TV paved the way for Jack Sparrow in theaters.

Support Our Sponsors

DVC Resale Market

Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free.

DVC Rental Store

Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures!

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. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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

Rebuilding the Future: How Innoventions Replaced CommuniCore (Ep. 538) Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Len Testa and Jim Hill cover the latest Disney news, including a major update to the dining reservation system, a rerouted parade to improve park flow, and the latest tweaks at Epic Universe. Then, Jim dives into the real story of how Epcot’s CommuniCore was shut down and transformed into Innoventions—Disney’s answer to a park in crisis. With budgets tight and tech aging fast, Michael Eisner turned to Las Vegas for inspiration, resulting in a CES-style exhibit hall packed with rotating sponsors, interactive demos, and a built-in refresh cycle.

Disney’s new patent could make Haunted Mansion feel spookier
A smarter parade route helps clear Main Street faster
Why Tron still isn’t available during Early Entry
Epic Universe’s early admission strategy evolves again
The creation, success, and legacy of Innoventions

It’s a look at how Disney reimagined the future—and managed to sell it to sponsors one booth at a time.

Support Our Sponsors

DVC Resale Market

Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free.

DVC Rental Store

Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures!

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. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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

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