The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Latest Episodes:

Piston Peak Clues and the Secret History of Bear in the Big Blue House (Ep. 576) Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Len Testa and Jim Hill unpack a newly discovered Disney patent that may hint at the ride system for Piston Peak, along with updates from Disneyland construction, Disney Cruise Line, and Epic Universe. They also dig into recent survey data revealing how Disney is tracking guest spending and behavior. Then, in the first installment of a new series, Jim explores how Bear in the Big Blue House became a key piece in Disney’s long pursuit of the Muppets and how that history connects directly to Bluey today.

NEWS
• A newly surfaced Disney patent suggests a possible trackless, free-range ride system for Piston Peak, featuring dynamic terrain elements like logs and geysers
• Cast Member previews begin for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin update at Walt Disney World
• Disneyland construction continues on the Coco attraction and new parking infrastructure near Harbor Boulevard
• Anaheim Transportation Network shutdown could impact 22,000 daily riders, with Garden Grove launching replacement shuttle service
• Disney Cruise Line announces the Disney Believe, with speculation about Galveston becoming a future home port

FEATURE
• The origin story of Bear in the Big Blue House and how it became a breakout hit for Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney block
• How Disney used its partnership with the Jim Henson Company to strategically position itself for a future Muppets acquisition
• The surprising role of Sesame Street ownership in derailing Disney’s early attempts to buy Henson
• Why Disney once considered acquiring Bear in the Big Blue House alone instead of the full Muppets library

Show Notes for this episode can be found here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
The Disney Dish is sponsored by Unlock Magic. Save on Walt Disney World tickets with exclusive discounts at UnlockedMagic.com.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

First Time at Universal Studios Hollywood - Does It Live Up to the Hype? (Ep. 95) Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey record on-location from Universal Studios Hollywood as Eric experiences the park for the very first time. From the iconic tram tour to Super Nintendo World, WaterWorld, and a close-up look at the new Fast & Furious coaster, they break down what surprised them most about Universal’s original park. Plus, how Hollywood compares to Orlando and what’s next for this evolving destination.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Eric’s first-ever visit to Universal Studios Hollywood and how it compares to Universal Orlando
• The world-famous Studio Tram Tour - what still works, what feels dated, and the impact of recent changes
• A closer look at the new Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift coaster and why it could be a game-changer for the park
• WaterWorld stunt show review - why this decades-old attraction still delivers
• Super Nintendo World Hollywood vs. Epic Universe - key differences in scale, immersion, and experience
• Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash - an underrated dark ride that deserved better timing
• CityWalk Hollywood impressions and the ongoing transformation of the resort

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Website: StrongMindedAgency.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Live Streamers, Snack Wars, and Disneyland Strategy Mistakes (Ep. 9) Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Eric and Lauren unpack a wild week in the Disney parks, from the growing debate around live streamers and park etiquette to Disney’s latest efforts to win back middle-class families. They also dive deep into the Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World snack showdown and share a costly lesson about choosing between Lightning Lane and Park Hopper. It’s a mix of park culture, planning strategy, and plenty of food opinions.

HIGHLIGHTS

A live streamer incident at Disneyland sparks a bigger conversation about safety, swatting risks, and whether live streaming should be restricted in the parks
The difference between respectful content creators and disruptive live streamers, including real guest and cast member frustrations
Disney’s new push to attract middle-class families with lower ticket options, discounts, and kid-focused experiences
Expanded low-tier ticket availability, summer promotions, and added value offerings across Disneyland and Walt Disney World
The ongoing value debate: breaking down cost-per-hour and whether Disney is still “worth it” compared to other entertainment
Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World snacks: why Lauren says Disneyland wins and Eric… just eats everything
Standout Disneyland snacks including the raspberry macaron, Matterhorn cream puff, and cheesy garlic pretzel bread
A Disneyland strategy mistake: skipping Lightning Lane leads to a $600 Park Hopper decision mid-day
Food & Wine Festival crowds at Disney California Adventure and how timing can completely change your park experience
The big planning question: Park Hopper or Lightning Lane at Disneyland - and why the answer isn’t so simple

HOSTS

Eric Hersey – X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@erichersey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@erichersey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Lauren Hersey – X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@laurenhersey2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lauren_hersey_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW – DIS & HERS

FOLLOW – JIM HILL MEDIA

SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/JimHillMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited & Produced by Eric Hersey – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠reach out today.⁠⁠⁠

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

Heat, Heroes, and Half-Built Avengers Campus (Ep. 13) Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Jim Hill and Dan Graney finally record face-to-face from Anaheim, sharing a sun-scorched Disneyland trip, firsthand impressions of Avengers Campus, and a candid look at what’s working - and what’s not. From ride reactions to walkaround characters and future Marvel attractions, this vacation edition mixes on-the-ground observations with big-picture theme park thinking. Plus, Jim reports in from the Academy Museum and a surprising Marvel presence, while both weigh in on the evolving entertainment landscape beyond the parks.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Dan shares his updated take on Avengers Campus, including Web Slingers, character encounters, and why the land still feels incomplete without a true E-ticket attraction
• A brutally hot Disneyland visit reveals how extreme weather impacts guest experience, ride decisions, and character availability
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout continues to impress with its pre-show, even as the ride experience proves divisive
• Jim breaks down the long-rumored Avengers Campus expansion and why capacity challenges reshaped the original Quinjet ride concept
• A visit to the Academy Museum uncovers an unexpected Marvel Studios exhibit alongside classic film history, including props, costumes, and Hulk effects

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery | Facebook: /thehubbubbery | Website: thehubbubbery.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Merch Madness at Disneyland’s 70th and Beyond (Ep. 91) Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey recap a whirlwind West Coast trip packed with Disneyland 70th anniversary finds, surprising merch hacks, and a few Universal curveballs. From deep discounts and rare pins to interactive collectibles and nostalgic throwbacks, this episode is a treasure trove for Disney shoppers and collectors alike. Plus, the duo ventures into Universal Hollywood and Vegas to compare how other parks are stepping up their merch game. It’s part shopping guide, part history lesson, and all Disney enthusiasm.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Disneyland 70th anniversary merch hits steep discounts, with select items marked down up to 40% as Disney begins clearing inventory ahead of summer crowds
• The “Key to Disneyland” experience delivers a surprise rare pin moment, with one ultra-rare piece reportedly reselling for hundreds on the secondary market
• A clever merch hack reveals a $17.99 customizable Disneyland hat alternative to a nearly identical $79.99 version
• Vintage-inspired Mouseketeer items, including a Mouse Guitar tribute, highlight Disney’s long history of merch driving major brand success
• Universal experiments with interactive shoulder characters tied to upcoming Super Mario releases, building on ideas Disney introduced years ago
• A hidden Universal “Take Two” outlet store offers discounted merch in CityWalk, echoing Disney’s character warehouse concept
• Vegas experiences like Area15 and the Sphere showcase immersive retail tied to entertainment, though not all merch resonates with guests

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is brought to you by Unlock Magic - the go-to place for some of the best deals on theme park tickets. If a Disney or Universal trip is on your radar, visit UnlockedMagic.com to lock in great prices and make your next vacation more affordable.

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

Shannon Tindle on Ultraman, Lost Boys, and Animating the World of John Wick (Ep. 350) Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Animation writer-director Shannon Tindle joins Drew Taylor for a wide-ranging conversation about breaking into animation, developing new projects, and navigating Hollywood’s ever-changing animation landscape. Shannon reflects on his career from CalArts to DreamWorks and beyond, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from Ultraman Rising, Kubo and the Two Strings, and projects that never made it to the screen. He also discusses his upcoming animated John Wick prequel and how animation opens creative possibilities that live action can’t.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Shannon Tindle discusses how artists today can break into animation from anywhere in the world thanks to digital portfolios, social media, and global collaboration.

• The evolution from analog portfolios and paper storyboards to Cintiq tablets and fully digital pipelines - and how that shift changed how animation talent gets discovered.

• Shannon shares details about his unproduced Disney animated series inspired by The Haunted Mansion, which would have followed a young girl tracking down escaped ghosts from the attraction’s famous “999 happy haunts.”

• A second Disney concept explored a modern take on the Lost Boys from Peter Pan, imagining a diverse group of kids in today’s world and a girl challenging the group’s “no girls allowed” rule.

• Behind-the-scenes insights into developing Ultraman Rising, including how the project began as an original concept before becoming an official Ultraman film and how Japanese fans reacted to the finished movie.

• Shannon explains how his upcoming animated John Wick project will expand the franchise with stylized action sequences impossible in live action while also exploring the emotional origin story of John and Helen.

• The creative challenge of balancing large-scale action with quiet character moments - something Shannon sees as essential to preserving the tone that makes the John Wick films work.

• Stories from Shannon’s time at DreamWorks working alongside artists like Nico Marlet, Carlos Grangel, and Tony Siruno, and how collaborative studio environments sharpen artists’ skills.

HOSTS

• Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work

GUEST

• Shannon Tindle - IG: @shannon_tindle

FOLLOW

• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

What It Really Took to Run The Great Movie Ride (Ep.575) Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

This week’s Disney Dish mixes a packed Walt Disney World news round-up with a deeply nostalgic trip through one of Disney-MGM Studios’ most beloved lost attractions. Jim and Len break down a wave of reopening dates, new discount strategy, annual passholder survey oddities, and a fresh round of listener questions before returning to Jim’s ongoing history of The Great Movie Ride. The main story this time shifts backstage, focusing on the cast members, timing, choreography, and split-second performance work that made the attraction feel so alive. It is part park operations deep dive, part oral history, and pure Disney nerd catnip.

NEWS

• Walt Disney World rolls out a cluster of reopening dates, including Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin on April 8, Soarin’ Around America and Bluey at Animal Kingdom on May 26, plus more returning offerings later this summer.

• Disney also unveils new summer and fall offers, including free dining and a 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket, signaling a coordinated push to fill rooms after the spring reopening window.

• Universal Studios Hollywood begins ride cycling Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, offering a first look at the drifting ride vehicle tech expected to influence the Orlando version.

• Disney names Thomas Mazloum chairman of Disney Experiences, setting off a broader leadership reshuffle across Disneyland, Parks International, and Consumer Products.

• A new annual passholder survey raises eyebrows by spotlighting Zootopia-themed offerings at Animal Kingdom, fueling more speculation about where Disney may lean with that IP in the future.

FEATURE

• Jim continues the history of The Great Movie Ride by focusing on the cast members who brought the attraction to life, from auditioning tour guides to the performers who earned the right to play the gangster and bank robber.

• The episode explores the ride’s hidden operational complexity, including synchronized tram timing, live performance beats, emergency exits, and the backstage choreography required to make two different versions of the attraction work at once.

• Jim also shares stories about effects changes, guest complaints, on-the-job mishaps, and the strong sense of community that kept former cast members emotionally attached to the attraction long after its 2017 closure.

• The result is a vivid look at why The Great Movie Ride was not just a ride system and a script, but a live performance machine that depended on timing, talent, and nerves.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

View transcript here.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com

• Len Testa - Website: TouringPlans.com

• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews

• Instagram: JimHillMedia

• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR

Our friends at Unlocked Magic have discounted theme park tickets starting at just one day of admission, with prices better than Disney’s. Get your Walt Disney World tickets now and see all the new and returning offerings opening soon.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Fast & Furious Hits the Brakes on the Studio Tour (Ep. 94) Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey look at the past and future of Universal’s Fast & Furious presence in the parks, just as Universal Studios Hollywood prepares to debut its new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster. Along the way, they discuss the franchise’s surprising influence on theme park attractions, why the original tram-tour finale is closing, and what the next era of Universal expansion looks like - from Osaka to Texas. They also break down several recent Universal news stories, including a new parade at Universal Studios Japan and the latest developments at Universal Orlando.

NEWS

• Universal Studios Japan announces a 25th anniversary parade featuring Pokémon, Mario Kart characters, Sesame Street, and the Minions.

• Universal Orlando removes its self-service ticket kiosks as mobile ticketing becomes the preferred guest option.

• Luke Combs’ Category 10 live-music venue is coming to Universal CityWalk Orlando.

• New concept footage highlights Jurassic World and SpongeBob lands at the upcoming Universal Kids Resort in Texas.

• Pteranodon Flyers at Islands of Adventure will remain closed through May 14, 2026.

FEATURE

• A preview of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift and the new ride vehicles debuting at Universal Studios Hollywood.

• How the Fast & Furious film series evolved from street racing into a global blockbuster franchise.

• The behind-the-scenes challenge of completing Furious 7 after the death of Paul Walker.

• Why the Fast & Furious Supercharged tram-tour finale is closing and what comes next for the attraction space.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com

• Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Website: StrongMindedAgency.com

FOLLOW

• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR

Planning your next Universal or Disney trip? Let the experts at Be Our Guest Vacations handle the details. As a Platinum-level earmarked travel agency, they specialize in planning unforgettable vacations to Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Disney destinations, cruises, and more.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Princess Running Shoes, Walt’s L.A. Tour, and the Long Road to Disney Springs (Ep. 90) Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into a mix of new Disney merch, fan experiences, and theme park history. They break down the newly revealed Disney Princess running shoes from Brooks, preview merchandise coming to EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival, and look at a premium new D23 tour that takes fans through Walt Disney’s Los Angeles. Then Jim returns with Part 2 of the story of how a struggling shopping area at Walt Disney World evolved from the Disney Village Marketplace into the sprawling Disney Springs destination we know today.

NEWS

• Brooks and runDisney unveil the 2026 Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend shoe collection featuring Rapunzel, Belle, and Moana inspired designs - including braided laces, lantern motifs, and ocean themed colorways.
• Registration prices for the Disney Princess Half Marathon continue to climb, now landing between $259 and $269, adding to the debate around race merch availability and resellers.
• D23 launches the premium Walt’s Los Angeles Tour for Gold Members - a $1,999 guided experience visiting Walt Disney Studios, Imagineering, Walt’s former home, the Carolwood Barn, and ending with dinner at one of Walt’s favorite restaurants.
• A preview of EPCOT’s 2026 Flower & Garden Festival merchandise highlights new Orange Bird apparel, a retro inspired button down, Spike the Bee accessories, and Annual Passholder exclusives.
• Disney California Adventure prepares for the 2026 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, including new marketplace booths and the Sip and Savor Pass that lets guests prepay for festival items.

FEATURE

• Part 2 of the Disney Springs story: how Michael Eisner inherited the underperforming Walt Disney World Shopping Village in the 1980s.
• The creation of Pleasure Island in 1989 as Disney’s answer to Orlando’s Church Street Station nightlife.
• The evolution into Downtown Disney in the 1990s with additions like Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe, LEGO Imagination Center, DisneyQuest, and Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba.
• Why Pleasure Island ultimately closed in 2008 - and the short lived Hyperion Wharf concept that almost replaced it.
• How a major rethink under Disney Parks leadership led to the massive Disney Springs redevelopment, expanding the complex to more than 150 shops and restaurants across four themed districts.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2

FOLLOW

• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic. If a Disney or Universal trip is anywhere on your radar for 2026, the team at UnlockedMagic can help you secure great ticket deals with guidance from people who truly know the parks. Learn more and lock in your future trip at UnlockedMagic.com.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Bad Guests, Good Influencers: Inside the Best and Worst of Disney Fandom (Ep. 8) Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Eric and Lauren take a look at two very different sides of the Disney parks experience. First, they dive into the strange, frustrating, and sometimes hilarious examples of bad guest behavior that cast members deal with every day. Then they flip the script and explore the world of Disney content creators - highlighting some of the nicest influencers in the community and breaking down how people actually turn Disney fandom into a career online.

HIGHLIGHTS

Weird guest behavior in the parks: From guests interrupting performances to someone walking into Animal Kingdom with an entire bag of hard-boiled eggs, Eric and Lauren share some of the strangest stories pulled from Disney fan forums.
Cast member frustrations: The duo discusses the kinds of guest behavior that drive cast members crazy - including entitlement over “pixie dust,” arguing about ride safety rules, spoiling character magic for kids, and hoarding limited-edition merchandise.
Guests behaving badly: Stories range from public arguments over reality TV in Disney restaurants to runaway scooters smashing trash cans - plus the uncomfortable reality of guests ignoring common courtesy in the parks.
The nicest Disney influencers: A Reddit deep dive reveals a surprisingly wholesome consensus about creators like Paging Mr. Morrow, while Lauren shares why Disney Dish co-host Len Testa stands out as one of the most beloved figures in the Disney fan community.
How Disney creators actually make money: Eric and Lauren explain YouTube monetization, sponsorships, Patreon communities, and the reality that many influencers still keep full-time jobs while building their Disney platforms.

HOSTS