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Marvel’s Quiet Confidence Era Begins with Wonder Man (Ep. 10) Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Marvel didn’t roll out a red carpet this week. No hype cycle, no countdown, no spectacle. They just quietly released all eight episodes of Wonder Man - and Jim Hill and Dan Graney think that choice says a lot about where Marvel Studios is headed. In this episode, the conversation turns to trust, restraint, and why some of Marvel’s most meaningful moves right now are the ones they are making without fanfare.

NEWS
• Wonder Man drops all eight episodes at once, earning strong early reactions
• Spider-Man: Brand New Day continues to be framed as a major tonal shift
• Daredevil: Born Again lines up a second season with Jessica Jones returning
• Avengers: Doomsday rumors swirl, including unresolved threads from Deadpool & Wolverine
• Marvel’s expanding consumer strategy, including a high-profile Marvel Oreo crossover

FEATURE
• Why Wonder Man is one of Marvel’s most intimate and character-first projects
• Simon Williams, mutants, and Marvel’s renewed comfort with narrative gray areas
• The Department of Damage Control and what it signals about a changing MCU
• Trevor Slattery, performance as survival, and why Ben Kingsley’s return works so well

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

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, sometimes up to 12 percent off, from the same trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store and the DVC Resale Market. Learn more 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

From “Goat” to “Hoppers,” Why 2026 Is Shaping Up to Be the Year of Animated Animals (Ep. 344) Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

This week on Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor kick things off on Groundhog Day weekend by leaning into an appropriately animal-heavy episode. From Sony Pictures Animation’s upcoming sports comedy Goat to Pixar’s sci-fi action comedy Hoppers, the guys break down why animated animals are having a moment and how recent box office and streaming successes are shaping what comes next. Along the way, there’s box office chatter, awards-season surprises, toy fair buzz, and a heartfelt remembrance of one of animation’s great voice talents.

NEWS
• Goat from Sony Pictures Animation lines up its February 13 release with NBA All-Star Weekend, and Drew shares what he learned talking directly with the filmmakers.
• Pixar’s Hoppers draws internal debate over its bold comedy, with Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton stepping in to defend Daniel Chong’s vision.
• Zootopia 2 continues its strong box office run, reinforcing why studios are doubling down on animal-driven stories.
• Streaming and awards updates include KPop Demon Hunters, Grammy nominations, and what dominated viewing charts in 2025.
• Big animation-adjacent headlines from the Nuremberg Toy Fair and the return of classic Looney Tunes shorts to Turner Classic Movies.

FEATURE
• A deeper dive into Goat, including the challenges of animating Roarball, the film’s underdog themes, and its sequel potential.
• Pixar’s Hoppers explained - its sci-fi premise, visual style, and how Mabel’s intense personality was shaped into a Pixar-friendly lead.
• Remembering Catherine O’Hara and her lasting legacy in animated film and television voice performances.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Drew Taylor - IG: @DrewTailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work

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 Unlocked Magic. Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets - sometimes up to 12 percent off - by visiting UnlockedMagic.com. Unlocked Magic is run by the same team behind the DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, making it easy to plan your 2026 Central Florida trip and lock in serious savings.

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

The Fireworks Villains Win, Plus the Final Mad Dash to Open EPCOT (Ep. 569) Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

This week, Jim and Len unpack a packed Disney Dish that starts with theme park news and surveys before taking a deep dive into the frantic, sleep-deprived final months of EPCOT Center construction. Along the way, they translate Disney survey-speak, speculate on where Pokémon could land at Universal, and stumble onto what might be the most diabolically smart fireworks idea Disney has never tried.

NEWS
• Disney’s guest surveys decoded - What EPCOT and resort questions really reveal about future cuts, changes, and monetization
• Animal Kingdom and Disneyland food updates - Harambe Market speeds up its opening while Napa Rose returns with a $188 price tag
• Pokemon at Universal - Why Springfield, Lost Continent, or Epic Universe are all in play
• Cruise line discounts and CityWalk rethink - What Universal and Disney Cruise Line data gathering tells us about demand
• A subtle Josh D’Amaro change - Could a missing voice hint at bigger leadership news?

FEATURE
• Inside EPCOT’s construction crunch - From 4,000 workers to 10,000 almost overnight
• Why most builders had no idea what they were building - And how Disney fixed that problem
• The overnight concrete pours and brutal schedules - 75 straight days on the job in Florida heat
• How worker preview days helped push EPCOT across the finish line

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

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | 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
• Be Our Guest Vacations - beourguestvacations.com
• DVC Rental Store - dvcrentalstore.com
• DVC Resale Market - dvcresalemarket.com
• Unlocked Magic - 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

Miami Vice Goes to the Theme Park (Ep. 88) Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

This week, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey connect the dots between an MTV-inspired TV phenomenon and one of the most ambitious nighttime stunt shows ever staged at a Universal theme park. From Brandon Tartikoff’s “MTV Cops” brainstorm to exploding boats on Universal Studios Lagoon, the guys unpack how Miami Vice helped shape theme park history - even when Universal Florida was not allowed to use the name.

NEWS
• Universal announces a global Pokémon theme park expansion tied to the franchise’s 30th anniversary
• Early speculation on where Pokémon could land stateside, including Lost Continent and Simpsons real estate
• Universal files a trademark for “OZTACULAR SPECTACULAR,” fueling Oz land rumors for the rumored UK park
• First public look at the Universal Kids Resort model ahead of its Frisco, Texas opening
• Reactions to Wicked: Part Two being shut out of this year’s Academy Award nominations

FEATURE
• How Miami Vice evolved from “MTV Cops” into a pop culture juggernaut
• Why Universal Studios Hollywood repurposed its A-Team stunt show into the Miami Vice Action Spectacular
• The borrowed mine cart chase that directly inspired Disney-MGM’s Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Why Universal Studios Florida’s lagoon show became Dynamite Nights instead of Miami Vice - and how long it ran

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

The Pokémon Effect: Why Collectibles, Cookies, and Theme Parks Are All Chasing Pikachu (Ep. 84) Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into why collectibles are suddenly everywhere you look, from Disney merch shelves to grocery store cookie aisles and even inside theme parks themselves. This episode connects the dots between blind box culture, viral collectibles, and why companies like Disney and Universal are aggressively courting adult collectors and Gen Z fans. Along the way, the conversation builds toward a genuinely jaw-dropping realization about which media franchise quietly became the most valuable of all time.

NEWS
• Disney’s Zootopia 2 teams up with Pop Mart for blind box collectibles, tapping directly into the viral Labubu-style collector economy
• Why blind boxes, mystery packs, and “completionist” merch are suddenly Disney’s favorite strategy
• Disney Lorcana takes over EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts with a free scavenger hunt and highly coveted promo cards
• Marvel’s new color-changing Oreos turn cookies into collectibles, complete with QR codes, lore, and villains
• Universal Studios Japan confirms plans for a major Pokémon attraction, setting the internet on fire with speculation

FEATURE
• How Pokémon quietly became the highest-grossing media franchise in history
• Why gaming revenue now dwarfs movies and how that shift changed theme parks forever
• The real reason Universal wants Pokémon and why everyone else is chasing that level of success
• What Pokémon’s 30-year rise tells us about merch, media, and the future of themed entertainment

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 of I Want That Too is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, your go-to source for stress-free savings on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 trip is on your radar, Unlocked Magic helps you unlock great prices with expert guidance from people who truly know the parks. Learn more 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

Disney’s CEO Race, Disneyland Handcrafted, & the COVID Experiences Fans Still Miss (Ep. 02) Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Lauren and Eric dig into the latest chatter surrounding Disney’s next CEO, unpack mixed reactions to a newly released Disneyland documentary, and explore why Hallmark filming at Walt Disney World struck a nostalgic chord. Along the way, they reflect on what quietly vanished during COVID and which experiences fans still hope might return.

HIGHLIGHTS

Online reaction to Disney’s CEO succession plan, including why Josh D’Amaro is the public-facing favorite and why some fans are wary of his park-era decisions.
A breakdown of Disneyland Handcrafted, its simultaneous release on Disney Plus and YouTube, and why reactions from fans and creators have been so divided.
Hallmark filming at Walt Disney World, complete with Polynesian Village Resort guest notices and why the collaboration makes sense for both brands.
A nostalgic look back at COVID-era losses across the parks, from tea rooms and spas to parades, shows, and interactive experiences that never returned.
The attractions, entertainment, and small Disney details fans are still salty about - and whether any of them could realistically come back.

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

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

The Case for Lightning Lane (Ep. 11) Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

In this session of The Case Four, Judge Jim Hill presides over a lively and surprisingly practical debate about Walt Disney World’s Lightning Lane system. Len Testa and Chris Cox dig into what you really gain - and lose - when you pay to skip the standby line, weighing money, time, stress, and how much of your vacation you want to spend staring at your phone. Along the way, the court grapples with pie-related grievances, parenting realities, and whether Disney’s most premium option might actually make sense.

HIGHLIGHTS
• A plain-English breakdown of Lightning Lane Single Pass, Multi Pass, and Premier Pass and how Disney complicates all three • Real-world math on paying to skip lines versus waiting with kids for hours • The mental load of Lightning Lane optimization and how much phone time it actually demands • Touring tactics like rope drop pairing, stacking, burner Lightning Lanes, and the 119-minute grace period • Why Lightning Lane Premier Pass might be the least stressful - and most honest - version of the system

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

The Last-Minute Fixes That Turned The Lion King into a Classic (Ep. 343) Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down a very strange January weekend for animation and the box office. Between a massive snowstorm shutting down hundreds of theaters, surprise Oscar nominations, and some heartfelt remembrances of animation legends, this episode covers a lot of ground. There is industry news, Disney history, and a few thoughtful detours along the way.

NEWS
• How a nationwide snowstorm shut down more than 400 theaters and dragged the North American box office down to just $58 million for the weekend
• Why Mercy managed to knock Avatar: Fire & Ash out of the top spot with a historically soft number one opening
• Zootopia 2 crosses $400 million domestically and gets a confirmed digital and physical release timeline
• Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Animated Short, including why KPop Demon Hunters looks like the current front-runner
• A first look teaser for The Super Mario Brothers Galaxy Movie introduces Yoshi ahead of its April release

FEATURE
• A deep dive into the legacy of Roger Allers and how The Lion King was reshaped in the final weeks before release
• Behind-the-scenes stories from Disney Animation’s most turbulent eras, including last-minute fixes that would never fly today
• Remembering restoration legend Ron Stark of S/R Laboratories and his quiet but essential impact on animation history

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

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work

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
Unlocked Magic helps you save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, sometimes up to 12 percent off. Plan your 2026 Central Florida trip with confidence at UnlockedMagic.com and be sure to tell them Drew and Jim sent you.

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

Ten Thousand Workers, One Deadline: EPCOT’s Craziest Year (Ep. 568) Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and Len Testa cover a wide range of park news before diving headfirst into one of the most intense construction stories Disney has ever lived through. From Haunted Mansion permits and Animal Kingdom surveys to Hallmark cameras rolling at Walt Disney World, the first half sets the stage for a jaw-dropping look at how EPCOT was nearly derailed before it ever opened. Then Jim walks through the chaotic final year of EPCOT construction, when Disney threw manpower, money, and sanity at the calendar to make an October 1 deadline happen.

NEWS
• New construction permits near the Haunted Mansion spark speculation about queue changes and future guest flow into Villains Land
• Universal confirms a Fast & Furious spinning coaster will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Disney surveys reveal how much a re-themed attraction like Zootopia Better Zoo-Gether actually drives intent to visit
• Animal Kingdom questions hint at how Disney expects families to split up as thrill rides expand
• A Hallmark holiday movie films on location at Walt Disney World, including a surprise Jodi Benson cameo

FEATURE
• Inside EPCOT’s final year of construction, when the project ballooned to 10,000 workers on site
• How endangered woodpeckers, sinkholes, and shifting plans pushed EPCOT dangerously behind schedule
• Why Disney was forced to spend billions to meet a non-negotiable opening date
• Stories from the worksite that explain why veterans still describe it as chaotic, dangerous, and unforgettable

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

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | 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
This episode is sponsored by DVC Resale Market - get expert help buying or selling Disney Vacation Club points at DVCResaleMarket.com.
Also sponsored by DVC Rental Store - save on your next Disney vacation by renting points at DVCRentalStore.com.
Planning your next trip? Let Be Our Guest Vacations handle the details at BeOurGuestVacations.com.
And by Unlocked Magic, offering concierge-level Disney planning services 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

Fast & Furious Revs Up and the Strange Art of Faking Disaster at Universal (Ep. 87) Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

This week, Jim and Eric shift from breaking Universal news into a fascinating look back at how the company perfected the art of staged chaos. From the official confirmation of a Fast & Furious coaster to high winds halting Epic Universe testing, the conversation eventually lands on the wonderfully cheesy, sometimes dangerous, and always ingenious Jay Bangs that defined the Universal Studios Hollywood Tram Tour for decades.

NEWS
• Universal officially confirms a Fast & Furious coaster to replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Universal Orlando’s latest emotional ad sparks debate over nostalgia versus party vibes
• High winds stall testing on Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers coaster
• Mystery concrete and launch tubes hint at a future nighttime spectacular at Epic Universe
• A noticeable rise in lawsuits across major theme parks raises industry concerns

FEATURE
• Why Universal’s Tram Tour illusions were internally known as Jay Bangs
• Collapsing bridges, rockslides, spinning tunnels, and other classic disaster effects
• How films like Jaws helped push Universal toward attractions tied to contemporary hits
• The fine line between thrilling guests and accidentally pelting them with wet Styrofoam “rocks”

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

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 theme park adventure? Let the experts at Be Our Guest Vacations help you plan a trip to Universal Orlando Resort, Hollywood, Disney parks, cruises, and more. Start planning today at BeOurGuestVacations.com and be sure to mention the Epic Universal Podcast.

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

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