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Disney Afternoon Is Trending, “Real” Star Wars Returns, & #EpcotFArts (Ep. 1) Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Eric and Lauren break down the Disney stories fans are reacting to online this week, starting with a surprise blast of 90s nostalgia as the Disney Afternoon games creep back into the conversation. From there, they dig into Galaxy’s Edge loosening up its timeline rules to bring back original trilogy characters, plus the viral Evil Queen controversy that sparked a much bigger debate about character interactions. And because the internet cannot help itself, they close things out with the Festival of the Arts nickname that absolutely should not work, but somehow does.

HIGHLIGHTS

An ESRB listing sparks chatter that the Disney Afternoon Collection could be headed to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and why Disney adults are clearly the target audience
Why Disney continues to lean hard into nostalgia and how search trends and fan buzz often telegraph bigger strategy
Galaxy’s Edge expands beyond a single timeline at Disneyland, bringing back original trilogy characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker
The viral Evil Queen performer story and why Disney draws a hard line when a character interaction becomes bigger than the role itself
The rise of “#EpcotFarts”, the #FOA vs. #FArts debate, and why Disney seems perfectly fine letting the internet run with it

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

With special help from Dave Grey.

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

Winnie the Pooh at 100: How Disney’s Most Gentle Icon Became a Merchandising Powerhouse (Ep. 83) Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

As Winnie the Pooh turns 100, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey take a deep dive into how Disney is kicking off a year-long centennial celebration and what the first wave of merchandise already reveals about the strategy behind it. From understated lifestyle apparel to a knit plush that collectors immediately zeroed in on, this episode explores why Pooh still resonates after a century. Then, Jim unpacks the surprisingly complex business history that transformed a simple bedtime story into one of Disney’s most carefully managed and profitable characters.

NEWS
• Disney officially unveils its Winnie the Pooh 100th anniversary branding, signaling a long runway of celebrations tied to Pooh’s literary origins
• The first wave of centennial merchandise drops, favoring subtle, wearable designs over loud anniversary graphics
• A limited-edition knit Pooh plush, capped at 7,500 units, becomes the early breakout collectible
• Key 2026 milestones line up, from Winnie the Pooh Day to major Disney animation anniversaries
• Publishers and museums outside Disney join in, reinforcing Pooh as a cultural and literary icon

FEATURE
• How A.A. Milne’s bedtime stories for his son evolved into a global phenomenon
• The pivotal role of licensing agent Stephen Slesinger in shaping Pooh’s commercial future
• Why Disney handled Winnie the Pooh differently than almost any other character
• How merchandising deals, lawsuits, and strategy shifts helped turn Pooh into a billion-dollar brand

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 Unlocked Magic, your go-to source for great deals on theme park tickets. If Disney or Universal is on your travel radar for 2026, Unlocked Magic can help you lock in excellent 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

Controlled Chaos and Smooth Transitions at Marvel and Lucasfilm (Ep. 9) Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Disney rarely tells you exactly what it’s doing anymore, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a plan. This week, Jim Hill and Dan Graney break down why Marvel’s latest marketing push feels chaotic on the surface yet deeply intentional underneath, and how that same philosophy is quietly reshaping Lucasfilm and Disney’s theme parks. From Avengers teases to Star Wars leadership handoffs, this episode is all about Disney learning how to move forward without hitting the reset button.

NEWS
• Why Marvel’s weekly “stories” for Avengers: Doomsday are designed to invite speculation rather than explain anything
• How long-running MCU callbacks from Brave New World and Quantumania may finally be paying off
• The Super Bowl factor and why Marvel may be training audiences to pay attention again
• Rumors pointing to Peggy Carter and the Fantastic Four playing larger roles than expected
• What Marvel’s confidence says about its post-multiverse strategy

FEATURE
• Kathleen Kennedy’s planned leadership transition and what it signals about Lucasfilm’s future
• Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan’s split creative-business model and why Disney favors it
• Galaxy’s Edge loosening its timeline rules to embrace Star Wars nostalgia
• How Marvel comics are being used to quietly “duct tape” Star Wars canon back together

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Dan Graney - IG: ⁠@thehubbubbery | YouTube: @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 team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market. Learn more and book your tickets 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 Mr. Magoo to Speedy Gonzales - How Animation History Keeps Repeating Itself (Ep. 342) Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Right in the thick of awards season, Drew Taylor and Jim Hill cover a wide swath of animation history and current events - from box office heavyweights and streaming announcements to the complicated legacies of mid-century cartoon characters. Along the way, they connect the dots between past controversies, present-day reappraisals, and how modern creators are recontextualizing classic animated icons.

NEWS
• Why Avatar: Fire & Ash remains unstoppable at the box office, holding the top spot for a fifth straight week
• Zootopia 2 climbs into the global Top 10 all-time, surpassing Inside Out 2 and Disney’s The Lion King remake
• A new Phineas & Ferb movie is officially in the works for Disney+, with a time-bending premise
• What’s next for Pixar’s Hoppers, following Drew’s recent trip to Emeryville
• Updates on How to Train Your Dragon 2, including Cate Blanchett’s return as Valka

FEATURE
• A deep dive into the rise and fall of UPA, from Mr. Magoo’s Oscar wins to the studio’s eventual collapse
• How changing cultural standards sidelined characters like Magoo, Cholly, and UPA’s Dick Tracy supporting cast
• The newly revealed documentary Animation Mavericks: The Forgotten Story of UPA and why it matters now
• Why Jorge Gutierrez developing a Speedy Gonzales movie could signal a long-overdue shift in how legacy characters are handled

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, where you can save up to 12 percent on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets. Learn more at UnlockedMagic.com and be sure to let them know 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

When Did Summer Vacation Disappear at Walt Disney World? Plus The Surprising History of the Sword in the Stone Ceremony (Ep. 567) Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

This week on Disney Dish, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into a deceptively simple question with big implications for trip planning: when exactly did “summer vacation” stop being peak season at Walt Disney World? Using years of hotel pricing data as a proxy for crowd demand, Len walks through what the numbers say - and the results may surprise longtime fans. Then Jim takes listeners on a deep historical tour of one of the parks’ most quietly beloved traditions, the Sword in the Stone ceremony, tracing its evolution across Disney parks worldwide.

NEWS
• Why Disney hotel pricing data suggests summer is no longer peak season at Walt Disney World
• A breakdown of how demand has shifted from summer to fall travel, especially October
• Updates on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishments and new cave effects
• Casting and timing details for the upcoming Bluey experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge timeline expansion, adding characters from across all Star Wars eras

FEATURE
• The full history of the Sword in the Stone ceremony, from Disneyland in 1983 to parks around the globe
• Why Imagineers were obsessed with The Sword in the Stone long before the ceremony debuted
• How budget cuts slowly transformed a full-scale show into today’s simpler experience
• The true story of the guest who actually pulled the sword completely out of the stone

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 of Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, powered by our friends at DVC Rental Store. Save $50 or more per person on select multi-day Walt Disney World tickets and take the stress out of planning your next vacation. Visit UnlockedMagic.com for details.

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

Tarzan Swings Back In, While the Universal Backlot Goes Up in Flames (Ep. 86) Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey kick things off with a generational pop culture moment before diving headfirst into a packed episode of Universal news, park planning, and studio history. From a newly announced Rockford Files reboot to freshly released 2026 event calendars, this episode covers what Universal fans need to know now - and then takes a long, fascinating walk through some nearly forgotten corners of the Universal backlot. Along the way, listeners get travel talk, awards season chatter, and one of those deep historical pivots that only this show can deliver.

NEWS
• NBC commits to a pilot for a Rockford Files reboot, prompting a look back at the original series and its Universal roots
• Universal’s awards season recap, including Golden Globes results and where Wicked did (and did not) land
• Universal Orlando releases its 2026 event calendar, including dates for Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and passholder perks
• The full Mardi Gras International Flavors of Carnival concert lineup is revealed, sparking a game of “name your generation”
• Updates from Universal Hollywood on Fan Fest Nights, Butterbeer Season, and the long road toward Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift

FEATURE
• A listener letter sparks a deep dive into Universal’s forgotten Tarzan serials of the 1920s
• How Edgar Rice Burroughs’ dissatisfaction with early Tarzan films led to casting shakeups and lost silent-era movies
• The surprising connection between Tarzan, Universal’s backlot geography, and Jay Stein’s infamous tram tour gags
• A look at how Park Lake became home to submarines, parted seas, burning houses, and other classic Studio Tour illusions

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

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

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

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

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Be Our Guest Vacations, a platinum-level earmarked travel agency providing top-tier concierge planning for Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Disney Parks, cruises, and more. Start planning your next adventure at BeOurGuestVacations.com and be sure to mention that the Epic Universal Podcast 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

How Tangled’s Live-Action Future Connects Back to 101 Dalmatians’ Past (Ep. 82) Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

Disney’s live-action strategy, a surprisingly exclusive D23 merch sale, and a 65-year-old animated classic all collide on this episode of I Want That Too. Jim and Lauren break down why a new casting announcement for Tangled matters far beyond the movie itself, how Disney is quietly rewarding its most dedicated fans, and why 101 Dalmatians feels more relevant today than ever. Along the way, they connect the dots between animation history, modern merchandising, and the business decisions still shaping Disney in 2025.

NEWS
• Why the newly announced Tangled live-action leads are a smart, generation-spanning choice for Disney • How Disney’s live-action remakes reduce risk and supercharge future merchandise lines • The Twice Upon a Year Sale that most fans know - and the D23-only version many do not • Why D23 memberships are suddenly looking more valuable heading into a busy 2025

FEATURE
• How Sleeping Beauty’s box office failure nearly sank Disney animation • The technology shift that made 101 Dalmatians possible with a drastically smaller animation staff • Why Cruella de Vil became the template for Disney villains going forward • How a cost-saving experiment ended up saving Walt Disney Animation Studios

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 UnlockedMagic. Planning a future Disney or Universal trip? Lock in great ticket deals without the stress 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

The Best (and Worst) Disney Park Entrances Around the World (Ep. 10) Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The Case For with Chris Cox, Jim Hill convenes court in a flooded courtroom to debate one deceptively big question - which Disney park entrances actually work best. With Len Testa mysteriously missing in action, Jim and Chris take listeners on a globe-spanning tour of arrival sequences, retail corridors, and first impressions, from rope-drop chaos to architectural storytelling. Along the way, they explore how Imagineering intent sometimes collides with real-world park operations and why those first few minutes inside the gates matter more than you think.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Why Disney’s park entrances function like the opening moments of a movie or stage show • The intentional slow reveal of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and why it frustrates rope droppers • How Main Street U.S.A. sets expectations differently in Anaheim vs. Walt Disney World • Tokyo Disneyland’s oversized walkways and the surprising impact of World Bazaar’s glass roof • The evolution of Disney California Adventure’s entrance from postcard concept to Buena Vista Street

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Chris Cox - IG: @magiccox | X: @bigcox | Website: magiccox.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

Fire in the Ink & Paint Department – How “Banjo the Woodpile Cat” Lit a Fuse at Disney (Ep. 341) Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Right in the thick of awards season, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down to read the tea leaves on this year’s animation race while also digging into a pivotal - and often misunderstood - moment in Disney animation history. From Annie Award trends and box office signals to Don Bluth’s garage-era rebellion, this episode covers how a shortage of effects animation talent helped spark one of the biggest talent walkouts the studio ever faced.

NEWS
• Why KPop Demon Hunters and Pixar’s Elio leading the Annie nominations could matter as Academy voting begins
• The third Avatar film dominates the box office again as Zootopia 2 closes in on Lion King-level numbers
• GKIDS picks up Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom for a Halloween release
• Remembering composer Guy Moon and his legacy across The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, and more

FEATURE
• How shrinking FX animation departments in the 1970s quietly changed Disney’s films
• Why Don Bluth created Banjo the Woodpile Cat as a “training exercise pretending to be a movie”
• Ron Miller’s rejection of Banjo and how that decision helped trigger Bluth’s mass exit from Disney
• The ripple effects that delayed The Fox and the Hound, reshaped the studio, and helped set the stage for Disney’s 1980s reboot

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 - at UnlockedMagic.com. When you book, please let them know 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

A Runaway Boulder and a Crumbling Fairytale (Ep. 566) Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

This week on Disney Dish, Jim Hill is joined by mind reader and showman Chris Cox, who steps in for Len Testa and immediately finds himself in the middle of some very Disney-sized mishaps. From a runaway Indiana Jones boulder at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the surprisingly fragile roof of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the conversation explores what happens when iconic park moments go just a little too far. Along the way, Jim and Chris dig into forgotten ceremonies, cutback entertainment, and the Imagineering decisions that quietly shaped Disneyland over the decades.

NEWS
• A 400-pound boulder goes off track during a performance of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and what that means for show safety going forward
• The temporary removal of the iconic boulder scene and why Disney is famously cautious after incidents like this
• The Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk cuts back to a three-night schedule and what that signals about nightlife at the resort
• Listener mail on working New Year’s Eve at Disney parks and why January 1 might secretly be the best day to visit

FEATURE
• The long and surprisingly complicated history of the Sword in the Stone ceremony and how it really worked behind the scenes
• How Imagineer Kim Irvine subtly transformed Sleeping Beauty Castle over four decades without sparking guest outrage
• Why holiday overlays and anniversary bling eventually caused serious structural damage to the castle roof
• The 60th anniversary decorations that led to a six-figure repair and a full castle roof replacement

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Chris Cox - IG: @magiccox | X: @bigcox | Website: magiccox.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

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