The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Latest Episodes:

When Luggage Flies & Presidents Fume: Disney’s New Travel Perks and the Nixon Moment at the Contemporary (Ep. 558) Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Len Testa unpack Disney’s expanding multimodal transportation plans, field listener questions on “Dwarfgate” and the state of restaurant seating, and dig into the remarkable story of how Richard Nixon ended up declaring “I am not a crook” at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort.

NEWS

Disney expands its airport luggage transfer program to include Southwest Airlines arrivals, bringing back a little bit of that old Magical Express magic.
A deeper look at Disney’s FY2025 earnings reveals what that surprising 4% Q4 attendance dip likely means.
Updates on the Polynesian Tower’s Wailulu Bar & Grill and the return of the Garden View Lounge afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian.
After 35 years, the rights to Roger Rabbit revert to creator Gary K. Wolf—sequels may be on the horizon.
Universal explores a new 4–5 mile transportation system linking Epic Universe, CityWalk, and I-Drive.
Listener questions on Dwarfgate, Tablegate, and how early to line up for key attractions.
A look at why Disney still asks detailed spending questions on surveys—even when they already know many of the answers.
The full story of why President Richard Nixon’s “I am not a crook” press conference happened at the Contemporary Resort, and how that moment shaped Disney’s early public image.

Full show notes available here: Show Notes

Hosts

Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com

Patreon

Enjoying the show? Support the Disney Dish and get exclusive bonus content at:
https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
YouTube: @jimhillmedia
TikTok: @jimhillmedia

Producer Credits

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

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team at DVC Rental Store—where you can save 10% on regular and special-event Disney tickets, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights.

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

The Van Helsing That Never Was: Inside Universal’s Abandoned Dark Universe (Ep. 77) Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey trace the ambitious — and ultimately ill-fated — vision for Universal’s Dark Universe, from the scrapped sequel to The Mummy to Tom Cruise’s push to reinvent himself as the studio’s modern Van Helsing.

NEWS

Universal courts talent and headlines by hiring Mark Platt and director Lorene Scafaria for a Sabrina Carpenter–led Alice in Wonderland musical.
Comcast explores a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs advising.
Competing interest from Netflix and Apple raises the stakes ahead of WBD’s planned corporate split.
Peacock sets a new premiere date for The Epic Ride documentary, now featuring rare dragon-drone testing footage from Epic Universe.
A closer look at how the industry shake-ups could affect theme park rights, licensing, and future Universal IP development.

FEATURE

The original plan for a direct sequel to 2017’s The Mummy — and how the story would have expanded Dr. Jekyll’s organization and the gods-and-monsters mythology.
Why Tom Cruise’s version of Nick Morton was conceived as the entry point to a larger shared universe… and how internal plans positioned him as the modern Van Helsing, monster hunter and connective tissue between films.
How Cruise’s hands-on creative control — the same instinct that later led Top Gun: Maverick to a $1.4B box office — clashed with Universal’s rollout of the Dark Universe brand.
A breakdown of what actually killed the Dark Universe: mismatched expectations, a premature cinematic universe announcement, and a marketing campaign Cruise felt undermined the film he delivered.
Why Epic Universe’s Dark Universe land succeeds where the films didn’t — channeling classic-monster storytelling without the burden of a forced franchise blueprint.

HOSTS

Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Eric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com

PATREON

Love the show? Support more insider stories, deep dives, and history of themed entertainment at:
https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
YouTube: @jimhillmedia
TikTok: @jimhillmedia

PRODUCTION

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

SPONSOR

Unlocked Magic — Save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including discounts on after-hours events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Start planning at UnlockedMagic.com.

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

Deep Cuts & Morphin’ Mayhem: Lorcana’s Bold New Expansion and the Power Rangers’ Wild Merch Saga (Ep. 73) Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey ring in the holiday season with a look at Disney Lorcana’s newest expansion, Whispers in the Well—a set packed with gorgeous art, new gameplay mechanics, and some of the deepest Disney cuts yet, from The Black Cauldron to Gargoyles. Then they shift from gothic fantasy to nostalgic action as they trace the surprising rise, fall, and resurgence of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, including the merch craze that once swept toy aisles and the collector market that’s exploding again today.

HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating Fantasia’s anniversary and the release of JB Kaufman’s new making-of book.
Lorcana’s “Whispers,” new boost mechanics, and art featuring The Black Cauldron, Gargoyles, and Zootopia characters.
Why fans are hoping for a dedicated Art of Lorcana book.
The wild history of Power Rangers merch, from ’90s shortages to today’s sky-high collector prices.
How shifting toy trends are affecting Super Sentai in Japan—and why Power Rangers nostalgia is booming again.

Hosts

Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Lauren Hersey — X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_

Patreon

Enjoy bonus episodes and support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
YouTube: @jimhillmedia
TikTok: @jimhillmedia

Producer Credits

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

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market—offering the best deals on Walt Disney World tickets, including the lowest available prices for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to plan a more magical trip.

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

Harumphs, Holidays & Doomsday (Ep. 4) Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Dan Graney unwrap a stocking full of Marvel mayhem in this fourth episode of the Marvel Us Disney reboot — a show equal parts MCU, theme-park history, and pop-culture cheer.

They start with LEGO’s new Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails (yes, that’s T-A-I-L-S), plus a check-in on Jeremy Renner, David Harbour, and this year’s Marvel merch blitz, Unwrap the Universe. From there it’s on to the big one: Avengers: Doomsday. The Russos return, Robert Downey Jr. re-enters the MCU — as Doctor Doom — and the franchise looks to reset the board ahead of Secret Wars.

Later, Jim and Dan explore Simu Liu’s “love letter to superhero movies,” Patrick Stewart’s possible farewell, and a “What If” worth debating — would Marvel even exist without the MCU?

Finally, Jim opens the vault for Theme Park Archaeology, uncovering the Marvel attractions that never were — from Hong Kong’s Oscorp Tower of Terror to Disneyland’s unbuilt Wakanda expansion — and a first look at Rocket & Groot’s Galaxy Spin coming to Disney Cruise Line.

HIGHLIGHTS

LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails debuts Nov 14 on Disney+
Avengers: Doomsday trailer drops Dec 19 with Avatar: Fire & Ash
Simu Liu’s “love letter” to superhero movies & Patrick Stewart’s rumored retirement
MCU legacy talk: Kang, Shuri, and the future of Black Panther
Theme Park Archaeology: the Marvel rides that never made it to the parks
Rocket & Groot’s Galaxy Spin sets sail March 10, 2026 aboard the Disney Adventure

Hosts

Jim Hill — @JimHillMedia | @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
Dan Graney — @TheHubbubbery | @TheHubbubbery | thehubbubbery.com

Support the Show Enjoy Marvel Us Disney? Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and early-access episodes:
patreon.com/jimhillmedia

Follow Us

Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia

Production Credits

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

Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic — the smarter way to book Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, with real discounts up to 12% off, including after-hours events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights.

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

When the Sky Fell: The Turbulent Legacy of Chicken Little (Ep. 332) Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor salute Veterans Day and talk about Xavier “X” Atencio, the new Disney Editions book celebrating the Imagineer behind the Haunted Mansion’s “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” Then, Drew and Jim dive into the weekend box office — from Predator: Badlands breaking franchise records to the upcoming Zootopia 2 — before Jim goes solo to finish his deep-dive on the 20th anniversary of Chicken Little: Disney’s first CG feature and the film that changed everything at the studio.

HIGHLIGHTS

Disney Legend spotlight: The new Xavier X. Atencio biography reveals rare sketches, wartime cartoons, and Haunted Mansion concept art — including the one-eyed cat that almost was.
Box office breakdown: Predator: Badlands lifts Disney past $4 billion for 2025, while Zootopia 2’s early projections could redeem TRON: Ares’ underperformance.
Streaming watch: Netflix’s In Your Dreams wins praise from Collider and The Hollywood Reporter; Star Wars: Visions Vol. 3 drops on Disney+.
The forgotten fowl: Why Chicken Little struggled in 2005 — from corporate pressure and story changes to a release window crushed by Goblet of Fire.
Animation turning point: How Pixar’s arrival, John Lasseter’s leadership, and Ratatouille’s success permanently shifted Disney away from hand-drawn animation.

Hosts

Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Drew Taylor — X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work

Patreon
Support Fine Tooning and the entire Jim Hill Media Podcast Network at patreon.com/jimhillmedia

Follow Us
Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia

Producer Credits
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency

Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com — where Disney and Universal fans can save up to 12% on park tickets and after-hours events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Powered by the same trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market.

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

From Zootopia to the Matterhorn: Disney’s Big Swings and Small Details (Ep. 557) Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Len Testa and Jim Hill continue No Negative November with a look at Zootopia’s new 4D adventure, listener trip-planning wisdom, and the surprising book that inspired Disneyland’s first mountain.

NEWS

Zootopia: Better Zoo-gether debuts at Animal Kingdom — The Tree of Life theater gets a major refresh with a new story, water gags, and a charming Benjamin Clawhauser animatronic.
Holiday highlights return — Tree of Life Awakenings now plays nightly thanks to early sunsets, and the beloved Merry Menagerie puppet experience returns November 14.
Storytime with Santa Deadpool — A holiday twist hits Avengers Campus, complete with meta Christmas jokes and Greek Orthodox canon accuracy.
Listener questions answered — From the best Bay Lake Tower villas for New Year’s Eve fireworks to whether it’s time for Tables in Wonderland to return.
Disney’s shrinking parades — Why the Festival of Fantasy looks lighter on dancers and floats—and how Disney’s still managing two parades a day at Magic Kingdom.

FEATURE

The Making of the Matterhorn — Jim shares the wild story of how a 1950s family film led Walt Disney to send a postcard from Switzerland that simply said: “Build this.”
- How Banner in the Sky and Third Man on the Mountain inspired Walt’s alpine obsession.
- Why the Matterhorn nearly became a luge-style attraction (yes, really).
- The creative legacy of director Ken Annakin, whose films also led to Swiss Family Treehouse and Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Full show notes available here: Show Notes

Hosts
Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com

Support the Show
Love what we do? Support The Disney Dish on Patreon for exclusive bonus shows and early access: patreon.com/jimhillmedia

Follow Us
Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia

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

Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store. Save up to 10% on Disney park and event tickets, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights — only at unlockedmagic.com.

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

Manufacturing the Magic: The Beginnings of Busch Gardens Nov 08, 2025

Show notes

In the 26th installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid takes us back to Tampa, Florida in 1959. Which is where a bird sanctuary built next to a brewery hospitality center eventually turned into thrill ride central.

Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about • Where was the first Busch Gardens located • How did Busch Gardens in Tampa react to the opening of Walt Disney World • What happened to the wooden coaster Gwazi • What American dynasty backed Colonial Williamsburg • What became of Busch Gardens Houston’s Orient Express railroad

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

Survey Says: Epic Universe May Join Universal’s AP Lineup (Ep. 76) Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a newly surfaced Universal guest survey that hints at Epic Universe joining the resort’s Annual Pass lineup — and what that could mean for crowds, pricing, and park strategy. Plus, Jim shares a real-life road trip saga straight out of a Hallmark movie, and the guys unpack Universal’s latest headlines from Orlando to Hollywood.

NEWS

A listener-sent Universal survey suggests Epic Universe may soon be included in AP tiers.
Comcast’s Q3 results show a 19% jump in theme park revenue, driven by Epic’s first full quarter.
The Burning Blade Tavern’s fire effect goes dark — and fans dub it “The Invisible Blade.”
Jim explains why Spider-Man still appears in Universal marketing — thanks to a contract clause requiring 20% Marvel representation in Islands of Adventure ads.
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz return for a brand-new Mummy sequel, proving Universal’s monster legacy isn’t dead yet.

FEATURE
Jim continues his deep dive into Universal’s ill-fated Dark Universe — the studio’s ambitious attempt to build a monster-filled cinematic universe. From Dracula Untold to The Mummy (2017), discover how even A-list stars and big budgets couldn’t resurrect the undead franchise.

Hosts

Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Eric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com

Patreon
Support Epic Universal and other Jim Hill Media shows at patreon.com/jimhillmedia

Follow Us
Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia

Producer Credits
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency

Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic — where you can save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including after-hours events. Visit UnlockedMagic.com today and tell them Eric and Jim sent you.

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

From Hand-Carved Signs to Theme Park Legends: The Disney Woodcraft of Raymond Kinman (Ep. 72) Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey trade glass for grain in this I Want That Too deep dive into Disney’s hidden world of woodwork. From the Arribas Brothers’ new handcrafted photo albums to the retro-chic Mickey Christmas truck popcorn bucket, the episode celebrates the artistry behind Disney’s most tactile treasures. Then, master woodcarver Raymond Kinman joins the show to reveal how his marquees for Indiana Jones Adventure, Country Bear Playhouse, and Pooh Corner helped define the look and feel of Disney parks for generations.

HIGHLIGHTS

Discover Disney’s new Arribas Brothers wood collection, including carved photo albums and frames that blend luxury with nostalgia.
The unexpected rise of wood-inlay trading pins — and why collectors should grab them now before they disappear into the secondary market.
A seasonal favorite returns: the Mickey Christmas Truck popcorn bucket rolls into Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Raymond Kinman, Imagineering collaborator and artisan of countless attraction marquees, shares how a single white lie launched his Disney career.
Learn the difference between a sign and a marquee—and why those subtle details matter to the storytelling of every attraction.
Inside Kinman’s hand-tool craft: from carving Indiana Jones Adventure’s eight-foot mahogany marquee to shaping the beloved Big Al from Country Bear Jamboree.
How Kinman overcame setbacks (and even carved one-handed after an accident) to deliver Disney magic on deadline.
His modern “Hippie Camp” retreats in Grass Valley, CA—where he now teaches beginners the timeless art of woodcarving.

Guest
Raymond Kinman — Website: woodcarverguru.com | Facebook: facebook.com/RaymondKinman

Hosts

Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Lauren Hersey — X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_

Patreon
Support I Want That Too and the entire Jim Hill Media Podcast Network at patreon.com/jimhillmedia

Follow Us
Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia

Producer Credits
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency

Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic — your trusted source for discounted Disney tickets and special-event savings.

Learn More

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

A View Worth the Price? The Disney Deluxe Debate (Ep. 5) Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Order in the court! Judge Jim Hill presides as Len Testa and Chris Cox debate whether Walt Disney World’s deluxe resorts truly justify their sky-high price tags. From monorail convenience and poolside fireworks to theming, dining plans, and “three-zone bathrooms,” this episode puts Disney luxury on trial. But when the verdict’s in, will comfort, convenience, or cost win the day?

HIGHLIGHTS

Chris argues the magic of waking up to a Savanna view at Animal Kingdom Lodge — even if you’re rushing to the bus five minutes later.
Len breaks down travel times, room sizes, and the math behind “$210-a-night happiness.”
Jim recalls the evolution of Disney’s resort categories — and how Grand Floridian’s grandeur has changed over time.
A deep dive into the perks of Deluxe dining, early-entry hours, and the eternal battle between park time and resort time.
The trio reflects on nostalgia, theming, and the real price of that “Disney bubble.”