The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Latest Episodes:

Figment’s Merch Magic and the Movie That Never Was (Ep. 66) Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into Disney’s favorite little purple dragon, Figment. From popcorn bucket mania to a live-action movie that never got off the ground, they trace Figment’s journey from Epcot icon to merchandising powerhouse. Along the way, they detour through Lowe’s and Spirit Halloween to check out exclusive Haunted Mansion décor and giant Rudolph displays that will test your willpower (and your storage space).

Haunted Mansion animatronics and holiday mashups spotted at Lowe’s
Figment’s rumored movie project with Seth Rogen’s production company
The $250 million Imagination Pavilion redo that never happened
How merchandise sales drive Disney’s storytelling choices
Figment’s surprising cameos in Inside Out 2, Guardians, and beyond

Even if the Figment movie remains a dream, Jim and Lauren show how one small dragon continues to cast a very big shadow over Disney history, merch, and fandom.

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How Mighty Mouse Accidentally Invented Saturday Morning Cartoons (Ep. 325) Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

This week on Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor rewind to the mid-1950s to uncover how a forgotten studio sale and one scrappy rodent changed television forever. Along the way, they’ll cover everything from box office updates to Paw Patrol holiday specials, plus the latest shake-ups inside Disney corporate.

The Disney-related twist behind CBS launching Mighty Mouse Playhouse in 1955
How that decision created the Saturday morning cartoon tradition
What the Jimmy Kimmel controversy means for Bob Iger and Disney’s upcoming animated releases
New trailers and festival buzz for projects like The Sisters Grimm and Splinter Cell: Deathwatch

From network rivalries of the 1950s to today’s streaming-first landscape, Jim and Drew connect the dots on how animation keeps reshaping the industry.

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How Disney Built Cars Land and What It Means for Piston Peak (Ep. 550) Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

This week, Imagineer Jim Shull joins Jim Hill and Len Testa to finish the wild story of how Cars Land was built at Disney California Adventure. Along the way, the guys cover everything from gorillas and Muppets to a scuba diver who robbed Paddlefish.

Tomorrowland’s Cool Ship replacement that looks suspiciously like a McDonald’s drive-thru
The life of Gino the gorilla and why Animal Kingdom will never be the same
A Florida man in scuba gear robs Paddlefish and swims away with the cash
Sabrina Carpenter, Seth Rogen, and the Muppets’ big 50th anniversary comeback
How Disney pulled off Cars Land’s massive rockwork and what it means for Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom

From new construction projects to classic park traditions, this episode looks at the details shaping Disney’s past, present, and future.

SHOW NOTES

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From Dueling Dragons to Zelda Rumors: What’s Next for Lost Continent? (Ep. 69) Sep 19, 2025

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Universal has filed demolition permits for nearly five acres of Islands of Adventure, and Jim and Eric break down what that could mean for the Lost Continent. The main feature of this week’s episode dives into the history of Merlinwood, the rise and fall of Dueling Dragons, and how Harry Potter reshaped the park. Could Zelda be next to take its place?

Wicked toys hit Target shelves months before the movie release
A 10-month closure looms for Jurassic Park River Adventure in Orlando
Hidden Halloween Horror Nights stay-and-scream space revealed near Minion Blast
Meet Hamikuma, the bizarre “bite bear” mascot from Universal Studios Japan
Dueling Dragons, Merlinwood, and the long road from Lost Continent to Harry Potter

Universal fans love to speculate, and this week’s stories offer plenty of fuel. From refurb rumors to the history of Lost Continent and the possibilities for its future, Jim and Eric keep you entertained from start to finish.

Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey
Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia

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Rope Drop at Disney: Worth It or Way Too Early? (Ep. 2) Sep 17, 2025

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In this second episode of The Case For with Chris Cox, the gavel drops on one of the earliest theme park traditions. Rope dropping: brilliant strategy or brutal wake-up call? Chris Cox and Len Testa make their cases while Judge Jim Hill listens for signs of sleep deprivation and theme park strategy gone too far.

What’s on trial this week:

The origins of rope dropping and why the ropes are mostly symbolic these days
How jet lag gives UK visitors a secret advantage
Whether staying at a Disney resort is now a requirement to rope drop effectively
First-family perks, empty Main Streets, and cinnamon rolls the size of your face
Why reverse jet lag might make “closing the park” the new rope drop
TouringPlans data on who actually does rope drop and what the stats say
Pro tips for maximizing your early hours and what not to rope drop

Have you set an alarm for 5 a.m. to ride Rise of the Resistance? Or are you happy to sleep in and skip the stampede? We want to hear from you. Weigh in with your verdict on social media and let us know which side you're on.

Follow the Hosts

Chris Cox – https://www.magiccox.com
Instagram - @magiccox
Twitter/X - @bigcox

Len Testa – https://www.touringplans.com
Instagram - @len.testa
BlueSky - lentesta.bsky.social

Jim Hill – https://jimhillmedia.com
Instagram - @jimhillmedia
Twitter/X - @jimhillmedia

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Demon Slayer Shatters Records, Toy Story 5 Sneak Peek, and Skydance Eyes Warner Bros (Ep. 324) Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are back with another packed episode of Fine Tooning. From anime shattering records at the box office to Pixar showing off the future of Toy Story, the duo break down the biggest stories shaping animation this week.

Demon Slayer’s record-breaking $70 million North American debut and what set this release apart
Toy Story’s 30th anniversary celebration and the first five minutes of Toy Story 5 revealed at Destination D
Disney updates on Frozen 3, Incredibles 3, and Coco 2
Streaming and theatrical news for Elio, Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc, Cat’s Eye, and ParaNorman
Skydance’s reported bid for Warner Bros. Discovery and its potential impact on animation

From record-breaking anime to billion-dollar mergers, Jim and Drew guide listeners through an especially eventful week in the world of animation.

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Cruise Street? The Alternate Cars Land That Almost Happened (Ep. 549) Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into the wild backstory of Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land and the strange “what ifs” that could’ve changed Radiator Springs forever. From Marty's Malt Shop to a road trip attraction fueled by beef jerky and Diet Mountain Dew, the alternate ideas were as quirky as they were ambitious.

A new Disneyland ticket discount that signals softer bookings
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind’s Earth, Wind & Fire overlay
Disney Cruise Line’s delay of the Disney Adventure out of Singapore
Universal Orlando’s Golden Ticket Award wins and Len’s trip to Halloween Horror Nights
The evolution of Cars Land - and how close we came to driving through “Cruise Street” instead

Whether you’re here for the theme park news, HHN survival tips, or Jim’s deep dive into Disney Imagineering history, this episode has something for every fan. Buckle up - Radiator Springs wasn’t always the only road Disney could’ve taken.

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Manufacturing the Magic: Disneyland’s Sister Parks – Part Two Sep 13, 2025

Show notes

In the 22nd installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid continue their look at C.V. Wood (the original president of Disneyland).

In particular, what happened when Wood decided to enter direct competition with Disney and subsequently established his own theme park design company?

Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:

Why was Pleasure Island called “The Disneyland of the Northeast”
What became of that theme park’s mechanical Moby Dick
Which city in Arizona did C.W. Wood help develop
What were the Six Flags Over Texas upon the opening of that theme park? What are they now?
What was the first runaway mine train coaster?

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How Universal Snatched Rocky & Bullwinkle from Disney (Ep. 68) Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey are back with a packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast. From award-winning attractions to behind-the-scenes stories that almost made it to the big screen, this week covers a lot of ground:

The new Jaws: Memories of Martha’s Vineyard book and the Academy Museum’s Jaws exhibition
Remembering production designer Stuart Craig and his lasting impact on the Wizarding World
Fresh rumors about a Harry Potter land in Universal’s upcoming UK park
Epic Universe’s big wins at the Golden Ticket Awards, including Monsters Unchained and Dark Universe

Universal’s new interactive Backlot Club membership and trivia game
The history of Islands of Adventure’s early plans, from Jurassic Park concepts to Dudley Do-Right’s rushed debut

Plus, Jim shares the long-lost Jurassic Park “baby Triceratops” and “T-Rex river chase” scenes that never made the original film, and how they eventually resurfaced decades later.

Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey
Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia

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The Day Pooh Beat Davy Crockett (and Sold Cereal Too) (Ep. 64) Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey return with a jam-packed episode of I Want That Too, covering the latest Disney merch, clever marketing strategies, and holiday surprises.

The rise of popcorn buckets in parks and movie theaters – from talking Mickey to mummy Stitch to a Tron lightcycle
How Disney uses psychology to nudge us into spending more, from limited releases to sneaky menu tricks
Nightmare Before Christmas merch expansions, books, and light trails around the globe
Early Christmas décor spotted at Disneyland Paris – and why Disney (and retailers) get a head start on the holidays
The surprising history of Winnie the Pooh at Disney, including cereal crossovers and rare collectibles

From ghost Mickey buckets to glow-in-the-dark villain sneakers, Jim and Lauren unpack the ways Disney keeps fans coming back for “just one more thing.”

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