The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Latest Episodes:

The Story of Frozen Orchids on Main Street & Easter Eggs - in Disney Classics (Ep. 43) Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey hop into the season with stories of springtime mishaps, Disney merch drops, and a full breakdown of the difference between spoilers and Easter eggs (the movie kind, not the chocolate kind).

The infamous Disneyland orchid drop of the 1950s and other early Easter entertainment ideas
A look at this year’s Easter basket-ready merch, from plush Stitch bunnies to adorable Ewok Village Dorables
Disney’s new Lululemon collection and a pricey hoodie that’s… just a black hoodie
Brooks Run Disney shoes and Lauren’s comfort-first shoe philosophy
The origin of Easter eggs in video games and how Pixar carried the tradition into animation
Hidden details in Frozen, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Little Mermaid
The legacy of Disney's Easter TV specials and how hidden Mickeys started as subtle rebellion

Be Our Guest Vacations

Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

Learn More

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

How long was “Black Cauldron” actually in the works at Disney (Ep 302) Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by offering birthday greetings to a modern animation master. They then welcome Neil O’Brien, author of “After Disney,” to discuss what it was like to work on the Burbank Lot back in the Late 1970s / Early 1980s

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

When did “BOOP: The Musical” do its out-of-town try-out in Chicago
How long after Charles Dickens’ death was his short story, “Life of Our Lord,” published
When did Glen Keane first begin working at Walt Disney Animation Studio
Which song from DreamWorks Animation’s “The Prince of Egypt” wound up winning an Oscar
Who did Andreas Deja share a room at Disney Studios with during the development of The Black Cauldron”

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

Tariff concerns and a peek at Epic Universe (Ep 527) Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined this week by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a super-sized edition of this podcast. As these three first recap Len’s recent visit to Orlando’s newest theme park and then discuss what recent stock market fluctuations might mean for Disney’s previously announced plans for its Florida Resort

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Which “Isle of Berk” attraction might remind Epic Universe visitors of a certain opening day attraction over at IOA

What did Bob Iger reportedly talk about when he dropped in on an ABC News editorial meeting last week?

Why Epic Universe undoubtedly will be a better looking theme park in a year’s time

Which Epic Universe attractions will have the lowest hourly ride capacity?

What percentage of WDW visitors typically travel from Canada to visit that resort annually

SHOW NOTES

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

Epic Universe Annual Passholder Details and Universal’s UK Theme Park Plans (Ep. 46) Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey break down the biggest stories in the Universal Parks universe, including new details on Epic Universe’s Annual Passholder preview days and Universal’s officially announced theme park in the UK. Plus, they wrap up their deep dive into Universal Studios Hollywood’s 1960s Mardi Gras de Mexico and explore what these early events meant for the future of theme park entertainment.

Epic Universe preview day tickets go live - Eric shares his plan for a family-first experience
The Epic Universe photo ban is lifted - what it means for social media and spoiler-sensitive fans
Speculation on ride tech and show elements, including the Dart animatronic and Dark Universe misdirection
Universal announces its new UK park, with rumored lands pulled from Epic Universe, Beijing - and possibly even a James Bond presence
Ghostbusters props appear at the Film Vault in Orlando - teasing a Horror Nights tie-in or more?
Universal Studios Hollywood's earliest tram tour effects, including foam boulders, flash floods, and parting seas
How Mardi Gras de Mexico and Jesus Christ Superstar helped shape the model for today’s hard-ticket events

Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations

Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

Book Now

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

The Rise and Fall of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! (Ep. 42) Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey celebrate the 30th anniversary of A Goofy Movie with new Loungefly backpacks, wild Powerline-themed hats, and a deep dive into the film’s fan-favorite status. Then, they break down some of Disney’s latest merch trends - including crossbody water bottle holders, park-inspired baseball jerseys, and popcorn bucket Christmas ornaments… in April.

Plus, Jim shares the fascinating story of how Disney built Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! inside two U.S. parks, and why the once-hot game show fizzled fast. From lanyards and leather jackets to cruise giveaways and Cloisonné pins, this episode is packed with merch nostalgia and a surprising lesson in theme park timing.

A Goofy Movie 30th anniversary merch breakdown
Popcorn bucket ornaments (and why they’re arriving in spring)
Baseball jersey fashion taking over the parks
Dooney & Bourke’s new line featuring Disney animation classics
The rise and fall of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! at Disney parks

Be Our Guest Vacations

Learn More

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

Minecraft Breaks Records, Disney Pauses Tangled, and Animation Takes Over CinemaCon (Ep. 301) Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down the biggest stories shaking up the animation world, including:

The explosive box office debut of A Minecraft Movie – Surpassing expectations with $157 million, becoming the biggest opening ever for a video game adaptation.
Disney pauses its live-action Tangled remake – After Snow White’s underperformance, the studio rethinks its strategy for adapting more recent animated hits.
CinemaCon 2025 highlights – Major announcements from Paramount and Disney, including updates on Elio, Zootopia 2, How to Train Your Dragon, The Smurfs, and a John Wick animated prequel.
Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke plummets post-IMAX run, while The Day the Earth Blew Up vanishes from the charts.
TV animation shake-ups – New seasons for Phineas & Ferb and South Park, and multi-season renewals for The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy, and American Dad.
Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld – A new animated anthology from Lucasfilm launching May 4 on Disney+.

With so much news packed into one week, Jim and Drew cover everything from theatrical blockbusters to the streaming wars—and what it all means for the future of animation.

Be Our Guest Vacations

Learn More

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

Fiberglass Heads and Forbidden Mountains (Ep. 526) Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

This week, Jim Hill is joined by special guest Ruben Bolling, the award-winning cartoonist behind Tom the Dancing Bug, while Len Testa is off cruising with a buffet (hopefully). From sweaty Brer Bear suits to Buzz Lightyear’s chiropractor bills, Jim and Ruben explore the history—and hazards—of Disney character costumes. Plus, they dive into the future of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, the legacy of Expedition Everest, and how Imagineers tell stories without saying a word.

Costume Carnage – Why early walk-around characters were sweaty, heavy, and occasionally hazardous (spoiler: fiberglass and rebar were involved).
Buzz Lightyear’s Evolution – From the world’s heaviest action figure costume to a full ride refresh coming soon to Magic Kingdom.
Expedition Everest Turns 19 – A look at Animal Kingdom’s mountain masterpiece and whether the Yeti might finally get his glow-up.
Drone Shows Grounded – Following an incident in Orlando, all drone shows are on pause—but what does that mean for Disney’s nighttime future?
Pixar’s 30th Anniversary in the Parks – New shows, character appearances (hello, Rex!), and nostalgic celebrations at Disneyland Resort.
Visual Storytelling 101 – Jim and Ruben connect the dots between comics and Imagineering, from panel layouts to queue design.

It’s a theme park deep dive with a dash of satire and a nod to back problems. Tune in for stories, speculation, and the weirdly enduring smell of Muppet herring.

SHOW NOTES

Support Our Sponsors

DVC Resale Market

Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free.

Learn More

DVC Rental Store

Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures!

Learn More

Be Our Guest Vacations

Learn More

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

Aztec Dancers, Mariachis, Tequila, and Ceremonial Sacrifices?! (Ep. 45) Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey take a wild detour into Universal’s 1960s event history—when guests could watch a ceremonial Aztec princess sacrifice as part of the “Mardi Gras to Mexico” celebration. Yes, really.

They also dive into the latest Universal news and rumors leading up to Epic Universe’s debut.

Universal’s new Epic Universe Portal Tour and how it’s drawing nationwide attention
A full breakdown of Epic Universe’s Express Pass pricing and early reactions
The $150 Monster Make-Up Experience—worth the price or a pass?
Rumors surrounding Rip Ride Rockit’s removal and what could replace it
Drones returning to CineSational: how Universal is reviving nighttime shows
The Voladores de Papantla, Aztec dancers, tequila bars, and scripted sacrifices that defined Universal’s wild early festival days
Deep-cut park memories like the Jack Benny vault tour and a Creature from the Black Lagoon meet-and-greet

Show Notes

For links, photos, and more context from this episode, visit:

https://jimhillmedia.com/epic-universal-podcast-aztec-dancers-mariachis-tequila-and-ceremonial-sacrifices-ep-45/

Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations

Book Now

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

Epic Universe Merch, Figment’s Flattening, and Duffy’s Cherry Blossom Comeback (Ep. 41) Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore the colorful world of theme park merchandise—from Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival to Universal’s Epic Universe rollout—and spotlight a pastel plush lineup that’s taking over Japan (and maybe your shelf next).

Figment’s Flattening at Flower & Garden – Lauren shares her thoughts on Disney’s 3D-printed topiaries, the orange spirit jersey, and whether Figment is looking a little… squished this year.
Captain Cacao and Universal Merch Madness – Jim breaks down Universal’s plans to “Adopt a Dragon,” upgrade wands with haptic tech, and introduce new mascots, including a butter beer-loving bear.
Cherry Blossom Duffy and the Pastel Plush Invasion – From Baymax in bloom to sleepy Marie, Jim and Lauren review Japan’s newest spring merch—and speculate if Duffy’s soft-spoken friends will ever click stateside.
Bounding for the Gala – Lauren previews her Disneybound look for the Epcot 40th Anniversary Gala, complete with Cinderella blue and glass slipper energy.
Flower & Garden Tips – A rundown of the Egg-stravaganza scavenger hunt, the collectible prize system, and why it’s one of the best festival activities for families on a budget.

This episode is filled with plush previews, theme park strategies, and the delightful chaos of spring merch season.

Be Our Guest Vacations

Learn More

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

Princess Mononoke Returns, The Critic Revival Buzz, and What’s Next for Looney Tunes (Ep. 300) Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

In this milestone 300th episode, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into the biggest animation stories of the week, including:

GKIDS’ 4K re-release of Princess Mononoke – How this Studio Ghibli classic led the box office in per-screen average nearly three decades after its debut.
Disney’s Snow White struggles at the box office – What the 66% second-week drop means for the future of live-action remakes.
Jon Lovitz and Al Jean hint at a revival of The Critic – Could Jay Sherman return for a new season in today’s influencer-driven media world?
Warner Bros. to demolish Building 131, once home to Looney Tunes legends like Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng.
Netflix orders a live-action Scooby-Doo origin series, reimagining the gang’s early days at summer camp.
A Goofy Movie turns 30 – A new Disney+ documentary is on the way, and Disneyland celebrates with a Max-as-Powerline popcorn bucket.

Join Jim and Drew as they celebrate 300 episodes of Fine Tooning with industry insight, animation history, and a look at what’s next.

Be Our Guest Vacations

Learn More

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected