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The Red Car That Never Was: Sunset Boulevard’s Lost History and Epic Universe’s Survey (Ep. 525) Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill take you back to a time when Hollywood Studios had no Sunset Boulevard and how a red car, a Rocketeer supper club, and Roger Rabbit rides nearly changed everything. Plus, Universal’s first Epic Universe guest survey raises big questions about whether there’s enough to do on opening day.

Sunset Boulevard: The Original Plan – A deep dive into the never-built red car route, the South Seas Club from The Rocketeer, and a Dick Tracy ride with real Tommy guns.
Roger Rabbit Land That Never Happened – From Baby Herman’s runaway buggy to Mickey’s MovieLand, Jim shares what was almost built.
Epic Universe Survey Leaks – We’ve got the first guest experience survey, and Universal’s biggest concern might be: “Is there enough to do?”
Disney World Discounts Everywhere – Free dining, kids half off, and hotel deals… but why so many at once?
Buzz Lightyear’s Big Upgrade – A new ride vehicle and show scene just in time for Toy Story 5.
DVC Sales Office in Canada? – Why Epcot’s Canada Pavilion is getting a DVC showroom instead of poutine.
Takumi-Tei Menu Confusion – When “plant-based” doesn’t mean vegan, one listener shares a story that has Len fact-checking menus with government definitions.

Join Len and Jim as they explore the theme park “what ifs,” leaked surveys, and the surprising ways Disney’s past nearly looked a lot more like Roger Rabbit.

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From Mariachi to Mardi Gras: The Forgotten Festival That Shaped Universal (Ep. 44) Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey uncover the surprising 1960s Hollywood event that helped inspire Universal Studios’ Mardi Gras celebrations today. Plus, they unpack the latest rumors, leaks, and hotel openings as Epic Universe edges closer to launch.

• Mardi Gras Origins: How Universal’s “Fiesta Mexicana” and “Mardi Gras de Mexico” laid the groundwork for today’s fan-favorite events.

• Epic Universe Hotel News: Terra Luna opens for bookings—what it means for the summer rush.

• Mario Kart Express Rumors: New signage reveals a possible upgrade to the most popular ride in Super Nintendo World.

• Leaked Footage Controversy: Team member previews are underway, but influencers sneaking in early may risk ruining the magic.

• Power Rangers & Military Discounts: Jim and Eric answer listener questions about live shows and lesser-known perks.

• Abraham Lincoln in the Hills?: The quirky story behind a statue that once stood tall in Universal’s early years.

It’s a mix of park history, speculation, and theme park detective work you won’t want to miss.

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Duffy’s Rise, Disney Store Nostalgia, and the Secret History of the Disney Bear (Ep. 40) Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey go full collector mode with stories of forgotten plush, rare merch, and the unexpected international success of one very determined Disney bear.

The Return of Duffy – From Tokyo-exclusive meet-and-greets to his spot in Disneyland’s new cavalcade, Disney is going all in (again) on Duffy and his friends.
The Secret Origin of the Disney Bear – Before he was Duffy, he was an unloved plush at Once Upon a Toy—and Jim shares the wild backstory of how he became a phenomenon in Japan.
The Lost Legacy of the Disney Store – With a 38th anniversary celebration underway, Lauren and Jim reflect on the rise and fall of the beloved retail chain.
D23 Frustrations and Freebies – From vanishing magazines to exclusive shopping windows, Lauren makes her case for why members deserve more (and maybe a plus-one).
Collector PSA – If you love Disney merch history, Lauren recommends checking out Up for Auction, the CW series hosted by Chris Hardwick that’s loaded with rare finds.

This episode is full of deep cuts, hot takes, and a two-part Duffy deep dive that might just change the way you look at Disney plush. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

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Snow White’s Box Office, Coco 2, and Pixar’s Elio Gets a Rewrite (Ep. 299) Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Jim Hill and Drew dive deep into the latest news and developments in the world of animation:

Snow White’s Slow Start – Disney’s live-action remake stumbles at the box office, and Drew shares his take after seeing the film.
Coco 2 Announced (and Unannounced) – A sequel to Pixar’s Coco is confirmed by Bob Iger... and then quietly walked back.
The Elio Overhaul – Pixar’s original story of a shy kid mistaken for Earth’s leader has been rewritten into a buddy comedy. Drew breaks down the changes in tone, direction, and voice cast.
The Long Journey of Toy Story 5 and Tron: Ares – Updates on test screenings and long-in-development sequels finally seeing the light of day.
Forgotten Disney Projects – From the scrapped Rose Red spinoff to the sci-fi Snowstar, Jim and Drew explore the alternate versions of Snow White that never made it to the screen.
Coyote vs. Acme & Looney Tunes Drama – Ketchup Entertainment offers Warner Bros. $50 million for the rights to release Coyote vs. Acme.

Plus, hear about Jim’s surprise birthday video from Josh Gad, Drew’s Art of Amphibia book launch, and how Disney almost brought The Seven Dwarfs back as a fantasy trilogy.

A packed episode filled with history, hot takes, and the latest headlines in animation.

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Reflections Complete: The Full Story of Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge and the Evolution of DVC (Ep. 524) Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill are joined by DVC expert Paul Krieger to finally wrap up the long-running series on Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge—now Lakeshore Lodge. They explore how this project evolved from concept to construction, what’s next for the Fort Wilderness area, and how Disney Vacation Club is changing the way it builds and brands new resorts.

Reflections Becomes Lakeshore Lodge – How Disney quietly rebranded and reimagined the long-delayed Bay Lake resort.
DVC's Changing Design Philosophy – From rustic to refined: Why today’s DVC resorts look more like luxury hotels than themed lodges.
Water Features and Cabins Revealed – What new blueprints and site plans tell us about the size of the pool complex and three distinct cabin types.
The Rise of Fort Wilderness as a DVC Mega-Resort – 350 cabins, plus Lakeshore Lodge, could make it the largest DVC footprint at Walt Disney World.
DVC History with Paul Krieger – A crash course in the evolution of the Disney Vacation Club—from Old Key West and Vero Beach to the Island Tower at the Polynesian.
Will We Ever Get Buffalo Junction or a Fort Wilderness Railroad? – Jim and Len speculate on what could still be built if Lakeshore Lodge succeeds.

It’s the end of the Reflections series and a deep dive into how Disney builds resorts, tells stories, and sells timeshares—DVC style.

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Snow Star, Season of the Force, and the Untold Story Behind the Star Wars Holiday Special (Ep. 104) Mar 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Looking at Lucasfilm, Jim Hill and Brian Gaughan explore the wild intersections of Star Wars history, theme park updates, and forgotten Lucasfilm curiosities:

A closer look at Disney’s abandoned 1979 sci-fi project “Snow Star,” a reimagined Snow White set in space.
New budget details and storytelling ambitions behind The Mandalorian & Grogu film, debuting May 22, 2026—alongside a new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride film featuring Mando and Grogu.
WonderCon 2025 preview: Panels every Star Wars fan should catch, from trivia parties to cosplay and behind-the-scenes insights on Skeleton Crew and Kenobi.
A deep dive into Bruce Vilanch’s new memoir and how it unpacks the creation—and chaos—of the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special.

From scrapped film concepts to theme park expansions and the bizarre TV moments Lucasfilm would rather forget, this episode is packed with Star Wars storytelling both new and nostalgic.

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From SpongeBob to Slime: The Story of Nickelodeon at Universal (Ep. 43) Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive deep into the surprising and nostalgic story of Nickelodeon’s presence at Universal Studios Florida—from green slime to dark rides and beyond. Plus, they share the latest updates on Epic Universe and more theme park buzz. Highlights include:

Nickelodeon at Universal Studios Florida: How a rent-free deal brought Nick Studios to Orlando and made Double Dare, the Slime Geyser, and Nick-themed attractions part of theme park history.
Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast & SpongeBob Square Store: The rise (and fall) of Nick’s attraction presence in the park—and what stayed behind.
SpongeBob in Las Vegas: Eric’s review of the new dark ride at Circus Circus and the surprising quality of this family-friendly experience.
Epic Universe Parking Lot Names Revealed: Eric and Jim break down the new themed lot sections like Monster, Gamer, and Hero.
Universal Hollywood’s Free Parking Updates: What new perks mean for Gold and Platinum passholders—and why free parking hours don’t always make sense.
Rumors of Universal’s ‘Mega Movie Summer’: Alicia Stella uncovers a new trademark hinting at a possible new event or seasonal promotion.
Rankin/Bass & Classic Media Catalog: Jim unpacks the forgotten goldmine of IP (like Rudolph, Casper, and Rocky & Bullwinkle) that Universal owns but rarely uses.

From ‘90s nostalgia to Epic Universe speculation, this episode is packed with trivia, theme park deep dives, and classic Nickelodeon vibes!

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The Lawsuit That Changed Disney Animation Forever: Lady and the Tramp’s Legal Fight (Ep. 39) Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into the drama surrounding Disney’s latest projects, from the controversial Snow White live-action remake to a major legal battle over Lady and the Tramp.

Snow White’s Live-Action Gamble – How the film’s casting choices, premiere strategy, and audience reactions are shaping its box office projections.
Lady and the Tramp’s $3.2 Million Lawsuit – The fascinating story of how Peggy Lee took Disney to court—and won.
Disney’s Fortnite Partnership – What Imagineers are teasing about in-park gaming experiences and how fans are reacting.
Lilo & Stitch Merch Takeover – How Disney is positioning Lilo & Stitch as its next big marketing push, from Happy Meals to theme park exclusives.
Disney’s First Adults-Only Bar at EPCOT – Why Disney is doubling down on the ‘Disney Adult’ trend with GEO 82 inside Spaceship Earth.

From legal battles to marketing strategies, this episode is packed with hot takes, controversy, and insider insights. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

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Snow White’s Box Office Concerns and the Future of Disney’s Live-Action Remakes (Ep. 298) Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dive into the latest animation and entertainment news, including:

Disney braces for a rough opening weekend for Snow White – How revised box office projections signal trouble for the live-action remake.
The Lilo & Stitch trailer breaks records – Why it’s Disney’s second-most viewed live-action trailer ever.
What’s next for Disney’s live-action Tangled – Could Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi return for cameo roles?
A disappointing start for The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie – What went wrong at the box office?
Warner Bros. quietly removes 255 classic Looney Tunes shorts from Max – What does this mean for the future of the franchise?
Anika Noni Rose speaks out on Tiana’s cancellation – Could a Disney+ special revive the character?

Tune in as Jim and Drew break down the latest industry shifts, box office surprises, and behind-the-scenes animation news.

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Universal’s Forgotten Past: Ma & Pa Kettle’s Hollywood Legacy (Ep. 42) Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey take a nostalgic journey through Universal’s lesser-known history, focusing on the Ma & Pa Kettle film series and its unexpected impact on Universal Studios Hollywood. Along the way, they also dive into the latest Universal news and rumors. Highlights include:

The Ma & Pa Kettle Film Legacy: How these quirky, small-town characters became box office gold for Universal in the 1940s and 50s.
The Ma & Pa Kettle Petting Zoo: How Universal repurposed the set into a real farm attraction for guests in the early days of the studio tour.
The Evolution of Universal Studios Hollywood: From petting zoos to world-class attractions, how the park transitioned into the entertainment giant it is today.
Epic Universe Updates: The latest behind-the-scenes insights from team member previews, including first reactions to Monsters Unchained and Isle of Berk.
Stardust Racers Testing Issues: What happened when Universal’s new dueling coaster stalled on the track?
Cirque du Soleil in Vegas: Eric shares his experience seeing the long-running Mystère show and how Cirque compares to other theme park entertainment.

This episode blends Hollywood history, Universal’s evolving theme park legacy, and the latest attraction updates. Whether you're a longtime film buff or excited for the future of Universal parks, this one’s for you!

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