The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

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**The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network**

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network features weekly shows hosted by Jim Hill and his collaborators. The lineup includes The Disney Dish with Len Testa, Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Epic Universal Podcast with Eric Hersey, I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey, Marvel Us Disney with Dan Graney, The Case For with Chris Cox, and more. Each series offers industry reporting, history, analysis, and insider stories spanning Disney, Universal, animation, film, streaming, and themed entertainment. With over 25 years of online storytelling and thousands of hours of content, the network delivers trusted, in-depth coverage for fans, enthusiasts, and industry professionals.

Latest Episodes:

Disney Cancels Tiana Series and Favreau’s Oswald Project (Ep. 297) Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down a massive week in animation news, including:

Disney’s shocking decision to cancel the Tiana series for Disney+ and why the studio is stepping away from long-form streaming content.
Ne Zha 2’s unprecedented box office run – How the Chinese animated film crossed $2 billion and is climbing the list of the highest-grossing films ever.
Jon Favreau’s new Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series – What to expect from this live-action/animation hybrid for Disney+.
A Disney animator’s story of loss and gratitude – How the studio’s unexpected gesture helped one artist recover after the Eaton Canyon fire.
Big moments in animation history up for auction – Van Eaton Galleries’ Bob Clampett collection goes on sale.

Tune in for behind-the-scenes stories, expert insights, and the latest in animation!

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The Indiana Jones Ride at Animal Kingdom: What We Know So Far (Ep. 522) Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill reveal new details about the Indiana Jones ride planned for Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas land, including early concept art, ride storylines, and how Imagineering is staying true to Maya culture. Plus, Len shares insights from an archaeology conference where Disney presented these plans to Maya experts.

Indiana Jones Ride Concept Art – A closer look at the Maya-inspired temple, its intricate carvings, and the hints at the ride’s storyline.
Mayan Gods and the Ride’s Story – How the rain god Chok and the feathered serpent Kukulkan might fit into the plot.
Temple of the Forbidden Eye Connection – Why this ride could be the spiritual successor to the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland.
Dinoland’s New Direction – What the demolition of Cementosaurus and the overhaul of Dino-Rama mean for Animal Kingdom’s future.
Universal’s Next Big Event – Early hints about a FanFest at Universal Orlando featuring sci-fi, fantasy, and anime franchises.

Join Len and Jim as they explore the future of Animal Kingdom, Universal’s bold new plans, and what it all means for theme park fans.

SHOW NOTES

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News, More News, and Even More News from Universal (Ep. 41) Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into the latest news about Epic Universe as team member previews begin, along with rumors about the highly anticipated Wolfman coaster. Plus, they explore Universal’s expanding horror offerings and what’s next for theme park fans. Highlights include:

Epic Universe Team Member Previews: What early reactions reveal about the Ministry of Magic, Isle of Berk, and new interactive wands.
Wolfman Coaster Rumors: Speculation about the mysterious netting seen on the Curse of the Werewolf coaster and how it might hint at a thrilling new ride experience.
Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas: A sneak peek at the year-round horror attraction opening in August, featuring iconic Universal Monsters.
Virtual Queues and New Ticket Options: How Universal is handling crowd control and what new vacation packages mean for fans.
Shrek 5 Trailer Reactions: Why the character redesigns are causing a stir among fans.
FanFest at Universal Studios Hollywood: From Back to the Future recreations to walk-around characters from Wicked and One Piece.

This episode is packed with Epic Universe previews, horror rumors, and plenty of speculation. Whether you’re excited for new coasters or curious about Universal’s horror expansion, this one’s for you!

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The 57-Second Rule: How Disney Makes You Spend More After Every Ride (Ep. 38) Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into the secrets behind Disney’s gift shops and why you’re always tempted to buy merch after every ride. From Mattel’s influence in the 1990s to the psychological tricks Imagineers use to boost sales, you’ll never look at a Disney gift shop the same way again.

• The 57-Second Rule – How Disney learned that you need to see merch within 57 seconds of exiting a ride for the best chance of making a sale.

• The Origins of Post-Ride Gift Shops – How Mattel’s push for in-park sales changed Disney’s approach to retail.

• The Tower of Terror Drama – Why Tower Hotel Gifts was doomed to fail and how Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster fixed Disney’s merch strategy.

• Springtime Traditions at Disney – Lauren previews the Egg-stravaganza scavenger hunt and new pastel plush collections.

• Disney Adults and Expensive Vacations – Why Disney is marketing more to adult fans and the rising costs of theme park trips.

Whether you’re a Disney merch collector or love uncovering theme park secrets, this episode is packed with fascinating stories and insider info. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

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“Flow,” “In the Shadow of the Cypress” take home Oscar gold (Ep.296) Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the 97th Academy Awards. They then offer up a tribute to the late great publicist & animation champion, Fumi Kitahara

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

When is “Ne Zha 2” expected to blow through the $2 billion barrier at the worldwide box office

Which produced-by-Marvel-Animation series just got renewed for a fifth season

Why is the redesign of the characters for “Shrek 5” really not a big deal

How many “Krypto” shorts is Warner Brothers Discovery supposed to be producing after “Superman: Legacy” is released to theaters this July

What Halloween-themed short was the most viewed piece of animation on Netflix in the second half of 2024

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

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

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The Untold Story of Ron Miller and Disney’s Lost Era (Ep. 521) Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill are joined by award-winning journalist Neil O’Brien to explore the most under-reported period in Disney’s history—the years between Walt’s death and Michael Eisner’s arrival. Neil’s new book, "After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America's Favorite Media Company," uncovers how Ron Miller, Walt Disney’s son-in-law and former CEO, helped shape the modern Disney we know today.

The Rise and Fall of Ron Miller – How Walt’s son-in-law launched the Disney Channel, Touchstone Pictures, and Epcot, only to be forced out in 1984.
The Black Cauldron’s Lost Ride – Ron’s ambitious plan for a Black Cauldron-themed boat ride at Disney parks that never happened.
Secrets of Epcot’s Design – How a vacant lot in Diane Disney’s neighborhood inspired Walt’s vision for a utopian city.
Universal’s New Fan Event? – Is Universal planning a sci-fi, fantasy, and anime-themed fan festival at Universal Orlando Resort?

Join Len, Jim, and Neil for a deep dive into Disney’s forgotten history, abandoned projects, and the decisions that shaped the company’s future.

SHOW NOTES

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The Dark Crystal: Universal’s Jim Henson Experiment (Ep. 40) Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore how Jim Henson’s Muppets found their way to Universal Pictures with The Great Muppet Caper and The Dark Crystal. Plus, they cover the latest Universal Studios news, from Super Bowl ads to Epic Universe food reveals. Highlights include:

The Great Muppet Caper at Universal: How Universal Pictures got involved with Jim Henson’s second Muppet film and what went wrong at the box office.
The Dark Crystal’s Production Nightmare: Why Jim Henson’s boldest film was nearly unreleasable—and how Universal forced last-minute changes.
Scarlett Johansson Joins Jurassic World: How the longtime Jurassic Park superfan finally landed a role in Jurassic World: Rebirth.
Epic Universe Food Preview: A breakdown of the newly revealed menus and the must-try dishes coming to Universal’s newest theme park.
Butterbeer Season Arrives: Universal launches new Butterbeer Crepes and nationwide pop-up Butterbeer carts.
Universal’s Search for Food Vloggers: How you can apply to be part of Universal Orlando’s new YouTube food series.

This episode blends Muppet nostalgia, Universal history, and the latest theme park news. Whether you love classic films or are counting down to Epic Universe, this one’s for you!

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Exiting Through the Gift Shop: The Psychology Behind Disney Merch (Ep. 37) Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey uncover the fascinating history of why Disney fans always exit through a gift shop. From strategic design choices to corporate sponsorships, Disney has perfected the art of making sure you leave with a little extra magic in your bag.

The Origins of Exit Gift Shops – How early Disney parks positioned stores for maximum spending.
Mattel’s Surprising Role in Disney’s Retail Evolution – How a 1990s partnership changed the way we shop at theme parks.
Bath & Body Works x Disney Princess Collection – Lauren reviews the viral scents, ranking the best and worst.
Pandora’s Disney Princess Rings Drama – Why some fans are up in arms about these new jewelry designs.
Vegas & Disney Crossovers – Lauren preps for her first trip to Las Vegas and hunts for Disney magic in Sin City.

And this is just Part One! Stay tuned for the next episode, where Jim dives even deeper into how Disney perfected its in-park shopping experience. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

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Ne Zha 2 Breaks Records, Mufasa Hits Streaming, and The Future of Adult Animation (Ep. 295) Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down the latest in animation news, including:

Ne Zha 2’s historic box office run – How the Chinese animated epic became the highest-grossing animated film worldwide, surpassing Frozen 2.
Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King and DreamWorks’ Dog Man hit digital – What their home release means for the industry.
The rise of adult animation – Robot Chicken celebrates 20 years, while Nikelodeon expands its lineup with Avatar: The Seven Havens.
Disney+’s latest animation drops – Thoughts on Win or Lose and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
The Simpsons’ Disney+ exclusives – Are they living up to the hype?

Tune in for expert analysis, behind-the-scenes stories, and the latest in animation!

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Buffalo Junction: Disney’s Forgotten Frontier Resort (Ep. 520) Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill, joined by former Imagineer Jim Shull, dive into the fascinating history of Buffalo Junction, the resort Disney almost built between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. Inspired by Disneyland Paris, this Wild West-themed destination was set to include a working railroad, frontier town-style hotel, and a live Buffalo Bill Wild West show—so what happened?

Buffalo Junction: The Resort That Never Was – Disney’s ambitious plan for an Old West town complete with a steam train and dinner show.
How Disneyland Paris Inspired This Resort – The success of Frontierland and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show nearly brought the idea stateside.
The End of the Fort Wilderness Railroad – Why Disney abandoned steam trains at Fort Wilderness and how they almost made a comeback.
Universal’s Year-Round Halloween Horror Nights – Details on Universal Horror Unleashed, opening in Las Vegas this summer.
Virtual Queues Ending at Disney Parks – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind drop their virtual queues—what it means for guests.

Join Len, Jim, and Jim Shull for a deep dive into Disney’s lost resort projects, Fort Wilderness expansion plans, and how theme park design continues to evolve.

SHOW NOTES

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