The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Latest Episodes:

How Disney’s George Wilkins Created the Soundtrack to Your EPCOT Dreams (Ep. 513) Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill explore the remarkable career of Disney composer George Wilkins, the man behind EPCOT’s most iconic music, and discuss the latest park updates and strategies.

George Wilkins Tribute: How a 45-year-old jingle writer turned EPCOT into his personal symphony.
Free Dining Returns: Disney’s 2025 dining offer is back, but is its timing a response to Universal’s Epic Universe?
Big Thunder Mountain Closure: With this fan favorite offline, what should you grab for Lightning Lane instead?
Epic Universe Updates: Universal Orlando inches closer to opening with exciting ride testing and big surprises.

Join Len and Jim as they uncover Disney history, analyze park strategies, and debate the best way to navigate post-Big Thunder chaos.

SHOW NOTES

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

Manufacturing the Magic: Old Mill Rides, Dark Rides & Simulators (EP 15) Jan 05, 2025

Show notes

In the fifteenth installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid continued\ their look at the history of themed entertainment.

This episode emphasizes how the industry changed after the First World War.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

What are the specific components of an Old Mill Ride

What is typically found inside of a Tunnel of Love attraction (Besides kissing couples, I mean)

Where were the first of these attractions built?

When did old flight equipment become fodder for new theme park rides

What is considered the first true simulator ride

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

The End of 2024: Universal’s Top Stories, Surveys, and Predictions for 2025 (Ep. 32) Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

In this first episode of 2025, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey recap Universal’s most exciting moments from the past year, discuss insights from a Universal guest survey, and share bold predictions for the year ahead. Highlights include:

Universal’s Guest Survey: Jim and Eric analyze intriguing survey questions about vacation planning, accessibility, and the impact of Universal’s Wicked-themed offerings on guest experiences.
Epic Universe Updates: A look back at how Universal kept fans engaged with teasers, construction updates, and marketing ahead of its May 2025 opening.
Wicked’s Phenomenal Year: From its box office success to Universal’s creative synergy with theme park experiences.
DreamWorks Land in Orlando: How Universal’s new kid-friendly area is already a hit with families.
Universal’s Remote Projects: Exploring the potential of the Texas Universal Kids Park and the Las Vegas Haunted House, and how these off-site ventures could shape the future of Universal’s theme park strategy.

Jim and Eric also reflect on their first year of podcasting together, share listener questions and insights, and make predictions about Universal’s record-breaking potential in the coming year.

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

Free Events at WDW, Sports Goofy, and Valentine’s Day Merch (Ep. 29) Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

In this lively New Year episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore Disney’s unique take on wellness, the history of Sports Goofy, and a sneak peek at the latest Valentine’s Day merchandise.

What You’ll Hear:

Details on Disney Springs’ Wellness Month, including free fitness classes, discounts, and the surprising involvement of Everglazed Donuts.
Lauren’s insights on the chocolate-covered strawberry plush line and Valentine-themed MagicBands.
Jim’s deep dive into the origins of Sports Goofy and his evolution as Disney’s fitness ambassador.
A nostalgic look at Disney’s classic “How To” Goofy shorts and their influence on sports-themed animation.
Exclusive tips on snagging rare Valentine’s Day merch at the parks and online.

Whether you’re setting wellness goals, collecting Disney merch, or reminiscing about Goofy’s antics, this episode offers something for every Disney fan. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

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

A Look Back at 2024 and What’s Next for Animation in 2025 (Ep. 287) Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

In this final episode of Fine Tooning for 2024, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor explore:

How Mufasa: The Lion King roared back at the box office, edging out Sonic 3 during the holiday weekend.
Updates from Pixar, including Tim Allen’s return as Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 5 and the lingering delays around Win or Lose.
A sneak peek at 2025’s animated lineup, from Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl to Pixar’s Elio and Zootopia 2.
The unconventional tradition of watching King Kong to ring in the New Year, and other quirky viewing habits.

Join Jim and Drew as they close out the year with a mix of animation insights, industry updates, and a look ahead at what’s coming next.

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

How Expensive Can WDW’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass Get? (Ep. 512) Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill break down the jaw-dropping prices of Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which sold out at a whopping $478 per person during the holidays.

Premier Pass Sticker Shock: Is there a limit to how much Disney fans will pay for shorter wait times?
Bluey Comes to Disney: The beloved pup makes her way to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line.
Universal Orlando Updates: Epic Universe rides ramp up testing, and a new Fast & Furious coaster is in the works.
Listener Questions: Where are the best places to rent DVC points, and what’s the deal with Bonnet Creek’s location?
Riviera Resort Finale: Jim wraps up the fascinating history of Disney’s most glamorous DVC property.

Tune in for Disney history, park updates, and plenty of laughs as Len and Jim close out the year in style.

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

The End of Rip Ride Rockit and How Universal Become a “Coaster” Theme Park (Ep. 31) Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey discuss the upcoming closure of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and what it means for Universal Studios Florida’s future. Highlights include:

The End of Rip Ride Rockit: A look at the iconic coaster’s history, its groundbreaking music selection feature, and the rumored Fast and Furious-themed coaster set to take its place.
Universal’s new name tags for team members featuring Epic Universe branding.
The temporary removal of drones from Universal’s nighttime show, CineSational, following safety concerns.
Updates on Universal’s Orlando Airport store
Universal Studios Japan’s potential plan to expand into parking lots with new attractions in the next 5-7 years.

This episode blends Universal’s latest updates with a nostalgic look at the coasters that defined the park’s history!

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

Post-Holiday Disney Deals, Disney Institute Insights, and the History of Hyperion Studios (Ep. 28) Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

In this post-Christmas episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into the world of Disney shopping, employee engagement, and the fascinating history of the Walt Disney Company.

What You’ll Hear:

Insider tips on scoring the best post-holiday Disney merchandise deals, from ornaments to exclusive Twice Upon a Year Sale items.
Lauren’s experience at the Disney Institute’s engagement training and behind-the-scenes access to cast services at Epcot.
Jim’s storytelling on Disney’s transition from the Hyperion Avenue studio to the state-of-the-art Burbank lot and the challenges that followed.
Hidden Disney details, from cast member traditions to the evolution of costuming technology.
A sneak peek into a virtual recreation of Hyperion Studios being developed by animator Mike Peraza.

Whether you’re a Disney fan hunting for deals or curious about the company’s rich history, this episode is packed with insights and surprises.

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

Bluey’s Disney Debut and the Challenges of Mufasa: The Lion King (Ep. 286) Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dive into:

The excitement surrounding Bluey's upcoming presence in Disney theme parks and its debut on Disney Cruise Line.
Highlights from the Annie Awards, where The Wild Robot, Inside Out 2, and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl lead the nominations.
The box office performance of Mufasa: The Lion King and how franchise timing and audience expectations played a role.
Updates on Netflix and Sony’s animated Ghostbusters project, directed by Kris Pearn.
The history of DreamWorks' B.O.O. and its journey through development limbo.

Join Jim and Drew for animation industry insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and a look at what’s ahead in the world of animation.

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

Why Disney’s Polynesian Tower Might Be the Best Magic Kingdom Hotel (Ep. 511) Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Join Len Testa and Jim Hill as they dive into the fascinating and occasionally outrageous story of how Disney transformed Caribbean Beach into their 15th DVC property:

Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort: Len reviews Disney’s newest addition, featuring epic Magic Kingdom views, thoughtful amenities, and… chump prices?
Caribbean Beach to Riviera Resort: Jim uncovers the competitive forces and behind-the-scenes maneuvering that turned a moderate resort into a deluxe DVC powerhouse.
Listener Questions: Why isn’t there a Magic Kingdom resort between the Contemporary and TTC? And what’s the deal with Bonnet Creek’s proximity to Disney property?
Dynamic Pricing at Disney: Len speculates on Disney’s next big move for hotels and tickets—and what it might mean for annual passholders.

Discover the stories behind Disney’s resorts, along with plenty of laughs and fascinating insights.

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