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:

Do you remember Epcot’s “Magic Journeys” (Ep 499) Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa and Jim Hill start this week’s episode by sharing a

survey the Universal Orlando Resort recently sent out.

They then look back at the 3D movie that eventually led to “Mickey’s PhilharMagic”

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

Why Rodney Dangerfield’s obituary may be the funniest story that the Los

Angeles Times ever ran

How does an RIP Tour compare to a HHN Express Pass

Why it’s unlikely that Disney will ever build a just-for-kids theme park at its Florida

Resort

SHOW NOTES

What’s the name of that 3D Donald Duck cartoon that used to run on a double bill

at the Fantasyland theater

How did Dick Nunis feel about “The Mickey Mouse Revue” attraction at WDW’s

Magic Kingdom

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I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey: Disney’s Hocus Pocus: From Flop to Cult Classic (Ep. 16) Sep 28, 2024

Show notes

In this spellbinding episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive deep into the magical world of Hocus Pocus.

Discover the behind-the-scenes drama that almost changed the film and how it went from box office flop to a Halloween cult classic.

If you're a fan of the Sanderson Sisters or curious about Disney's decision-making, this episode is packed with must-know details!

The unexpected origins of Hocus Pocus and how An American Tail influenced its creation.
Why Hocus Pocus struggled at the box office in 1993 but found its footing in the mid-2000s.
How Bette Midler’s insistence on her character’s “rat teeth” almost led to a showdown with Disney executives.
The evolution of Hocus Pocus merch, from Target tees to limited-edition Monster High dolls.
Insider stories from Shannon Carlin’s Witches Run Amok, featuring never-before-heard details about the making of the movie.

If you love Hocus Pocus or want to know more about Disney’s journey with this iconic film, don’t miss this episode! Listen now on your

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Epic Universal with Eric Hersey: Why Does Toon Lagoon Exist? Exploring Universal’s Most Unusual Theme Park Area (Ep. 18) Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into the fascinating and perplexing world of Toon Lagoon at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

They unravel the mystery behind this quirky theme park area and explore why Universal chose to dedicate an entire land to classic comic strip characters.

From the backstory of its creation to the impact it has on park guests, Jim shares insider stories and industry insights that shed light on the often-overlooked Toon Lagoon.

Highlights include:

The origins of Toon Lagoon and the vision behind its development.
How the park navigated licensing and character rights for this unique area.
Behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of water rides like Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls.
The lasting influence (or lack thereof) of Toon Lagoon on Universal’s theme park strategy.

Whether you’re a fan of splash-filled adventures or curious about the decision-making that goes into building a theme park land, this episode offers a deep dive into one of Universal’s most unusual creations.

Tune in and discover the story behind Toon Lagoon!

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Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor: Jennifer Lee Steps Down, Disney’s Creative Shift, and Pixar’s Behind-the-Scenes Struggles (Ep. 274) Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss the surprising news of Jennifer Lee stepping down as Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and what it means for the future of Disney’s animated films.

They explore:

Jennifer Lee’s New Role: How she’s shifting her focus to the upcoming Frozen 3 and Frozen 4.

Jared Bush Takes the Lead: What does this creative shake-up mean for Disney, and what projects might be on the horizon?

Pixar’s Pressure to Perform: The intense working conditions at Pixar and the studio’s struggle to produce hits like Inside Out 2 and Elio amidst high expectations and long hours.

Plus, hear the latest updates on DreamWorks’ Dog Man, The Wild Robot, and more!

Don’t miss this deep dive into the latest animation industry news and insights.

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Disney Dish with Jim Hill: Behind the Bar: Ricky Debler Jr. on Creating Disney’s Most Popular Tequila Spot (Ep. 498) Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Len Testa and Jim Hill bring you the latest updates and an in-depth look at Disney’s past, present, and future.

Tune in as they cover:

Exclusive Interview: Special guest Ricky Debler Jr. from Palmas Restaurant Group shares the inside story behind their iconic Disney dining locations and the evolution of La Cava del Tequila.

Disney Treasure Updates: Get the scoop on the newest details for Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming ship.

Disney Surveys: Find out what surprising questions Disney is asking guests about their park experiences.

The Untold Story of Big Thunder Mountain: Jim wraps up his series on the history of this beloved attraction and reveals the ambitious plans that never made it to Disneyland.

Dive into the latest news, fascinating history, and a few laughs in this can’t-miss episode!

SHOW NOTES

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I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey Ep 15: The Monsters Inc. Coaster That Almost Happened Sep 21, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill shares the untold story of the Monsters Inc. coaster Disney almost built over a decade ago.

You'll learn about the original plans, why it was shelved, and what details were accidentally leaked to cast members before the official announcement.

Lauren Hersey dives into the lasting popularity of Monsters University merch, especially the famous MU hat

. If you're curious about Disney's past plans, the latest in Monsters Inc. products, and future theme-park developments, this is the episode for you!

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Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep. 17: Universal's Cartoon World That Never Was & A Look Ahead at Wicked Attractions Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive deep into Universal Studios' unbuilt Cartoon World, a project meant to pave the way for Islands of Adventure.

Jim shares fascinating insights into the concept's early stages and how it evolved into what fans know today.

Highlights include:

Jim's stories about the behind-the-scenes development of Cartoon World and its transformation into Islands of Adventure.
How Warner Brothers and Universal nearly partnered for a superhero and Looney Tunes theme park.
The hidden history behind Universal’s decision to bring Dr. Seuss and Dudley Do-Right into Toon Lagoon.
A fun discussion on the replacement of Hello Kitty with the new Wicked experience and how Universal is preparing for the movie’s release.

Join us for this in-depth discussion on the park that could have been and its impact on the theme park landscape we enjoy today!

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Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor: How Coraline’s Revival Sparked Disney’s Return to Theaters (Ep 273) Sep 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss how the successful 15th-anniversary re-release of Coraline inspired Disney to bring back some of its beloved classics to theaters.

Find out how The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus are making their return to the big screen this Halloween season.

Join us as we cover:

Coraline’s Box Office Success: How a cult classic reignited Disney’s interest in re-releases.

The Return of Hocus Pocus: Why is this Halloween favorite back in theaters, and what does it mean for Disney's strategy?

The Wild Robot’s DreamWorks Triumph: Early reviews from the Toronto premiere and its impact on the animation industry.

Tune in for all this and more, as we dive into the latest animation news and Halloween favorites making their way back to theaters!

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Disney Dish with Jim Hill : Inside Tony Baxter’s 1976 Presentation: Big Thunder’s Forgotten Neighbors (Ep. 497) Sep 16, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and Len Testa bring you the latest Disney theme park news, listener questions, and a deep dive into Disney history.

Tune in as they cover:

Crane Permits and Fort Wilderness Construction: What’s going on at the old River Country site?

Disney Cruise Line’s Future: How jumbo-ification could extend the life of Disney’s Magic and Wonder ships.

The Evolution of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Jim continues his history of this Frontierland classic and the ambitious plans that never made it to Disneyland, including Discovery Bay and Dumbo’s Circus.

Listener Questions: From Rise of the Resistance’s B-mode to the future of Disney’s IP-driven attractions.

Listen now for a fun, fact-filled episode covering the latest updates and Disney history!

SHOW NOTES

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Pink Momorail Manufacturing the MagicEp 10: Exploring Coney Island Sep 15, 2024

Show notes

In the tenth installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid talk about the three great amusement parks that once occupied the southwesternmost section of Brooklyn.

For this episode, listeners will learn about: