The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Latest Episodes:

Epic Universal with Eri Hersey Ep 57-10 : Dark Universe celebrates Universal’s classic monsters Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing what Universal Parks & Experiences has just revealed about Epic Universe’s next land.

They also continue the tale of USH’s efforts to get more monsters into that theme park

In this episode, listeners will learn about:

Where’s the best place to stand in Universal Studios Florida to view “CineSational: A Symphony Spectacular”

On which coast did the “Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” show first debut

Why did Stephen Sommers pass up the opportunity to make a third “Mummy” movie at Universal Pictures

How is Voodoo Doughnuts getting in on the celebration of the 60th anniversary of USH’s Tram Tour

Which Classic Universal Monster is rumored to be getting his own attraction as part of a future expansion of Darkmoor Village

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Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 442: Where can you find Figment in “Inside Out 2” Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

Drew Taylor is fresh back from France. And he tells Jim Hill all about the animated films that he got to see at this year’s international animation film festival and market

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

What did Nick Park have to say when he learned of Steven Spielberg’s love of the runaway train scene in “The Wrong Trousers”
Which recently retired Disney Legend received this year’s Annecy Walk of Fame Award

Where do Porky, Daffy & Petunia Pig work in “The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie”

The work of which visual futurist reportedly served as the inspiration for the world in which Dreamworks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” is set

How is Disney expanding the cast for “Moana 2”

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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 484: How were Disneyland’s fireworks impacted by the Clean Air Act Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the operational issues that “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” continues to have during its preview period.

They also share listeners' theories about why WDW sit-down restaurants have seemed so empty lately

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

What changes have been made to the on-board narration for Disneyland’s Mark Twain

When will the revamped version of “Country Bear Jamboree” be opening at the Magic Kingdom in Florida
Who personally supervised the fireworks display over Seven Seas Lagoon back on October 23, 1971

What’s happening with WDW’s old “Pirates Leagues” facility

Why were the fast food restaurants & motels built around Disneyland back in the Late 1950s / early 1960s all clustered around the corner of Harbor & Katella

Show Notes

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Pink Monorail Manufacturing the Magic Ep 4: France throws down the gauntlet Jun 15, 2024

Show notes

In the fourth installment of this new educational series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid look at even more early World’s Fairs. With the focus this time around being on French advances in themed entertainment.

In this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Why the Exposition Universelle de Paris of 1899 dwarfed all others

• How the temporary Eiffel Tower led to the discovery of gamma rays

• The problem with “human zoos”

• Why the Tower’s most vehement critic dined there every day

• Which themed international buildings served as a precursor for EPCOT’s World Showcase

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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 483: What were Disneyland’s first fireworks show like Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the technical issues “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” has been facing during its Cast Member preview period.

They also take a look at the room décor for WDW Island Tower (i.e., that new DVC which will be opening right next to WDW’s Polynesian Village Resort on December 17th)

In this episode, listeners will learn about:

Why would Owen & Dolly Pope always tour the corrals at Disneyland’s Circle D Ranch the mornings after fireworks had been shot off at Walt’s family fun park
When will Jollywood Nights be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year
How far back can the Disneyland tradition of a rope drop at the opening of the park be traced
Where did Disneyland management turn when it needed to recruit additional security officers to help man that theme park
Which Tomorrowland attraction back in the 1960s was able to handle 4000 Guests an hour

Show Notes

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i want That Too with Lauren Hersey Ep 8: When Disney almost made a sci-fi version of “Snow White” Jun 08, 2024

Show notes

Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the teaser trailer for “Moana 2.”

They also closely examine which Disney Princess moves the most merchandise.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Why did the Magic Kingdom eventually remove the Disney Princess float from its “Share a Dream Come True” parade
What were the three robots in Universal Pictures’ “Silent Running” called
Which “Will & Grace” star read the role of the Snow Queen in one of the earliest table reads done for Disney’s “Frozen”
What happened inside of the Magic Kingdom on the morning of 9/11
When did the delayed version of WDW’s “100 Years of Magic” celebration finally get underway

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Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 56-9: How soon will the Simpsons decamp for Disney World Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing Universal Orlando’s new Premium Scream offering.

They also continue their look back at how USH kept trying to build a successful show around the Universal Classic Monsters

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Where can one find that new Butterbeer Cart souvenir candy bucket at the Universal Orlando Resort
How long after “The Simpsons Ride” opened in 2008 did Springfield Fast Food Boulevard come online
Who designed the 20-foot-tall animatronic serpent in USH’s “Conan: A Sword & Sorcery Spectacular” show
What is the technical name for that space which scareactors hide in before jumping out & frightening event attendees at Halloween Horror Nights
When Disney World started holding its “Night of Joy” after-hours hard ticket events

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Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 441: How did Pixar decide which movies to make early on Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how “The Garfield Movie” has been doing at the domestic box office. They also share some fond memories of Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman

In this episode, listeners will learn about:

Which animated feature – released to theaters a year ago this week – sold $120 million worth of tickets over its opening weekend in North America

What part of the score for “Pooh’s Hunny Hunt” (i.e., the first trackless ride at a Disney theme park) did Richard M. Sherman personally direct

What limitation of early CG convinced Pixar’s original brain trust that they needed to make movies like “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo” & “Wall-E”

According to early box office projections, how much is “Inside Out 2” expected to earn over its first weekend in domestic release

In the future, what will the new release pattern be for the animated features released by Pixar Animation Studios

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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 482: How “Date Nite at Disneyland” got started Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the opening weekend of performances of “Disney Dreams That Soar.”

They then look back at how fireworks got started at Disneyland Park in the late 1950s

In this episode, listeners will learn about:

Why Universal Orlando decided to change the name of Epic Universe’s racing coaster
When will work begin on the retheming of Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Which musical acts is Universal Creative reportedly considering using as the jumping-off point for a maze at a future Halloween Horror Night
Why are dining reservations suddenly far easier to get at WDW’s sit-down restaurants
Where will road improvements soon begin on Disney World property

Show Notes

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Pink Monorail Manufacturing the Magic Ep 3: Early World’s Fairs & Expositions Jun 01, 2024

Show notes

In the third installment of this new educational series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid look back at the first World’s Fairs. More importantly, the impact that these ambitious expositions had on society

In this episode, listeners will learn about:

Where in London was the Great Exposition staged
Which structure at the Great Exposition inspired a popular WDW restaurant
What marvels from the Victorian Age were on display during this 5-month-long event
Which event held in France just four years later attempted to throw the Great Exposition of London into eclipse
Why is the Palais d’Industrie considered Napoleon III’s “ego building”

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