The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Latest Episodes:

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 466: Where might Disney World expand out to next Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing a new land use plan that’s recently been revealed for the WDW Resort. They also wrap their series on the history of “Illuminations”

SHOW BREAKDOWN:

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Why did the Imagineers just hate Epcot’s “Surprise in the Sky” show

Which characters will soon begin making appearances at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

What did the most recent earnings call reveal about attendance level & hotel room occupancy rates at the WDW Resort

How will Disney, taking a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic Games, potentially impact the Company’s rivals in the themed entertainment business

Why would it have been a mistake to view the world premiere of “Illuminations” from the Norway pavilion back in late January 1988

Show Notes

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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 465: World Celebration Gardens becomes WDW’s newest wedding venue Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by taking a close look at Epic Universe concept art. They then continue their discussion of the development “Illuminations,” EPCOT Center’s break-through nighttime show

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

When (just to be safe) one should go about ordering their tickets for Pride Nite at Disneyland

Why is the Universal Helios Grand Hotel positioned the way it is, facing into Epic Universe Park

How Universal Studios Hollywood plans to use the cars themselves that Guests will ride in on that theme park’s new “Fast & Furious” coaster to mitigate noise pollution in the surrounding community

Where did WDW Entertainment come across the searchlights that then added a popular feature to “A New World Fantasy”

Why did Walt Disney Productions suddenly decide to buy the Gibson Greeting Card company in the Late Spring of 1984

Show Notes

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Looking at Lucasfilm with Brian Gaughan Ep 91: What sources do Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon” movies share with “Star Wars” Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how much they’re looking forward to the final season of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.” They also talk about where the upcoming “Great Circle” game fits in chronologically with the first three “Indiana Jones” films

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

Which character from the “Star Wars” prequels is Marvel Comics now honoring with his first-ever four issue, limited series

How many times – to date – has John Williams been nominated for an Oscar

Has Daisy Ridley read the script yet for “Star Wars: New Jedi Order”

How did Bob Iger’s return as Disney’s CEO impact Patty Jenkins’ “Rogue Squadron” movie

Which Two-time Academy Award winner voices Jimmy, the mechanical soldier, in “Rebel Moon -- Part One: A Child of Fire”

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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 464: What was Epcot’s very first nighttime show like? Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the NextGen wands that may soon begin appearing in the Wizarding World over at the Universal Parks. They also discuss Disney’s possible plans to expand the Indiana Jones franchise.

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

What was especially innovative (circa 1982) about the barges that were used in “Le Carnaval de Lumiere”

Why is the Magic Kingdom running its “Festival of Fantasy” parade twice daily on certain days during the month of February

How is Disney+ potentially impacting the Company’s spending with it comes to Disney’s theme parks

When it comes to Disney theme park rides, what’s the difference between on-board audio and attraction narration

Should the Hatbox Ghost be counted as one of the 999 Happy Haunts that reside in Disney’s Haunted Mansion

Show Notes

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Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 47-1: Introducing the Epic Universal Podcast Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

Jim Hill & Eric Hersey kick off a brand-new show which offers a different take on Universal Parks & Experiences. Highlights include an interview with Carson Luter from Universal Creative about “Villain Con Minion Blast”

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

How did the 24 films that Universal Pictures released in 2023 do at the worldwide box office

Which character from an Alfred Hitchcock film is paid tribute to in “Villain Con Minion Blast”

What’s significant about the name Universal choses for its Texas park project, at least from a SEO perspective

Which Marvel-themed attraction just closed at Universal Studios Japan

What’s the secret to racking up a big score on “Villain Con Minion Blast”

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Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 427: Why Pixar’s “Newt” got neutered Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

Jim Hill starts off this week’s show with a solo news section. Then Drew Taylor joins the fun in a pre-taped segment that looks back at Gary Rydstrom’s animated films

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

How many Annie nominations did Pixar’s “Elemental” receive this year

Which William Shakespeare play provided the inspiration for “Strange Magic”

What Pixar movie were the blobby alien characters seen in “Lifted” originally designed for

When is the sequel to “Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey” supposed to arrive in theaters

How well did Pixar’s “Soul” do when it was finally released to theaters earlier this month

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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 463: Looking back at Disneyland’s House of the Future Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Disney historian Dave Bossert to the show. They then discuss what made this Tomorrowland walk-thru exhibit so memorable to park guests

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

Which sitcom star voiced Nine Eyes in the American version of “The Timekeeper”

In what far-flung corner of the globe did Dave Bossert recently encounter a cocoanut chair

What’s different about the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival ending on May 27th

When is it expected that Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion will re-open to the public later this year

Which Disney Legend was effectively the person in charge of the House of the Future / oversaw its three updates

Show Notes

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Looking at Lucasfilm with Brian Gaughan Ep 90: When Luke Skywalker finally met his Mom Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the recently announced “Mandalorian & Grogu” film project. They also discuss how the first C3PO AA figure was created for “Star Tours”

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

What are Kylo Ren’s original story in the Disney-produced “Star Wars” trilogy supposed to have been like

Why has production of the previous announced Rey-tries-to-revive-the-Jedi-Order film project been delayed yet again

What scene was the first to be shot during production of “Return of the Jedi” back in January of 1982

Which well-known British actors were reportedly considered to be inside of Darth Vader’s helmet when Luke finally removed his Dad’s face plate in Episode VI

Who accidentally revealed that C3PO was supposed to the pilot of the StarSpeeder 1000 in “Sat Tours: The Adventures Continue”

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Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 426: How Hanna-Barbera got started in animation for television Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

In a solo show this week, Jim Hill starts things off by recapping what happened at this year’s Golden Globe. He shares what he’s heard about the lay-offs that are reportedly coming to Pixar Animation Studios later this year.

Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about;

When will the Blu-ray version of Disney’s “Wish” be hitting store shelves

Where did Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera set up their first animation-for-television studio in Hollywood

What do Disneyland fans have to say about the “Pixar Fest” marquee / photo-up that weill be set in that theme park later this Spring

Which infamous Hollywood mogul from the 1940s & 1940s helped fund the creation of H-B Enterprises, Inc.

Why is the “Superman” TV series from the 1950s (i.e., the one that starred George Reeves) sometimes associated with Charlie Chaplin

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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 462: How Casey Jr. plowed the road to Ghost Galaxy Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then shares stories about WDI’s years-long effort to create synced-up soundtracks for thrill rides at the Disney theme parks

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

How you can best take advantage of the snack credits when it comes to WDW’s recently relaunched Dining Plan

When will Florida’s version of “Country Bear Jamboree” be closing for its previously announced reimagining / retooling

Which two restaurants in the southwest corner of WDW’s Magic Kingdom share a common kitchen

When did Disneyland’s version of Space Mountain suddenly close with little or no notice to that theme park’s Cast or the general public

What’s kind of concerning about the new floor plan for the Cabins at Fort Wilderness

Show Notes

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