The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Len Testa and Jim Hill break down a busy week in theme park news, from Bluey crowd control at Animal Kingdom to Universal’s possible drone-show ambitions. Len also crunches the numbers on the best days to visit Magic Kingdom, because nothing says vacation like 22 million wait times and a spreadsheet with emotional damage. Then Jim digs into Disneyland’s opening-day ticket scandal and why Walt Disney may have had very good reasons to sour on Western Publishing.

NEWS

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom prepares for Bluey with a virtual queue and some serious toddler-capacity math.

• Len explains why Sundays may be your best Magic Kingdom bet from January through July, while party season flips the calendar.

• Disneyland’s Autopia goes electric in 2027, raising questions about batteries, car design, and Tomorrowland’s long-overdue tune-up.

• Universal Orlando surveys guests about pets, which may hint at Secret Life of Pets possibilities in Florida.

• A new Universal patent features an onboard animated figure, possibly a frog, possibly a nightmare with wheels.

FEATURE

• Jim revisits Disneyland’s chaotic 1955 opening day and the mysterious flood of “legitimate” invitations.

• The story points toward Western Publishing, one of Disneyland’s earliest investors and official printers.

• Walt’s later decision to buy out Western may have had more behind it than simple business strategy.

• Also discussed: C.V. Wood, Black Sunday, Bob Gurr, Richard Nixon, and why the Secret Service probably hated the monorail.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com

• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.com

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews

• YouTube: @jimhillmedia

• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

The Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, from the team at DVC Rental Store. Visit UnlockedMagic.com for great deals on Disney theme park admission.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/

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

Jim Hill and Len Testa welcome Professor Roland Betancourt to discuss his new book, Disneyland and the Rise of Automation, which somehow connects Walt Disney, Ford factories, magnetic tape, Forest Lawn, Willy Wonka, and ride computers named Fred. They also cover big park updates, from Mythos closing at Universal Orlando to new Walt Disney World previews, Lakeshore Lodge concept art, Roger Rabbit’s safer spin, and Hocus Pocus 3 heading to theaters. Naturally, milk percentages are also examined with the seriousness they deserve.

NEWS

• Universal confirms Mythos will close with Lost Continent, while Thunder Falls Terrace becomes a new full-service signature restaurant in 2027.

• Walt Disney World sets AP preview dates for Soarin’ and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets.

• Magic Kingdom prepares for a fourth ferry boat, the first new one since 1976.

• Disney reveals new Lakeshore Lodge concept art, including a large pool and lazy river area.

• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin reopens at Disneyland with pre-programmed spinning.

• Disney officially greenlights Hocus Pocus 3, with the Sanderson Sisters reportedly heading beyond the stage show and into the parks.

FEATURE

• Roland Betancourt explains how Ford’s River Rouge plant helped shape Walt Disney’s thinking about automation.

• The discussion traces magnetic tape, Cold War technology, and the real roots of Audio-Animatronics.

• Big Thunder Mountain introduces “anti-Fred logic,” a wonderfully Disney solution to button-related human creativity.

• Harper Goff’s work on Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory reveals another strange and delightful bridge between factories and theme parks.

• Why Disneyland surveyed guests like a giant postwar science experiment - and how those surveys still shape the parks today.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: ⁠⁠@JimHillMedia⁠⁠ | X: ⁠⁠@JimHillMedia⁠⁠ | Website: ⁠⁠JimHillMedia.com⁠⁠ • Len Testa - IG: ⁠⁠@len.testa⁠⁠ | Website: ⁠⁠touringplans.com⁠⁠

GUEST • Roland Betancourt - Book: ⁠⁠⁠Disneyland and the Rise of Automation

FOLLOW • Facebook: ⁠⁠JimHillMediaNews⁠⁠ • Instagram: ⁠⁠JimHillMedia⁠⁠ • TikTok: ⁠⁠JimHillMedia⁠⁠

SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at ⁠⁠Patreon.com/JimHillMedia⁠⁠.

PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - ⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠

SPONSOR The Disney Dish News is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get discounted Walt Disney World tickets and plan your next trip at ⁠⁠UnlockedMagic.com⁠⁠

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠⁠reach out today.⁠

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a caffeinated mix of Disney news, listener questions, and one deeply researched (and slightly petty) rant about guitar accuracy. They also explore the mystery of Walt’s unfinished apartment bathroom and debate just how early is too early for Halloween. Then Jim brings the main event: the story of how Maxwell House coffee landed on Main Street, missed its big debut, and ultimately got shown the door - paving the way for a quieter, smarter coffee strategy at Disneyland.

NEWS

• Preview dates announced for Soarin’ and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets, with guests likely riding by mid-May
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run may finally make the engineer role matter (yes, really)
• Bluey’s Animal Kingdom appearance may skip meet-and-greets entirely, possibly to avoid crowd-control chaos
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party now starts August 7, because apparently summer needed pumpkins
• EPCOT Food & Wine Festival returns in late August, continuing Disney’s “why wait for fall?” strategy

FEATURE

• The original deal that brought Maxwell House Coffee to Disneyland - complete with big promises and bigger expectations
• Why the Main Street coffee house wasn’t ready for opening day (and stayed that way for months)
• The rain-soaked grand opening that didn’t help Disney’s relationship with its coffee sponsor
• How Hills Brothers stepped in, kept the New Orleans theming, and quietly made the concept work
• The evolution of the location from sponsored coffee house to struggling restaurant to retail space

For this episode’s full show notes,⁠ click here.⁠

HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: ⁠@JimHillMedia⁠ | X: ⁠@JimHillMedia⁠ | Website: ⁠JimHillMedia.com⁠ • Len Testa - IG: ⁠@len.testa⁠ | Website: ⁠touringplans.com⁠

FOLLOW • Facebook: ⁠JimHillMediaNews⁠ • Instagram: ⁠JimHillMedia⁠ • TikTok: ⁠JimHillMedia⁠

SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at ⁠Patreon.com/JimHillMedia⁠.

PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - ⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠

SPONSOR The Disney Dish News is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get discounted Walt Disney World tickets and plan your next trip at ⁠UnlockedMagic.com⁠

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠reach out today.

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

Jim and Len are joined by Sporkful host Dan Pashman to dig into the surprisingly rich stories behind Disney theme park food, including how a handwritten gumbo recipe in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure connects to real culinary history. Along the way, they explore Imagineering’s obsessive attention to detail, from menu design to discarded ideas that probably would’ve attracted bees (and at least one very confused operations team). Then, Jim wraps up the story of WestCOT and Disney’s ambitious “Live the Dream” concept, where guests might have spent the night inside the park itself.

NEWS
• Disney quietly discontinues the Pirates Adventure Lightning Lane perk hours after it’s mentioned on the show
• Opening window set for Lakeshore Lodge at Walt Disney World in summer 2027
• Smugglers Run update tied to The Mandalorian and Grogu may arrive alongside the film’s May release
• On-site hotel perks confirmed through 2027, with Fort Wilderness campsites losing eligibility
• Disney Cruise Line rolls out “kids sail half off” promotions as future bookings soften

FEATURE
• The full story of WestCOT, Disney’s planned Epcot-style park for Disneyland’s expansion pad
• The “Live the Dream” concept, which would have placed hotel rooms directly on top of attractions
• How guest surveys pushed Imagineering to explore the idea of staying overnight inside a theme park
• The role of Michael Eisner in driving a more entertaining version of Epcot
• Why a 300-foot-tall golden version of Spaceship Earth nearly rose over Anaheim
• How budget cuts, Disneyland Paris struggles, and scope reductions led to the project’s cancellation
• The surprising ways this idea lived on in later projects like Tokyo DisneySea’s hotels and beyond

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill (@JimHillMedia) – jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa (@lentesta.bsky.social) – touringplans.com

GUEST
• Dan Pashman – Host of The Sporkful
• Website: https://www.sporkful.com/
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sporkful/id350709629
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesporkful/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesporkful?lang=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sporkful

FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR
Unlock deep discounts on Disney tickets and get your family onto Big Thunder Mountain (doctor’s orders) with Unlocked Magic – https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=disneydish

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/

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

Lauren and Eric go underground this week to unpack their unexpectedly viral TikTok and the surprisingly polarizing reactions to their utilidor-inspired basement. What started as a fun Disney homage quickly turned into a reality check from former cast members who know the tunnels all too well. Then, the conversation moves topside as they explore what it really costs to live near Walt Disney World, from Golden Oak luxury to the curious case of Celebration.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A TikTok featuring their utilidor-themed basement sparks viral attention and unexpected cast member reactions
• Former Disney cast members reveal the less magical side of the utilidor, including smells, noise, and daily operations
• The surprising divide between Disney fan perception and cast member reality when it comes to backstage areas
• A breakdown of Golden Oak living, including home prices ranging from $4M to $18M and steep HOA fees
• Celebration, Florida examined as Disney’s original master-planned community, with mixed reviews from residents on charm versus “uncanny valley” vibes

For this episode’s full show notes, ⁠click here⁠.

HOSTS

• Eric Hersey – X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@erichersey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@erichersey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Lauren Hersey – X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@laurenhersey2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lauren_hersey_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW – DIS & HERS

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DisAndHers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@disandhers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@disandhers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dis and Hers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dis & Hers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW – JIM HILL MEDIA

• Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JimHillMediaNews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JimHillMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JimHillMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/JimHillMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited & Produced by Eric Hersey – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠reach out today.⁠⁠

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill sprint through a packed week of Disney and Universal news, from Rock 'n' Roller Coaster's Muppets makeover to the return of Walt Disney World's deluxe dining plan. Along the way, they dig into Universal's new day-of Express offering, answer listener questions about everything from BioReconstruct to Main Street nostalgia, and somehow still find room for pistachio-based trauma. In the main segment, Jim continues the fascinating story of Disney's ambitious "Live the Dream" concept for Disneyland's second gate, including the idea of building hotels directly on top of attractions.

NEWS

• Disney has officially brought back the deluxe dining plan for 2027, adding a higher-end option as the company looks for new ways to fill table-service restaurants.
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster reopens on May 26, 2026, with the Electric Mayhem taking over the ride and a set list that mixes classic rock with a few curveballs.
• Celebrity cameos for the reimagined coaster include Awkwafina, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, Wayne Brady, Travis Barker, Yvette Nicole Brown, Danny Trejo, Darren Criss, and Weird Al Yankovic.
• A rumor out of Adventureland suggests that completing A Pirate's Adventure may once again unlock a Lightning Lane for Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Universal Orlando has launched Universal Express Now, a smartphone-based, day-of skip-the-line option that sounds a bit like Lightning Lane's less patient cousin.

FEATURE

• Jim continues the history of Disneyland's "Live the Dream" project, a bold expansion concept tied to the resort's long-discussed second park.
• This chapter explores Disney's growing realization that hotels were a license to print money, especially after the company began operating its own resorts.
• The episode also connects that thinking to Anaheim's old "Disney cone" zoning rules, which helped protect Disneyland's sightlines from looming high-rises.
• Most intriguingly, Jim tees up the wildest part of the story: a version of Disneyland's future where hotels would have been built directly above attractions.

For this episode's show notes click here.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

• Today's episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, with discounted theme park tickets for Disney's newest and reopening attractions.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a mix of Disney Parks news, listener questions, and a fascinating deep-dive into a forgotten concept for Disneyland’s second gate. They discuss Big Thunder Mountain’s updated height requirement, rumors around Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s Muppet makeover, and whether Disney might follow Las Vegas into immersive Sphere-style storytelling. Then Jim explores Disney’s ambitious “Live the Dream” project—an Imagineering concept that would have placed hotels directly inside a theme park.

NEWS
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens May 3 with a lowered height requirement, allowing more younger guests to ride
• Rumblings of a preview for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets, including possible Electric Mayhem music
• Media event timing hints at a potential Memorial Day launch window for the updated attraction
• Discussion of how ride vehicles or track changes might support the new height requirement

FEATURE
• The origins of Disney’s “Live the Dream” concept for a second Disneyland park
• Dorothea Redmond’s vision of boutique hotel rooms built inside Magic Kingdom’s Main Street structures
• How early Imagineering explored placing full-scale hotel experiences inside theme parks
• The role of Walt Disney’s obsession with “visual intrusion” in shaping park design
• Why corporate decisions and risk aversion ultimately shelved these ambitious ideas

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
The Disney Dish News is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get discounted Walt Disney World tickets and plan your next trip at UnlockedMagic.com

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Len and Jim follow the money, the zoning maps, and at least one imaginary contractor from 79 A.D. to figure out where new Magic Kingdom hotels might go—and whether you’ll one day be able to literally sleep inside Villains Land. Then Jim digs into one of Disneyland’s strangest early attractions: a fully gold-plated “Bathroom of Tomorrow” that proves Walt Disney could, in fact, make plumbing both educational and slightly terrifying. Along the way: after-2pm tickets, summer crowd tea leaves, and why your next Disney vacation might come with a side of afternoon thunderstorms and existential ride downtime.

NEWS
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin soft-opens at Magic Kingdom with updated gameplay and improved interactivity
• Walt Disney World introduces new after-2pm summer tickets with lower per-hour cost—but higher exposure to Florida’s daily thunderstorm roulette
• Summer 2026 discounts (tickets + hotels) hint at softer-than-expected demand and rising travel costs impacting attendance
• Deposition reveals Disney explored building one or two hotels near Magic Kingdom—raising big questions about location, zoning, and long-term expansion
• Universal quietly moves forward with demolition at Islands of Adventure’s Lost Continent as speculation swirls (Zelda, anyone?)

FEATURE
• The real story behind Disneyland’s Bathroom of Tomorrow (1956–1960), designed by industrial legend Henry Dreyfuss
• Why everything in the exhibit was gold-plated—and why diamonds were, regrettably, ruled out
• How Walt Disney’s practical, farm-raised approach to plumbing influenced early park design (and yes, restroom priorities)
• The clash between Dreyfuss’s elegant bathroom design and Monsanto’s… “efficient” House of the Future facilities
• How Disney parks later became a real-world testing lab for product design—including a Polaroid camera shaped by guests fumbling with popcorn-greased fingers

For this episode’s full shownotes click here.
View transcript here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get discounted Walt Disney World theme park tickets—often below Disney’s direct pricing—at UnlockedMagic.com.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Len shares a first-hand look at the newly updated Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, breaking down what’s changed and whether it improves gameplay. The show also covers Bluey’s wildly popular debut at Disneyland and the operational ripple effects already being felt. In the main segment, Jim unpacks the complicated series of business decisions, ownership changes, and industry shifts that ultimately led to Miss Piggy & pals making their home at the Mouse House.

NEWS

• Len reviews the updated Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, including new handheld blasters that significantly improve aiming and gameplay

• Enhanced laser visibility and dual-color targeting (red vs. green) make it easier to track shots and differentiate players

• Targets are now digital with dynamic scoring tied to color and animation, increasing replayability and challenge

• A new practice room at the start of the ride helps guests learn the updated system before gameplay begins

• Bluey’s Best Day Ever at Disneyland sees overwhelming demand, forcing immediate changes to show operations and crowd management

FEATURE

• Jim breaks down why Bear in the Big Blue House ended after four seasons despite its popularity

• The financial collapse of EMTV and its impact on the Jim Henson Company’s ability to continue production

• Which companies -- besides Disney -- was interested in acquiring the Muppets back in 2003

• Why the Henson family ultimately decided that The Walt Disney Company should be Kermit & Co's "forever home"

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic, offering discounted Walt Disney World theme park tickets at prices lower than Disney’s direct rates.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill unpack a newly discovered Disney patent that may hint at the ride system for Piston Peak, along with updates from Disneyland construction, Disney Cruise Line, and Epic Universe. They also dig into recent survey data revealing how Disney is tracking guest spending and behavior. Then, in the first installment of a new series, Jim explores how Bear in the Big Blue House became a key piece in Disney’s long pursuit of the Muppets and how that history connects directly to Bluey today.

NEWS
• A newly surfaced Disney patent suggests a possible trackless, free-range ride system for Piston Peak, featuring dynamic terrain elements like logs and geysers
• Cast Member previews begin for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin update at Walt Disney World
• Disneyland construction continues on the Coco attraction and new parking infrastructure near Harbor Boulevard
• Anaheim Transportation Network shutdown could impact 22,000 daily riders, with Garden Grove launching replacement shuttle service
• Disney Cruise Line announces the Disney Believe, with speculation about Galveston becoming a future home port

FEATURE
• The origin story of Bear in the Big Blue House and how it became a breakout hit for Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney block
• How Disney used its partnership with the Jim Henson Company to strategically position itself for a future Muppets acquisition
• The surprising role of Sesame Street ownership in derailing Disney’s early attempts to buy Henson
• Why Disney once considered acquiring Bear in the Big Blue House alone instead of the full Muppets library

Show Notes for this episode can be found here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
The Disney Dish is sponsored by Unlock Magic. Save on Walt Disney World tickets with exclusive discounts at UnlockedMagic.com.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

This week’s Disney Dish mixes a packed Walt Disney World news round-up with a deeply nostalgic trip through one of Disney-MGM Studios’ most beloved lost attractions. Jim and Len break down a wave of reopening dates, new discount strategy, annual passholder survey oddities, and a fresh round of listener questions before returning to Jim’s ongoing history of The Great Movie Ride. The main story this time shifts backstage, focusing on the cast members, timing, choreography, and split-second performance work that made the attraction feel so alive. It is part park operations deep dive, part oral history, and pure Disney nerd catnip.

NEWS

• Walt Disney World rolls out a cluster of reopening dates, including Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin on April 8, Soarin’ Around America and Bluey at Animal Kingdom on May 26, plus more returning offerings later this summer.

• Disney also unveils new summer and fall offers, including free dining and a 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket, signaling a coordinated push to fill rooms after the spring reopening window.

• Universal Studios Hollywood begins ride cycling Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, offering a first look at the drifting ride vehicle tech expected to influence the Orlando version.

• Disney names Thomas Mazloum chairman of Disney Experiences, setting off a broader leadership reshuffle across Disneyland, Parks International, and Consumer Products.

• A new annual passholder survey raises eyebrows by spotlighting Zootopia-themed offerings at Animal Kingdom, fueling more speculation about where Disney may lean with that IP in the future.

FEATURE

• Jim continues the history of The Great Movie Ride by focusing on the cast members who brought the attraction to life, from auditioning tour guides to the performers who earned the right to play the gangster and bank robber.

• The episode explores the ride’s hidden operational complexity, including synchronized tram timing, live performance beats, emergency exits, and the backstage choreography required to make two different versions of the attraction work at once.

• Jim also shares stories about effects changes, guest complaints, on-the-job mishaps, and the strong sense of community that kept former cast members emotionally attached to the attraction long after its 2017 closure.

• The result is a vivid look at why The Great Movie Ride was not just a ride system and a script, but a live performance machine that depended on timing, talent, and nerves.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

View transcript here.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com

• Len Testa - Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW

• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews

• Instagram: JimHillMedia

• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR

Our friends at Unlocked Magic have discounted theme park tickets starting at just one day of admission, with prices better than Disney’s. Get your Walt Disney World tickets now and see all the new and returning offerings opening soon.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Jim Hill and Len Testa discuss Villains Land expansion permits, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster’s refurbishment timeline, and how negotiations over the Chinese Theatre helped shape Disney’s use of Carthay Circle as a park icon. Plus, listener questions, MuppetVision’s future on Apple Vision Pro, and a standout cheesecake discovery at Walt Disney World. 

NEWS

• Updated permits show Villains Land attractions expanding, with both the dark ride and coaster buildings increasing in size.

• Infrastructure work for Piston Peak and Villains Land is currently scheduled to be completed by December 2027.

• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has closed for refurbishment, with a possible Memorial Day reopening target.

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s refurbishment permit has been extended through August 31, 2026.

• Brian Henson says MuppetVision 3D is coming to Apple Vision Pro with selectable viewing seats.

• Len shares a rave review of the brulée Basque cheesecake at Bourbon Steak in the Walt Disney World Dolphin.

FEATURE

• Jim continues the history of The Great Movie Ride and Disney’s negotiations with theater owner Tedd Mann.

• The story explains why Disney insisted on calling the building simply the Chinese Theatre.

• Jim also details how the Carthay Circle Theatre eventually became the icon of Disney California Adventure.

• Early plans for the building included a ride, stage show, film attraction, and museum before it became a restaurant.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - IG: https://www.instagram.com/JimHillMedia | X: https://twitter.com/JimHillMedia | Website: https://JimHillMedia.com

• Len Testa - IG: https://www.instagram.com/len.testa | Website: https://touringplans.com

FOLLOW

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JimHillMedia
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@JimHillMedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

SPONSOR

The Disney Dish news is sponsored by our friends at Unlocked Magic. Looking for discounted Walt Disney World theme park tickets - including hard-to-find 1- and 2-day options? Head to unlockedmagic.com to find deals that can beat Disney’s direct pricing.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/

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

This week, Jim and Len explore how the most famous movie palace in Hollywood became the centerpiece of Disney’s Hollywood Studios… and somehow never its official icon. Along the way, Olaf teaches drawing lessons (to himself), Millennium Falcon gets a name that even Disney couldn’t commit to, Butterbeer achieves new levels of sugar density, Disneyland Paris flirts with character hotel makeovers, and Disney Cruise Line tries to figure out exactly how much of a discount it takes to get you off the couch.

NEWS

• Olaf hosts a new drawing experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including a wonderfully meta segment where Olaf learns to draw Olaf.

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run briefly adds “A New Mission” to its name before Disney quietly rethinks the branding.

• Universal’s Butterbeer Season returns with waffles, cream puffs, and what your cardiologist calls “concerns.”

• Joe Rohde releases “Floating Mountains,” blending travel stories and creative philosophy.

• Disneyland Paris surveys suggest Newport Bay Club rooms may soon feature aquatic Disney IP overlays.

• A Disney Cruise Line survey reveals how many clicks it takes before 30 percent off starts sounding persuasive.

FEATURE

The History of The Great Movie Ride – Part 2

• Why the Chinese Theatre replica sits in icon position but never officially became the park’s symbol.

• How Sid Grauman turned an earthquake, a tent, and a projector into a Hollywood empire.

• Walt Disney’s long affection for the Chinese Theatre, from Flowers and Trees to the Mary Poppins premiere.

• The subtle design tweaks that made Florida’s version taller, shinier, and occasionally slippery.

• How The Great Movie Ride building carried more history than most guests ever realized.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.⁠

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW

• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets at prices better than gate rates by visiting UnlockedMagic.com.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Len reports on a behind-the-scenes rethink of Magic Kingdom’s upcoming Villains Land, with Imagineering now under pressure to deliver not just “like” but “love.” The guys also touch on Epic Universe’s revenue strategy, Universal’s aggressive 2026 ticket bundles, and what a Mayan archaeology conference might reveal about the future of Indiana Jones at Animal Kingdom.

NEWS
• Magic Kingdom reverses the second Disney Starlight parade route to ease Main Street exits.
• Universal debuts a 6- or 7-day ticket with Epic Universe access and a $300 hotel dining credit.
• Epic Universe updates Early Park Admission again, adding Battle at the Ministry and more Dragon experiences.
• Universal taps The Boring Company for a potential next-gen transportation system.
• “Project Atlas” is believed to be Shanghai Disneyland’s second gate.
• Villains Land concepts revisited post-holidays, with Imagineering asked to go bigger and bolder.
• The indoor dark ride is now positioned as the long-term Lightning Lane Single Pass anchor.
• Restaurant design shaped by fixed-price dining and per-cap revenue goals.
• Mayan mythology themes - bats, jaguars, owls - surface at an archaeology conference tied to Indy research.

FEATURE
• The 1992 debut of Disney’s Hotel New York at Euro Disneyland and Michael Eisner’s “architecture patron” era.
• How architect Michael Graves’ postmodern, Art Deco-inspired design celebrated early 20th-century Manhattan.
• Why the 561-room hotel closed in 2019 for a full reinvention into Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel.
• Inside the 2021 reopening: 350+ Marvel artworks, exclusive commissioned pieces, and Tony Stark’s wall of armor.
• The new coffee table book, Disney Hotel New York: The Complete Art Collection, and why it finally makes every piece viewable.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
The Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com from our friends at DVCRentalStore.com. Save on Walt Disney World theme park tickets - often below Disney’s direct pricing - and get expert help planning your next trip. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to start planning today.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Jim and Len dig into multimodal transportation news, Epic Universe’s shifting early entry lineup, and a possible successor to Josh D’Amaro before launching a new series on the history of The Great Movie Ride - including how a live performer in Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion helped inspire one of Disney-MGM Studios’ most ambitious opening-day attractions.

NEWS
• Universal selects The Boring Company to develop a resort-wide transportation system connecting parks and hotels
• Epic Universe quietly reshuffles early park admission offerings mid-month
• Natasha Rafalski emerges as a potential future leader of Disney Experiences
• Garden Rocks concert lineup shifts major acts to Friday through Monday dates
• Walt Disney World files permits tied to updates at Carousel of Progress

FEATURE
• How a live “Knight” performer inside Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion in 1985 influenced Michael Eisner
• The Main Street Cinema’s Phantom of the Opera stunt and its connection to Universal Studios’ early tram tour
• The risks and guest reactions that ended the Haunted Mansion live-performer experiment
• The origins of The Great Movie Ride’s ambitious blend of live actors and animatronics

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets at UnlockedMagic.com.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

A major leadership change headlines this week’s Disney Dish, as Disney officially names Josh D’Amaro its next CEO. Len and Jim break down what this move really means for the company, why Dana Walden’s new role matters just as much, and how this leadership shuffle could shape the future of Disney parks, entertainment, and creative decision-making. After a news-heavy first half, Jim then steps back in time to explain how Universal’s Jurassic Park strategy once forced Disney to rethink Animal Kingdom from the ground up.

NEWS
• Josh D’Amaro is named Disney’s next CEO, officially replacing Bob Iger
• Dana Walden remains with the company as president and chief creative officer, easing industry concerns
• Disney Parks earnings show strong spending but hint at softer attendance trends
• New permits reveal expanded ferry capacity at the Magic Kingdom ahead of major land expansions
• Disneyland-area bus service faces cancellation, raising guest transportation concerns

FEATURE
• How Universal’s Jurassic Park success pressured Disney in the 1990s
• Why DinoLand USA moved ahead of Beastly Kingdom in Animal Kingdom’s original plans
• How Disney used dinosaurs to counter Universal’s Islands of Adventure before it opened
• Why the Indiana Jones ride system became the foundation for Dinosaur the Ride

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - Instagram: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
The Disney Dish Podcast is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com from our friends at DVC Rental Store. If you’re looking for discounted Disney theme park tickets that can help boost your vacation budget, visit UnlockedMagic.com and start planning your next fairy tale adventure.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

This week, Jim and Len unpack a packed Disney Dish that starts with theme park news and surveys before taking a deep dive into the frantic, sleep-deprived final months of EPCOT Center construction. Along the way, they translate Disney survey-speak, speculate on where Pokémon could land at Universal, and stumble onto what might be the most diabolically smart fireworks idea Disney has never tried.

NEWS
• Disney’s guest surveys decoded - What EPCOT and resort questions really reveal about future cuts, changes, and monetization
• Animal Kingdom and Disneyland food updates - Harambe Market speeds up its opening while Napa Rose returns with a $188 price tag
• Pokemon at Universal - Why Springfield, Lost Continent, or Epic Universe are all in play
• Cruise line discounts and CityWalk rethink - What Universal and Disney Cruise Line data gathering tells us about demand
• A subtle Josh D’Amaro change - Could a missing voice hint at bigger leadership news?

FEATURE
• Inside EPCOT’s construction crunch - From 4,000 workers to 10,000 almost overnight
• Why most builders had no idea what they were building - And how Disney fixed that problem
• The overnight concrete pours and brutal schedules - 75 straight days on the job in Florida heat
• How worker preview days helped push EPCOT across the finish line

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
• Be Our Guest Vacations - beourguestvacations.com
• DVC Rental Store - dvcrentalstore.com
• DVC Resale Market - dvcresalemarket.com
• Unlocked Magic - unlockedmagic.com

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

This week on the Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and Len Testa cover a wide range of park news before diving headfirst into one of the most intense construction stories Disney has ever lived through. From Haunted Mansion permits and Animal Kingdom surveys to Hallmark cameras rolling at Walt Disney World, the first half sets the stage for a jaw-dropping look at how EPCOT was nearly derailed before it ever opened. Then Jim walks through the chaotic final year of EPCOT construction, when Disney threw manpower, money, and sanity at the calendar to make an October 1 deadline happen.

NEWS
• New construction permits near the Haunted Mansion spark speculation about queue changes and future guest flow into Villains Land
• Universal confirms a Fast & Furious spinning coaster will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Disney surveys reveal how much a re-themed attraction like Zootopia Better Zoo-Gether actually drives intent to visit
• Animal Kingdom questions hint at how Disney expects families to split up as thrill rides expand
• A Hallmark holiday movie films on location at Walt Disney World, including a surprise Jodi Benson cameo

FEATURE
• Inside EPCOT’s final year of construction, when the project ballooned to 10,000 workers on site
• How endangered woodpeckers, sinkholes, and shifting plans pushed EPCOT dangerously behind schedule
• Why Disney was forced to spend billions to meet a non-negotiable opening date
• Stories from the worksite that explain why veterans still describe it as chaotic, dangerous, and unforgettable

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by DVC Resale Market - get expert help buying or selling Disney Vacation Club points at DVCResaleMarket.com.
Also sponsored by DVC Rental Store - save on your next Disney vacation by renting points at DVCRentalStore.com.
Planning your next trip? Let Be Our Guest Vacations handle the details at BeOurGuestVacations.com.
And by Unlocked Magic, offering concierge-level Disney planning services at UnlockedMagic.com.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

This week on Disney Dish, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into a deceptively simple question with big implications for trip planning: when exactly did “summer vacation” stop being peak season at Walt Disney World? Using years of hotel pricing data as a proxy for crowd demand, Len walks through what the numbers say - and the results may surprise longtime fans. Then Jim takes listeners on a deep historical tour of one of the parks’ most quietly beloved traditions, the Sword in the Stone ceremony, tracing its evolution across Disney parks worldwide.

NEWS
• Why Disney hotel pricing data suggests summer is no longer peak season at Walt Disney World
• A breakdown of how demand has shifted from summer to fall travel, especially October
• Updates on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishments and new cave effects
• Casting and timing details for the upcoming Bluey experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge timeline expansion, adding characters from across all Star Wars eras

FEATURE
• The full history of the Sword in the Stone ceremony, from Disneyland in 1983 to parks around the globe
• Why Imagineers were obsessed with The Sword in the Stone long before the ceremony debuted
• How budget cuts slowly transformed a full-scale show into today’s simpler experience
• The true story of the guest who actually pulled the sword completely out of the stone

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode of Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, powered by our friends at DVC Rental Store. Save $50 or more per person on select multi-day Walt Disney World tickets and take the stress out of planning your next vacation. Visit UnlockedMagic.com for details.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

This week on Disney Dish, Jim Hill is joined by mind reader and showman Chris Cox, who steps in for Len Testa and immediately finds himself in the middle of some very Disney-sized mishaps. From a runaway Indiana Jones boulder at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the surprisingly fragile roof of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the conversation explores what happens when iconic park moments go just a little too far. Along the way, Jim and Chris dig into forgotten ceremonies, cutback entertainment, and the Imagineering decisions that quietly shaped Disneyland over the decades.

NEWS
• A 400-pound boulder goes off track during a performance of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and what that means for show safety going forward
• The temporary removal of the iconic boulder scene and why Disney is famously cautious after incidents like this
• The Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk cuts back to a three-night schedule and what that signals about nightlife at the resort
• Listener mail on working New Year’s Eve at Disney parks and why January 1 might secretly be the best day to visit

FEATURE
• The long and surprisingly complicated history of the Sword in the Stone ceremony and how it really worked behind the scenes
• How Imagineer Kim Irvine subtly transformed Sleeping Beauty Castle over four decades without sparking guest outrage
• Why holiday overlays and anniversary bling eventually caused serious structural damage to the castle roof
• The 60th anniversary decorations that led to a six-figure repair and a full castle roof replacement

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Chris Cox - IG: @magiccox | X: @bigcox | Website: magiccox.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Welcome to the first Disney Dish of the new year, where Jim Hill and Len Testa kick things off with news, listener questions, and a deep dive into Disney history and tech. This week, a newly published Disney patent sparks speculation about how the upcoming Encanto attraction may work, while Jim launches into a fascinating (and surprisingly hands-on) story about how Disney maintains, repairs, and periodically reinvents its iconic theme park castles. Along the way, there are transportation woes, glittering greenhouses, and more than a few once-in-a-lifetime Disney moments.

NEWS
• Disney reveals Buddy, a new helper character coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin when it reopens in 2026 • A newly filed Disney patent hints at holographic characters, with strong evidence pointing toward use in the upcoming Encanto ride • Imagineering files a new construction permit for the Haunted Mansion, likely focused on interior work • Updates on Glittering Greenhouses at EPCOT and extended holiday decorations at Disneyland • Changes to Disneyland perks, including the end of Early Entry and the rollout of a new California resident ticket deal

FEATURE
• Why Disney castles require constant repainting, roof repairs, and drainage fixes • The overlooked engineering challenges of maintaining structures built for 1950s deadlines, not 21st-century weather • How Imagineer Kim Irvine spent decades refining Sleeping Beauty Castle’s look, color palette, and functionality • The surprising amount of artistry that goes into making castle “bricks” look authentically imperfect

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com. Planning a Walt Disney World getaway? Our friends at Unlocked Magic offer discounted theme park tickets, including savings of $50 or more per person on four-day tickets. Learn more at UnlockedMagic.com.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Jim and Len kick off the final Disney Dish of the year with holiday crowds, sold-out Lightning Lane Premier Passes, and one last lap through Jollywood Nights before pivoting into surveys, listener questions, and some unexpectedly nerdy math. Along the way, they remember a beloved Imagineer, dig into why Disney asks the survey questions it does, and break down the best times to roll the dice on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind if you are chasing that perfect song. Then Jim takes everyone deep into EPCOT history with the strange, expensive, and surprisingly high-stakes story of Magic Journeys, the 3D film that quietly kept opening day from turning into a full-blown disaster.

NEWS
• Lightning Lane Premier Pass prices hit record highs and still sell out across Walt Disney World during the holiday rush
• Jollywood Nights sticks the landing in its later years and may now be Disney World’s most popular hard-ticket holiday event
• A remembrance of legendary Imagineer Eddie Sato, including unrealized Mission Space concepts and behind-the-scenes stories
• Animal Kingdom survey questions raise eyebrows about shaded seating and what Disney might really be testing

FEATURE
• How Kodak sponsorships, lost 3D filmmaking knowledge, and a $7 million budget led to Magic Journeys
• Why Magic Journeys was one of the only EPCOT opening-day attractions that actually worked as planned
• Murray Lerner, improvisation, and the near-panic inside Imagineering as the film fell behind schedule
• The experimental reach-and-flinch moments that made Magic Journeys unforgettable and unrepeatable

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com. Start planning your 2026 Disney and Universal vacations with exclusive ticket discounts, including savings of $50 or more per person on four-day Walt Disney World tickets. Tickets link directly to your My Disney Experience account, fast and easy. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to save big.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Sam from Sam’s Disney Diary joins Len and Jim to spill the (highly theatrical) tea on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny - where character “meet-and-greets” have evolved into full-on, semi-improvised encounters that can follow you across the voyage. Then Jim heads back to where Disney’s in-park 3D film history really begins, from the 1950s 3D Jamboree at Disneyland to the studio’s eternal talent for repurposing anything that is not nailed down.

NEWS
• Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour costumes will stay on display at Walt Disney Presents: One Man’s Dream through January 23, 2026
• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith plays its final riff on March 1, 2026 - with a “summer” reopen that is, as always, Disney-flexible
• The Muppet Show special with Sabrina Carpenter hits Disney+ on February 4 - and may be a stealth pilot for a bigger revival
• The Boathouse at Disney Springs lands as one of America’s top-grossing independent restaurants - fueled by sheer, glorious volume
• A reported FTC allegation about Pepsi + Walmart “pricing power” takes an extra twist once Len connects the dots to Disney’s current CFO talk about dynamic pricing

FEATURE
• Sam breaks down how Disney Destiny’s characters run “meet-and-play” moments - Pirates pub invites, Cruella’s improv songwriting, and other “be here later” surprises
• The ship’s hero-vs-villain throughline (hello, Loki) and why it feels like Disney quietly recycled some Galactic Starcruiser know-how
• The Haunted Mansion parlor sticks around - now with an in-app AR hunt to round up “escaped” ghosts
• Jim rewinds to Disney’s earliest 3D experiments, including Disneyland’s 1956-era 3D Jamboree and the studio’s short-lived 1950s 3D flirtation

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com

GUEST
• Sam Marraccini - IG: @samsdisneydaily | X: @SamsDisneyDiary | Website: SamsDisneyDiary.com Sam's Disney Diary+2X (formerly Twitter)+2

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic - visit UnlockedMagic.com for special discounts on Disney theme park tickets for 2026.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Construction at Animal Kingdom’s upcoming Encanto attraction is finally starting to pop above the fence line, and Jim and Len do what they do best - stare at aerial photos until they start seeing ride-height changes and possible “big thing” anchors. Then the show veers into a surprisingly tight math problem: is it actually cheaper for an American couple to fly to Japan and do Tokyo Disney than it is to do a weekend at Walt Disney World? (Spoiler: the internet is almost right, which is somehow worse.)

NEWS
• Aerial photos suggest the Encanto ride site at Animal Kingdom may include a ride-height change (and at least one very suspicious hole in the ground).
• Orange County tourist tax collections hit a new record for October, up 15 percent year over year - yes, people are still going to Orlando.
• Disney Cruise Line Port Canaveral numbers show strong October sailings - Disney Magic at 81 percent occupancy, Treasure and Wish at 89 percent.
• Hallmark and Disney team up for the first in-park holiday movie, “Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True,” arriving in 2026.
• Disney’s surprise AI headline: a reported $1 billion OpenAI investment tied to Disney characters appearing in Sora, and what Disney might really be building toward.

FEATURE
• Why Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (and its Paris counterpart) reportedly switched from 3D to 2D - guest comfort, visibility, and the ongoing cost of 3D glasses.
• The long history of Disney’s ever-changing 3D eyewear “story names,” from MuppetVision safety goggles to opera glasses and beyond.
• The wild near-miss: Avatar: Flight of Passage allegedly came close to becoming 2D, and how producer Jon Landau pushed back.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode’s Disney-ish News is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com - from our friends at DVCRentalStore.com.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Len and Jim race through a packed week of Disney and Universal updates before diving into how the Roy E. Disney Animation Building went from an architectural showpiece to the creative model for Hollywood Studios’ upcoming Magic of Disney Animation attraction.

NEWS
• Disney outlines major 2026 refurbishments, Bluey offerings on both coasts, and new character entertainment. • EPCOT confirms Flower & Garden dates, attraction reopenings, and steep winter hotel discounts for Visa cardholders. • Universal celebrates FIA honors while advancing a three-phase transit plan connecting its resorts and parks. • Listener questions lead to discussions on vacation packages, Tron Ares timing, and the rise of non-alcoholic beverage offerings. • Jim and Len break down New Year’s Eve crowd patterns, phased closures, and survival strategies for the busiest days of the year.

FEATURE
• Jim revisits architect Robert A.M. Stern’s Disney work, from Casting Center to Celebration to the Roy E. Disney Animation Building. • The building’s iconic exterior contrasts with an interior layout that frustrated traditional animation workflows. • Lasseter’s renovation sends teams to a former WDI fabrication site where films like Zootopia and Moana take shape amid industrial ambiance. • The redesigned building’s collaborative layout now inspires Hollywood Studios’ upcoming Magic of Disney Animation experience.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | IG: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
The Disney Dish news segment is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com from DVC Rental Store, offering discounted 2026 Disney theme park tickets.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

After a week wandering Walt Disney World with Len and Jim Shull, Jim goes solo this episode to share fresh Orlando observations, big theme park news, and the triumphant tale of finally getting inside Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto after a decade of trying. From Zootopia 2’s massive box office to the latest on dynamic pricing, Magic Kingdom expansion hints, and some curious choices around holiday traditions at the Grand Floridian, this one covers a lot of ground. And yes, there will be tiki mugs.

NEWS
• Disney officially announces that The World of Frozen opens at Disneyland Paris on March 29, 2026.
• CFO Hugh Johnston publicly confirms dynamic pricing expansions at Disney parks after a year of corporate pushback.
• Zootopia 2 posts a remarkable $556 million global opening weekend.
• Ongoing fan hunt for the hidden Joe Rohde at Zootopia Zoo Better Together—Jim Shull reveals where to look.
• Early visuals emerge around the Magic Kingdom expansion, with notable activity near Seven Seas Drive and Floridian Way.

FEATURE
• The full saga of Jim’s 10-year quest to enter Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
• Why going late - very late - is the key to getting inside this tiny tiki temple.
• Comparisons between Trader Sam’s, the new Beacon Barrel in Adventureland, and The Perch at the Grand Floridian.
• Updates on this year’s missing Grand Floridian Gingerbread House and what might happen next.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, the same team behind the DVC Rental Store. If you're planning a trip to Central Florida and want discounted tickets to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando - often 10 to 12 percent less than elsewhere - visit UnlockedMagic.com.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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

Len Testa, Jim Hill, and veteran Imagineer Jim Shull hit the IAAPA Expo show floor in Orlando, exploring the newest ride systems, vendor innovations, and behind-the-scenes stories fueling the future of themed entertainment.

NEWS

• A look at how IAAPA blends professional showcase, industry reunion, and pop-up amusement park—complete with traffic, parking challenges, and surprises at every booth.
• Zamperla’s full-size demo of its new interactive “flap-to-fly” ride, where sensors track arm movements to lift riders higher.
• The stacked-track, heart-shaped family coaster concept designed to fit high-capacity thrills into a tiny footprint.
• Mack Rides’ water-coaster hybrid for Dollywood: a tracked boat that transitions between basins, rapids, and coaster moments.
• The debut of brand-new industry tech, including an AI park-operations platform launched just two weeks earlier—so new the vendor couldn’t answer most questions yet.
• Why Imagineers were quietly examining faux-fossil rockwork in a small booth—possible clues to future projects.
• A vendor’s dramatic countdown-clock presentation that fell apart when no one realized the microphone was dead.
• The team’s ongoing quest for pickle-flavored cotton candy and other baffling IAAPA food innovations.
• Len’s impromptu pitch to Doppelmayr about Universal’s transportation RFQ—and the unexpectedly enthusiastic response.
• Why IAAPA acts as “old home week” for themed entertainment pros, with surprise run-ins, backstage conversations, and stories that won’t be public for years.

Full show notes available here: Show Notes

Hosts

Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Jim Shull (Veteran Imagineer) — X/Twitter: @JimShull | YouTube: @jimhshull | Website: jimhshull.com

Patreon

Support the Disney Dish and get exclusive content, early episodes, and behind-the-scenes stories. Join us at:
https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

Follow Us

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

Producer Credits

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency
https://strongmindedagency.com

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team at DVC Rental Store — offering discounted Disney theme park tickets, including special events. Save on your next trip with Unlocked Magic.

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

Jim Hill and Len Testa unpack Disney’s expanding multimodal transportation plans, field listener questions on “Dwarfgate” and the state of restaurant seating, and dig into the remarkable story of how Richard Nixon ended up declaring “I am not a crook” at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort.

NEWS

• Disney expands its airport luggage transfer program to include Southwest Airlines arrivals, bringing back a little bit of that old Magical Express magic.
• A deeper look at Disney’s FY2025 earnings reveals what that surprising 4% Q4 attendance dip likely means.
• Updates on the Polynesian Tower’s Wailulu Bar & Grill and the return of the Garden View Lounge afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian.
• After 35 years, the rights to Roger Rabbit revert to creator Gary K. Wolf—sequels may be on the horizon.
• Universal explores a new 4–5 mile transportation system linking Epic Universe, CityWalk, and I-Drive.
• Listener questions on Dwarfgate, Tablegate, and how early to line up for key attractions.
• A look at why Disney still asks detailed spending questions on surveys—even when they already know many of the answers.
FEATURE
• The full story of why President Richard Nixon’s “I am not a crook” press conference happened at the Contemporary Resort, and how that moment shaped Disney’s early public image.

Full show notes available here: Show Notes

Hosts

• Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com

Patreon

Enjoying the show? Support the Disney Dish and get exclusive bonus content at:
https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

Follow Us

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia

Producer Credits

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team at DVC Rental Store—where you can save 10% on regular and special-event Disney tickets, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights.

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill continue No Negative November with a look at Zootopia’s new 4D adventure, listener trip-planning wisdom, and the surprising book that inspired Disneyland’s first mountain.

NEWS

• Zootopia: Better Zoo-gether debuts at Animal Kingdom — The Tree of Life theater gets a major refresh with a new story, water gags, and a charming Benjamin Clawhauser animatronic.

• Holiday highlights return — Tree of Life Awakenings now plays nightly thanks to early sunsets, and the beloved Merry Menagerie puppet experience returns November 14.

• Storytime with Santa Deadpool — A holiday twist hits Avengers Campus, complete with meta Christmas jokes and Greek Orthodox canon accuracy.

• Listener questions answered — From the best Bay Lake Tower villas for New Year’s Eve fireworks to whether it’s time for Tables in Wonderland to return.

• Disney’s shrinking parades — Why the Festival of Fantasy looks lighter on dancers and floats—and how Disney’s still managing two parades a day at Magic Kingdom.

FEATURE

• The Making of the Matterhorn — Jim shares the wild story of how a 1950s family film led Walt Disney to send a postcard from Switzerland that simply said: “Build this.”

  • How Banner in the Sky and Third Man on the Mountain inspired Walt’s alpine obsession.

  • Why the Matterhorn nearly became a luge-style attraction (yes, really).

  • The creative legacy of director Ken Annakin, whose films also led to Swiss Family Treehouse and Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Full show notes available here: Show Notes

Hosts
Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com

Support the Show
Love what we do? Support The Disney Dish on Patreon for exclusive bonus shows and early access: patreon.com/jimhillmedia

Follow Us
Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia

Produced by
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency

Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store. Save up to 10% on Disney park and event tickets, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights — only at unlockedmagic.com.

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

Jim wraps up the story of Raglan Road and explains how one Irish pub helped inspire the full transformation of Pleasure Island into today’s Disney Springs. Along the way, Len kicks off No Negative November and the crew answers listener trip-planning questions with their best “only happy thoughts” energy.

• The origins of Raglan Road and how authentic Irish design found a home at Walt Disney World

• Why its immediate success made Disney rethink the entire Pleasure Island plan

• How that rethink led from Hyperion Wharf to the Disney Springs we know today

• EPCOT strategy debate: one-day visit vs. After Hours event

• Jollywood Nights character advice and what to prioritize

• Updates on Disney and Universal ticket options and offerings

A classic Disney story that starts in a pub and ends with a whole new district.

SHOW NOTES

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa discuss Disney’s newest attraction update — Soarin’ Across America, debuting at EPCOT and Disney California Adventure in 2026 — and what it means for the company’s strategy ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary. They also break down the just-released TEA Global Attendance Report and what the latest theme park numbers reveal about Disney, Universal, and the post-pandemic recovery.

• The new Soarin’ Across America film and why Disney’s betting on nostalgia over novelty

• Key takeaways from the 2024 TEA Global Attendance Report — who’s up, who’s down, and why

• Disney Cruise Line’s new discount strategy and survey data collection

• The surprising link between Disney tech and U.S. military innovations

• The unbuilt Legend of Sleepy Hollow attraction that could have haunted the Magic Kingdom

From ride refreshes to record books, Jim and Len explore how attendance trends, patriotic tie-ins, and spooky forgotten projects all shape Disney’s next chapter.

SHOW NOTES

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

This week, Len and Jim welcome Dr. Jill Peterfeso from Guilford College to talk about her new book Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning. The conversation explores how Disney is studied in college classrooms, how its mix of “magic and strategy” reveals deeper lessons about creativity and culture, and why professors are turning theme parks into teaching tools. Plus, Jim continues his history of Disney Springs with the rise and fall of Pleasure Island’s West Side expansion and what that meant for future Disney retail and dining districts.

• How professors are using Disney films, parks, and history to teach everything from religion to marketing

• The balance of “magic and strategy” that makes Disney both creative and calculated

• Surprising college courses inspired by Disney, from theme park architecture to environmental storytelling

• Why Epcot’s Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is removing 3D effects and what it could mean for other attractions

• New Universal Orlando test for single attraction Express Passes and how guests are reacting

• Universal Kids Park in Texas reveals themed lands for Shrek, Trolls, and SpongeBob

• The forgotten Hyperion Wharf project that led to Disney Springs’ modern design

From academia to Pleasure Island, this episode connects the art of learning with the business of magic. Whether you’re a Disney scholar, park historian, or just love a good origin story, this one’s packed with imagination and insight.

SHOW NOTES

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Jim Hill and Len Testa uncover how a single Irish pub reshaped Disney Springs. From the forgotten Pleasure Island Jazz Company to the birth of Raglan Road, this episode reveals how one restaurant sparked a renaissance in Disney dining. Plus, the guys tackle Disney’s latest round of price increases, Universal’s updated safety policies, and a listener’s perfect park-free resort itinerary.

• Disney’s latest ticket and Lightning Lane price hikes and how far above inflation they’ve gone

• The long-awaited opening details for Zootopia: Better Zoo Gether at Animal Kingdom

• Universal’s new accessibility rules following a tragic ride incident

• Planning the ultimate resort-only day at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge

• The untold history of Pleasure Island’s Jazz Company and how it paved the way for Raglan Road

From gated nightclubs to Guinness on tap, this week’s show traces the evolution of Disney nightlife and how Raglan Road set the stage for everything that came after.

SHOW NOTES

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into one of the most unexpectedly heartwarming stories in Disney history, the rise (and fall) of Push, the talking trash can who stole hearts in Tomorrowland. From his humble garage-built beginnings to his mysterious disappearance in 2014, Jim reveals how a simple rolling robot outlasted most of Disney’s high-tech character experiments. Plus, the guys tackle the latest Disney and Universal park rumors, strange guest surveys, and Halloween candy economics.

• Why Disney is quietly rethinking crowd flow and Lightning Lane logistics at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Universal's rumored plans for a Fast & Furious drifting coaster
• How a new SeaWorld event called "Paradise Nights" could shake up Orlando nightlife
• The truth behind those "subscription" annual pass surveys at Universal
• The real story of Push the Talking Trash Can, Disney's low-tech robot with a 19-year run

From fun-sized candy drama to a trash can with better comedic timing than most sitcoms, this episode proves Disney magic can roll on two wheels and talk back.

SHOW NOTES

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

With Len Testa away this week, Jim Hill is joined by Imagineer Jim Shull and Eric Hersey. Shull shares first-hand stories of the frantic 72 hours before Disney parks open - from sod being laid overnight at the Contemporary Resort in 1971 to carloads of flowers on Main Street Paris. Meanwhile, Eric helps cover the latest Universal Studios news, including surprising plans for Scooby-Doo and a deep dive into the popcorn bucket craze.

• Why opening a Disney park always comes down to a last-minute scramble

• Jim Shull’s behind-the-scenes account of preparing Euro Disneyland in 1992

• How media crews and Imagineers clashed during opening-week chaos

• Universal FanFest Nights 2026 and its Scooby-Doo/Monsters mashup

• The future of collectible popcorn buckets and wild new flavors

Theme park history isn’t always polished - sometimes it’s messy, funny, and unforgettable. This episode pulls back the curtain on those final 72 hours.

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

This week, Imagineer Jim Shull joins Jim Hill and Len Testa to finish the wild story of how Cars Land was built at Disney California Adventure. Along the way, the guys cover everything from gorillas and Muppets to a scuba diver who robbed Paddlefish.

• Tomorrowland’s Cool Ship replacement that looks suspiciously like a McDonald’s drive-thru
• The life of Gino the gorilla and why Animal Kingdom will never be the same
• A Florida man in scuba gear robs Paddlefish and swims away with the cash
• Sabrina Carpenter, Seth Rogen, and the Muppets’ big 50th anniversary comeback
• How Disney pulled off Cars Land’s massive rockwork and what it means for Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom

From new construction projects to classic park traditions, this episode looks at the details shaping Disney’s past, present, and future.

SHOW NOTES

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into the wild backstory of Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land and the strange “what ifs” that could’ve changed Radiator Springs forever. From Marty's Malt Shop to a road trip attraction fueled by beef jerky and Diet Mountain Dew, the alternate ideas were as quirky as they were ambitious.

• A new Disneyland ticket discount that signals softer bookings
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind’s Earth, Wind & Fire overlay
• Disney Cruise Line’s delay of the Disney Adventure out of Singapore
• Universal Orlando’s Golden Ticket Award wins and Len’s trip to Halloween Horror Nights
• The evolution of Cars Land - and how close we came to driving through “Cruise Street” instead

Whether you’re here for the theme park news, HHN survival tips, or Jim’s deep dive into Disney Imagineering history, this episode has something for every fan. Buckle up - Radiator Springs wasn’t always the only road Disney could’ve taken.

SHOW NOTES

Support Our Sponsors

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

The Case For (and Against) Park Hopping at Walt Disney World

Is park hopping the best way to squeeze every drop of Disney magic out of your vacation - or just an overpriced bus pass with extra steps? In this first episode of The Case For with Chris Cox, mind reader and performer Chris Cox squares off against theme park expert Len Testa, while Disney historian Jim Hill dons judge’s robe to deliver a verdict.

What’s on trial this week:

• The strange history of park hopping at Walt Disney World (including a giant ticket costume)
• Costs, trade-offs, and whether that money is better spent on Dole Whip or dinner
• The joy - or misery - of buses, monorails, and the Disney Skyliner
• How Lightning Lane, rope drops, and UK vs. US vacation styles change the debate
• Why some families say “yes” to more rides, while others say “slow down and enjoy the parks”

The verdict? You be the judge. Tell us if park hopping is your go-to Disney strategy - or just a fast pass to frustration.

Follow the Hosts

• Chris Cox – https://www.magiccox.com
• Instagram - @magiccox
• Twitter/X - @bigcox

• Len Testa – https://www.touringplans.com
• Instagram - @len.testa
• BlueSky - lentesta.bsky.social

• Jim Hill – https://jimhillmedia.com
• Instagram - @jimhillmedia
• Twitter/X - @jimhillmedia

Next case: rope dropping at Disney Parks - because nothing says “vacation” like a 5 a.m. wake-up call.

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a Disney Dish full of hard-hitting questions like: is a popcorn bucket a collectible, a food container, or proof of life’s absurdity? Along the way, they tackle Disney’s latest surveys, new overlays, and a franchise that almost stalled out before becoming a billion-dollar juggernaut.

• Disney sets the closing date for Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom and spruces up Carousel of Progress with a new Walt Disney animatronic

• Tron Lightcycle Run trades neon blue for Nine Inch Nails red in a Tron: Ares overlay

• Disneyland Paris ticket pricing hints at when World of Frozen may open in 2026

• Universal ponders the true meaning of souvenir popcorn buckets, from Aristotle to social media influencers

• Jim explains how Pixar’s Cars almost didn’t get made — and how Radiator Springs ended up saving Disney California Adventure

From castle cake flashbacks to Schrödinger’s popcorn, this episode mixes history, news, and a little bit of existential dread — all with the usual Testa-Hill banter.

SHOW NOTES

Support Our Sponsors

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a packed episode of The Disney Dish to discuss Magic Kingdom’s brand new Beak & Barrel Lounge, an immersive pirate-themed bar near Pirates of the Caribbean. Len shares firsthand impressions of the decor, the elusive animatronic pirate Rummy, and why it’s already drawing Trader Sam’s comparisons.

Also in this episode:

• Why Disney villains might be the next big meet and greet trend
• Early entry’s 70 million dollar cost-cutting math
• Len’s thoughts on all-inclusive dining plans (and horrifying Gold Key memories)
• A hard truth about Jungle Cruise’s future in the Magic Kingdom
• The story behind Cars Land’s origins and how an unrealized DCA parade inspired it

Plus: shoutouts to Surrey bike designers, a blood alcohol calculator for Food & Wine, and ashtray trauma from the 1970s.

SHOW NOTES

Support Our Sponsors

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill welcome award-winning mind reader and performer Chris Cox (BBC and Broadway) for a deep dive into one of Disney’s most fascinating “what could have been” stories.

• The ambitious plans for David Copperfield’s Magic Underground restaurant

• How the New York flagship nearly opened before money troubles pulled the plug

• Michael Eisner’s enthusiasm for magic and themed dining in the 1990s

• Why Disney-MGM Studios was slated to host Copperfield’s magical dining experience

• How timing, costs, and the decline of themed restaurants caused the project to vanish

From collapsing billboards in Times Square to a restaurant where your table might levitate, this is the story of the Disney dining experience that almost was — and why it disappeared.

SHOW NOTES

Support Our Sponsors

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into how fans really rate Disney’s nighttime spectaculars — and why those scores decide which shows stay and which ones fade away. Along the way, they cover the latest park news and wrap up the story of how Jack Sparrow sailed into Pirates of the Caribbean.

• TouringPlans survey data reveals the winners and losers among Disney’s fireworks and nighttime shows

• Why “average” ratings are the kiss of death for spectaculars like Enchantment

• New menus and a $65 all-you-can-eat croissant buffet at Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival

• Destination D23 schedule updates, including hints of a Villains Land presentation

• Construction progress on Disneyland’s new Marvel e-ticket attraction

• Universal’s permit filing that could mean another Epic Universe hotel

• How Johnny Depp, Captain Barbossa, and Davy Jones made their way into the Pirates of the Caribbean rides

From fan-favorite fireworks to the behind-the-scenes drama of Pirates overlays, this episode blends data, history, and Disney news you won’t hear anywhere else.

SHOW NOTES

Support Our Sponsors

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill break down Disney’s latest earnings call, including park attendance trends, hotel occupancy shifts, and how Epic Universe may be quietly impacting Orlando tourism. They also review a fascinating new Disney Cruise Line survey that tests potential discounts and onboard perks, as well as what those offers could mean for future sailings.

Listener questions cover everything from the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow projection tech to Walt Disney World’s mysterious white bus lane lights, and Jim continues his multi-part history of how Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbossa found their way into the Pirates of the Caribbean attractions. Along the way, they explore the behind-the-scenes stories of the Pirate Tutorial, the Pirates League, and Disney’s new Beak and Barrel lounge at Magic Kingdom.

• Disney’s domestic attendance and hotel occupancy results

• How Epic Universe is influencing local tourism

• What a Disney Cruise Line survey reveals about future promotions

• Why Captain Jack’s meet-and-greets were tightly controlled

• The evolution of pirate-themed experiences in the parks

Time Stamps

• Intro (00:18:18)
• Break 1 (00:29:24)
• Break 2 (00:42:05)
• 
  
• SHOW NOTES

Support Our Sponsors

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠

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 offprovideciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures!

⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠

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

While Len Testa enjoys a well-earned week off, Jim Hill is joined by special guest AJ Wolfe of the Disney Food Blog to talk about her new book Disney Adults: Exploring and Falling in Love with a Magical Subculture. But first, Jim shares updates from around Walt Disney World, including real demolition progress for the Monsters Inc. Door Coaster, the curious lack of vertical construction for Encanto Land, and new details about the General Joe Potter ferry accident currently under investigation.

• Why Disney Adults may be “the most hated group on the internet”

• What’s missing from Animal Kingdom’s Encanto and Zootopia areas

• The Monsters Inc. Door Coaster transforms Muppet Studios

• Fantastic Four meet-and-greet rules (and international waters loopholes)

• A heartfelt tribute to longtime podcast collaborator Brian Gaughan

AJ Wolfe also shares behind-the-scenes stories from her Disney Food Blog journey, the early days of Disney dining coverage, and why writing Disney Adults meant sharing some very personal truths—debt, joy, and all.

Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Adults-Exploring-Falling-Subculture/dp/1668069210

Support Our Sponsors

Unlocked Magic

Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS.

⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠

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 offprovideciting 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 about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by taking a close look at the recently announced plans to revamp the Animation Courtyard area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

They then continue their interview with Don Hahn & Chris Merritt, the authors of “The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland”

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

·       What aspect of the actual entrance to Disney Studios out in Burbank is about to be replicated in Florida
   Why do you want to pay close attention to those sets of dancers that are positioned between the floats for Disney World’s new nighttime parade     Where will the new “Drawn to Wonderland” aspect of DHS’s “Magic of Disney Animation” likely be located inside the old Walt Disney Feature Animation – Florida building

Which almost-built Disneyland attraction would have sent you home with a perhaps unhealthy glow 

Why is it already difficult to find an on-property room at the WDW Resort for a reasonable price during mid-December of this year

SHOW NoTES

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 offprovideciting 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 about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Don Hahn & Chris Merrit, the authors of “The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland.” This show kicks off a two-part interview that reveals how Walt’s family fun park first came to be.

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Who bought the very first admission to Disneyland Park back in July of 1955

• When is the third “Prep & Landing” holiday special – “The Snowball Protocol” – expected to debut on ABC

• Who did Walt bring in to help the Evans brothers with the horticultural aspect of Disneyland Park

• What did Adventures by Disney’s “Take Me Out to the Ballparks” trip entail

• Why was DHS’s “Legend of Jack Sparrow” show so short-lived

SHOW NOTES

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 about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill look at Disney’s latest surveys, hotel rumors, and Halloween Horror Nights announcements—then plunge into the second half of their deep-dive on Pirates of the Caribbean. This time, Jim reveals how Disney navigated a real-life guest frenzy over Captain Jack Sparrow, the surprisingly expensive costume drama that followed, and the face character chaos that nearly derailed New Orleans Square. Plus, early plans for a pirates-themed restaurant, and how Dead Man’s Chest almost broke the box office and the parks.

• Why a cleared canal near Magic Kingdom might be future hotel space

• Christmas party dates, Festival of the Holidays updates, and DJ Dance Pants

• How Disneyland kept guests from mobbing Jack Sparrow face characters

• The $60,000 costume that sparked a parade of cease and desist letters

• A scrapped pirates dining experience that had Jack eating off your plate

Also: Warner Bros. surveys some Vegas-worthy IP ideas, Morrissey or Horror Night house?, and why Robin Williams’ mime days live on in Disney animation trivia.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill tackle a packed show, from new Eat to the Beat concert acts and Test Track Lightning Lane changes to a survey that hints at Disney bundling sports vacations with ESPN and Adventures by Disney. Then in the main segment, Jim unpacks the wild story behind the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise—including how one clever Imagineer added a cursed treasure twist to the ride years before it hit the big screen, and why Michael Eisner insisted on a subtitle that technically made no sense.

• New Eat to the Beat lineup adds Bowling for Soup, Jordin Sparks, and The Beach Boys

• Disney files plans for the Monsters Inc. Door Coaster building—yes, it’s a real land

• ESPN and ABD surveys tease premium sports-based vacation packages

• What really happened to Pixar’s Elio, and how politics may have changed the movie

• Behind the scenes of Curse of the Black Pearl: casting, rewrites, and a fake curse

Plus, Len pitches a villains-themed restaurant where customer service is intentionally bad, and Jim explains why Tower of Terror on TV paved the way for Jack Sparrow in theaters.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill cover the latest Disney news, including a major update to the dining reservation system, a rerouted parade to improve park flow, and the latest tweaks at Epic Universe. Then, Jim dives into the real story of how Epcot’s CommuniCore was shut down and transformed into Innoventions—Disney’s answer to a park in crisis. With budgets tight and tech aging fast, Michael Eisner turned to Las Vegas for inspiration, resulting in a CES-style exhibit hall packed with rotating sponsors, interactive demos, and a built-in refresh cycle.

• Disney’s new patent could make Haunted Mansion feel spookier

• A smarter parade route helps clear Main Street faster

• Why Tron still isn’t available during Early Entry

• Epic Universe’s early admission strategy evolves again

• The creation, success, and legacy of Innoventions

It’s a look at how Disney reimagined the future—and managed to sell it to sponsors one booth at a time.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill look at recent updates across Walt Disney World and Epic Universe, including a new water play area in Animal Kingdom, a July reopening for Test Track, and a revealing Disney Cruise Line survey. Then in the main segment, Jim takes us back 30 years to the wild creation of Disneyland’s Videopolis—a teen dance club built in just 100 days that introduced churros, challenged norms, and (almost) ran over some tourists.

• New Indiana Jones-themed play area replaces Animal Kingdom’s Boneyard

• Test Track reopens July 22—why we still don’t know what’s inside

• Epic Universe adds stage permits and steampunk restaurant progress

• A Disney Cruise Line survey that might explain recent price drops

• The teen problem Disney had to solve—and how Videopolis became the answer

• Churros, breakdancing, and Michael Eisner’s MTV-fueled moonshot

Videopolis wasn’t just a dance floor—it was a cultural reset, a churro revolution, and a crash course in fast-tracking theme park design.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill break down the newest Monstropolis concept art and speculate on Disney’s next big land grab near Blizzard Beach. They also examine Disneyland’s expansion strategy, a Coco boat ride, and why the Avatar land plans are quietly devouring backstage space. Then, in part three of the Journey Into Imagination saga, Jim reveals how Figment almost got replaced by Michael Jordan—and how one flubbed line at an NBC upfront helped create The Golden Girls.

• Updated Monstropolis plans hint at a larger land—and a suspiciously vacant cast parking lot

• Could a new DVC resort be rising near Blizzard Beach? Western Way roadwork says yes

• Disneyland's expansion plan: Coco, Avatar, and the final frontier of backstage space

• The doomed celebrity era of Imagineering, featuring Cheers-inspired Tiki Room and Wallace & Gromit

• Journey Into Imagination 3.0: how a triage effort (and stored figment AAs) saved the ride

• The DVC lounge dilemma: why redoing Imagination may need a bit more imagination

Big plans, big ideas, and one very unfortunate cheese room.

⁠SHOW NOTES⁠

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

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

Len Testa reviews Epcot’s swanky new GEO82 Lounge—crab cakes, price tags, and time limits included—while Jim Hill breaks down the surprisingly tangled history of film companies at Disney Parks. Plus, thoughts on the reimagined Rivers of America concept art, Disney trains going backwards, and how one bear-loving park ranger is making a comeback. The show ends with Part 2 of the wild saga behind Journey into Imagination’s 2002 reopening, featuring a side of Art Linkletter, Henry Fonda, and bitter corporate rivalries.

• First thoughts on Disney’s new Piston Peak National Park concept art

• The EPCOT GEO82 Lounge: gorgeous views, high prices, strict timers

• Disney trains to run in reverse—literally

• Why a DVC rental checkbox could be tied to speculative booking issues

• The forgotten film war: Kodak, Polaroid, and the $10M that didn’t pay off

• How Art Linkletter turned a favor into Disneyland’s most profitable deal

Whether you’re craving peanut brittle from a charcuterie plate or just here for vintage theme park trivia, this episode has you covered.

⁠SHOW NOTES⁠

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

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

This week, Len Testa reveals how to take on Universal’s Epic Universe without shelling out for an Express Pass—and still live to tell the tale. Meanwhile, Jim Hill looks back at how long Disney & Kodak worked together and how that relationship then led to EPCOT's "Journey into Imagination pavilion. 

• Epic Universe Touring Plan – Why you definitely want to return Universal's newest theme park later in the day

• Film Fight -- How Disney worked out a truce between Kodak & Polaroid back in the 1970s, so that both brands of films could then be sold inside of their theme parks

• Parade Reservations – Why -- if you're an Annual Passholder -- you're going to need to plan ahead if you want to see "Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away" this Summer

• Rent-a-Park –  Why the Magic Kingdom & Disney's Hollywood Studios aren't available for private parties during certain times of the year

• Someday My Prints Will Come -- Which Disney Park icon is one of the most photographed structures in the world

Touring tips, stories about Walt as a grandfather, plus talk of garlic presses —it’s another packed episode of the Disney Dish.

SHOW NOTES

Full URL: https://jimhillmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-06-02_Show.pdf

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

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill reveal how Disney’s “temporary” structures - from party tents to prefab domes - have a habit of overstaying their welcome. What starts as a stopgap often becomes a staple, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the strange evolution from Mickey’s Birthdayland to Toontown.

• Mickey’s Birthdayland - The 18-month quick fix that morphed into a 20-year land.

• Festival of the Lion King - The show that squatted in a space meant for dragons... and thrived.

• Magic Kingdom Strategy - How early entry and Lightning Lane stacking can knock out every headliner by noon.

• Disney’s Indoor Parks - From DisneyQuest to Abu Dhabi, a look at the past and future of enclosed theme parks.

It’s a celebration of Disney’s most beloved “temporary” projects - and the ones that just refused to leave.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill break down the surprisingly intense history of Epcot’s Mission: Space—from launch-day astronauts and jetpack stunts to the guest experience that made this ride one of Disney’s most regretted one-and-dones.

• The Grand Opening – Jetpacks, Walter Cronkite, Buzz Aldrin, and a fireworks display that nearly gave journalists flashbacks.

• What Went Wrong – Mission: Space didn’t just thrill—it made people sick, killed plants, and gave Epcot’s custodial team nightmares.

• The Shrubbery Crisis – Yes, protein spills killed the landscaping.

• Fixing the Fail – How Disney added trash cans, benches, cold air, and a non-spinning version of the ride (that’s actually better).

• Ride Longevity – Why guests rarely re-ride, and how Mission: Space quietly became the least essential thrill ride at Walt Disney World.

• What Comes Next – With depreciation schedules catching up, is it finally time to replace it? And what’s the likelihood of a Figment/Inside Out combo attraction next door?

A fascinating look at how cutting-edge ambition can spin a little too hard—and what happens when the recovery benches outnumber the ride’s fans.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill dive deep into the infamous debut of Light Magic, Disneyland’s ill-fated replacement for the Main Street Electrical Parade. What was promised as a “street-tacular” became a technical and creative misfire that left tens of thousands of annual passholders asking for refunds - and left behind glitter that haunted ride systems for months.

• The Unraveling of Light Magic – A show so complex it couldn’t complete a dress rehearsal before its paid debut

• Pixies, Pajamas, and Panic – Why cast members wore half-masks, threw conductive Mylar into the crowd, and unintentionally triggered attraction breakdowns across the park

• Mass Refunds and Retail Regret – The merch worked better than the parade, and fans weren’t quiet about it

• Disneyland’s Damage Control – How marketing spin, rewrites, and show tweaks couldn’t save it

• Legacy of the Street-Tacular – From shelved alien parades to Tinkerbell merchandising, what came out of this high-profile flameout

It’s a hilarious, jaw-dropping look at one of Disney’s most legendary live entertainment flops—where the only thing that worked on opening night was the jacket.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

Jim reveals Disney World’s scrapped plan to retheme the Mad Tea Party with Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland—a move that would’ve introduced clever nods to the film like “Drink Me” and “Eat Me” food stands and tied directly into Pixie Hollow. Len adds context with stories about Fantasyland’s expansion, while the duo discusses why Haunted Mansion Holiday never came to Florida, and why Tim Burton’s working relationship with Disney ended with Dumbo.

• Scrapped plans for a Burton-inspired Mad Tea Party overlay

• How Walt Disney World hoped to tap into the Nightmare Before Christmas merch model

• Why Haunted Mansion Holiday won’t come to Magic Kingdom

• Fantasyland expansion budget and leadership changes

• Tim Burton’s final Disney film and his “Dumbo” disillusionment

Plus, listener questions about endangered Disney World attractions and ideas for a Muppets-themed rock bar.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill dig into one of the strangest goofs in Disney history—how the restaurant inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom was originally named after the wrong king, and why it took over two decades (and a flood of guest complaints) to finally correct it.

Also in this episode:

• The King Stefan Banquet Hall Backstory – Why Imagineering picked the wrong king in the first place—and how nobody caught it before opening day.

• Dave Smith and John Hench’s Awkward Phone Call – The archivist and the Imagineer have a polite, slightly painful conversation about medieval royalty.

• The 25th Anniversary Castle Cake Fallout – Why complaints about the Pepto-Bismol pink castle pushed Disney to rethink the restaurant’s name.

• How Cinderella’s Royal Table Was Finally Born – And how it became one of the most popular (and profitable) restaurants in all of Walt Disney World.

• Listener Questions and More – Updates on Disney and Universal surveys, Lightning Lane changes, and Epic Universe tips.

It’s a story of castles, kings, and the longest game of "whoops" in Disney Parks history.

SHOW NOTES

Support Our Sponsors

DVC Resale Market

Thinking about joining the 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

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

Len Testa, Jim Hill, and Imagineer Jim Shull dig into the wild, weird, and wonderfully unsafe history of Disney’s unbuilt Alice in Wonderland walkthrough attraction—complete with collapsing stairs, spinning barrels, and push-bag trees.

Also in this episode:

• Disneyland’s Funhouse That Never Was – Concept art and site plans reveal a walkthrough filled with rotating platforms, disorienting ramps, and a healthy disregard for OSHA.
• Why Alice’s Walkthrough Got the Axe – Was it the cost, the chaos, or the fact that guests might leave with concussions and playing cards in their pockets?
• Alice’s Maze Lives On – How elements of the walkthrough survived in Paris and Shanghai—hedges, live-action inspiration, and all.
• Buzz Lightyear’s Costume Was a Health Risk – The original walk-around suit nearly wrecked cast members’ backs and required Disney to cover chiropractor visits.
• Everest and the Yeti (Still Broken) – Jim Shull gives the latest on Disco Yeti, ride longevity, and why any real fix won’t happen until Expedition Everest hits its track expiration date.
• Universal’s Deep Survey Dive – A guest poll so long and personal it should’ve come with a HIPAA notice.

From fantasy to funhouse nightmares, and from Buzz to barrel rolls, this week’s show explores the wildest ideas Disney never built—and the things they probably shouldn't have.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined this week by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a super-sized edition of this podcast. As these three first recap Len’s recent visit to Orlando’s newest theme park and then discuss what recent stock market fluctuations might mean for Disney’s previously announced plans for its Florida Resort

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Which “Isle of Berk” attraction might remind Epic Universe visitors of a certain opening day attraction over at IOA

• What did Bob Iger reportedly talk about when he dropped in on an ABC News editorial meeting last week?

• Why Epic Universe undoubtedly will be a better looking theme park in a year’s time

• Which Epic Universe attractions will have the lowest hourly ride capacity?

• What percentage of WDW visitors typically travel from Canada to visit that resort annually

SHOW NOTES

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

This week, Jim Hill is joined by special guest Ruben Bolling, the award-winning cartoonist behind Tom the Dancing Bug, while Len Testa is off cruising with a buffet (hopefully). From sweaty Brer Bear suits to Buzz Lightyear’s chiropractor bills, Jim and Ruben explore the history—and hazards—of Disney character costumes. Plus, they dive into the future of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, the legacy of Expedition Everest, and how Imagineers tell stories without saying a word.

• Costume Carnage – Why early walk-around characters were sweaty, heavy, and occasionally hazardous (spoiler: fiberglass and rebar were involved).
• Buzz Lightyear’s Evolution – From the world’s heaviest action figure costume to a full ride refresh coming soon to Magic Kingdom.
• Expedition Everest Turns 19 – A look at Animal Kingdom’s mountain masterpiece and whether the Yeti might finally get his glow-up.
• Drone Shows Grounded – Following an incident in Orlando, all drone shows are on pause—but what does that mean for Disney’s nighttime future?
• Pixar’s 30th Anniversary in the Parks – New shows, character appearances (hello, Rex!), and nostalgic celebrations at Disneyland Resort.
• Visual Storytelling 101 – Jim and Ruben connect the dots between comics and Imagineering, from panel layouts to queue design.

It’s a theme park deep dive with a dash of satire and a nod to back problems. Tune in for stories, speculation, and the weirdly enduring smell of Muppet herring.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill take you back to a time when Hollywood Studios had no Sunset Boulevard and how a red car, a Rocketeer supper club, and Roger Rabbit rides nearly changed everything. Plus, Universal’s first Epic Universe guest survey raises big questions about whether there’s enough to do on opening day.

• Sunset Boulevard: The Original Plan – A deep dive into the never-built red car route, the South Seas Club from The Rocketeer, and a Dick Tracy ride with real Tommy guns.
• Roger Rabbit Land That Never Happened – From Baby Herman’s runaway buggy to Mickey’s MovieLand, Jim shares what was almost built.
• Epic Universe Survey Leaks – We’ve got the first guest experience survey, and Universal’s biggest concern might be: “Is there enough to do?”
• Disney World Discounts Everywhere – Free dining, kids half off, and hotel deals… but why so many at once?
• Buzz Lightyear’s Big Upgrade – A new ride vehicle and show scene just in time for Toy Story 5.
• DVC Sales Office in Canada? – Why Epcot’s Canada Pavilion is getting a DVC showroom instead of poutine.
• Takumi-Tei Menu Confusion – When “plant-based” doesn’t mean vegan, one listener shares a story that has Len fact-checking menus with government definitions.

Join Len and Jim as they explore the theme park “what ifs,” leaked surveys, and the surprising ways Disney’s past nearly looked a lot more like Roger Rabbit.

SHOW NOTES 

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

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill are joined by DVC expert Paul Krieger to finally wrap up the long-running series on Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge—now Lakeshore Lodge. They explore how this project evolved from concept to construction, what’s next for the Fort Wilderness area, and how Disney Vacation Club is changing the way it builds and brands new resorts.

• Reflections Becomes Lakeshore Lodge – How Disney quietly rebranded and reimagined the long-delayed Bay Lake resort.
• DVC's Changing Design Philosophy – From rustic to refined: Why today’s DVC resorts look more like luxury hotels than themed lodges.
• Water Features and Cabins Revealed – What new blueprints and site plans tell us about the size of the pool complex and three distinct cabin types.
• The Rise of Fort Wilderness as a DVC Mega-Resort – 350 cabins, plus Lakeshore Lodge, could make it the largest DVC footprint at Walt Disney World.
• DVC History with Paul Krieger – A crash course in the evolution of the Disney Vacation Club—from Old Key West and Vero Beach to the Island Tower at the Polynesian.
• Will We Ever Get Buffalo Junction or a Fort Wilderness Railroad? – Jim and Len speculate on what could still be built if Lakeshore Lodge succeeds.

It’s the end of the Reflections series and a deep dive into how Disney builds resorts, tells stories, and sells timeshares—DVC style.

SHOW NOTES 

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

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill break down new details about the Indiana Jones ride at Animal Kingdom, explore the Monsters Inc. Door Coaster ride system, and take a deep dive into how Disney’s concept art often differs from reality—sometimes dramatically.

• Monsters Inc. Door Coaster – Disney shares the latest look at this first-of-its-kind suspended coaster at South by Southwest.
• Disney Concept Art vs. Reality – The long history of Disney’s over-promising concept art, from Snow White’s Scary Adventures to Cars Road Rally.
• Frontierland’s Future at Magic Kingdom – With Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Cars Road Rally, will Frontierland and Liberty Square still exist in their current form?
• Mandalorian Missions at Smuggler’s Run – New destinations and gameplay elements are coming in 2026.
• Universal’s Epic Universe Updates – The latest on character meet-and-greets and interactive elements in Universal’s upcoming park.
• 
  

Join Len and Jim as they separate theme park concept art fantasy from reality, uncover new attraction details, and discuss how Disney and Universal are evolving their parks for the future.

SHOW NOTES 

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

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

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 

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

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

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 

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

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

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 

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

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill break down Hollywood Studios’ unannounced Villaintines Day event, Disney’s history of lost resort projects, and Universal’s wild new food lineup for Epic Universe.

• Villaintines Day at Hollywood Studios – How Disney surprised guests with an unannounced villains-themed event, complete with rare character greetings and themed giveaways.
• Cypress Point Lodge: The Disney Resort That Never Was – The story behind Disney’s planned moderate resort and why it never happened.
• Monorail Expansion Plans – Disney once had a serious plan to extend the monorail to Disney Springs—what happened?
• Epic Universe Food Preview – Universal’s upcoming theme park reveals its menu, featuring everything from blood orange chicken sandwiches to a one-pound meatball.
• Star Wars Updates at Disneyland – A new projection show and character greeting suggest Disney is relaxing Galaxy’s Edge’s original timeline.

Join Len and Jim as they explore Disney’s secret events, abandoned projects, and the latest theme park surprises.

SHOW NOTES 

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

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill dive into the history of Fort Wilderness and River Country, including the expansion that almost happened and how Disney’s first water park became a fan favorite before shutting down. Plus, Jim continues the story of Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge and why it never made it off the ground.

• River Country’s Rise and Fall: How Disney’s first water park became wildly popular—and why it ultimately closed for good.
• Fort Wilderness Expansion Plans: Disney once planned a whole Western-themed town for guests to explore—so what happened?
• Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge: Jim uncovers more about the shelved resort project and what Disney originally planned for Bay Lake.
• Lightning Lane Premier Pass Updates: Disney’s premium skip-the-line pass is selling out even on slow days—so is another price increase coming?
• Epic Universe Previews Begin: What we know about Universal’s upcoming soft openings and when guests might get their first look.

Join Len and Jim for a deep dive into Disney history, surprising theme park changes, and what could be next for Fort Wilderness and Bay Lake.

SHOW NOTES 

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

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill explore the surprising history of annual passes—how Disneyland accidentally created a theme park membership program and what Disney might have in store next. Plus, Jim continues the saga of Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge, the resort that made it to the concept art phase but never to reality.

• The Origins of Annual Passes: How Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom Club set the stage for the modern theme park pass and why Disney might be rethinking it.
• Hollywood Studios Updates: What’s closing, what’s opening, and why Muppet*Vision 3D, Mama Melrose’s, and Pizza Rizzo are all saying goodbye.
• Universal’s New Events: Mardi Gras, Volcano Bay Nights, and Butterbeer Season—because Universal understands that food-based festivals are the true theme park superpower.
• Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge: Jim dives into Disney’s big plans for Bay Lake, why they hit pause, and whether this project will ever return.
• Muppets at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster?: Is Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem really taking over from Aerosmith? And is that actually a bad thing?

Join Len and Jim as they break down Disney history, park updates, and whether we’ll ever see a new resort built before the next iteration of Genie+.

SHOW NOTES 

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

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill are joined by Christina Harrison to explore the best (and worst) of Epcot’s Festival of the Arts while diving into the intriguing history of Disney’s shelved resort project, Reflections: A Lakeside Lodge.

• Festival of the Arts Food Tour: Christina breaks down the must-try dishes, including the return of Japan’s Taiyaki and the surprising stars of the Painted Panda booth.
• Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge: Jim continues the story of Disney’s abandoned Bay Lake resort and what might take its place.
• Lightning Lane Premier Pass: Is it worth the cost when crowd levels drop below a 5?
• Universal’s Stella Nova Resort: Christina shares her review of Universal’s new value hotel, including the perks of staying near Epic Universe.
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Update: Why is Disney adjusting operating hours so soon after its debut?

Join Len, Jim, and Christina for a delicious deep dive into Epcot’s festival eats, Disney history, and Universal’s latest addition.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill share how to conquer Animal Kingdom faster than you can finish a Mickey waffle and dig into the curious case of Disney’s Reflections: A Lakeside Lodge.

• Animal Kingdom Touring Plan: Len’s step-by-step guide to finishing all major rides in under two hours—because who has time to wait in line?
• Reflections: A Lakeside Lodge: Jim uncovers the rise, fall, and possible resurrection of Disney’s most mysterious resort project.
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure vs. Splash Mountain: Fans weigh in—has Tiana’s really taken the crown from Splash?
• Smuggler’s Run Upgrades: Could Grogu finally make being an engineer on the Millennium Falcon cool?
• Dinoland’s New Beat: A drumming band made from recycled materials? That’s the kind of green initiative even Mickey can’t resist.

Tune in for tips, history, and plenty of questions like, “Is it really a park day if you’re home by 10 a.m.?”

SHOW NOTES

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

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill reveal how to take on Hollywood Studios during peak crowds without relying on Lightning Lane, plus a look at Disney’s music legend George Wilkins and other park updates:

• Hollywood Studios Touring Plan: Len’s step-by-step guide to beating a 9/10 crowd level in six hours flat—without Lightning Lane.
• George Wilkins Tribute: The Disney composer who wrote EPCOT’s soundtrack and once reworked “Tutti Frutti” in a half-hour.
• Big Thunder Mountain’s Closure: What it means for Magic Kingdom’s Lightning Lane priorities (spoiler: it’s chaos).
• Mandalorian on Smuggler’s Run: Grogu might make engineers the stars of the Millennium Falcon.
• Dinoland Demolition: What’s next for Animal Kingdom’s most polarizing area?

Join Len and Jim for strategies, stories, and maybe a few tips on not getting run over by a rope

dropper.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

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

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.

Show Notes

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

Join Jim and Len as they serve up another helping of Disney history, humor, and holiday cheer:

• Jollywood Nights 2024 Review: Len breaks down why this year’s merriest event at Hollywood Studios is a must-visit, with mouthwatering popovers, stunning projections, and walk-on rides galore.
• Cotino Housing Development Tour: Get an insider’s peek at Disney’s new mid-century modern community, where Imagineering meets high-end desert living.
• Listener Questions: From the best World Showcase bathroom (yes, really) to a Muppet-inspired Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster playlist, fans bring the fun and creativity.
• Riviera Resort History: Jim digs deep into how Disney turned Caribbean Beach into Riviera Resort, a deluxe DVC destination with a European flair—and a hefty price tag.

Tune in for a laugh-filled journey through Disney’s past, present, and possibly a restroom or two. Don’t miss it!

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing when “Dinosaur: The Ride” will close at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

They also discuss the new Disney Villains show that’s being prepped for Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Listeners will learn about:

• How did Tokyo Disneyland’s version of “Star Tours” impact WDW’s Tomorrowland Terrace

• Is there any difference between “Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge” and the Company’s second attempt at getting a resort built at the edge of Bay Lake

• How did mobile ordering at Disney World impact Guests’ ability to access Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café

• Why is Mulan considered a Disney Princess

• How will “Project Cyclops” potentially impact your WDW dining experience 

SHOW NOTES

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Jim Shull of “Disney Journeys” &; Eric Hersey of the “Epic Universal Podcast” for an in-depth look at WDW’s Utilidor system.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• What did Marty Sklar do back in the mid-1950s that made Walt Disney furious
• Where can Refreshment Gardens be found at Disneyland Park
• How many acres do the Utilidors cover at WDW’s Magic Kingdom
• What reportedly caused the black mold problem in the Men’s Locker Room under the Magic Kingdom
• What was the secret behind Skippy being transported in “The ExtraTERRORtrial

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

Join Jim and Len as they explore the latest holiday updates, behind-the-scenes details, and listener questions about Disney’s parks and attractions.

• Jollywood Nights 2024 Review: Discover how this year’s event improved on last year, with brighter displays, enhanced entertainment, and reimagined spaces that bring the magic of Hollywood Studios to life.
• Muppet Vision 3D Updates: Learn about the plans for the Electric Mayhem overlay at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and what it means for Muppets fans.
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Comparison: Christina Harrison joins the discussion to compare Disney’s two biggest holiday events.
• Holiday Attraction Overlays: Jim dives into the history of Disney’s seasonal attraction overlays, featuring the story behind the Country Bear Christmas Special.

Don’t miss this episode packed with holiday cheer, park updates, and Disney history – tune in now!

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

In this week’s Disney Dish Podcast, Jim and Len deliver a mix of Disney news, listener questions, and fascinating history.

Tune in as they cover:

• Villains Land Sneak Peek: Explore which Disney villains are set to star in Magic Kingdom’s highly anticipated new land.
• 
  
• Cars Trackless Ride Announced: Learn about the exciting plans for this innovative attraction coming to the Magic Kingdom.
• 
  
• Attraction Overlay Origins: In the main segment, Jim dives into the history of Disney attraction overlays, from their surprising beginnings to how they’ve evolved into beloved seasonal experiences like The Country Bear Christmas Show.
• 
  
• Listener Questions: Get the inside scoop on Dinoland’s props, farewell merch, and more!

From news to nostalgia, this episode is packed with insider stories and expert analysis. Don’t miss the history, updates, and laughs in this week’s show!

SHOW NOTES

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

In this week’s episode, Len Testa and Jim Hill bring you a packed show with the latest theme park news and the finale of Jim’s deep dive into EPCOT’s El Rio del Tiempo.

Tune in as they cover:

• Universal’s Year-Round Horror Nights in Las Vegas: Get the details on Universal’s permanent horror attraction, “Universal Horror Unleashed,” set to launch at Area 15 with classic scares from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Exorcist: Believer, and more.
• Magic Kingdom’s Premier Pass Math: Len and Jim respond to a listener’s cost breakdown for Disney’s new Premier Pass. Does the math make sense?
• Frozen Holiday Surprise: Disney surprised everyone with an early start to this fan-favorite holiday event at the Magic Kingdom.
• El Rio del Tiempo’s Journey to Gran Fiesta Tour: In the final part of Jim’s history series, learn about Eric and Susan Goldberg’s transformation of the Mexico Pavilion’s iconic boat ride into Gran Fiesta Tour and the arrival of animatronic versions of the Three Caballeros.

Listener questions, Disney news, and inside scoops make this an episode you won’t want to miss!

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

ver exciting updates and wrap up a beloved EPCOT attraction’s history in the grand finale of their series on El Rio del Tiempo.

Here’s what’s in store:

• Cake Bake Shop Review: Len shares his experience at the newly opened Cake Bake Shop, highlighting the quality of their offerings and discussing the pricing.

• Universal's Animatronic Monsters: The hosts discuss Universal Orlando's recent trailer featuring 14 advanced animatronic monsters for the upcoming Monsters Unchained:
• 
  
• The Frankenstein Experiment attraction. They marvel at the lifelike fluidity of these figures, comparing them to Disney's Na’Vi Shaman and Rise of the Resistance animatronics.
• 
  
• Disney's Tropical Americas Plans: Len and Jim examine Disney's new permit filings, revealing plans to transform Dinoland into Tropical Americas. They explore potential attractions, including a character greeting area, a Mayan-themed play area, and expansive queue designs for upcoming rides.

• Listener Questions and Surveys: The episode answers listener questions about various Disney experiences and discusses recent surveys from Universal Orlando and Disney Cruise Line, touching on possible new ticketing options and guest feedback.

Additionally, join us for the grand finale in Jim’s multi-part series on the history of EPCOT’s El Rio del Tiempo boat ride, where he shares fascinating details about the journey to the Gran Fiesta Tour.

Catch all the latest Disney news, updates, and in-depth theme park insights in this jam-packed episode!

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

In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Len and Jim explore more of Epcot’s rich history with part two of their series on the Mexico Pavilion’s beloved boat ride, El Rio del Tiempo.

Join them as they delve into the ride’s development challenges, the inspiration behind its immersive scenes, and how Disney Imagineers used clever design and technology to bring Mexican culture to life in World Showcase.

Tune in for:

• The latest on Epic Universe’s ticket launch and sold-out opening day

• Behind-the-scenes of Disney’s Cake Bake Shop pricing

• A dive into the fascinating design details and lesser-known facts of El Rio del Tiempo’s

• original storyline

Don’t miss this captivating episode filled with Disney lore, Epcot nostalgia, and exclusive theme park insights!

SHOW NOTES

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

In this week’s Disney Dish, Len and Jim dive into the rich history of one of EPCOT’s lesser-known attractions, "El Rio del Tiempo."

Join us for Part 1 of a two-part series as Jim takes us back to the 1982 dedication of EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion and shares the fascinating origin of the pavilion's boat ride.

Learn about the ambitious plans for "Las Tres Culturas de Mexico," the mysterious German Rivers ride, and how tight budgets and changing politics reshaped EPCOT's World Showcase.

Tune in as they cover:

·      Epic Universe News: Universal Orlando’s newest park is set to open in May 2025! Jim and Len share exclusive details on the opening, soft launches, and breathtaking new effects.

·      Lightning Lane Premier Pass: Get the scoop on Disney’s newest pass option for skipping the lines—what it costs, what it covers, and whether it's worth it.

·      The History of El Rio del Tiempo: In Part 1 of this two-part series, Jim takes you back to the 1980s to explore the creation and evolution of Epcot's original Mexico Pavilion boat ride.

Plus, listener questions, Disney news, and the latest park happenings!

Don’t miss out on this jam-packed episode's history, updates, and insider scoops.

SHOW NOTES

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

In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and Len Testa take you through the latest Disney updates and a deep dive into the fascinating history behind one of Disney’s most ambitious projects.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

• Hurricane Milton Update: How the recent storm impacted Disney parks, and why Jim thinks Medieval Times might be the ultimate hurricane shelter.
• 
  
• Disneyland Price Hikes: Len breaks down the latest ticket and annual pass price increases at Disneyland, and what that could mean for your next trip.
• 
  
• Fort Wilderness Innovations: Could autonomous delivery robots soon bring food and merchandise to your cabin at Fort Wilderness? Jim and Len explore the possibilities.
• Listener Questions: Why the ghost of the ‘Creepy Clown Pool’ might still haunt Boardwalk Inn’s occupancy rates, and how AI may make your Disney PhotoPass pictures look better than ever.
• 
  
• Main Feature: In a behind-the-scenes look at Disney's battle with Pixar, Jim reveals how Mickey’s PhilharMagicwas developed as a key part of Michael Eisner’s strategy to prove that Disney could create CG animation independently. From its origins as a project for Hong Kong Disneyland to its pivotal role in Disney’s negotiations with Pixar, discover the hidden history behind one of the most beloved 3D attractions in Disney World.
• 
  

Join Jim and Len for a fun, fact-filled episode full of Disney history, news, and a few laughs along the way!

SHOW NOTES

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

In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Len Testa and Jim Hill discuss the latest updates and history behind Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

Tune in for:

• Autonomous Vehicles at Fort Wilderness?: Could self-driving vehicles soon be delivering food and merchandise around this iconic resort? Jim and Len explore the potential future of tech at Disney.
• Occupancy Rates for Disney Vacation Club Resorts: Discover why DVC properties like the Grand Californian and Bay Lake Tower are at the top of the occupancy charts and what makes them so popular.
• The Legend of the Lion King: Jim dives deep into the history of this fan-favorite stage show, detailing the ambitious production, massive puppetry, and how it paved the way for future Disney attractions.

This episode is filled with Disney news, unique history, and some listener questions.

SHOW NOTES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tune in for an entertaining and informative discussion featuring:

• The History of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Learn how this beloved attraction evolved from the original Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland.

• Disney’s Tron Lightcycle Run Update: Why Disney is replacing the virtual queue with a traditional standby line and what it means for other park attractions.

• Universal Studios’ New How to Train Your Dragon Attraction?: Jim and Len break down a new survey hinting at a potential addition to Universal’s Epic Universe or Hollywood park.

• Listener Questions: A lively discussion on Disney’s attraction changes, including the high-cost failures like Galactic Starcruiser.

• Nostalgia in Disney Parks: Are Magic Kingdom’s attractions too geared toward older generations, or is there something for everyone?

Join Jim and Len for a fun mix of history, humor, and theme park insights!

Show Notes can be found here.

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the three tiers of hotels that the Universal Orlando Resort just rolled out.

They also talk about why Disney wants to know more about how you allocated your cash during your most recent trip to Orlando.

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Why the Universal Theme Parks want to learn more about which brands & IPs your young daughter is interested

• Who was just placed in charge of the committee to find a successor for Disney CEO Bob Iger

• Why it’s likely that DCL will soon need to replace the Magic & the Wonder

• How many people visited the Magic Kingdom in Florida during the first full year that theme park was in operation

• Which opening day attraction for Walt Disney World did Tony Baxter go to the field to install back in 1971

SHOW NOTES

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

In a special solo show, Jim Hill first talks about which Disney Villains just made their debut at DCA’s “Oogie Boogie Bash.”

He then looks back at how Walt adapted J.B. Barrie’s play & novel to the screen back in 1953

For this episode, listeners will learn about;

• Who did Roger Bart sing for in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Summer release for 1997

• Who wrote the songs for Disney’s full-length animated feature for 1953

• When is Disney on Broadway’s new stage production of “Hercules” supposed to open in London’s West End

• Which two animated features was WDI originally considering as their jumping-off point for their upcoming redo of DAK’s Dinoland U.S.A.

• When was Bob Hope’s sequel to his 1948 Western comedy, “The Paleface,” first released to theaters

SHOW NOTES

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start today’s episode by discussing the changes that will soon be coming to Tom Sawyer Island at WDW’s Magic Kingdom.

They also look back at when the “Be Our Guest” restaurant opened at that same theme park back in December of 2012

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

• For which Disney animated feature from the 1990s did Ricky Martin voice the title character (for the Latin American / Spanish version of this film, that is)

• What did the Imagineers once toy with installing inside of the “Hall of Presidents” show building

• What does Universal Orlando’s new dining offer tell us about when Epic Universe will likely open to the public

• Why did Disney’s Central Reservations Office have to rethink the number of seatings they could book daily at “Be Our Guest” just six months after this new Magic Kingdom restaurant first opened

• Why did the load-in of the Ballroom’s chandelier prove to be a challenge to the “Be Our Guest” construction team

SHOW NOTES

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

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by getting the skinny on thinly sliced pieces of bacon.

They then discuss whether the changes that have recently been made to DAS have actually lowered wait times at WDW’s park

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Where did the wax figures from the “Davy Crockett Frontier Museum” eventually wind up

• Why would Disney Procurement likely have bought pork products in bulk last year

• When did the West Coast version of “Country Bear Jamboree” first open

• What’s the name of that Royal Caribbean stage show themed around superheroes

• Which Harvard professor helped to turn the American cowboy into that mythic figure we know today

SHOW NOTES

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by reviewing Universal Orlando’s plans for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic.”

They then talk about which WDW DVC may soon be expanding

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

• What’s significant about the survey Universal Orlando recently distributed about possible price points for annual passes

• Where does Steven Tyler get the scarves that he uses to decorate his mic stand

• How tall was Walt Disney

• Which moment from the third episode of the “Davy Crockett” limited series did Disneyland’s Frontier Museum recreate

• Why were Fess Parker & Buddy Ebsen wet when they made their entrance in “Dateline Disneyland”

SHOW NOTES

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

On this week’s show, Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull & Len’s twin sister, Linda. These four then discuss the news of the day and look back at the grand opening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith.

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

• What idea did the Imagineers explore for improving DCA’s Grizzly River Run?

• How long has it been since a major new thrill ride opened at one of the theme parks found at the Universal Orlando Resort?

• How has the roll-out of Lightning Lane Multi-Pass been going so far

• What contributed to Disney’s decision to only present “Rogers: The Musical” in the Hyperion Theater for a single summer

• Who influenced Kelsey Mann to find a place for Figment in “Inside Out 2”

SHOW NOTES

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

Len Testa starts this week’s show by revealing which attractions will be open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Extended Evening Hours at that theme park later this year.

And then Jim Hill wraps up his history of Epcot’s “Maelstrom” attraction.

In this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Why was the original version of “Country Bear Jamboree” trimmed down back in October 2012

• What land does Hong Kong Disneyland that is traditionally found at other castle parks

• Why did the Imagineers dial back the North Sea scene in “Maelstrom” just before this World Showcase attraction officially opened in July of 1988

• Which animatronic figure from “The Hall of Presidents” can also be found as a eunuch along “Spaceship Earth” ‘s ride track

• When – according to the U.S. census – did the wide open spaces of the American West officially come to a close

SHOW NOTES

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Disney author & historian Foxx Nolte. Who gives them a preview of his latest book, “Scoundrels, Villains, & Knaves: Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Popular Culture” 

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• What are the differences between the VIP tours offered at WDW versus those made available to visitors at the Universal Orlando Resort

• Which train show staged back in the mid-1940s reportedly influenced the design of New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park

• What’s the rumored reason that character greetings are not being offered as part of Lightning Lane Multi-pass

• Which scene was originally designed for the Escher Staircase area for WDW’s version of the Haunted Mansion

• What’s kind of intriguing about the fact that the Themed Entertainment Association has yet to release its annual Theme Park Index (which lists theme park attendance numbers) has yet to be released for 2024
• 
  

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the different “lands” that Guests can explore once they board the Disney Adventure (which begins sailing out of Singapore in 2025).

They also share a survey from Universal Orlando about this Resort’s version of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Which musical acts will be appearing at this year’s “Eat to the Beat” concert series as part of the 2024 edition of EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival

• When did Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith come back online at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• How many passengers is the Disney Adventure supposed to be able to accommodate on each sailing of this new DCL vessel (Bonus question: How many crew members will be on board to service these passengers)

• According to Greek mythology, which three very different things is the God Poseidon supposed to watch over / be in charge of

• What happened to attendance levels at EPCOT Center & Disney-MGM Studios theme park right after Disney’s Animal Kingdom first opened in April of 1998

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing

WDW’s Genie+ replacement.

They then walk through exactly what happened backstage at

Disneyland prior to the launch of that Park’s “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks

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

 How far in advance will on-site Guests be able to book Multi Pass reservations

 When is this new ride reservation system supposed to officially come online at

the Walt Disney World Resort

 What holiday-themed projection show is supposed to be updated as part of the

2024 edition of “Jollywood Nights”

 Where did Disneyland used to store its fireworks back in the 1980s

 Why did Disneyland’s firemen go around backstage checking doors & windows

an hour before “Fantasy in the Sky” launched

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by looking at the “Dark Universe” concept art that the Universal Orlando Resort just revealed. Then they wrap up their history of fireworks displays at Disneyland

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Who was Disney’s partner when it came to developing a compressed air-based launch system for its fireworks displays
• 
  
• When is work supposed to get underway on the refurbishment of WDW’s version of Big Thunder Mountain
• 
  
• Why do golf enthusiasts love the 18-hole putting green over at the Palm & Magnolia course
• 
  
• Where had the Imagineers originally wanted to build an Ursula-themed spinner at Disney California Adventure
• 
  
• What was the computer-controlled fireworks firing system that Harold “Mickey” Aronson designed for the Disney Parks called

Show Notes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Len Testa shares what it was like to watch Disney Springs’ new nighttime show from Saratoga Springs. Jim Hill then finishes his history of the miniature golf courses at the WDW Resort

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Why do Disney execs really need to pay attention to what Jenny Nicolson shared throughout her four-hour-long “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” video
• What makes the Bacchus hole at “Fantasia Gardens” so difficult for golfers
• How long after the theme for “Winter Summerland” was selected did this miniature golf course open up right next door to Blizzard Beach
• What did Tiger Woods have to say about “Fantasia Fairways”
• Which buildings at Disney’s Saratoga Springs should offer the very best views of “Disney Dreams That Soar” (EDITOR’S NOTE: on the side facing Disney Springs Lake)

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing who gets to experience “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” when as part of that WDW attraction’s month-long grand opening event.

They then take a look at the interior of the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• What does Disney’s Hollywood Studios do when the IT system at the WDW Resort crashes
• When might we see a second Taylor Swift concert film show up on Disney+
• How did Jack Wrather deal with Disneyland being closed on Mondays & Tuesdays during that theme park’s off-season starting back in the late 1950s
• What does the future hold for Magic Bands
• Why is it very appropriate that the road directly behind the Disneyland Hotel is called Walnut Street

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about what happens next with Disneyland Forward now that the Anaheim City Council has officially approved this project. They also discuss what Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed at the Company’s most recent earnings call.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• How long will the WDW version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad be down for rehab
• What’s interesting about Disney’s decision to extend the permit it had with the South Florida Water Management District for the area between Fort Wilderness & Wilderness Lodge for another 5 years
• Which moderate resort at WDW will be having its guest room refurbished now through November
• What did Michael Eisner want to originally call the water thrill park that the Company first announced for Florida back in December of 1985
• Who did Disney initially hire to write the screenplay for that Studio’s “Typhoon Lagoon” movie

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the latest news coming out about the Epic Universe project. They also talk about why Bay Lake Tower is undergoing a year-long refurbishment in the not-so-distant future

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Which crime figure from the 1930s inspired Ma Beagle & the Beagle Boys
• How is Fort Wilderness’ remote location reportedly impacting DVC sales for the cabins there
• How many animated series featuring  Disney’s “Stitch” character have been produced to date
• How could the Beyond Big Thunder project potentially impact the Rivers of America at WDW’s Magic Kingdom
• Which two living character initiative shows plowed the road for “Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration”

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by congratulating Israel Perez & the team at WDW’s Victoria & Albert’s for the Michelin star they were just awarded.

They then welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a discussion of WDSP’s upcoming “Alice & the Red Queen: Back in Wonderland” show

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Why – when WDW Cast Members finally get to preview “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” – they may come at this revamped flume ride from backstage

• How far along is the “Disneyland Forward” project when it comes to Anaheim’s approval process

• What’s interesting about that construction permit that just got pulled for Epcot’s “Journey into Imagination” pavilion

• The “Frozen” star recently got the opportunity to try his hand at conducting on the Disneyland Railroad
• 
  
• Why – when it comes to updating and/or making significant changes to the African side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – the Imagineers have very limited choices

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts at Universal Orlando. They then look back at Disney’s reaction to Mattel’s 1972 announcement of its Circus World theme park project

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• How many times will Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights be presented this year

• What’s the name of the bay that the “World of Frozen” is built alongside at the theme park formerly known as Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris

• What price range is Universal reportedly considering when it comes to admission to its new kid-friendly park currently under construction in Bliss, TX

• Why are the popcorn buckets sold at the Disney Parks in Anaheim & Tokyo so much nicer than the ones that are sold at the WDW Resort

• How were the elephants dressed at the groundbreaking ceremony for Circus World back in April of 1973

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by deep-diving into the changes the Disney Parks are about to make to their DAS policy.

They also continue their look back at WDW’s Tomorrowland

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• How many episodes of “Law & Order: SVU” has Ice-T appeared in to date
• What were Disney Legend John Hench’s concerns about the version of World Showcase that was almost built next to WDW’s TTC
• How long did it take the team at WDW’s Food Labs to create that translucent fruit that was served aboard the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser”
• When was Phase One of “Project Florida” originally supposed to end construction
• How tall was Thunder Mesa (i.e., the table-top mountain that was supposed to house WDW’s “Western River Expedition” ride) supposed to be

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how the Shooting Gallery at WDW’s Magic Kingdom will soon close to become a DVC lounge. They also take a look back at Tomorrowland in this same theme park circa late 1971 / early 1972.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Which then-husband & wife team were originally supposed to play the leads in Disney’s never-produced “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” sequel
• 
  
• When does it appear that the Magic Kingdom will be opening its version of “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure”
• 
  
• Which “Avatar” film is the new experience that Bob Iger recently revealed was in the works for Disneyland in Anaheim supposed to be based on
• 
  
• What significant eco-friendly change is supposedly in the works for Florida’s version of Autopia
• 
  
• According to John Hench, which proposed WDW resorts were deliberately designed in such a way that they could then be seen from inside of the Magic

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the truce-of-sorts that’s recently been brokered between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District & Disney.

They also talk about the drone show that will debut at Disney Springs on May 24th

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

• Which annual event – which is held over in Tampa – made the Imagineers hesitant to bring Disneyland’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride to Florida
• Why is much of Epcot’s Morocco pavilion currently hidden behind construction fences
• When did Walt Disney make his very last visit to the Studios that he & his brother Roy built in Burbank
• What is Tiana asking Guests to help out with when they set sail on her “Bayou Adventure”
• How did WDI upset the turkey vultures who frequent the WDW Resort

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the construction permits that just got filed for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They then discuss the “Encanto” -themed show that will be presented in front of CommuniCore Plaza later this Summe

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

• What’s the difference between a Milky Way bar and Three Musketeers
• Which Dinoland U.S.A. structures are supposed to survive this side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom being transformed into an “Encanto” -themed area
• What toy line did Disney Consumer Products launch in the mid-2000s with the hope that it would then become a “Disney Princesses” -like success with little boys
• Which “Clueless” star did Disney originally cast as Tinker Bell’s speaking voice
• How did Tom Staggs alter Jay Rasulo’s original plans for the Fantasyland expansion that was first announced back in September of 2009



Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Disney World’s latest ticket offer for Florida residents.

They’re then joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull who shares some behind-the-scenes stories

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

• What’s significant about the dates that WDW’s latest ticket offer is available for

• Where is the control booth for DCA’s “Grizzly River Run” attraction located
• 
  
• Why are Universal Orlando officials so interested in learning where people plan on starting their next Florida vacation

• Where was the NYC version of David Copperfield’s Magic Underground restaurant supposed to be located

• What happens when you make the Cast Members who drive the monorail nervous  

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Christina Harrison, who talks up the very best eats to be found at the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Len & Jim then take a closer look at Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea

On this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Which attraction in Dreamworks Land will key off of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”

• Why are stores at the Disney theme parks still stocking “Monsters University” merch, more than a decade after this Pixar film was first released to theaters

• Which hit Fox TV series from the 1990s is The Walt Disney Company reportedly considering reviving

• When do young girls supposedly age out of being fans of the Disney Princess franchise

• How soon after the first “Frozen” film first opened in theaters did the Oriental Land Company announce that it would be adding a land keying off of that Academy Award-winning animated feature to Tokyo DisneySea

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why the WDW Resort revealed its hotel rates for 2025 months ahead of schedule. They then wrap up their series about the construction of Tomorrowland at Disneyland

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

• Where the math actually maths for WDW’s free-entry-into-the-water-parks-on-arrival-day offer
• What’s different about the newly updated Tequila Experience at Epcot’s La Cava
• Where did hundreds of thousands of snow geese stop for a bite as they’re flying back to Canada
• When did the very first “Tomorrowland” -themed episode of  the “Disneyland” TV show air during the first season of this ABC series
• Which Disney animator handled the ID monster in MGM’s “Forbidden Planet”
• 
  

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what’s about to happen to the NBA Experience at Disney Springs. They then talk about why kids back in the 1950s were absolutely crazed when it came to Disneyland’s “Autopia” 

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

• Which “Star Wars” movie director just got hired by Universal Pictures to direct their next “Jurassic World” movie
• Why did the Imagineers insert all of those CG animals into “Soarin’ Around the World”
• What was originally supposed to transport Disneyland visitors from the Hub all the way to the very back of that theme park’s “World of Tomorrow”
• Where in World Celebration Gardens should you go if you want to do some people watching
• When did Disneyland’s Junior Autopia get renamed the Fantasyland Autopia

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then explains how Hong Kong Disneyland’s version of Sleeping Beauty Castle was transformed into the Castle of Magical Dreams

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

• How many ECVs can the new bus that’s joining the WDW transportation fleet carry at one time
• Why – when you’re given the opportunity by the Disney Cruise Line – you should always take the GYT
• How close does the Ultidor system at the Magic Kingdom get to that theme park’s Tomorrowland Speedway
• What was the difference between the construction materials that were used to build Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in Anaheim back in 1955 versus the materials that were used to build a second version of this iconic structure at Hong Kong Disneyland
•  Why did LegCo turn down the opportunity to have a “Star Tours” attraction added to Hong Kong Disneyland in the 2010s

Show Notes

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

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

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

 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Len Testa starts off this week’s show by talking about spending New Year’s Eve aboard the Disney Wish. Then Jim Hill takes a look at WDI’s plans for a second gate at the Disneyland Resort

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

• In which regions of Canada & the United States can you find candlepin bowl

• How did wait times at WDW’s theme parks in 2023 compare to wait times back in 2019

• What special feature does the Rainforest Spa aboard the Disney Wish have that other ships in the DCL lack

• How would the World Showcase portion of Westcot differed from the original in Florida

• What powered California Screamin’s 0 – 55 MPH launch

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by sharing a survey about Epcot’s holiday decorations. They then take a close look at what it cost to have dinner at Disneyland’s Blue Bayou restaurant back in 1977

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” show is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They also chat about a new survey that the Mouse just sent out which seeks specific information about where Guests spent their money while vacationing at the WDW Resort

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how WDW’s Entertainment team turned Jollywood Nights around. They then look at the 44 year-long career of the man who started as an hourly employee at Disneyland and eventually became the Chairman of Disney Parks worldwide

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show with a brief recap of the 2023 Gingersnap Challenge. Then they discuss Epcot’s new nighttime extravaganza, “LuminoUS: The Symphony of Us”

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill offer up their opinions of the new holiday hard ticket that’s being presented on select nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They then talk about how Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures roadside attraction eventually grew into a full-sized Dino-Rama

Show Notes

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

Jim Hill starts off a solo edition of this podcast by discussing the changes that have recently been made to Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He also wraps up his “Disney Princesses in the Parks” series

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Christina Harrison, who offers up her take on Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ new holiday hard ticket. They then continue their look at Disney Princesses in the Parks

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by revealing which Disney songs will be featured in Epcot’s new nighttime show, “Luminous: The Symphony of Us.” They then also share some patents for new technologies that could be coming into the Disney Parks very soon

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what happened to Monorail Yellow at the WDW Resort last week. They also take a look at recent price hikes when it comes to Universal Orlando’s theme parks

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing a survey that the Universal Orlando Resort recently sent out about the use of QR codes at the restaurants in their theme parks. They then look back at when Walt Disney Productions celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1973.

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa starts off this week’s show by looking back on his recent VIP tour of the two theme parks at the Universal Orland Resort. Then Jim Hill talks about why Rolly Crump was one of Walt Disney’s favorite Imagineers

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing a survey that reveals what the Universal Orlando Resort has in the works to keep Guests coming in 2024 out ahead of Epic Universe opening in 2025. They then look back at what WDW Entertainment originally wanted to present as a nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Show Notes

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

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by discussing the meal he recently had at EPCOT’s Shiki-Sai restaurant (which recently opened at the Japan pavilion in World Showcase. Then he & Jim Hill discuss the latest round of discounts which are now being offered for vacation packages to WDW & the Disneyland Resort

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing a one-on-one survey that was recently done on “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.” They also take a close look at the most recent round of hotel room discounts offered at Walt Disney World

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa starts off this week’s show by sharing some thoughts on what that proposed $60 billion investment really means for Disney Parks, Experiences & Products. Jim Hill then shines a spotlight on the “Disney Rock’n Rockets” show

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing many of the upcoming projects for the Disney Parks that were recently revealed at Destination D23. FYI: They group these items from “Very Likely to Happen” to “Hey, Pal. You Should Live So Long”

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what the Disney Cruise Line recently revealed about the Treasure’s features. Mr. Testa also offers up his take on the “Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana” walk-thru at Epcot

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing whether Disney’s Animal Kingdom may be reviving its nighttime offerings. They then share some surveys coming out of Florida which suggest that the Resort is rethinking how it showcases its Food & Beverage opportunities online

Show Notes

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

im Shull returns to discuss how WDI justifies tearing down entire parts of parks (EX: The Streets of America at DHS) to then build brand-new lands like “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” He also shares with Len & Jim how WDW’s drainage canal system was altered to make way for the Feature Animation – Florida building

Show Notes

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

Len Testa start off this week’s show by sharing Christina Harrison’s experiences at

the first two presentations of this year’s trick-or-treat hard ticket event at WDW. Then Jim Hill finishes

his series about the Spain pavilion which was almost built at Epcot.

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa returns from his European vacation with tales of his time aboard the Disney Wish. Then he & Jim Hill review the news highlights coming out of The Walt Disney Company’s most recent quarterly earnings call.

Show Notes

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

What do you do when Len Testa goes on vacation? You bring in a genuine Disney Legend to discuss topics that range from "Once Upon a Studio" (i.e., that soon-to-be-released Disney100 short) to Epcot's Spain pavilion

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome back longtime Imagineer Jim Shull, who then talks about the many years he spent working on both Toy Story Land & the Toy Story Hotel for the Shanghai Disneyland Resort

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the new DreamWorks-themed land that was just announced for Universal Studios Florida. They then take a look at the Lightning-Lane-to-Stand-By ratio which TouringPlans just noted for WDW’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about Bob Iger’s contract extension at The Walt Disney Company through December of 2026. They also take a look at the Florida version of “Toy Story Midway Mania”

Show Notes

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

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by discussing how Guests using WDW’s DAS

may be impacting Lighting Lane. Jim Hill then talks about the challenges that the Imagineers faced

during the construction phase of “Toy Story Midway Mania”

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the per-park pricing that went into effect at WDW for Genie+. They then wrap up their look back at the Walt Disney World Speedway

Show Notes

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill start off of this week’s episode by sharing some listener questions. They then talk about how Mr. Eisner’s trip to Indiana in May of 1985 led to an ambitious project being built in the parking lot for WDW’s Magic Kingdom.

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the jump in attendance levels that Universal’s two Florida parks have recently experienced. They also look back at the Summer of 1983 and how Walt Disney Productions celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about a survey that the Universal Orlando Resort just sent out to recent Guests. Jim Hill also concludes his look back at the development of the Disneyland Hotel

Show Notes

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

While Len Testa explores the State of Maine, Jim Hill discusses the recent closure of Disneyland’s version of Splash Mountain. He also continues his look back at the expansion of the Disneyland Hotel in the 1960s & 1970s.

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about all of the annual passholder discounts & exclusives that will be available at WDW through the end of June. They also discuss how the Disney Parks has begun setting the stage for “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure”

Show Notes

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

 In a super-sized episode, Len Testa & Jim Hill discuss all of this past week’s breaking news coming out of Florida. They also take a look at when Disneyland tried to get an Indiana Jones-inspired “Jedi Training Academy” -like experience up & running in Anaheim.

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episodes by reviewing the changes Walt Disney World has in the works for 2024. They then look back at that short-lived Disneyland show which replaced the Tahitian Terrace

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the new trip planning service that the Mouse is making available to DVC members. They also look back at what happened when the air conditioning for every attraction but one broke down at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the lawsuit The Walt Disney Company just filed against Florida governor Ron DeSantis. They also discuss what happened with the dragon prop featured in Disneyland’s “Fantasmic! .

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how the Fort Wilderness Cabins will soon be getting a facelift. They also share the latest news in regard to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District debacle.

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the new “Star Tours” ride film that will reportedly debut at the Disney Parks in 2015. They also discuss the latest State-of-Florida / Reedy Creek developments 

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by reviewing what’s been going on with Reedy Creek over the past few weeks. They then look back at when DHS had game show-based attractions like “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It!”

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing a very interesting survey that just got sent out to WDW annual passholders. They then look back at what influence the look & the layout of the Casting Center that Robert A.M. Stern designed for Disney World back in the late 1980s

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about their recent behind-the-scenes adventures out in Southern California. Then Chrissy Harrison reports in from the very first day that Roundup Rodeo BBQ is open to the public at DHS’ Toy Story Land

Show Notes

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

 Jim Hill welcomes guest host Jim Shull to a special edition of Disney Dish. Where these two then take listeners behind-the-scenes at two classic theme park attractions

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by celebrating the 10th anniversary of the launch of the “Disney Dish” podcast. They then talk about the Tokyo Disneyland import that eventually led to the creation of Disney Princess Fairytale Hall

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the After Hours events that have just been announced for Epcot & Typhoon Lagoon. They also offer up some opinions on where the very best places at the WDW Resort are when it comes to outdoor dining

Show Notes

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

 In a special solo edition of Disney Dish, Jim Hill shares a survey about Disneyland’s new nighttime show, “Wonderous Journeys.” He also answers listener mail about an Abraham Lincoln attraction that was once proposed for Frontierland

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

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by sharing what he knows about the State of Florida’s upcoming overhaul of the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Then Jim Hill looks back at when Walt & Roy O. Disney brawled over WED Enterprises

Show Notes

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

Len Testa reports in from his experience at the Cast Member Preview for Tomorrowland’s newest addition. Then Jim Hill talks about how KUKA arms went from being a tool used on industrial assembly lines to theme park attractions

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing a Disneyland guest opinion poll from April of 1960. They also look back at when the Happiest Place on Earth used to be closed on Mondays & Tuesdays during the off-season

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome two guests to this week’s show: Christina Harrison from TouringPlans.com (who talks about the food items that can be found at the 2023 edition of Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts) & Bethanee Bemis (museum specialist at the Smithsonian Museum of American History)

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing the dates for the 2023 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. They also discuss a new set of surveys which suggest that Disney officials are getting increasingly concerned about how many of the Company’s formerly loyal customers seem to have soured on the Mouse.

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the two projects that Universal just announced. They also discuss what can now be heard as one wanders through Epcot’s Morocco pavilion

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show talking about the modified dining plan that WDW is offering Guests who book rooms between June 25th & September 14th. They then shared what they’ve learned about those “Disney After Hours” hard ticket events being held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the return of the Walt Disney World Railroad after a four year-long rehab. They also talk about when “Super Nintendo World” will be opening at Universal Studios Hollywood in the coming year 

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill take a close look at all of the people & stories that helped shape the past year in theme parks & entertainment.

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the Universal Creative vets who recently opted to take early retirement packages. They also talk about the various Disneyland second gate plans WDI cooked up before finally settling on DCA.

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the new “Villain Con: Minion Blast” attraction that just got officially announced for Universal Studios Florida. They also take a look back at the mid-1980s when The Walt Disney Company decided to start acquiring hotels in Orange County, CA

Show Notes

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

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by sharing a recent survey where WDW visitors were asked to share their opinions of Disney’s Riviera Resort. Jim Hill then looks back at Walt Disney World’s “100 Years of Magic” celebration

Show Notes

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

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by revealing which Epcot attractions have already received their seasonal overlays. Jim Hill then finishes up his history of McDonald’s relationship with the Walt Disney Company

Show Notes

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

en Testa & Jim Hill share everything that they’ve been told by Mouse House insiders about Bob Iger’s return. Likewise how long Chapek’s dismissal has actually been in the works

Show Notes

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing a trip-planning surveythat Disney Visa recently sent out. They then continue their look at Disney Corporate’s decades-long relationship with the McDonald’s restaurant chain

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by paying tribute to the late Disney Legend, Alice Estes Davis. They then talk about Villains Lair, the new fireworks dessert party being offered at the Top of the World lounge at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing a survey which suggests that WDW officials are getting increasingly concerned about the Universal Orlando Resort. They then take a look at when the Disney Vacation Club began concentrating its expansion plans around Seven Seas Lagoon.

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the entertainment line-up for this year’s International Festival of the Holidays. They also look back at what led up to the ill-fated 1999 update of Future World’s “Journey into Imagination” pavilion.

Show notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by revealing that the recently re-opened Monsieur Paul now has a dress code. They also talk about how Walt Disney World will soon begin cutting back on character greetings across property

Show Notes

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the price increases that were just announced for the Disneyland and WDW Resorts. They then continue their look at the controversial “Journey into Imagination” redo that went live in October of 1999

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the entertainment line-up for this year’s International Festival of the Holidays. They also look back at what led up to the ill-fated 1999 update of Future World’s “Journey into Imagination” pavilion.

Show Notes.

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show with a brief recap of their recent “Disney Dish on the Disney Wish” event. They then take a look at the dark rides that the Imagineers were originally development for WDW’s Magic Kingdom back in the late 1960s

Show Notes

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

In a show that suddenly became far more newsworthy than they’d initially

intended, Len Testa and Jim Hill talk about how the WDW Cast readies that Resort when a tropical storm is bearing down on Central Florida.

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this Journey of Water and Blue Sweek’s show by talking about why the opening of TRON Lightcycle Run has been pushed ‘til the Spring of 2023. They also discuss the Blue Sky Projects that were talked about at the Parks presentation at this year’s D23 Expo

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing what may turn out to be Universal Orlando’s next big promotional campaign. They then look back at how Michael Eisner started adding celebrities to Disney theme park attractions in the mid-to-late 1980s

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by musing on when performances of “Fantasmic!” may begin at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They then look back at the Fall of 1995. Which is when Magic Kingdom managers snookered Michael Ovitz, the then-President of The Walt Disney Company.

Show notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing some long-needed changes that were recently made to Disney’s park reservation system. They also take a look back at the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant at Disneyland Park

show notes

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

Jim Hill welcomes Chrissy Harrison from TouringPlans.com. Who then shares her impressions of the latest booths to open at Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival as well as the 2022 edition of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the most recent Disney earnings call. They then wrap up their series about WDW’s Millennium Celebration.

Show Notes

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

en Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing a survey that reveals Universal Orlando’s keen interest in people’s most recent trips to WDW. They then take a look back at Epcot’s Millennium Celebration

Show Notes

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill welcome Mrs. Shannon Ford, who talks about her experience aboard the Disney Wish. They then discuss what’s happening with Disney’s “Hercules,” which may be the Company’s next animated feature to be headed to Broadway

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome back Christina Harrison from Touring Plans, who talks about the 2022 edition of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. They then share Josh Gad’s memories of working on “Frozen Ever After”

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by revealing which three WDW restaurants will begin offering character dining again. They then talk about why Epcot’s “SeaVenture” attraction got its name changed to “Maelstrom”

Show Notes

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

Banks Lee joins Jim Hill on a special edition of the Disney Dish. As they look at how Cypress Gardens (which was a favorite Central Florida attraction of Roy O. & Edna Disney) spent the past 10 years transforming into the 5th LEGO Park in the world.

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Bob Chapek’s contract being extended by Disney’s Board of Directors. They talk about where the Brightline Train Service may be stopping in the Orlando area now that a station at Disney Springs is no longer in the cards

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing some surveys that Guests who stayed at WDW’s monorail resorts recently received. They also talk about Michael Eisner’s 1985 trip to the Chautauqua Institute inspired him to start offering education-based vacation experiences to WDW visitors

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

Christina Harrison reports on her recent stay at Disney’s resort & spa on Oahu. Then Jim Hill looks back at the history of the House of the Future at Disneyland Park

Show Notes

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

 Len Testa starts off this week’s show by sharing a fairly blunt survey that the WDW Resort recently sent out about Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Then Jim Hill talks about how – once upon a time – Pioneer Hall was supposed to have been the very first part of Florida’s Frontier Town project

Show Notes

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

en Testa & Jim Hill welcome Arthur Levine from About Theme Parks, who then talks about his new Substack project. These three then talk about an intriguing bit of construction that’s now underway at WDW’s Blizzard Beach water park

Show Notes