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The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network features weekly shows hosted by Jim Hill and his collaborators. The lineup includes The Disney Dish with Len Testa, Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Epic Universal Podcast with Eric Hersey, I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey, Marvel Us Disney with Dan Graney, The Case For with Chris Cox, and more. Each series offers industry reporting, history, analysis, and insider stories spanning Disney, Universal, animation, film, streaming, and themed entertainment. With over 25 years of online storytelling and thousands of hours of content, the network delivers trusted, in-depth coverage for fans, enthusiasts, and industry professionals.
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- 2 days ago51 min
Do You Trust Disney? And How Stitch’s Photophone Paved the Way (Ep. 594)
Len Testa and Jim Hill examine a revealing new Disney survey asking whether guests trust DisneyWorld.com, whether the site acts in their best interest, and whether it should be considered the definitive source for vacation planning. They also discuss Disney’s questions about Epic Universe, softer attendance and dining demand, and the growing complexity of planning a theme park vacation. Then Jim continues the history of Imagineering’s Living Characters Initiative by tracing the path from Mickey’s Toon Elevator and Fashion Chat with Cruella de Vil to Stitch’s Photophone, the interactive Disneyland experiment that helped pave the way for Turtle Talk with Crush. NEWS • Disney surveys guests about whether they trust DisneyWorld.com to provide transparent, accurate, and helpful vacation information. • New survey questions explore whether Disney’s website should be considered the source of truth over independent planning sites. • Disney asks Epic Universe visitors whether Universal added days to their vacations or pulled attendance away from Walt Disney World. • Comcast reports continued strength at Epic Universe alongside softer performance across the broader Universal Orlando Resort. • Slower table-service dining demand raises questions about Lightning Lane habits, pricing, GLP-1 medications, and Disney’s future restaurant strategy. FEATURE • Imagineering searches for the right Disney character to lead a real-time interactive experience. • Mickey Mouse proves too polite, while Cruella de Vil proves too intimidating for younger guests. • Stitch’s Photophone opens inside Disneyland’s Innoventions shortly after the release of Lilo & Stitch. • Cast members use cameras, voice performance, pre-animated movements, and personalized jokes to bring Stitch to life. • The attraction’s limited capacity helps Imagineering rethink the format and develop the larger-scale experience that became Turtle Talk with Crush. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - 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 Plan your next Disney vacation with BeOurGuestVacations.com. 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
- 5 days ago53 min
Fast & Furious - Supercharged: The Party Bus Pulls Into the Garage (Ep. 112)
Universal Orlando is putting Fast & Furious - Supercharged in park, and Jim Hill and Eric Hersey revisit how the troubled attraction made the jump from the Universal Studios Hollywood tram tour to a standalone Florida ride. They also unpack a rush of Halloween Horror Nights announcements, including Fortnite and Evil Dead, plus the apparent early reveal of an Ozzy Osbourne house. Along the way, the hosts discuss The Odyssey's blockbuster debut, new ride-system speculation, and a listener-assisted correction to their He-Man history. NEWS • Fortnite's Fortnitemares is headed to Halloween Horror Nights as a scare zone on both coasts. • Evil Dead Burn joins the Halloween Horror Nights 35 haunted-house lineup. • A prematurely released audio advertisement appears to have revealed an Ozzy Osbourne-themed house. • Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey delivers a massive opening weekend for Universal Pictures. • A new equipment permit fuels speculation about future Pokémon or Zelda attractions. FEATURE • Fast & Furious - Supercharged will operate for the final time at Universal Studios Florida on August 16, 2026. • Jim traces the attraction's evolution from the grand finale of Universal Studios Hollywood's tram tour to its costly Orlando counterpart. • The hosts examine why a screen-based party bus never delivered the Fast & Furious experience guests expected. • With Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift testing in California and another coaster rising in Florida, Universal is finally putting guests inside the franchise's cars. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter and Instagram: @erichersey - strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @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 Save up to 12% on theme park tickets and explore a limited-time Universal Orlando offer featuring five days for the price of three at UnlockedMagic.com. 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
- 6 days ago33 min
Is a Major Space Mountain Refurbishment Coming to Walt Disney World? (Ep. 26)
A major Space Mountain refurbishment may be under consideration at Walt Disney World, and the rumor has Disney fans wondering how much of the classic attraction could change. Lauren and Eric break down reports of a possible retrack, redesigned queue and loading areas, updated ride vehicles, and new audio. They also discuss what an extended closure could mean for the PeopleMover and the larger future of Tomorrowland. Then, inspired by Space Mountain’s notoriously rough ride, they compare the Disney attractions most likely to leave guests sore, dizzy, or searching for a chiropractor. HIGHLIGHTS • The latest rumor surrounding a major Space Mountain refurbishment at Walt Disney World. • What a possible retrack, redesigned queue, updated vehicles, and new audio could mean for the attraction. • Why fans want Disney to preserve Space Mountain’s music, atmosphere, and classic Tomorrowland identity. • How an extended Space Mountain closure could affect the PeopleMover. • Whether Disney could add Star Wars, WALL-E, or another intellectual property to the ride. • Space Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Dinosaur, and Goofy’s Sky School compete for Disney’s roughest ride. • Mission: SPACE, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, Smugglers Run, and Summit Plummet also earn painful reputations. 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 by Jenny Snyder 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
- 6 days ago58 min
The Contemporary’s Surprisingly Smelly Origin Story (Ep. 109)
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack a whirlwind week of Disney and Universal discoveries, from a chaotic Lorcana release to a little-known Walt Disney World store hidden inside an Orlando parking garage. Lauren shares highlights from her latest theme park merchandise haul, including deeply discounted Universal gear and retro-inspired Contemporary Resort merchandise. Then Jim digs into the surprisingly smelly construction history connecting Seven Seas Lagoon, EPCOT, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Walt Disney World’s original hotels. NEWS • A limited-edition Disney Lorcana release creates massive crowds at Disney Springs and forces the cancellation of a London event. • Jim and Lauren consider whether artificial scarcity and reseller demand are helping fuel Lorcana’s popularity. • Lauren discovers an official Walt Disney World merchandise and ticket location hidden inside an International Drive parking garage. • Universal Orlando’s Brown Derby shop offers select current merchandise at discounts of up to 70 percent. • The Contemporary Resort leans into vintage Disney style with monorail merchandise, classic photography, and deep-cut references. FEATURE • The excavation of Seven Seas Lagoon required moving millions of cubic yards of ancient organic material. • EPCOT guests encountered an unforgettable odor when construction crews disturbed old World Showcase Lagoon debris during development of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. • Jim explains how Walt Disney World’s original hotels were designed to extend the storytelling beyond the Magic Kingdom. • Early resort concepts included Persian, Thai, Dutch, Cape Cod, and South Seas destinations positioned around Bay Lake. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @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 Save up to 12 percent on Disney and Universal theme park tickets through UnlockedMagic.com, powered by the trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store. 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
- 1 weeks ago1h 3m
Loki Was Hiding in Plain Sight on the Avengers: Doomsday Poster (Ep. 22)
Jim Hill and Dan Graney examine the Avengers: Doomsday poster everyone may have looked at wrong, including a nearly hidden Loki positioned at the center of the multiverse and a newly powered-up Thor. They also discuss Marvel Comics leaving New York for Burbank, Kevin Feige’s apparent Spider-Man: Brand New Day spoiler, and the increasingly wild X-Men casting rumors ahead of San Diego Comic-Con. Plus, Dan challenges the online narrative surrounding Supergirl and explains why theatrical box office may no longer tell the whole story. HIGHLIGHTS • Marvel Comics prepares to leave New York City after nearly 90 years and relocate its publishing operation to Burbank. • Stephen Wacker takes over as Marvel editor-in-chief while C.B. Cebulski shifts his focus to manga and Asian publishing projects. • Loki may be hiding in plain sight at the exact center of the Avengers: Doomsday ensemble poster. • Thor’s orange lightning could signal the arrival of the Odinforce and the MCU’s most powerful version of the character yet. • Andy Park’s final major Marvel Studios artwork carries an unexpectedly poignant Endgame connection. • Kevin Feige may have revealed Yelena Belova’s surprise appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. • X-Men casting rumors intensify ahead of Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con. • Vision Quest gets an October release date, Élodie Yung returns as Elektra, and Nova reportedly evolves from a series into a feature film. • Supergirl, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Masters of the Universe raise bigger questions about online negativity, streaming strategy, and how studios now measure success. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery - Facebook: /thehubbubbery - thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @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 Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets through UnlockedMagic.com. Select your dates, purchase your tickets, and let the Unlocked Magic team know that Jim and Dan sent you. 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
- 1 weeks ago53 min
“Swapped” Chases the “KPop Demon Hunters” Crown (Ep. 367)
Netflix animation is having another monster year, with Nathan Greno’s body-swap comedy “Swapped” racing up the platform’s all-time rankings behind “KPop Demon Hunters.” Jim Hill and Drew Taylor also examine Disney’s uncertain live-action remake strategy, the return of “Hotel Transylvania” and a new theatrical Looney Tunes short. Plus, Drew shares highlights from his conversation with Greno about the making of Netflix’s latest animated hit. HIGHLIGHTS • “The Odyssey” dominates the worldwide box office while Disney’s live-action “Moana” suffers a steep second-weekend decline. • Disney moves ahead with “Tangled” and a possible continuation of “The Princess and the Frog” despite uneven remake results. • “Toy Story 5” approaches the billion-dollar mark as “Minions & Monsters” falls short of franchise expectations. • Sony and Amazon MGM prepare “The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania” for a theatrical release in 2027. • Disney Junior tests a YouTube-first launch strategy with the new animated preschool series “Ozzy Fox.” • Director Nathan Greno discusses the creation and unexpected streaming success of “Swapped.” • “Daffy Season” brings the Looney Tunes back to theaters with a modern spin on the classic rabbit-season-versus-duck-season routine. • Titmouse joins Meow Wolf’s upcoming Los Angeles exhibition as an animation and creative-design partner. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter and Instagram: @DrewTailored - drewtaylor.work 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 Save up to 12% on Disney and Universal theme park tickets with UnlockedMagic.com. Their experienced team can help you find great ticket prices and make planning your next Florida vacation less stressful. 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
- 1 weeks ago1h 4m
Why Turtle Talk Outlived Stitch’s Great Escape (Ep. 593)
Disneyland’s sold-out evening tickets, Walt Disney World dining trends, and a possible Space Mountain overhaul lead off this week’s Disney Dish. Len and Jim also answer listener questions about Cars Road Trip and Victoria & Albert’s before returning to the history of Imagineering’s Living Character Initiative. In the main feature, Jim explains how Turtle Talk with Crush emerged amid the deteriorating relationship between Michael Eisner, Steve Jobs, and Pixar. NEWS • Why Disneyland’s $59 evening tickets may owe their existence to Bluey and stroller traffic. • What the Coral Reef Restaurant’s move to seasonal operations could reveal about Lightning Lane spending and declining demand for table-service dining. • How a major Space Mountain refurbishment could improve reliability, capacity, and Tomorrowland operations. • Universal Studios Florida moves up the closing date for Fast & Furious - Supercharged. • Could Universal retain The Simpsons, or might Back to the Future eventually replace Springfield? FEATURE • How Finding Nemo became Pixar’s biggest hit despite Michael Eisner’s doubts about the film. • Why Steve Jobs held Cars back as leverage during Disney and Pixar’s contract negotiations. • How Disney’s Circle 7 Animation plans further damaged its relationship with Pixar. • Why Eisner approved Turtle Talk with Crush without seeking Pixar’s input, and how the experimental attraction outlasted Stitch’s Great Escape. For this episode’s full show notes, click here.HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - 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 Save on discounted Disney and Universal theme park tickets through UnlockedMagic.com. 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
- 1 weeks ago1h 15m
By the Power of Grayskull, He-Man Storms Universal History (Ep. 111)
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey cover the latest Universal Orlando Resort news before digging into a surprisingly rich piece of Universal Studios Hollywood history: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe briefly taking over the upper lot during the 1985 holiday season. They start with Fourth of July offerings at Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, CityWalk, and Bar 17 Bistro, then look at Illumination’s box-office track record, Epic Universe guest surveys, and how Universal is comparing itself against Disney. The featured story traces He-Man’s Conan-inspired roots, Mattel’s toy-driven rise, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade connection, and why Masters of the Universe has never quite found a permanent theme park home. NEWS • Universal Orlando’s Fourth of July plans included patriotic stilt walkers, fireworks at Epic Universe, lagoon entertainment at Universal Studios Florida, and family-friendly festivities at CityWalk. • Jim highlights Bar 17 Bistro at Aventura Hotel as one of the best rooftop spots for seeing fireworks across Central Florida. • Minions and Monsters opens the discussion of Illumination’s reliable box-office machine and the studio’s next wave of films, including Sing 3, The Secret Life of Pets 3, and Not Alone. • Eric shares new Epic Universe survey questions about park hours, nighttime entertainment, guest satisfaction, and whether visitors leave for other Orlando-area options. • Jim and Eric discuss why How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk has become a new themed entertainment benchmark, and how Disney’s upcoming Villains Land may be compared against it. FEATURE • The feature begins with old photos of He-Man, Skeletor, Orko, She-Ra, and other Masters of the Universe characters appearing at Universal Studios Hollywood. • Jim and Eric trace the sword-and-sorcery path from Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories to Universal’s Conan the Barbarian films and the long-running Adventures of Conan stage show. • Eric explains how Mattel’s abandoned Conan toy plans helped lead to He-Man, Castle Grayskull, and the Masters of the Universe toy line. • The episode revisits the Filmation cartoon, the toy-and-TV boom of the 1980s, and the way He-Man became a playground staple for a generation. • Jim and Eric connect the 1985 Universal Studios Hollywood He-Man meet-and-greet to the Masters of the Universe Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float. • The conversation looks back at Gary Goddard’s 1987 Masters of the Universe movie, starring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella, and why it struggled despite the franchise’s popularity. • Eric explains why He-Man is unlikely to become a major Universal attraction, even as Masters of the Universe merchandise appears in Universal parks. • The discussion closes with Mattel Adventure Park’s proposed He-Man vs. Skeletor laser tag experience and what a future Castle Grayskull attraction might look like. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey, Website: strongmindedagency.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 Thanks to UnlockedMagic.com, where Epic Universal Podcast listeners can save on theme park tickets for Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World. 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
About The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network features weekly shows hosted by Jim Hill and his collaborators. The lineup includes The Disney Dish with Len Testa, Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Epic Universal Podcast with Eric Hersey, I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey, Marvel Us Disney with Dan Graney, The Case For with Chris Cox, and more. Each series offers industry reporting, history, analysis, and insider stories spanning Disney, Universal, animation, film, streaming, and themed entertainment. With over 25 years of online storytelling and thousands of hours of content, the network delivers trusted, in-depth coverage for fans, enthusiasts, and industry professionals.
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