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The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

587 episodes — Page 4 of 12

Ep 451The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 451: What does the future hold for the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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

Oct 30, 202351 min

Ep 450The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 450: What was Epcot’s “Life & Health” pavilion originally supposed to have been like

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

Oct 23, 202339 min

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 449: Why “Fantasmic Hollywood” never happened at Disney-MGM

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

Oct 16, 202345 min

Ep 448The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 448: Why Hong Kong Disneyland doesn’t have a Peter Pan Flight ride

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

Oct 9, 202335 min

Ep 447the Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 447: Was “Rock’n Rockets” WDW’s best fireworks show ever?

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

Oct 2, 202352 min

Ep 446The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 446: What’s next for “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser”

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

Sep 25, 202346 min

Ep 445The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 445: How Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, is doing post-pandemic

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

Sep 18, 20231h 12m

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 444: How the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique became a worldwide phenomenon

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

Sep 11, 202355 min

Ep 443The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 443: The Mansion expansions that almost happened

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

Sep 4, 202353 min

Ep 442The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 442: The real cost of transforming Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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

Aug 28, 202353 min

Ep 441The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 441: Making the most of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

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

Aug 21, 202340 min

Ep 440The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 440: Why “Tangled” & “Frozen” wound up with one word titles

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

Aug 14, 202345 min

Ep 439Josh Gad dishes Disney with Jim Hill featuring JOSH GAD (Ep. 439)

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

Aug 7, 202358 min

Ep 438The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 438: Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party actually worth the extra expense

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

Jul 31, 202353 min

Ep 437The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 437: How the “Magical World of Barbie” show wound up at Epcot

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

Jul 24, 202341 min

Ep 436The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 436: Who’s moving into WDW’s Haunted Mansion next month

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

Jul 17, 202346 min

Ep 435The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 435: What changes is Disney World reportedly considering for Genie+

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

Jul 10, 202342 min

Ep 434The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 434: Why are Walt Disney World’s listed wait times so often flat-out wrong?

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

Jul 3, 202341 min

Ep 433The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 433:: When Disney World fast tracked construction of its Speedway

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

Jun 26, 202343 min

Ep 432The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 432: Remembering Disneyland’s “Flights of Fancy” parade

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

Jun 19, 202340 min

Ep 431The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 431: Is Disney World readying a redo of its Animal Kingdom theme park

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

Jun 12, 202349 min

Ep 430The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 430: Does “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” really need to be that authentic?

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

Jun 5, 202340 min

Ep 429The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 429: Where the mermaids in Tomorrowland Lagoon came from

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

May 29, 202340 min

Ep 428The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 428: Lake Nona Town Center project canceled, “Galactic Starcruiser” to close

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

May 22, 20231h 16m

Ep 427The Disney Dish Episodwith Jim Hill Episode 427: Why “Aladdin’s Oasis” was only open for 14 months in the 1990s

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

May 15, 202358 min

Ep 426Disney Dish Episode 426: Do you remember Disney-MGM’s “Star of the Day” program?

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

May 8, 202335 min

Ep 425The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 425: The other times fires broke out at Disney theme parks

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

May 1, 202344 min

Ep 424The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 424: The edible landscape at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

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

Apr 24, 202349 min

Ep 423The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 423: What may replace “Poseidon’s Fury” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

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

Apr 17, 202348 min

Ep 422The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 422: Remember when “Let’s Make a Deal” was produced at Disney-MGM

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

Apr 10, 202359 min

Ep 421The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 421: Which division at Disney just disappeared during the 1st round of lay-offs

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

Apr 3, 202334 min

Ep 420The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 420: What’s the origin story for WDW’s Dolphin & the Swan Hotels

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

Mar 27, 202355 min

Ep 419The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 419: Remembering Rolly Crump (1930 – 2023)

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

Mar 22, 202348 min

Ep 418The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 418: Looking back at WDW’s Cinderellabration

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

Mar 13, 202332 min

Ep 417The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 417: Why the original “Partners” statue was placed where it was at Disneyland

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

Mar 6, 202352 min

Ep 416The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 416: Who played Walt Disney in movies & TV shows

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

Feb 27, 202339 min

Ep 415The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 415: Why Universal Orlando is conducting surveys on WDW’s reservation system

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

Feb 20, 202350 min

Ep 414The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 414: What’s it like to ride TRON: Lightcycle Run at WDW’s Magic Kingdom

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

Feb 13, 202348 min

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 413: Trails End restaurant to close at WDW’s Fort Wilderness

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

Feb 6, 202350 min

Ep 412The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 412: “Mirror, Mirror for Us All” takes up-close look at Disney theme parks

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

Jan 30, 20231h 18m

Ep 411The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 411: Looking back on the early days of DAK’s Wild Africa Trek

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

Jan 23, 202352 min

Ep 410The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 410: What Len learned at that Reedy Creek Improvement District public meeting

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

Jan 16, 202354 min

Ep 409The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 409: Why Disneyland’s stagecoach was so short-lived

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

Jan 9, 202349 min

Ep 408The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 408: Looking back at Epcot’s “World of Motion” pavilion

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

Jan 2, 202352 min

Ep 407The Disney Dish with Jim Hill - Episode 407: Disney News Round-up: Looking back at 2022

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

Dec 26, 202249 min

Ep 406The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 406: What would staying at WESTCOT have been like

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

Dec 19, 202242 min

Ep 405The Disney Dish with Jim Hill - Episode 405: How the Emerald of Anaheim became a Disneyland Resort hotel

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

Dec 12, 202243 min

Ep 404The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 404: The Sorcerer’s Hat is still a sore spot with some Disney World fans

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

Dec 5, 202238 min

Ep 403The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 403: How WDW’s McDonald’s continue to innovate

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

Nov 28, 202236 min

Ep 402The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Episode 402: How Bob Chapek learned he wasn’t Disney’s CEO anymore

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

Nov 23, 202231 min