The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about why WDW officials have decided to hold off opening “Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure” at Epcot ‘til the first quarter of 2021. They then share a recent survey that throws a spotlight on what the WDW Resort is considering offering to lure Guests back down to Central Florida once a coronavirus vaccine is readily available Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill starts off this week’s show by talking about what he watched on YouTube as a distraction as he waited for Election Results. Then Drew Taylor shares his thoughts on “Soul,” Pixar’s new animated feature (which will begin streaming on Disney+ on December 25th) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa shares news about how the Disney Cruise Line must first go through simulated cruises where the boats remain tied up to the dock before the CDC will then clear them for sailings. Then Jim Hill talks about how Dick Nunis once wanted to use the Empress Lilly as the jumping-off point for a Southern-themed expansion of the Walt Disney World Village at Lake Buena Vista Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill are joined by an extra special guest for their Election Night recording session. Aaron then shares an idea that would allow Marvel Studios to cash in on its yet-to-be released films even while movie theaters around the country remain closed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill discuss how the Universal Parks & Resorts are now transitioning from terror to tinsel. They then take a look at why “Fast & Furious 9” now seems to be taking the slow lane to theatrical release Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Hilgenberg joins Drew Taylor & Jim Hill on the 100th episode of “Fine Tooning.” As the co-writer of “Monsters, Inc. 2: Monsters in Scaradice” & a never-produced version of “Toy Story 3,” Bob shares his memories of working at Circle 7 Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by sharing a survey Six Flags recently sent out, which shines a spotlight on the grim reality that the entire theme park industry is facing right now. Then Jim Hill looks back at the history of River Country, WDW’s first water park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr starts off this week’s episode by talking about “The Star Wars Book,” a DK release that he co-authored with Pablo Hildalgo & Cole Horton. Then Jim Hill reveals how an oversized prop from Disney’s “One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing” wound up buried in sand in the Tunisian desert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this episode by talking about the problems he has with Governor Newsom’s guidelines for the re-opening of California’s theme parks. Jim Hill then looks back on why it took Epcot’s “Wonders of Life” 12 years to move from its initial design phase in 1977 to when this Future World pavilion officially opens its doors back in October of 1989. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the promotional plans for that “Falcon and the Winter Soldier” limited series which got derailed by COVID-19. Then they celebrate Halloween a little early by looking back at the “Marvel Zombies” comic book series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about what happened to Fabio when “Apollo’s Chariot” opened at Busch Gardens Williamsburg back in March of 1999. They then continue their series about the horror films that launched Universal Classic Monsters, “Dracula” & “Frankenstein.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the recent restructuring at The Walt Disney Company and how it will impact animation going forward. They then conclude their history of Disney Double Dare You, which was to have launched a whole new arm at the Studio that made “ … films that thrill & chill for children of all ages.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin’s decision to switch over from WDW’s bus system to Mears. Then they welcome their special guest, Smithsonian museum specialist Bethanee Bemis, who talks about Disney theme parks and the American Experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about how The Walt Disney Company’s recent reorganization will impact Lucasfilm. Then Jim takes a look at the Young Indiana Jones-themed stunt show that the Imagineers wanted to build at Disneyland in the early 1990s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shelley Valladolid & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about how the prolonged closure of the Disneyland Resort has impacted certain shops at Downtown Disney Anaheim. Jim then looks back at a sequence that was cut out of “Hocus Pocus” that then left this Kenny Ortega film with a fairly sizable plot hole Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how Pixar’s “Soul” will now premiere on Disney+. They also look back at how Disney’s family-friendly reputation actually prevented Walt from making the sorts of movies he wanted his Studio to produce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts out this week’s show with an enthusiastic review of Foxx Nolte’s “Boundless Realm” book, which takes its readers behind-the-scenes at the Haunted Mansion. Then Jim Hill concludes his Disney Princesses in the Parks series by talking about how WDW’s New Fantasyland project changed course in mid-construction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about “Helstrom,” the first series from Marvel’s “Adventures in Fear” franchise. They then talk about how last week’s layoffs at The Walt Disney Company will impact WDI’s Marvel-related plans for the Disney Parks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what’s different about the Universal Orlando Resort’s decision to close its Volcano Bay water theme parks for the winter. They then look back at the film (or should we says films) that actually launched the Universal Classic Monsters franchise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about what David Lowery is doing to bring a little diversity to Neverland. They also look back at the stop motion movie that Disney stopped production on just 14 months before it was due to be released to theaters. Check out six clips of Henry Selick's work on "Shadow King" here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the recent round of layoffs at Disney Parks & Resorts. Jim then explains how Tom Staggs swapping jobs with Jay Rasulo impacted WDI’s original expansion plans for Fantasyland at WDW’s Magic Kingdom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how well the 40th anniversary re-release of “The Empire Strikes Back” has been doing at the box office. Then -- in honor of Star Wars Reads -- they reflect on the very first book they purchased which was related to this franchise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Tailor starts off this week’s episode by talking about the SparkShort that Madeline Sharafian directed which will debut in front of Pete Doctor’s “Soul.” Then Jim Hill looks at “Animal Crackers,” the 3D computer-animated feature that got tangled up in Harvey Weinstein’s legal troubles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this week’s show with an update on the walkway being constructed between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and WDW’s Magic Kingdom. Jim Hill then talks about why the Imagineer were initially reluctant to embrace the Disney Princess brand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the significance of a bottle of wine in that “WandaVision” trailer. They then offer an update on the “Disney’s Hotel New York -- The Art of Marvel” project at the Disneyland Paris Resort Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about those two Halloween Horror Nights houses that opened at Universal Studios Florida this past weekend. They also talk about the “Casper the Friendly Ghost” attraction that Universal Creative planned but never built. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill celebrate “Harley Quinn” getting picked up for a third season (Though not at DC Universe, but -- rather -- over on HBO Max). They also look back at “Freakazoid !,” Steven Spielberg’s third collaboration with Warner Bros. Animation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by answering a listener question about those “Oseola Class” sidewheelers that used to cruise around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. They then discuss the role draining the Rivers of America back in the Fall of 1972 played in the construction of WDW’s version of Tom Sawyer Island Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how Chris Hemsworth will NOT be following in Robert Downey Jr. & Chris Evans’ footsteps. They then talk about Warner Bros. decision to turn “Wonder Woman 1984” into a Christmas Day release doesn’t bode well for “Black Widow” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Z starts off this week’s show by describing a very special delivery he received just yesterday from General Mills. Then Dan & Jim talk about how you can use Sims 4 and -- later this year -- Oculus Quest to experience Black Spire Outpost in a way that’s just not possible at a Disney theme park right now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about “Once Upon a Snowman,” the new short from Walt Disney Animation Studios which will be premiering on Disney+ on October 23rd. Jim also shares a letter that Bugs Bunny supposedly sent to Mickey Mouse back in January of 1984 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how COVID-19 is forcing The Walt Disney World Resort to deck its halls a little differently in 2020. They then discuss why it took WDAS 30 years after “Sleeping Beauty” was first released to theaters to make another Disney Princess movie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams starts off this week’s show by reviewing Square Enix’s “Marvel’s Avengers” RPG. Then Jim Hill reveals how Chadwick Boseman’s untimely passing has impacted Imagineering’s plans for that new E Ticket for Disney California Adventure Park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill look back at the Summer of 2020 and discuss how the Universal Orlando Resort responded to the COVID-19 challenge. They also talk about how UOR has tweaked its ticketing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor starts off this week’s show by talking about why The Walt Disney Company had to reveal that the live-action version of “Mulan” is coming to Disney+ this December. Jim Hill then wonders if it’s wise that Netflix’s “Over the Moon” & Sony Pictures Animation’s “Connected” share the same October 23 rd release date Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the significance of WDW’s decision to shutter the Polynesian Village Resort until the Spring of 2021. They then check out a selection of 50-year-old slides that a Disney Dish listener was kind enough to share with the show. If you'd like to see those images of 1960s Disneyland that Len & Jim are discussing on this week's Disney Dish, please follow this link: http://superfluffybunny.com/disney-dish-photo-essay-feature/1.jpg (Change the 1 to 2, 2 to 3, etc, to see the whole set.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill starts off this week’s show by talking about how 20th Century Studios’ long-delayed “The New Mutants” did over its opening weekend in theaters. Then Aaron Adams pays tribute to the late actor who played Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the October 30th start of Season 2 of “The Mandalorian” on Disney+. They also discuss Jon Boyega’s recent interview with British GQ (More importantly, why it’s crucial to read the entire article. Rather than that handful of quotes that are now bouncing around the Web). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by paying tribute to Saturday morning television veteran Joe Ruby. They then talk about how Disney’s recent “Raya and the Last Dragon” news is pretty much par for the course when it comes to modern day feature animation product at the Mouse House Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by sharing some cost savings tips when it comes to staying on WDW property. Then they offer up the long-awaited conclusion to a feature piece about the construction of Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special flying-solo edition of this podcast, Jim Hill first talks about the multiple Spider-Man related projects that Sony is readying for production in the coming year. Jim then takes a look at “Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure” and how COVID-19 may wind up impacting this key component of DCA’s Avengers Campus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill first talk about how DC’s recent round of layoffs may throw a damper on this weekend’s FanDome event. They then talk about the enormous impact that Don Bluth’s September 1979 exit from Walt Disney Feature Animation had on that studio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about changes The Walt Disney World has recently made to accommodate more annual passholders at its theme parks. Then Jim wraps up his tale of why “Rivers of Light” went up the creek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the series finale of “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” They then look back at when Walt Disney Productions hired Jack Kirby to create a Sunday Funnies version of their December 1979 release, “The Black Hole” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about operational changes that have recently been made to WDW’s version of Black Spire Outpost. Then Dan shares memories of the four Star Wars Celebrations that he’d attended / participated in since 2005. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill share what they’ve learned from a round of surveys that Central Florida’s biggest resorts recently sent out. Then Jim talks about how Disney’s Animal Kingdom tried to solve its everyone-leaves-this-theme-park-by-1-p.m. problem Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the Crumpet / Kermit cameo in Disney’s “Amphibia.” They also discuss that recent spate of spinoffs & revivals that are going forward without any input from the creators of those series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Using his keen deductive skills, Len Testa reveals what year the first scene of “Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress” is actually set in. Then Jim Hill looks back at the circumstances that forced Walt Disney Productions to go from being a privately owned to a publicly held company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s podcast by talking about how UK-based retailer Base accidentally revealed that Spidey will be a playable character on “Marvel’s Avengers” for the PS4 starting in early 2021. They also look back at when a leak of “Deadpool” test footage led to 20th Century Fox finally greenlighting production of that Ryan Reynolds film Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by paying tribute to two industry vets with ties to the Star Wars franchise that we’ve recently lost. They then talk about that TikTok video which suggests that the Skywalker Saga should be retitled Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices