
The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
1,596 episodes — Page 26 of 32
Ep 248Disney Dish Episode 248: From CircleVision to “Soarin’ “
Len Testa starts off this show by talking about the challenges that WDW Guests still face if they want to experience DHS’ “Star Wars: The Rise of the Resistance” attraction in the coming weeks. Then Jim Hill does a deep dive on the history of CircleVision 360 at the Disney theme parks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 55Marvel Us Disney Episode 55: Keeping up with Kevin
Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the CW’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event. They then pivot to talking about how “Joker” blowing through the billion-dollar box office barrier has been impacting DC’s plan to build its own version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 30Looking at Lucasfilm Episode 30: It’s hard to resist “Rise of the Resistance”
Jim Hill starts off this week’s show by starting a story about how two New Hampshire communities came together to make a Star Wars fan’s dying wish come through. Then Dan Zehr talks about his favorite aspects of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ ambitious new attraction, “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 62: Looking forward to “Onward”
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start things off this week by discussing how Disney’s “Frozen” sequel did over its third weekend in domestic release. They then talk about which scenes were changed in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” out ahead of this holiday special’s second airing on NBC back in December of 1965. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 247Disney Dish Episode 247: “Rise” is great. It’s also not ready
Len Testa shares his experiences from both the press event for “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” as well as opening day for this new Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction. He then offers his advice on how to increase your chances of actually getting to experience this ambitious ride while the Imagineers work out its kinks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 31Universal Joint Episode 31: E.T. and a wonky Christmas tree
Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill talk about how Dr. Seuss fans will really enjoy this holiday season at the Universal Orlando Resort & Universal Studios Hollywood. They then discuss why many of the restaurants that were first realized for the East Coast version of CityWalk are now making their way west Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 61Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 61: How “Rudolph” wound up on Freeform
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill discuss what surprised them about this year’s Annie Award nominations. They also look back at the complicated history of the holiday specials produced by Rankin-Bass Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 246Disney Dish Episode 246: Snow White is a problematic Disney Princess. Discuss.
First Len Testa previews some of the cutting-edge tech that will possibly power Guest interactions at WDW’s “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” resort. Then Jim Hill talks about how the Imagineers have tweaked the “Snow White and her Adventures” attraction since this dark ride first opened at Disneyland Park back in July of 1955. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fine Tooning Episode 60 : Hand-drawn “Klaus” is a heartfelt charmer
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by comparing what “Frozen 2” made over its opening weekend to how Jon Favreau’s “Lion King” redo did when it debuted domestically back in July. Then Drew & Jim talk about why Pixar & Walt Disney Animation Studios kept trading off the long-Thanksgiving-Weekend release window as the 1990s gave way to the 2000s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 67Marvel Us Disney Episode 54: 2023 should be a banner year for Marvel Cinematic Universe fans
Aaron Adams & Jim Hill starts off this week’s episode by discussing the most recent episodes of HBO’s “Watchmen” series. They then share why “Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (i.e., that limited series Marvel Studios is currently making for Disney+) will most likely not link up with the storyline of “The Eternals” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking at Lucasfilm Episode 29 : Editing the Very First Star Wars Movie “A New Hope”
Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about Paul Hirsch’s terrific new memoir, which recounts the eight months that Hirsch worked with George & Marcia Lucas putting together the final cut of the very first “Star Wars” movie. They also discuss Kathleen Kennedy’s current situation and how the rules really do seem to be different when it comes to powerful women working in Hollywood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 245Disney Dish Episode 245: Make way for DAK’s Merry Menagerie
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how a patent Disney Parks & Resorts recently filed may eventually impact classic attractions like Space Mountain. Then Jim talks about some of the newer holiday offerings he enjoyed during a recent visit to the Walt Disney World Resort Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 30Universal Joint Episode 30: Universal Joint LIVE!
From the lovely St. Croix room at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, it’s Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill. In front of a live audience, these two recap what happened over the course of Storybook Destinations’ three day-long event, “It’s a Universal Christmas with Jim.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking at Lucasfilm Episode 28: Man, does “The Mandalorian” deliver
Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about how much they enjoyed the first episode of Jon Favreau’s live-action series for Disney+. They then dig into the history of “Star Wars” breakfast cereal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 244Disney Dish Episode 244: Why Hyperion Wharf Didn’t Happen
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how Leslie Iwerks' “Imagineering” documentary series on Disney+ is a must-see for theme park fans. They then discuss why the construction of Hyperion Wharf (i.e., the Downtown Disney renewal project that was originally supposed to replace Pleasure Island) never went forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 53Marvel Us Disney Episode 53: The problem with secret identities
Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about HBO’s “Watchmen” reboot, which seems to be its own animal (rather than being a slavish copy of Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons’ ground-breaking graphic novel from 1987 or a direct continuation of Zack Snyder’s feature film from 2009). They then talk about how Marvel’s attitude toward secret identities made the movies that were based on those comic different from DC-inspired films. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 29Universal Joint Episdoe 29: What happens when your next door neighbor is a theme park
Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s podcast by discussing – less than 24 hours after Halloween Horror Nights 29 ends its 41-night run – the Universal Orlando Resort began promoting 2020’s “30 Years of Fear.” They then talk about how the Epic Universe development team is working with the local community to ensure that Universal Orlando’s four theme park is seen as a good neighbor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 59Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 59: It’s Disney+ Day
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s podcast by discussing which shows on Disney’s new streaming service are worth seeking out. Drew also talks about “Frozen 2” (which he’s already managed to see twice). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 243Disney Dish Episode 243: The long road to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing how Disney & Las Vegas’ never-ending battle for your tourism dollars would up impacting Epcot’s “Space 220” restaurant. Then Jim walks listeners through WDI’s 66-year-old long struggle to get a Mickey Mouse-themed ride built at a Disney theme park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking at Lucasfilm Episode 27: Looking back at “Howard the Duck”
Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by comparing & contrasting the trailers for “Star Wars – Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker” and “The Mandalorian.” They then look back at Lucasfilm’s attempt to build Hollywood’s first-ever full-length big budget film around a Marvel Comic Book character Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 242Disney Dish Episode 242: Shining a spotlight on the Osborne Lights
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing why Disney Parks & Resorts is exploring the idea of a subscription-based service and/or a loyalty program out ahead of WDW’s 50th anniversary celebration. Then Len & Jim look back at that WDW holiday favorite, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 52Marvel Us Disney Episode 52: What lies ahead for Marvel Television
Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by revisiting Martin Scorsese & Francis Ford Coppola’s remarks on the “theme park movies” that Marvel Studios supposedly produces. Then Aaron takes an in-depth look at all of the competition Disney+ will soon be dealing with when it comes to subscription streaming services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 26Looking at Lucasfilm Episode 26: “Mind Tricks,” see “Jedi”
Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how the lackluster sales of toys related to “Solo: A Star Wars Story” may have made some big box stories think twice about opening early on Triple Force Friday. They also talk about which veteran cast member from the Marvel Cinematic Universe might wind up in Kevin Feige’s Star Wars movie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 58: Remembering Disney’s “Fraidy Cat”
Drew Taylor and Jim Hill start off this week’s episode with a lengthy excerpt from Sir Elton John’s official autobiography where the singer / songwriter looks back on his role in the creation of Disney’s “The Lion King.” Then Drew & Jim share what they know about Ron Clements & John Musker’s aborted animated feature which was to have been an affectionate send-up of Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense films Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 241Disney Dish Episode 241: Testa and Scopa! Together again!
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about Disney’s recent test of easier-to-understand names for the menu items served at “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” Then Len reunites with his old “WDW Today” co-host Mike Scopa as these two discuss this year’s offering at Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Universal Joint Episode 28: Universal Beijing’s response to WDW’s MagicBands
Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the “Bourne Stuntacular,” which will be opening at Universal Studios Florida in the Spring of 2020. They then discuss how Universal Creative settled on the seven themed zones that will be featured at Universal Studios Beijing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 240Disney Dish Episode 240: 364 days of staying in WDW hotel rooms
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the changes that have been made to the menus found inside of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” Then Len shares an interview that he recently did with Robert & Alyssa Simmons, a couple who are spending a solid year only staying in hotel rooms at various Walt Disney World resorts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 241Disney Dish Episode 241: Testa and Scopa! Together again!
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about Disney’s recent test of easier-to-understand names for the menu items served at “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” Then Len reunites with his old “WDW Today” co-host Mike Scopa as these two discuss this year’s offering at Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 51Marvel Us Disney Episode 51: How toy sales cured Tony Stark of his alcoholism
Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the “Marvel celebrates Stan Lee” event that was held last week at NYC’s New Amsterdam Theatre. They then discuss how Marvel Studios has cherry-picked certain elements from famous Marvel Comics storylines to use in its Cinematic Universe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 56Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 56: Resurrecting “The Addams Family”
Jim Hill uses the “Addams Family” strong ticket sales as an excuse to look at the nearly 80-year history of this freaky franchise. Then Drew Taylor shares his interview that he recently did with Brittney Lee & Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay about the development of Disney’s “Frozen 2” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 239Disney Dish Episode 239: Inside the Skyliner malfunction
Len Testa starts off this week’s episode by sharing a first-person account about what it was like to be stranded on WDW’s Skyliner back on Saturday, October 5th. Jim Hill then talks about the changes that have recently been made to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 50Marvel Us Disney Episode 50: Scorcese’s take on the MCU
Aaron Adams and Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the role that Tom Holland played in Sony Pictures & Marvel Studios opting to extend their “Spider-Man” co-production deal. They then discuss whether the motion pictures that make up the Marvel Cinematic Universe are movies or films Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 55: How “Frozen 2” came to be
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about “Klaus,” the Sergio Pablos film that Netflix will be releasing to theaters on November 8th and then making available for streaming one week later. Drew then shares an interview that he did recently with Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee, the co-directors of the original “Frozen” and its eagerly anticipated sequel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 238Disney Dish Episode 238: An Illuminating look at “Epcot Forever”
Len Testa starts off this week’s show by talking about some of the operational issues WDW’s Skyliner has had. Len & Jim then talk about “Epcot Forever,” the new nighttime show which debuted out on/over World Showcase Lagoon this past week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 26Universal Joint Episode 27: Looking back at USF’s Fright Nights 1991
Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about that Universal Orlando team member who was fired for making the “White Power” symbol while working at a character meet ‘n’ greet. Then Jim shares an interview he recently did with themed entertainment pioneer Ron Schneider, where Schneider reveals how Universal Studios Florida’s very first Halloween hard ticket came together Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 54: How VR influenced the design of “Frozen 2”
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how well “Abominable” did over its opening weekend. Then Drew shares a recent interview that he did with Lisa Keene, the co-production designer on “Frozen 2,” & David Wormersley, the art director of environments on this highly anticipated Walt Disney Animation Studios production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 237Disney Dish Episode 237: : Skyliner is an entertaining addition to WDW’s resort-wide transportation system
Len Testa starts off this week’s episode by sharing his experience at a Cast Member Only preview of WDW’s new Skyliner system. Then Jim Hill looks back at “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth,” the millennium-themed nighttime show that was originally only supposed to run at Epcot for 18 months but wound up wowing the crowds around World Showcase Lagoon for 19 years instead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 25Looking at Lucasfilm Episode 25: The very best order to watch the “Star Wars” movies in
Jim had the Flu, so it was very fortuitous that Dan packed an extra co-host, Tom, in his travel bags. Also, Aaron Adams showed up because he was looking for someone to hang out with that day. They all chat about Star Wars, and Marvel. We even corralled some strangers into a room so we could pretend that we had an audience. (they were released shortly afterward, and no SWAT teams needed to be called in.) So here is the live show that was recorded, and almost lost, but found at the last minute so it could be posted here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 53Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 53: How “Everest” became “Abominable”
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about what Bob Iger revealed about Disney’s 2006 acquisition of Pixar in his new book, “The Ride of a Lifetime.” Drew then shares an interview that he did with Jill Culton, the co-director of the soon-to-be-released DreamWorks Animation / Pearl Studios co-production, “Abominable” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 49Marvel Us Disney Episode 49: How Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment
Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the rumors that are making the rounds about which members of the Sinister Six may show up in the next Tom Holland “Spider-Man” movie. Then Jim shares what he’s learned from “The Ride of a Lifetime,” Bob Iger’s recently published memoir, about what went on behind-the-scenes as The Walt Disney Company was pursuing Marvel back in 2008 & 2009. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Universal Joint Episode 26: The different ways USH & USF handle holidays
Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the Universal Orlando Resort’s efforts to keep its plans for the Epic Universe project under wraps. They then talk about how the Universal Studios Hollywood version of the “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” show differed from the version now being presented at Universal’s Islands of Adventure Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 236Disney Dish Episode 236: Baby New Year can fly? Only at Disneyland
Len Testa starts off this week’s show by talking about some rare home movies that he’s recently seen from the early days of Disneyland Park. Jim Hill then talks about how the roles that castles play at the Disney Parks have evolved over the past 64 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 52Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 52: Why Deja & Keane left WDAS
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by speculating about how MGM’s “Addams Family” may do over its opening weekend. They then continue their “Where are they now” feature by discussing the post-Disney careers of Andreas Deja & Glen Keane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 235Disney Dish Episode 235: How Future World got its animatronic dinosaurs
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why it’s crucial that WDW’s new Skyliner transportation system has a trouble-free debut. Jim then reveals how WDI used fossil fuels as an excuse to recycle one of the more popular aspects of the Ford Wonder Rotunda at the 1964 – 1965 New York World’s Fair Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 48Marvel Us Disney Episode 48: Untangling the Sony “Spidey” situation
Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by sharing what Disneyland Cast Members were told about DCA’s Avengers campus area. They then talk about how “Hawkeye” & “Wandavision” (i.e., those two limited series that Marvel Studios is producing for Disney+) are shaping up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking at Lucasfilm Episode 24: Star Wars at this year’s D23 Expo
Dan Zehr starts off this week’s show with a recap of his experience at this year’s Official Disney Fan Club event at the Anaheim Convention. Jim Hill then looks back at those two “Ewok” TV movies that George Lucas produced for ABC back in the early 1980s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 51Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 51: The artistry of James Baxter
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how much they enjoyed “Steven Universe: The Movie.” They then reflect on the challenges of covering some animators’ post-Disney careers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 234Disney Dish Episode 234: 2019 Food & Wine – Part One
Len Testa starts off this week’s show by describing what the Disney’s Hollywood Studios version of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” was like on opening day. He then describes what it was like to go straight from Batuu to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 50Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Episode 50: Remembering Disney’s “Quack Pack”
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing several of the television animation-related panels at this year’s D23 Expo. Jim then looks back at what happened with the “Disney Afternoon” during the waning years of this syndicated animation programming block. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 233Disney Dish Episode 233: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tips
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episodes by talking about the “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” Coca-Cola “thermal detonator” controversy. Then special guest Christina Testa-Harrison offers her take on the 2019 edition of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at WDW’s Magic Kingdom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices