The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Len & Jim start off this week’s podcast by discussing how Disney’s Hollywood Studios plans on dealing with the crowds once that theme park’s version of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” opens. Jim then talks about the various ideas that the Imagineers have considered as they’ve looked for ways to expand the U.K. pavilion at Epcot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an extra-special edition of “Looking at Lucasfilm,” Dan Zehr walks listeners through what it was like to take part in “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” media event. Dan goes into great detail about what it was like to be in front of the Millennium Falcon as George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, and Bob Iger made their appearances at the grand opening of this new 14-acre land at Disneyland Park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the teaser trailer for Pixar’s “Onward.” Then it’s a discussion of why it took Alan Menken four different tries before he finally found the perfect power ballad for Princess Jasmine to sing in Disney’s “Aladdin” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the teaser trailer for Pixar’s “Onward.” Then it’s a discussion of why it took Alan Menken four different tries before he finally found the perfect power ballad for Princess Jasmine to sing in Disney’s “Aladdin” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by reviewing all of the rumors that are making the rounds about which movies Marvel Studios will be making next. Aaron & Jim then discusses the various different versions of “Dark Phoenix” Marvel Entertainment has produced over the past 15 years Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While waiting for Len Testa to return from Batuu, Jim Hill shares a story about the thrill ride that the Magic Kingdom almost got back in the early 2000s. One that took its inspiration from “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” and would have sent Guests through an erupted volcano aboard a transforming coaster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode with an update on the Stan Lee elder abuse case. Then Aaron serves up an enthusiastic review of the new Amazon Video limited series which is based on Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett’s 1990 comic novel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs and Jim Hill start off this podcast with an update on Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Jurassic World” ride. They also talk about how the merch and food program that Universal Parks & Resorts developed for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the late 2000s influenced the choices that Disney made with its “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this podcast by talking about how Paramount’s decision to push the release date of “Sonic the Hedgehog” back to February 2020 may have actually made it harder for this live-action / CG film to succeed at the box office. Drew then shares an interview he recently did with Alan Menken, where that Academy Award-winner talks about the development of the original animated “Aladdin” back in the late 1980s / early 1990s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Len’s getting ready for the opening of Anaheim’s “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” Jim Hill shares an interview that he did with former Imagineer Terri Hardin. She then reveals the role that she played in the creation of a proposed attraction for Disney-MGM Studios Japan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill share e-mails from two listeners who actually got to see “Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark” during its Broadway run. Then Aaron uses his audio expertise to demonstrate how Marvel Studios used the removal-of-sound as a way to add tension to the battle scenes in “Avengers: Endgame” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start this podcast by paying tribute to the late Peter Mayhew. They then talk about the Abbott & Costello-inspired production that Universal Pictures had originally wanted George Lucas to direct as his follow-up to “American Graffiti” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor and Jim Hill start this podcast off by singing the praises of the “DuckTales” production team for the artful & heartfelt way they folded Darkwing Duck into this animated series. Jim then shares some stories about how “Mulan” became Walt Disney Feature Animation – Florida’s first solo production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill talk about the significance of a number of surveys that The Walt Disney World Resort has sent out to Guests recently. Jim then discusses how Bob Chapek’s decision to focus in on the Company’s billion-dollar IPs is changing Disney Parks & Resorts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start things off by talking about Robert Downey Jr.’ s very impressive payday for “Avengers: Infinity War.” Then Jim digs into the troubled production history of Marvel’s very first Broadway musical. Which – when it finally closed in January of 2014 – posted a record-breaking $60 million loss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Valladolid & Jim Hill talk about how Disney has made Jasmine the main focus of its merchandise push for the Studio’s new live-action version of “Aladdin.” Jim then shares the history of “Tin Toy” and how this Academy Award-winning short led to the creation of Pixar’s “Toy Story.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the latest addition to “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. They then discuss how the Universal Creative seems to be stepping away from producing rides, shows & attractions for the parks that make use of 3D glasses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing their concerns about the December 2019 release date that Disney selected for Blue Sky Studios’ “Spies in Disguise.” They also use the upcoming 10th anniversary of the release of Pixar’s “Up” as an excuse to look back at this Pete Docter movie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the mysterious construction that’s going on at Disney’s Animal Kingdom out behind Pandora – The World of Avatar. Jim then talks about “The Ride of a Lifetime,” Bob Iger’s soon-to-be-released memoir (which will hit store shelves on September 10th) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why Disney is taking a low-key approach to celebrating the fact that “Avengers: Endgame” has just overtaken “Titanic” (at least when it comes to all-time box office champs). Aaron also points out some of the more intriguing ripple effects that this Russo Brothers movie is causing within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how the Imagineers have handed the Anaheim version of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” off to Disneyland Ops teams. They then talk about how the negative reaction that “Temple of Doom” received back in 1984 led to “Indy III” deliberately revisiting the style & tone of “Raiders” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how fan reaction to the “Sonic the Hedgehog” teaser trailer forced Paramount Animation to rework the look of that film’s title character. Then Drew shares an interview that he did with “Toy Story 4” director Josh Cooley, who reveals why Pixar decided to go big with the fourth film in this acclaimed series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by going over the menu at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Marvel Mania restaurant. They then discuss what they enjoyed about the Russo Brothers’ final film for Marvel Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing how Universal Creative is now in the process of buttoning up “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.” They then talk at length about Dueling Dragons, the thrill ride that previously occupied this corner of the Lost Continent at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor starts off this week’s episode by sharing his thoughts on Warner Bros. “Pokémon Detective Pikachu.” Jim Hill then does a deep dive on “Gemini Man,” the long-in-development production that originally started off life as a project at Disney’s Secret Lab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off of this week’s episode by discussing why WDW management opted to push off the opening of “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ‘til the Spring of 2020. Jim then continues his Chronological Disneyland series by pointing out how Bob Iger’s approach to that Anaheim Resort differed from Michael Eisner’s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how “Spider-Man: Far From Home” is now supposed to be the final film in the Infinity Saga. They then share audio that Drew Taylor gathered at the global media junket that Marvel Studios held earlier this month for “Avengers: Endgame” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the parallels between “Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin” opening at Disneyland Park in January of 1994 and “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios getting its opening pushed back ‘til the Spring of next year. They also discuss what’s going on with “Frozen II” just seven months out from the theatrical release of this eagerly anticipated Walt Disney Animation Studios production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the parallels between “Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin” opening at Disneyland Park in January of 1994 and “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios getting its opening pushed back ‘til the Spring of next year. They also discuss what’s going on with “Frozen II” just seven months out from the theatrical release of this eagerly anticipated Walt Disney Animation Studios production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing what’s significant about that new Disney Cruise Line survey which is currently making the rounds. Jim then talks about how the Imagineers keep trying to get the theme park-going public to embrace an attraction that features binaural sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special Easter-themed episode, Michelle Valladolid & Jim Hill discussed how the Tokyo Disney Resort has turned this holiday into a two park, multi-week event. Jim then reviews the history of the Disney Bunnies, which is when DCP tried to build a brand around Thumper the Rabbit from “Bambi” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about how the limited series that Marvel Studios is producing for Disney’s soon-to-launch subscription streaming service will be different from “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” & “Agent Carter.” Jim then does a deep dive on Disney’s August 2009 acquisition of Marvel Entertainment and reveals that – given the weird way that Hollywood does its books – it’s entirely possible that the Mouse has yet to recover the full $4.2 billion that it spent to buy that comic book company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the operational & safety challenges that Universal Studios Hollywood is now facing, thanks to all of those show drones this theme park is using to create that patronus effect in its new “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” projection show. Jim also reveals the “Treehouse of Horror” -inspired storyline that “The Simpsons Ride” almost had Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Rich Moore’s decision to leave Walt Disney Animation Studios for Sony Pictures Animation. Drew also shares what he learned about “Toy Story 4” while taking part in the press day for this upcoming Pixar Animation Studios’ release Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off by talking about how “Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy” will use promotion to try & overcome its unfortunate, out-of-the-way positioning at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They also talk about a patent that The Walt Disney Company has recently filed which Mouse House managers hope will get Guests to look up from the screens on their iPhones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how “Avengers: Endgame” ‘s three-hour-plus run-time may prevent this Russo Bros. movie from topping “Infinity Wars” record-breaking opening weekend box office take. They also talk about how the positive reaction that “Dark Phoenix” got at WonderCon last month really helped turn the toxic reputation that this X-Men movie had acquired around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill look back at when Don Bluth resigned from Walt Disney Animation Studios in September of 1979 and then took 15% of that studio’s artists & animators with him. Drew then shares the interview that he did with Chris Butler, the director of “Missing Link” (i.e., Laika’s latest stop motion movie) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about Disney Villains After Hours, that new hard ticket for WDW’s Magic Kingdom which will be offered on select nights in June, July & August. They also do a deeper dive on that Universal Parks & Resorts survey which offers some clues about what sorts of rides, shows & attractions are possibly in the mix for Universal Orlando’s Fantastic Worlds theme park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr reports back on his recent trip to Chicago, where he scoped out McCormick Place (i.e., the massive convention center where Star Wars Celebration is being held this year). Jim Hill then shares some behind-the-scene stories about George Lucas’ involvement in the production of “Captain EO” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill kick off this week’s show by talking about “Steven Universe” ‘s win at the GLAAD Media Awards. Drew then shares an interview he did with Danny Devito at the press junket for Disney’s live-action “Dumbo” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how The Walt Disney Company is still struggling with “Song of the South.” Jim then continues his Chronological Disneyland series by revealing why the Rockets Rods went down for rehab in September of 2000 and never re-opened Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill talk about how James Gunn’s offensive Tweets problem forced Kevin Feige to change up Marvel Studios’ batting order. They also wonder whether – after “The Infinity Saga” wraps – moviegoers will continue to turn out in record number for new Marvel Cinematic Universe releases or whether Marvel film fatigue will set in Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill share what they’ve learned about the work that’s been going on down on the Lower Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood. They also talk about why – when it came time to turn “Jurassic Park” into the jumping-up off point for a theme park attraction – Universal Creative opted to build a boat ride rather than a jeep-based experience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Valladolid & Jim Hill discuss how Disney hopes lightning will strike twice in 2019. First by following up 2017’s Rose Gold craze with its new Briar Rose Gold line. And then by sequelizing 2018’s wildly successful Mickey Memories merch with its Disney Wisdom collection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by trying to sort out where exactly Disney & ABC now stand in regards to all those animated “Peanuts” specials. Then Drew shares the interviews that he did with Danny Elfman & Rick Heinrichs at the “Dumbo” media event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this episode with an enthusiastic review of Disney Spring’s latest addition, Jaleo by José Andrés. Len & Jim then share a survey that Universal Parks & Resorts is using to zero in on just the right mix of rides, shows & attractions for Theme Park No. 4 (i.e., Universal’s Fantastic Worlds) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episodes by talking about how Disney & Universal actually came together to plus Stan Lee’s cameo appearance in “Captain Marvel.” They then discuss the role that Disney’s acquisition of Fox & ABC’s firing of Roseanne played in the “Guardians” director debacle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the factors involved with The Walt Disney Company’s decision to move up the opening of Disneyland Park’s Black Spire Outpost to May 31st. They then take an in-depth look at “Star Wars Resistance” and offer conjecture on where this Lucasfilm Animation production might be headed when Season 2 starts up on the Disney Channel later this Fall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by revealing which character Walt Disney Animation Studios favorite Alan Tudyk will be voicing in the live-action version of “Aladdin.” They then get into the convoluted history of Mammy Two Shoes, the seldom-seen-from-the-knees-up supporting character in the “Tom & Jerry” series that underwent an intriguing makeover in the 1960s & 1980s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by dissecting Disney World’s latest round of ticket price increases and what that will mean for Resort Guests in the coming months. Jim Hill then talks about the behind-the-scenes decisions that led to the Company recently revealing that “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” would open in Anaheim on May 31st and in Orlando on August 29th a_edr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices