The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this episode by talking about the bozos who put a damper on Universal Orlando's most recent passholder appreciation night. Jim also details the sort of theme park that Universal originally wanted to build in Florida when they first revealed their plans for this project back in July of 1981 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start things off by explaining how Marvel Studios wound up helping Columbia Pictures with its “Spider-Man” reboot back in 2015. They then shine a spotlight on a number of the Marvel-related rides, shows & attractions that were announced at the most recent D23 Expo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why “Angry Birds 2” failed to take flight. Then Drew shares what he learned this past weekend about Pixar’s “Onward” & “Soul” as well as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ November 2020 release, “Raya and the Last Dragon” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Pass & Mid-Day Magic ticket that the WDW Resort recently began offering. Jim then shines a spotlight on how – back in the mid-1970s – the Imagineers turned Disneyland’s “Mine Train thru Nature’s Wonderland” attraction into the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about “Indiana Jones V” (which is supposed to begin shooting in London next April). Then Dan & Jim look back at “Tucker, The Man and his Dream” and how George Lucas made this 1988 Francis Ford Coppola film possible Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how “Angry Birds 2” garnered better reviews & sold more tickets over its opening weekend than the original “Angry Birds” movie did back in 2016. Drew & Jim then go on to discuss how both Disney & Comcast are struggling to carve out distinctive identities for all of the animation studios these two media giants currently control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and guest host Dan Zehr talk about how Halloween is celebrated at Disney theme parks around the globe. Dan then looks back at the three different experiences he had while participating in WDW’s College Program Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

n honor of “Avengers: Endgame” being released on Blu-ray & DVD, Aaron Adams & Jim Hill discuss some of the lesser-known aspects of this Russo Brothers movie. Jim then reads an excerpt from J. Michael Straczynski’s terrific memoir, “Becoming Superman: My Journey from Poverty to Hollywood” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shelly Valladolid & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the 50th-anniversary celebration of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. Shelly then unboxes a Pulp Hero Snap Bot from Far Out Toys’ Marvel-inspired line Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the Velocicoaster, the new thrill ride that’s now in the works for the Jurassic Park section of Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Jim then talks about why there’s typically a huge difference between a finished theme park and the first piece of concept art that’s released for that project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill talk about some of the Disney theme park-related projects that animation master Eric Goldberg created new footage for. They also look back at how Walt Disney Animation Studios struggled in the late 1930s / early 1940s to create a full-length animated feature to follow the hugely successful “Snow White” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this episode with a run-down of the past week’s news, including Universal Orlando’s announcement of their Epic Universe project. Jim then shines a spotlight on Walt Disney Productions’ second attempt to build a ski resort up in Northern California Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill discuss how Professor Hulk was originally supposed to make his cinematic debut in “Avengers: Infinity War” rather than in “Endgame.” Aaron then goes on to explain how Marvel Comics’ “House of X” & “Power of X” could impact Phase V of the MCU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by paying tribute to the late Disney Legend who voiced Minnie Mouse for more than three decades. Drew then shares what he learned at the press junket for Skydance Media’s soon-to-be-released FX tour-de-force, “Gemini Man” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about some of the new holiday-themed offerings that will be debuting at Disney World this November. Jim then shares some excerpts from “Magic Journey,” longtime Imagineer Kevin Rafferty’s soon-to-be-published memoir Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode with a news round-up related to Universal’s four (soon-to-be-five) stateside theme parks. Jim then does a deep dive on an addition to the Universal Studios Hollywood’s tram tour from the Summer of 1979 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start things off by talking about what The Walt Disney Company is expected to unveil/announce at this year’s D23 Expo. Len then shares a rumor that he recently heard about an Osborne Lights-like experience that’s supposedly in the works for World Showcase Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the heels of Kevin Feige’s epic Hall H presentation at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Aaron Adams & Jim Hill break down what Marvel Studios will be releasing theatrically over the two+ years and which Marvel-produced limited series will be popping up on Disney+ (i.e., the Company’s soon-to-launch subscription streaming service. Which will officially debut on November 12th of this year). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor starts off this week’s episode by sharing what he learned at the junket for DreamWorks Animation’s “Abominable” (which arrives in theaters on September 27th). He then shares a sit-down that he did with Academy Award-winner Hans Zimmer, who then talks about what it was like to work on both the 1994 animated version of Disney’s “The Lion King” as well as that studio’s photo-real remake of that film Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about the exhibit of stormtrooper armor that Lucasfilm will be displaying at this year’s Comic-Con. Jim then talks about the messaging that The Walt Disney Company may have inadvertently put out about “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” that then resulted in the lighter-than-normal crowds at Disneyland Park this Summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill talk about WDW’s plans to link the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to the Magic Kingdom via the walk-around-the-world (and what this potentially means for the Electrical Water Pageant). Jim then looks back at what it was like to be at Disneyland’s “Invitational Press Preview” as well as on the very first day that this family fun park was open to the public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the operational issues that the Universal Orlando Resort is continuing to have with “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.” Jim then looks at Universal Parks & Resorts’ $2.2 billion misadventure in the Middle East Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor starts off this week’s episode by talking about what it was like to attend the world premiere of Jon Favreau’s “The Lion King” at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. Drew & Jim then discuss the very best strategies to employ if you’re traveling down to San Diego later this week to experience Comic-Con International Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this week’s episode by talking about his recent visit to Takumi-Tei (i.e., the signature restaurant that just opened at Epcot’s Japan pavilion) and the extraordinary experience he had while dining there. Jim Hill then looks back at the history of WDW’s convention facilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about how ticket sales for “Spider-Man: Far from Home” compare to those for “Spider-Man: Homecoming” back in July of 2017. They also do a deeper dive on some of the more intriguing aspects of these Jon Watts movies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about some of the casting decisions that Walt Disney Studios has been making on its live-action reimagining of “The Little Mermaid.” They then look back at those two traditional animation / CG hybrid projects that Disney Studios almost produced in the early 1980s, “Where the Wild Things Are” & “The Brave Little Toaster” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing which aspects of Future World’s old Communicore / Innoventions area are due to shuttered soon as Epcot gets a facelift out ahead of WDW’s 50th-anniversary celebration. Jim then talks about Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences & Products Bob Chapek’s reported frustration with the cost & speed with which WDI develops immersive lands for the Company’s theme parks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Jim Hill talks about how unhappy he is with the news that the “Marvel Zombies” comic book line is being revived. Then Aaron Adams talks about why he’s so pleased with the way that Mysterio was portrayed in “Spider-Man: Far from Home” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about Kathleen Kennedy’s decision to promote Michelle Rejwan to SVP of Lucasfilm’s live-action development & production. They then discuss George Lucas’ efforts to get King Features to sell him the film rights to the “Flash Gordon” comic strip Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing whether this summer’s pattern of sequels under-performing at the box office impacted “Toy Story 4.” They also discuss the animated feature Taika Watiti may tackle soon after turning his back on “Bubbles” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by talking about his visit to the newly opened Surfside Inn & Suites, which is Phase One of Universal Orlando’s Endless Summer Resort. Jim Hill then looks back at Skyleidscope, Epcot’s initial attempt at staging a daytime extravaganza out on World Showcase Lagoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about what Disney’s doing this weekend to ensure that “Avengers: Endgame” is finally going to be able to beat “Avatar” ‘s all-time / lifetime take at the worldwide box office. Aaron & Jim then use Tom Holland’s recent appearance on “The Graham Norton Show” as an excuse to discuss the very best way to handle movie spoilers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how Universal Orlando handled Volcano Bay’s electrical issues. They then talk about some of the menu items that Universal Studios Hollywood plans on serving at Jurassic Café & Isla Nu-Bar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the troubled history of “Primeval Whirl.” Jim then looks back on when greenmailers Saul Steinberg & Irwin Jacobs were making runs at Walt Disney Productions and threatening to sell off underperforming divisions of the Company to the highest bidders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams starts off this week’s episode with his review of “X-Men Dark Phoenix.” He then follows that up with his take on the third & final (for now, we hope) season of Netflix’s “Jessica Jones” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about “It’s A Wonderful Sponge” and the new CG series that Nick is spinning off of this May 2020 release. Drew & Jim discuss how underwhelming ticket sales for “The Secret Life of Pets 2” may impact Universal’s plans to turn this Illumination Entertainment series into a theme park franchise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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