The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s podcast by discussing – given all of the stellar reviews that “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” has received to date – why this Sony Pictures Animation film only earned $35.4 million over its opening weekend in domestic release. Drew & Jim also look ahead to “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” & “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” which are both being released in February of 2019 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about how Illumination’s new animated “Grinch” stacks up against the live-action version of this Dr. Seuss story that Universal Pictures released back in November of 2000. Dustin & Jim also review recent filings that Universal Parks & Resort has made with Orange County officials, which could reveal what’s coming next to CityWalk and/or what’s in the works for Universal Orlando’s next theme park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their audio tour of the 2018 version of WDW’s Magic Kingdom with a stroll along the Rivers of America. They discuss how a Guest who’d been an annual passholder for 24 years found out the hard way what happens when you test Disney Corporate’s patience one too many times. Len & Jim also talk about how recent changes to the props used to decorate the queue space with “Splash Mountain” illustrate the Company’s continuing efforts to stay PC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their walking tour of WDW’s Magic Kingdom by strolling through Fantasyland. They talk about Guests’ increasing use of mobile devices forced the creation of in-park charging stations like the ones found around the Rapunzel Tower. Len & Jim also discuss why Disney World’s Safety team ordered that changes be made to the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak water play area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man without Fear is now a Man without a Network, as Netflix cancels Daredevil. Also, Jim and Aaron spend the second half of the show remembering Stan Lee and the mark his works left on us and the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why the late Stan Lee’s cameo in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is a real standout in that Sony Pictures Animation film. These two then talk about the possible impact that John Lasseter’s slow-motion exit from Disney & Pixar may have had on “The Incredibles 2” & “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by reflecting on what millenniums now expect to find in their hotel rooms heavily influenced the design of “Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge,” “The Cove,” and Universal’s Adventura Hotel. They also look ahead to the construction challenges that WDW’s Entertainment team will be facing as they ready World Showcase Lagoon for Epcot’s new nighttime extravaganza (which is slated to open in 2020). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their walk-thru of WDW’s Magic Kingdom by exploring the colonial corner of this theme park. As they head towards the Hall of Presidents, Len & Jim talk about the stylized open sewer that the Imagineers inserted in this land. They also talk about why the Haunted Mansion’s interactive queue has had trouble connected with international visitors to this Resort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Immediately after they finished doing a live recording of their "Fine Tooning" podcast at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort earlier this month, Drew Taylor & Jim Hill began taking questions from listeners who attended that event. The topics that got touched on in this off-the-cuff session include how "Winnie-the-Pooh" 's July 2011 release date helped kill off 2-D animation at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill kick off this week's show by talking about Walt Disney Studios’ decision to push back the release of “The Jungle Cruise” movie from October 2019 to July 2020 is new impacting the Imagineers’ long-in-development plans to overhaul Adventureland. They then discuss how the Jungle Skipper Cantina Restaurant has been a real challenge for WDW’s Food & Beverage team. Len & Jim close things out by pointing out how “A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas” is similar to the Magic Kingdom’s “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” spinner ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill kick off a brand-new walk-thru of WDW's Magic Kingdom by exploring Main Street, U.S.A. This tour starts off with an update on that theater project which Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek first revealed at 2017's D23 Expo. Len & Jim then discuss how the redo of this theme park's Central Plaza didn't go quite as the Imagineers had hoped. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor and Jim Hill start off this podcast (which was recorded in front of a live audience) by recapping their "Pixar in the Park" event. They then discuss all of the Disney talent that's now making new animated projects for Netflix. Finally Drew discusses "Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2" and what Disney-related gags got cut out of this Rich Moore/Phil Johnston film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill kick off this week's show talking about how EPCOT will be expanding its International Festival of the Arts to seven days a week in 2019. They then discuss those "Rehire James Gunn" billboards that have been erected outside of the Disney Parks & Anaheim. They also contrast Disneyland Park's plan to handle the crowds for "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" with the way Disney's Hollywood Studios is thinking about having Guests queue up for this 14-acre land. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr and Jim Hill start off this episode by discussing the latest news coming off of the set of "The Mandalorian." These two then answer a piece of listener mail regarding when the Anaheim version of "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" will be open to the public. Finally, Dan talks about his experience at this year's Gala at Rancho Obi-Wan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor and Jim Hill start off these week's podcast off by discussing the stop motion version of "Pinocchio" that Guillermo del Toro is now prepping for Netflix. Then it's how Hollywood is commemorating the 20th and 25th anniversaries of DreamWorks Animation's "The Prince of Egypt" and "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas." Finally, Drew and Jim talk about why Ed Catmull's legacy -- when it comes to animation -- is complicated, to say the least. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a special listener mail edition of the Disney Dish podcast. Len Testa and Jim Hill start things off by discussing the history of Epcot's Garden Railway. They then reveal Joffrey's wound up at the specialty coffee and tea provider for Disney Parks & Resorts. Len then shares a bunch of patents that The Walt Disney Company recently filed and speculates on how all of this cutting-edge technology may be employed as part of "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs and Jim Hill starts off this episode by pointing out that Universal Orlando Resort has been following Walt Disney World's lead when it comes to repeatedly the price to park at their theme parks. After that, Dustin and Jim discuss the huge boost that the sale of Butterbeer has given Universal Parks and Resorts' bottom line. The co-hosts then close out this week's podcast by looking back at the time that MCA Universal was able to swipe the rights to Rocky and Bullwinkle right out from under The Walt Disney Company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill starts off this episode by talking about how Disney World finally officially announcing that long-rumored DVC which will be built where Fort Wilderness' River Country was once located. After that, Len and Jim discuss WDW's new date-based ticket pricing system (which debuted on October 16th). They then share new information about the Marvel superhero-themed land that's being built at Disney California Adventure Park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this episode by discussing Warner Bros' recent decision to hire James Gunn to direct "Suicide Squad 2." After that, Aaron & Jim turn then attention to what Chris Evans tweeted out from the set of "Avengers 4" as reshoots of that eagerly awaited Marvel Cinematic Universe movie wrapped. Then it's time to debate "Venom," that Columbia Pictures releases that's been burning up the box office but dividing Marvel film fans Well here is a shocker, Jim and Aaron have different opinions on the Venom movie. The safe bet is the Spider-Man fan had some issues, it's ok, we expected that. But are there still bright spots in the movie? Certainly. But is it with your 8 bucks? That is a more challenging question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs and Jim Hill start off this week's show by talking about how the November 9th release of Illumination Entertainment's "The Grinch" may be impacting Universal Parks & Resorts' holiday plans. Jim then talks about the movie version of "Wicked" that Universal Pictures is readying and the possible impact that this IP could have on the Parks. Fuhs and Hill then close out this podcast by talking about all of the hard lessons that the Universal Orlando Resort learned back in 2009 from the delayed opening of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor and Jim Hill start off this week's podcast by sharing their impressions of the recently released teaser trailer for Disney's live-action reimagining of "Aladdin." Drew and Jim then discuss how the huge popularity of "Lilo and Stitch" overseas undoubtedly factored into the Studio's decision to put a live-action / CG hybrid reboot of this 2002 WDAS hand-drawn film into development. Finally Taylor talks about what it's like to experience "Cycles," Walt Disney Animation Studios' first-ever virtual-reality short Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill start off this week's podcast by talking about the name that Disney Vacation Club is considering for the new resort they're planning on building on top of River Country's old location. Len and Jim then speculate on what Disney Parks and Resorts will charge for early morning access to "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge." Finally, Jim reveals how the placement of the banks & camera stores at WDW's Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park influenced where Walt Disney Imagineering placed the in-park Starbucks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this podcast by sharing what they've learned about that live-action series which Jon Favreau has been prepping for Disney's subscription streaming service. Dan & Jim then discuss Bob Iger's decision to extend Kathleen Kennedy's deal to run Lucasfilm through 2021. After that, they share what the Disneyland Resort Line has been revealing about "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" to cast members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill first discuss all of the animation-related news coming out of this year's New York Comic-Con. They then puzzle over the live action / cg project that Brad Bird is supposedly working on as his follow-up to "The Incredibles 2." Finally Jim talks about the animated featurette that was supposed to serve as the follow-up to 1990's "The Prince and the Pauper," "Christopher Columbus" starring Mickey Mouse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this listener question show by revisiting WDW's Skyliner system. They then encourage a Disney Dish listener to brave the crowds at Black Spire Outpost when "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" first opens in to the public in Anaheim in the late Spring / early Summer of 2019. Finally Len & Jim weigh in on the new tool that's about to come online for Disney World's flexible ticket pricing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Aaron discuss their initial reactions to Captain Marvels first Teaser Trailer. Also, Jim gets Aaron hip to Chewie the cat and discuss how Disney is using that "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors" TV movie to help get this franchise's younger fans ready for Marvel Studios' March 2019 release. They also have their own theories about the theory that's making the rounds online about how the God of Mischief could have survived his run-in with Thanos.. And last but not least we cover what may (or may not be) the final word on James Gunn, and how Spider-Man spins another tangled web on the PS4. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start things off by talking bout the key role master animator Mark Henn played in translating Disney's hand-drawn princesses into CG characters. Next Drew & Jim discuss the "Harvey Birdman, Attorney General" special that will be airing on Adult Swim later this month. Then Taylor & Hill look back at Disney Legend Woolie Reitherman and the role that recycled / repurposed animation had to do with the adoption of xerography at Walt Disney Animation Studios in the early 1960s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill discuss the impact that swapping out Epcot's nighttime show will have on all the restaurants around World Showcase. Then Len & Jim look back at "Thunder in Paradise," the short-lived syndicated series from the producers of "Bay Watch" that was shot around the Walt Disney World Resort in the early 1990s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week's "Looking at Lucasfilm" by discussing Disney Parks & Resorts' somewhat controversial decision to sell alcohol to Guests visiting Black Spire Outpost. Dan & Jim next speculate about which characters from the "Star Wars" movies & TV shows will pop up on "Resistance." Then Zehr & Hill talk about all of the great Lucasfilm-related stories that are shared on that Netflix Original series, "The Toys That Made Us." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Jim Hill reports in on "The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad" 's final day of performances at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Then Dustin Fuhs weighs in on whether or not he thinks the Universal Orlando Resort will soon expand its HHN offerings to include a Zombie Run 5K. Finally Jim walks UJ listeners through all 10 houses & 5 scare zones that Universal Creative has brought to life (or should I say life-after-death?) for Halloween Horror Nights 28. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this episode by discussing what changes are in the works for Artist Point at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort & Mickey's Backyard BBQ at the Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. Next Jim Hill talks up Evermore Park, that immersive theatrical experience which is about to throw open its doors in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Then Len & Jim discuss how Port Canaveral is getting ready for the next three ships that are about to be added to the Disney Cruise Line's fleet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill first discuss the roles that the Skrulls will soon play in Marvel's Cinematic Universe. They then reveal which villains from the original "Guardians of the Galaxy" film will also be appearing in "Captain Marvel." Finally Aaron offers his take on Season Two of "Iron Fist." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor starts off this week's "Fine Tooning" by focusing a spotlight on the first-ever official collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios & Pixar Animation Studios. Then Jim Hill talks about Frank Thomas' struggles when it came to animating those dancing penguins in the original "Mary Poppins" movie. Then Drew & Jim talk about some of the more innovative things that are going on in television animation -- including how Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media moved at warp speed to cash in on Disney Junior's latest star. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len starts this week's podcast off with his impressions of Disney Springs' newest eateries, Chicken Guy! and Terralina Crafted Italian. Mr. Testa then shares his thoughts about how Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival could be improved (i.e., Ice Cream 'round the World). Then Jim uses the closure of "A Bug's Land" at Disney California Adventure Park as an excuse to look back at the closing of "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" at WDW's Magic Kingdom as well as offering a construction update on the TRON Lightcycle coaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of year - late August - so of course Jim and Dustin are talking about Halloween in the theme parks. They also discuss Universal Orlando's future expansion and possible running events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor pays tribute to his best friend from middle school, Penn Ward (i.e., the creator of "Adventure Time"). Then Jim & Drew discuss the history of Warner Feature Animation's efforts -- post-"Space Jam" & "Looney Tunes: Back in Action" -- to build a new feature film around various characters from the Looney Tunes stable. They also make a big announcement about an upcoming Fine Tooning Live event from Disney World, with Storybook Destinations. To join us for a very special Fine Tooning Live event from Disney World, November 9th through the 12th, go to storybook destinations.com for a complete schedule and booking info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len braves the Florida heat to get the latest news from Toy Story Land and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. He also can't resist talking about this episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color in which Walt takes Ambassador Julie on a tour of Imagineering for Disneyland's 10th anniversary. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0768379/ And to prove that the use of technology in and around the parks is advancing by leaps and bounds, Jim and Len discuss the possible application of a novel floor system for a person walking in a VR environment in both The Void Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire (video below) and Galaxy's Edge. https://youtu.be/Oad_t6k3w5c Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Len update us on new info about the Skyliner that changes everything we thought we knew. And also get fidgety when talking about taking a spin around the new Aventura Hotel. (That will make sense after you hear the show, promise.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Aaron talk about post Infinity Wars gossip, the firing of "the Gunn" and whatever else pops up during a live chat with the audience. Look out or a listener question asking about if a certain Fox movie Queen can ever become a Disney Princess. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill & Drew Taylor report in from Burbank. Where Drew -- after catching an early press screening of "Smallfoot" at Warner Bros -- praises Alex Hirsch's new "Gravity Falls: Lost Legends" book. Meanwhile Jim discusses the development of the Disney Channel's "DuckTales" reboot as well as revealing how he accidentally got a peek at Nickelodeon's plans to revive its "Rugrats" animated series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a transportation themed Disney Dish. Instead of trains, planes and automobiles, Jim and Len talk about increasing cruise prices, the helicopters that you used to be able to take to Disneyland and how real do they really want to make the interactive part of the Millenium Falcon ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Summer 2018 draws to a close, Dan Zehr and Jim Hill take one last look at "Solo: A Star Wars Story" and compare how this Lucasfilm, Ltd. production did at the domestic box office to how other Hollywood blockbusters did over the past three months. Dan and Jim also answer a listener's question and opt to take a closer look at Ron Howard's "Willow." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill check out "TRON" coaster construction as well as the Magic Kingdom's new Instagrammable beverages. They also reveal the unlikely places where you can get some of the very best eats in Orlando (EX: An outdoor grill right next to the Hall of Presidents as well as inside of Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando's water theme park). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their fifth "Universal Joint" podcast, Dustin Fuhs and Jim Hill discuss whether Comcast's pursuit of pay-TV giant Sky could possibly lead to the sunseting of Universal Parks & Resort's licensing deal with Marvel Entertainment. They also discuss how the continuing popularity of the "Fast & Furious" films not only led to Universal bringing this IP into their theme parks but also led to the Luke Hobbs & Deckard Shaw characters being spun off into their own series of movies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What will, won't or may happen in Epcot and elsewhere in WDW could depend on the numbers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the seventh episode of this podcast series, Drew Taylor & Jim Hill talk about "Teen Titans Go to the Movies" and "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation" has been doing at the box office. They also discuss Lauren Faust's now-cancelled "Medusa" project as well as looking ahead to how The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of select film & television assets owned by 21st Century Fox is going to impact Blue Sky Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the fifth installment of this podcast series, Dan Zehr reveals what it was like to be in the room at San Diego Comic-Con when Lucasfilm Animation revealed that it would be resuming production of "Star Wars Clone Wars." Jim Hill then talks about "Thrawn: Alliances" and how Timothy Zahn's latest "Star Wars" novel gave its readers an advance preview of Black Spire Outpost. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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In this latest Disney Dish podcast, Len & Jim give listeners an update on Disney's Hollywood Studios. To be specific, how construction of "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" is proceeding and how "Toy Story Land" has fared over its first few weeks of operation. Then Len and Jim talk about "Superboy," the very first TV series to be produced at DHS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 6 of "Fine Tooning," Drew walks listeners through Disney California Adventure's latest addition, Pixar Pier. He and Jim then talk about the challenges that Pete Docter will be facing as he takes over as the new creative lead of that Emeryville-based animation studios. Drew also shares what he knows about the soon-to-be-released "Gravity Falls -- The Complete Series" Blu-ray and DVD set. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices