The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this episode by discussing why President of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige has chosen this exact moment to fold the character of Captain Marvel into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Jim then talks about the role Universal Studios Hollywood’s Marvel Mania restaurant may have played in The Walt Disney Company still not being able to use the name “Marvel” in association with either of its West Coast theme parks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about how (based on what happened with “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”) “Episode IX” really was wrapped production. They then talk about Ron Miller’s role in persuading George Lucas to let the Imagineers develop some rides, shows & attractions based on Lucasfilm productions for the Disney Parks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor starts off this week’s podcast by talking about “Hidden World” director Dean DeBlois shared with him about the development of DreamWorks Animation’s third “How to Train Your Dragon” movie. Then Jim Hill shares the history of Epcot’s “Journey into Imagination” attraction and the role that Pixar may play in the future of this Future World pavilion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill goes it alone in a special Presidents Day edition of the Disney Dish podcast. He first talks about what’s been going on with Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts. Jim then shares how the “Disney’s America” project almost caused a motion-based simulator attraction to be built in the Liberty Square section of WDW’s Magic Kingdom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill complete their November 2018 walk-thru of Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a stroll around Echo Lake. En route, Len & Jim discuss what WDI has planned for the near-term when it comes to “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” and the “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill & Michelle Valladolid kick off a brand-new podcast about Disney-related merch by discussing that annual-passholder-exclusive Steamboat Willie-themed popcorn bucket that was recently available for purchase at the Disneyland Resort. They then look back at the life & career of Ron Miller, the former CEO of Walt Disney Productions who recently passed away at the age of 85. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing some of the foods that will be served up in USF’s French Quarter Courtyard during this year’s Mardi Gras celebration. They then offer up some theories as to what Universal Creative currently has in the works as a replacement for “Terminator 2: 3D -- Battle Across Time.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by recapping the 46th annual Annie Awards. They then debate the pros & cons of “Purl,” Pixar’s inaugural SparkShort, before then talking about how “Ralph Breaks the Internet almost started with the funeral of a famous video game character. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by sharing some of Touring Plans’ more recent discoveries about Disney World’s transportation system. Jim Hill then talks about how the Disney Princess & Disney Fairies franchises originally heavily influenced both the design of & the attraction line-up at New Fantasyland at WDW’s Magic Kingdom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill dissect the “Avengers: Endgame” trailer that aired this past Sunday on Super Bowl LIII. With a particular emphasis on how the Russo Brothers, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeely have deliberately placed specific story elements in Captain America’s overall thru-line in the Marvel Cinematic Universe over the past 8 years which will soon pay off in “Endgame.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their November 2018 walk-through of Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a visit to that theme park’s newest “land”. They discuss how the June 2018 opening of Toy Story Land has fundamentally changed the way Guests experience WDW’s third gate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr start off this week’s show by talking about how – thanks to the polar vortex – his limited edition Columbia parka (which was inspired by the coat that the cast & crew of “Star Wars – Episode IV” wore while they were working in Finse, Norway) came in very handy this past week. Jim Hill then looks back at how Disney Parks & Resorts turned the halftime show at Super Bowl XXIX into one long commercial for the “Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Pixar veteran Darla Anderson’s decision to sign a multi-year deal with Netflix. They then discuss why it took Disney Studios nearly two decades to produce a full length animated version of J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show with an update on WDW’s Skyliner system as well as offering some additional info on that resort’s pricey new “World of Dreams” tour. Len also shares some stories from the Monsanto corporate archives, included what it actually took to tear down Disneyland’s House of the Future back in December of 1967 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill kick things off by discussing the Season Six trailer for “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” They then share what they’ve heard about what Kevin Feige reportedly has planned for the Marvel Cinematic Universe after “Avengers: Endgame.” Aaron closes out the show by fancasting who he’d like to direct the “Fantastic Four” reboot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill talk about 2019’s nominees for Best Animated Feature and Best Animated Short Film. They also talk about how “Zootopia” being the highest grossing animated film in Chinese cinematic history eventually led to Shanghai Disneyland getting a new land built around these characters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about Disney’s Riveria Resort (which recently began accepting reservations for stays beginning on December 16th). They also discuss Anaheim’s “Project Stardust,” which is being done out ahead of the opening of the Disneyland Park version of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of “Black Panther” being nominated for Best Picture, Jim Hill looks back over the past 40 years of Academy Awards history and how superhero movies typically do at the Oscars. Aaron Adams then talks about the genuinely clever way music is used to enhance the emotion / clarify the storytelling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by comparing Lee Unkrich’s graceful exit from Pixar with John Lasseter’s awkward arrival at Skydance. They then do a deep dive on Warners’ “Space Jam,” tracing the origin of that live-action / animated feature back to Nike’s “Hare Jordan” & “Aerospace Jordan” commercials Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill talk about the Upper Lot at Universal Studios Hollywood is being transformed for that theme park’s Lunar New Year Celebration. Then Jim wonders why – when it comes to the rides, shows & attractions that Universal Creative creates for the parks – theme park fans tend to look past all of the dimensional sets, custom-built props & animatronics and only talk about the screens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of the 200th episode of Disney Dish, Len Testa & Jim Hill give a shout-out to the very first folks to subscribe to this podcast. They then share what they’ve learned about what Disney Parks & Resorts is doing to school Cast Members about “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” ‘s marquee attractions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start this week’s show off by sharing info about the official Stan Lee tribute (which will be held the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood on January 30th). They then discuss whether Ryan Reynolds will be able to persuade Hugh Jackman to strap on his Adamantium claws one last time for a Deadpool / Wolverine team-up film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill discuss everything from “Solo” ‘s under-performance at the box office to the online trolls who went after Kelli Marie Tran. They also talk about some of the happier things that happened in the Star Wars sphere over the past year, including the resurrection of the “Clone Wars” animated series and the promise of “The Mandalorian” over at Disney + Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill discuss what’s sure to be one of the biggest animation stories of 2019: David Ellison hiring John Lasseter to be the new head of Skydance Animation. Drew & Jim also look back at Lasseter’s last year or so at Disney & Pixar and muse over whether “Cars 3” ‘s under-performance at the box office & the cancellation of “Gigantic” contributed to John’s downfall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill discuss what new shows & attractions the Imagineers hope to have up & running at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by May 2019 (just in time for this theme park’s 30th anniversary celebration). They also talk about how the tests that are currently going on in Epcot’s parking lot in regards to Uber & Lyft could impact the layout of parking lots at Disney’s other theme parks. Len & Jim then continued their Chronological Disneyland series with the initial construction of DCA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their November 2018 walking tour of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As they explore the part of this theme park that was formerly known as the Muppets Courtyard, Len & Jim discuss everything that the Imagineers have done in the past year to ready DHS for the opening of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill take a look back at the past year in the Marvel-Us-Disney sphere. They discuss which movies set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe had the biggest impact on the entertainment industry & pop culture. Aaron & Jim also talk about what projects they’re most looking forward to in 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill & Dustin Fuhs put together a super-sized edition of their “Universal Joint” podcast to review the past year of changes & challenges that Parks & Resorts faced. Among the topics that they’ll be discussing is Universal Orlando’s decision to revamp USF’s operational calendar (i.e., shifting Rock the Universe from September to February, cancelling the 2019 edition of A Celebration of Harry Potter outright) so that that theme park could then expand the number of days it presents USF’s wildly popular Halloween Horror Nights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their walk-thru of Disney’s Hollywood Studios in November of 2018, they turn their attention to the Animation Courtyard area. In particular how the Imagineers have tried to balance this theme park’s celebration of Old Hollywood with WDW Guests desire to find brand-new rides, shows & attractions to experience whenever they visit DHS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about why the menu at Tiffins has been mutating over these past few months. They also discuss the DVC Resorts that Disney execs ultimately decided not to build, including the Times Square Villas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill look back at this year’s high points & low points when it comes to film and television animation. They also talk about projects that they’re really looking forward to in 2019 like Sergio Pablos’ “Klaus” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off their November 2018 tour of Disney’s Hollywood Studios by checking out all of the holiday decorations along Hollywood & Sunset Boulevards. They also discuss WDW Entertainment’s plan to replace “Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage!” with a new “Tangled” -themed show out ahead of the Resort’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this episode by talking about one of Disney’s biggest concerns when it comes to “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” Which is that people’s need to get selfies of themselves in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon will then significantly slow down the load / unload time for “Smugglers Run.” Len then talks some of his recent dining experiences around the WDW Resort Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As 2018 winds down, Aaron Adams & Jim Hill look ahead to whatever surprises the Marvel Cinematic Universe has in store for next year. They discuss whether a German press release may have prematurely tipped Marvel’s hand when it comes to the end of “Avengers: Endgame” as well as Could a Marvel comic that will go on sale in March offer some clues about what the storyline of “Spider-Man: Far from Home” will be? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this episode by sharing what they know about the much-anticipated teaser trailer for “Star Wars: Episode IX.” They then discuss the “Rogue One” -inspired TV series that is now being readied for Disney’s new subscription service (which bows in 2019). Finally, Dan & Jim share the latest news coming out of Disney Parks & Resorts about “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Len Testa & Jim Hill conclude their 2018 walk-thru of WDW’s Magic Kingdom, they discuss many of the changes that have been made to Tomorrowland over the past few years. The topics covered included the U.S. version of Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON Lightcycle Power Run Coaster as well as what WDI possibly has in the works to replace “Stitch’s Great Escape.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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