The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
Join Jim Hill and co-hosts Len Testa, Dustin Fuhs, Drew Taylor, Aaron Adams, Michelle C. Valladolid, Dan Zehr and Brian Gaughan as they talk about the multi-faceted Walt Disney Company - including Pixar, Lucasfilm and Disney Studios - as well as Universal Studios and the world of collectibles.
Episodes
June 4, 2024 • 44 mins
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how “The Garfield Movie” has been doing at the domestic box office. They also share some fond memories of Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman
In this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which animated feature – released to theaters a year ago this week – sold $120 million worth of tickets over its opening weekend in North America
What part of the score for “Pooh’s Hunny Hu...
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June 3, 2024 • 50 mins
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the opening weekend of performances of “Disney Dreams That Soar.”
They then look back at how fireworks got started at Disneyland Park in the late 1950s
In this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why Universal Orlando decided to change the name of Epic Universe’s racing coaster
When will work begin on the retheming of Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Which musi...
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June 1, 2024 • 22 mins
In the third installment of this new educational series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid look back at the first World’s Fairs. More importantly, the impact that these ambitious expositions had on society
In this episode, listeners will learn about:
Where in London was the Great Exposition staged
Which structure at the Great Exposition inspired a popular WDW restaurant
What marvels from the Victorian Age were on display during this 5-mo...
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May 28, 2024 • 41 mins
Jim Hill first talks about how “The Garfield Movie” did domestically over the long Memorial Day Week.
He then discusses that new YouTube documentary, “Beyond the Glass: The WDW Animation Building”
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which fairy tale classic was supposed to have served as the basis of Disney’s first-ever live-action musical for television
How much of the staff up in Emeryville was reportedly let ...
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May 27, 2024 • 54 mins
Len Testa shares what it was like to watch Disney Springs’ new nighttime show from Saratoga Springs. Jim Hill then finishes his history of the miniature golf courses at the WDW Resort
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why do Disney execs really need to pay attention to what Jenny Nicolson shared throughout her four-hour-long “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” video
What makes the Bacchus hole at “Fantasia Garden...
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Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by discussing a rare Disney book found at the Brimfield Flea Market.
They then take a look at Disney-MGM’s old Streetmosphere program
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
What “Star Trek” vet directed “Three Men & a Baby” for Touchstone Pictures
Which forest creature recently turned up on Jim’s front porch
When was “Lady & the Tramp” first released to theaters
...
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Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the media preview that was recently held for Universal Studios Florida’s reimagining Kidzone area. They then look back at the “Pink Panther” film series
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Where did Duffy AKA the Disney Bear initially exclusively sell on Disney World property back in 2002
Why is the new entrance sign for USF’s “E.T. Adventure” attracti...
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May 21, 2024 • 52 mins
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the first full trailer for Netflix’s “Ultraman: Rising.” They then talk about “Flow,” the dialogue-free post-apocalyptic animated feature which will be debuting at Cannes next week
In this episode, listeners will learn about:
Who will be voicing Garfield’s Dad in the new animated feature that Sony will be sending out to North American theaters on May 24th
Which George L...
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May 20, 2024 • 53 mins
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing who gets to experience “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” when as part of that WDW attraction’s month-long grand opening event.
They then take a look at the interior of the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
What does Disney’s Hollywood Studios do when the IT system at the WDW Resort crashes
When might we see a second Tay...
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May 18, 2024 • 42 mins
In the second installment of this new educational series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid discuss the ancestors of today’s Renaissance fairs. To be specific, some of the primitive “rides” that could be found at these medieval entertainments
In this episode, listeners will learn about:
Elephants walking across the frozen Thames
What fairs were like in faraway India
How an exhibition of two goats led to today’s county fairs
Why Canada’...
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Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how well the 25th anniversary re-release of “Star Wars – Episode One: The Phantom Menace.”
They also share Ahmed Best’s conflicted memories of portraying Jar Jar Binks
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
According to Josh Gad, which specific brand of cookie is repeatedly visually referenced within the “Star Wars” universe
How many Star ...
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May 16, 2024 • 33 mins
In the premiere episode of this new podcast series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid explore the origins of themed entertainment. To be specific, how early trade fairs led to the first amusements.
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How gunpowder, tea, and paper from China shaped Europe
How Rome got the secret of Silk
Privileged fairs in Medieval Europe
Christmas markets that still operate today
And the earliest forms...
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May 15, 2024 • 43 mins
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking up “Exploding Kittens.” They then take a look at Mark Dindal’s career as the director of full-length animated features
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
What was the one-and-only film to be produced by Turner Feature Animation
Why is the Henson family reportedly not all that fond of Pixar’s “Monsters Inc”
How many “Garfield” TV specials were ...
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about what happens next with Disneyland Forward now that the Anaheim City Council has officially approved this project. They also discuss what Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed at the Company’s most recent earnings call.
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How long will the WDW version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad be down for rehab
What’s interesting about Dis...
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Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the latest “Despicable Me 4” trailer.
They then review what Universal Parks & Experiences just revealed about Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World.
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
What new variety of Butterbeer-based treat is now available for purchase at the Universal Parks
Why was “Yoshi’s Adventure” reportedly not built as part of Phase One of U...
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May 7, 2024 • 56 mins
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the series finale for that Lucasfilm Animation production, “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.” They then talk about how pleased Paramount+ is with the debut of its “Knuckles” mini-series
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Where did the “Bluey’s Big Play” traveling stage show make its North American debut
When will “The Fairly OddParents: A New Wi...
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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the latest news coming out about the Epic Universe project. They also talk about why Bay Lake Tower is undergoing a year-long refurbishment in the not-so-distant future
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which crime figure from the 1930s inspired Ma Beagle & the Beagle Boys
How is Fort Wilderness’ remote location reportedly impacting DVC sales for the cab...
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May 4, 2024 • 64 mins
Star Wars Day, Disney-Henson Complex History and Rare Muppet Collectibles
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey start this week’s show by discussing the latest
developments in the "Disneyland Forward" project and what this means for future expansions.
They talk about Star Wars Day Merch and share the deep and complex history
between Disney and the Jim Henson Company, highlighting how this relationship
has evolved over the years.
In This Episo...
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April 29, 2024 • 64 mins
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by congratulating Israel Perez & the team at WDW’s Victoria & Albert’s for the Michelin star they were just awarded.
They then welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a discussion of WDSP’s upcoming “Alice & the Red Queen: Back in Wonderland” show
For this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why – when WDW Cast Members finally get to preview “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” – they may ...
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April 27, 2024 • 43 mins
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking up Pixar Fest (which starts this weekend at Disneyland Park).
They then look ahead to which studios will be doing presentations at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival & Market
For this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many Disney-related items are coming up for bid at Van Eaton Galleries’ next big event, “The Joel Magee Auction: Part Two”
Wh...
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