The $7 Million 3D Gamble That Saved Opening Day at EPCOT (Ep. 564)

Jim and Len kick off the final Disney Dish of the year with holiday crowds, sold-out Lightning Lane Premier Passes, and one last lap through Jollywood Nights before pivoting into surveys, listener questions, and some unexpectedly nerdy math. Along the way, they remember a beloved Imagineer, dig into why Disney asks the survey questions it does, and break down the best times to roll the dice on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind if you are chasing that perfect song. Then Jim takes everyone deep into EPCOT history with the strange, expensive, and surprisingly high-stakes story of Magic Journeys, the 3D film that quietly kept opening day from turning into a full-blown disaster.

NEWS
• Lightning Lane Premier Pass prices hit record highs and still sell out across Walt Disney World during the holiday rush
• Jollywood Nights sticks the landing in its later years and may now be Disney World’s most popular hard-ticket holiday event
• A remembrance of legendary Imagineer Eddie Sato, including unrealized Mission Space concepts and behind-the-scenes stories
• Animal Kingdom survey questions raise eyebrows about shaded seating and what Disney might really be testing

FEATURE
• How Kodak sponsorships, lost 3D filmmaking knowledge, and a $7 million budget led to Magic Journeys
• Why Magic Journeys was one of the only EPCOT opening-day attractions that actually worked as planned
• Murray Lerner, improvisation, and the near-panic inside Imagineering as the film fell behind schedule
• The experimental reach-and-flinch moments that made Magic Journeys unforgettable and unrepeatable

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

FOLLOW
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SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com. Start planning your 2026 Disney and Universal vacations with exclusive ticket discounts, including savings of $50 or more per person on four-day Walt Disney World tickets. Tickets link directly to your My Disney Experience account, fast and easy. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to save big.

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