The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by reviewing Universal Orlando’s plans for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic.”They then talk about which WDW DVC may soon be expandingOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:What’s significant about the survey Universal Orlando recently distributed about possible price points for annual passesWhere does Steven Tyler get the scarves that he uses to decorate his mic standHow tall was Walt DisneyWhich moment from the third episode of the “Davy Crockett” limited series did Disneyland’s Frontier Museum recreateWhy were Fess Parker & Buddy Ebsen wet when they made their entrance in “Dateline Disneyland”SHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start this show by talking about the merch currently available at the Universal Orlando Resort.They also talk about how exactly the Haunted Mansion is coming back online at Disneyland ParkThroughout this episode, listeners will learn about:Which new variation of Butterbeer just became available in the Wizarding World of Harry PotterWhere was Disney Legend Marc Davis’ home located in Los AngelesWhen did the National Forest Service award Walt Disney Productions the rights to develop a ski resort at Mineral KingWho was supposed to have stayed in the Carriage House that’s now being built right by the exit to the Disneyland version of The Haunted MansionHow much “The Haunted Mansion” movie that Walt Disney Pictures released last July reportedly cost to make Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s show, Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull & Len’s twin sister, Linda. These four then discuss the news of the day and look back at the grand opening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith.For this episode, listeners will learn about:What idea did the Imagineers explore for improving DCA’s Grizzly River Run?How long has it been since a major new thrill ride opened at one of the theme parks found at the Universal Orlando Resort?How has the roll-out of Lightning Lane Multi-Pass been going so farWhat contributed to Disney’s decision to only present “Rogers: The Musical” in the Hyperion Theater for a single summerWho influenced Kelsey Mann to find a place for Figment in “Inside Out 2”SHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In the seventh installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid talk about what happened in themed entertainment at the start of the 20th Century. How World’s Fairs continued to grow and develop Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:The 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St LouisIn what ways did the Brussels International Exposition of 1910 influence the design of Main Street, USAHow did the Exposition Universelle impact Disneyland ParisWhere was the other “White City” builtWhy was the Panama-California Exposition considered a rogue event  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Eric Hersey returns from the Universal Orlando Resort and gives Jim Hill a brief glimpse of what he & his family experienced down in Central Florida.Eric & Jim then take a look at the Rock’s first film roleOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:Why you should go straight to the Trolls Trollercoaster as soon as Universal Studios Florida opens for the dayHow much was Dwayne Johnson paid to appear in “The Mummy Returns”What’s the origin story for Seven Bucks ProductionsHow does “Disney Dreams That Soar” stack up against the drone component of USF’s new nighttime show, “Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular”How did Comcast’s earnings for the second quarter of 2024 compare to that company’s earning for the same period in fiscal 2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start this week’s show by spotlighting some of the “Star Wars” -related panels being presented at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.They then do a deep dive in on Lucasfilm’s latest limited series for Disney+Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:How big (square foot-wise) is the San Diego Convention Center Which room do you want to be in this Friday morning to experience three solid hours of “Star Wars” goodness What role did Craig Miller play in helping to make “A New Hope” the success that it was How soon after “Russian Doll” debuted on Netflix was Leslye Headland recruited to come work on a new limited series for Lucasfilm Who is Shawn Levy working with to develop a script for his proposed “Star Wars” film Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about how “Inside Out 2” just became the highest-grossing animated feature of all time (barring Disney’s photo-realistic “Lion King” of 2019).They also take a look back at “The Rescuers”Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about;Which character was Phil Harris originally supposed to voice in “The Rescuers”How many art students did Disney initially invite to take part in the Studio’s inaugural animation boot camp?What advice did Bob Newhart give Don Rickles in regards to voicing Mr. Potatohead in Pixar’s “Toy Story”Which Disney featurette from the mid-1970s did the Studio’s animation trainees cut their teeth on?What film did better than the original “Star Wars” when it was finally released in France in 1977 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa starts this week’s show by revealing which attractions will be open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Extended Evening Hours at that theme park later this year.And then Jim Hill wraps up his history of Epcot’s “Maelstrom” attraction.In this episode, listeners will learn about:Why was the original version of “Country Bear Jamboree” trimmed down back in October 2012What land does Hong Kong Disneyland that is traditionally found at other castle parksWhy did the Imagineers dial back the North Sea scene in “Maelstrom” just before this World Showcase attraction officially opened in July of 1988Which animatronic figure from “The Hall of Presidents” can also be found as a eunuch along “Spaceship Earth” ‘s ride trackWhen – according to the U.S. census – did the wide open spaces of the American West officially come to a closeSHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking up the “Jurassic World: Chaos Theory” panel Drew will be hosting at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.They then talk about which animated film franchise is currently the top earner Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:How many people have been to every single Comic-Con since the first event was held in San Diego back in 1970When did Disney Legend Ken Anderson retire from the Company?Why was Disney forced to make “The Story of Robin Hood” in the UK back in the early 1950sHow many days will separate the release of “Toy Story 5” & “Shrek 5” during the Summer of 2026Where is William Stout’s booth located in the San Diego Convention Center? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Disney author & historian Foxx Nolte. Who gives them a preview of his latest book, “Scoundrels, Villains, & Knaves: Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Popular Culture” Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:What are the differences between the VIP tours offered at WDW versus those made available to visitors at the Universal Orlando ResortWhich train show staged back in the mid-1940s reportedly influenced the design of New Orleans Square at Disneyland ParkWhat’s the rumored reason that character greetings are not being offered as part of Lightning Lane Multi-passWhich scene was originally designed for the Escher Staircase area for WDW’s version of the Haunted Mansion What’s kind of intriguing about the fact that the Themed Entertainment Association has yet to release its annual Theme Park Index (which lists theme park attendance numbers) has yet to be released for 2024 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices