The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

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 of entertainment  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 featuresOver 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 produced for CBS back in the late 1988 / early 1990s Where can you go to get an earlier look at “Slide,” Bill Plympton’s next animated film Who voiced Anna & Elsa’s Mom in the first “Frozen” movie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Disney’s decision to extend the permit it had with the South Florida Water Management District for the area between Fort Wilderness & Wilderness Lodge for another 5 years Which moderate resort at WDW will be having its guest room refurbished now through November What did Michael Eisner want to originally call the water thrill park that the Company first announced for Florida back in December of 1985 Who did Disney initially hire to write the screenplay for that Studio’s “Typhoon Lagoon” movie Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Universa Studios Hollywood’s “Super Nintendo World” What show is now going to be presented inside of USF’s “A Day in the Park with Barney” theater Which Australian-based company wound up with the rights to make “Bluey” & “Despicable Me” toys How far along now is the construction of Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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-seriesOver 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 Wish” be debuting on Nickelodeon Who was supposed to voice the title character in Jorge Guiterrez’ “I, Chihuahua” When did the $70 million custom-built Walt Disney Feature Animation – Florida production facility officially come online Which animation historian will be creating original content for the Classic television Network’s soon-to-debut channel, MeTV Toons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 futureThroughout 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 cabins there How many animated series featuring Disney’s “Stitch” character have been produced to date How could the Beyond Big Thunder project potentially impact the Rivers of America at WDW’s Magic Kingdom Which two living character initiative shows plowed the road for “Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration” Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Star Wars Day, Disney-Henson Complex History and Rare Muppet CollectiblesJim Hill and Lauren Hersey start this week’s show by discussing the latestdevelopments 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 historybetween Disney and the Jim Henson Company, highlighting how this relationshiphas evolved over the years.In This Episode: New Pandora Merch lighting up Animal Kingdom Sneak Peek at Donald Duck's 90th Collection. Muppets in Space and the Disney-Henson Relationship: Learn about the significance of this project in their complex history. Jim's Rare Muppet Collection and the story behind it. YouTube Title- Part 1: New Experience Coming to Disneyland, Pandora Merch, and Sneak Peek Donald Duck 90th Anniversary collection.Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey share the stories behind the Disney collectibles.In this episode, they kick things off with the "Disneyland Forward" Updates and the exciting expansion plans at Disneyland.They look at the New Pandora Merch coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and share a sneak peek of the highly anticipated Donald Duck 90th Anniversary Collection.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: patreon.com/jimhillmediaWEBSITE: jimhillmedia.comSUBSCRIBE to JIM HILL MEDIA: https://www.youtube.com/user/jimhillmediaSUBSCRIBE TO DISNEY UNPACKED!https://www.youtube.com/@DisneyUnpackedLISTEN TO THE JIM HILL MEDIA PODCAST NETWORK ON SPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/show/1aaVkv92h4H7kGxrZE5qMHSTAY CONNECTED:LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JimHillMediaNewsX (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/JimHillMediaINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jimhillmediaEMAIL: jim@jimhillmedia.com, lauren@laurenhersey.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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” showFor this episode, listeners will learn about:Why – when WDW Cast Members finally get to preview “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” – they may come at this revamped flume ride from backstageHow far along is the “Disneyland Forward” project when it comes to Anaheim’s approval processWhat’s interesting about that construction permit that just got pulled for Epcot’s “Journey into Imagination” pavilion The “Frozen” star recently got the opportunity to try his hand at conducting on the Disneyland Railroad Why – when it comes to updating and/or making significant changes to the African side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – the Imagineers have very limited choices Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 & MarketFor 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” Which Pixar veteran is directing “Transformers One” for Paramount Animation When will “Robot Dreams” be released to select theaters in North America What became of the plaque in the lobby of NYC’s Broadway Theater which commemorates “Steamboat Willie” ‘s world premiere in that same space back in 1928 Who was supposed to originally voice Fiona in the “Shrek” film series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the tram accident that happened this past weekend at Universal Studios Hollywood.They then take a close look at the perks annual passholders will be able to enjoy at the Universal Orlando parks starting in May.Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which Universal horror classic got transformed from a silent film to a sound picture in 1929 Why did Universal Studios Florida push back the opening of “Twister … Ride It Out” from March of 1998 to early May of that same year Which store used to occupy the space in Universal CityWalk that’s now being transformed into the Epic Universe preview center Back in 1931, who did Universal Pictures originally announce was going to star in that Studio’s upcoming production of “Frankenstein” Which cartoon character is at the wheel of that popcorn bucket that Universal Hollywood is now selling to commemorate the 60th anniversary of that theme park’s tram tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices