The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

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Aug 19, 2024 • 60min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 493: Frontierland to trade steamboat ride for “Cars” -themed road rally

Len Testa & Jim Hill start today’s episode by discussing the changes that will soon be coming to Tom Sawyer Island at WDW’s Magic Kingdom. They also look back at when the “Be Our Guest” restaurant opened at that same theme park back in December of 2012Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:For which Disney animated feature from the 1990s did Ricky Martin voice the title character (for the Latin American / Spanish version of this film, that is)What did the Imagineers once toy with installing inside of the “Hall of Presidents” show buildingWhat does Universal Orlando’s new dining offer tell us about when Epic Universe will likely open to the publicWhy did Disney’s Central Reservations Office have to rethink the number of seatings they could book daily at “Be Our Guest” just six months after this new Magic Kingdom restaurant first openedWhy did the load-in of the Ballroom’s chandelier prove to be a challenge to the “Be Our Guest” construction teamSHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 12, 2024 • 51min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Special Bonus Episode: What’s next for the Disney Parks

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Aug 12, 2024 • 51min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 492: Remembering Disneyland’s Indian Village

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by getting the skinny on thinly sliced pieces of bacon. They then discuss whether the changes that have recently been made to DAS have actually lowered wait times at WDW’s parkThroughout this episode, listeners will learn about:Where did the wax figures from the “Davy Crockett Frontier Museum” eventually wind upWhy would Disney Procurement likely have bought pork products in bulk last yearWhen did the West Coast version of “Country Bear Jamboree” first openWhat’s the name of that Royal Caribbean stage show themed around superheroesWhich Harvard professor helped to turn the American cowboy into that mythic figure we know todaySHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 5, 2024 • 1h 1min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 491 : Disney Destiny puts villains in the spotlight

 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
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Jul 29, 2024 • 1h 16min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 490: In what month of 2025 is Epic Universe going to open?

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
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Jul 22, 2024 • 1h 7min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 489: How does WDW’s new “Country Bear” show stack up

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 close SHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jul 15, 2024 • 1h

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 488: Disney Cruise Line coming to Japan

 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
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Jul 8, 2024 • 57min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 487: A look at LEGO’s lengthy relationship with Disney Parks & Experiences

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the different “lands” that Guests can explore once they board the Disney Adventure (which begins sailing out of Singapore in 2025). They also share a survey from Universal Orlando about this Resort’s version of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:Which musical acts will be appearing at this year’s “Eat to the Beat” concert series as part of the 2024 edition of EPCOT’s International Food & Wine FestivalWhen did Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith come back online at Disney’s Hollywood StudiosHow many passengers is the Disney Adventure supposed to be able to accommodate on each sailing of this new DCL vessel (Bonus question: How many crew members will be on board to service these passengers)According to Greek mythology, which three very different things is the God Poseidon supposed to watch over / be in charge ofWhat happened to attendance levels at EPCOT Center & Disney-MGM Studios theme park right after Disney’s Animal Kingdom first opened in April of 1998Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jul 1, 2024 • 51min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 486: How Lightning Lane Multi Pass is supposed to work

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussingWDW’s Genie+ replacement. They then walk through exactly what happened backstage atDisneyland prior to the launch of that Park’s “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworksOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How far in advance will on-site Guests be able to book Multi Pass reservations When is this new ride reservation system supposed to officially come online atthe Walt Disney World Resort What holiday-themed projection show is supposed to be updated as part of the2024 edition of “Jollywood Nights” Where did Disneyland used to store its fireworks back in the 1980s Why did Disneyland’s firemen go around backstage checking doors & windowsan hour before “Fantasy in the Sky” launchedShow Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 24, 2024 • 50min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 485: Is WDW getting ready to revamp the My Disney Experience app

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by looking at the “Dark Universe” concept art that the Universal Orlando Resort just revealed. Then they wrap up their history of fireworks displays at DisneylandThroughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Who was Disney’s partner when it came to developing a compressed air-based launch system for its fireworks displays When is work supposed to get underway on the refurbishment of WDW’s version of Big Thunder Mountain Why do golf enthusiasts love the 18-hole putting green over at the Palm & Magnolia course Where had the Imagineers originally wanted to build an Ursula-themed spinner at Disney California Adventure What was the computer-controlled fireworks firing system that Harold “Mickey” Aronson designed for the Disney Parks called Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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