The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

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Jun 17, 2024 • 41min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 484: How were Disneyland’s fireworks impacted by the Clean Air Act

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the operational issues that “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” continues to have during its preview period. They also share listeners' theories about why WDW sit-down restaurants have seemed so empty latelyThroughout this episode, listeners will learn about:What changes have been made to the on-board narration for Disneyland’s Mark Twain When will the revamped version of “Country Bear Jamboree” be opening at the Magic Kingdom in Florida Who personally supervised the fireworks display over Seven Seas Lagoon back on October 23, 1971 What’s happening with WDW’s old “Pirates Leagues” facilityWhy were the fast food restaurants & motels built around Disneyland back in the Late 1950s / early 1960s all clustered around the corner of Harbor & KatellaShow Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 10, 2024 • 44min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 483: What were Disneyland’s first fireworks show like

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the technical issues “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” has been facing during its Cast Member preview period. They also take a look at the room décor for WDW Island Tower (i.e., that new DVC which will be opening right next to WDW’s Polynesian Village Resort on December 17th)In this episode, listeners will learn about: Why would Owen & Dolly Pope always tour the corrals at Disneyland’s Circle D Ranch the mornings after fireworks had been shot off at Walt’s family fun park When will Jollywood Nights be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year How far back can the Disneyland tradition of a rope drop at the opening of the park be traced Where did Disneyland management turn when it needed to recruit additional security officers to help man that theme park Which Tomorrowland attraction back in the 1960s was able to handle 4000 Guests an hour Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 3, 2024 • 49min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 482: How “Date Nite at Disneyland” got started

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 1950sIn 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 musical acts is Universal Creative reportedly considering using as the jumping-off point for a maze at a future Halloween Horror Night Why are dining reservations suddenly far easier to get at WDW’s sit-down restaurants Where will road improvements soon begin on Disney World property Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 27, 2024 • 53min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 481: Up before dawn with “Disney Dreams That Soar”

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 ResortThroughout 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 Gardens” so difficult for golfers How long after the theme for “Winter Summerland” was selected did this miniature golf course open up right next door to Blizzard Beach What did Tiger Woods have to say about “Fantasia Fairways” Which buildings at Disney’s Saratoga Springs should offer the very best views of “Disney Dreams That Soar” (EDITOR’S NOTE: on the side facing Disney Springs Lake) Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 20, 2024 • 51min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 480: When the Disneyland Hotel had a miniature golf course

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 ResortThroughout 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 Taylor Swift concert film show up on Disney+ How did Jack Wrather deal with Disneyland being closed on Mondays & Tuesdays during that theme park’s off-season starting back in the late 1950s What does the future hold for Magic Bands Why is it very appropriate that the road directly behind the Disneyland Hotel is called Walnut Street Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 13, 2024 • 54min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 479: What became of that “Typhoon Lagoon” movie Disney was going to make

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
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May 6, 2024 • 43min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 478: What went wrong with “Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration”

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
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Apr 29, 2024 • 1h 2min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 477 : Why WDW’s “Fire Mountain” project flamed out

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
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Apr 22, 2024 • 50min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 476: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” gets ready for its grand opening

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts at Universal Orlando. They then look back at Disney’s reaction to Mattel’s 1972 announcement of its Circus World theme park projectThroughout this episode, listeners will learn about:How many times will Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights be presented this yearWhat’s the name of the bay that the “World of Frozen” is built alongside at the theme park formerly known as Walt Disney Studios Park in ParisWhat price range is Universal reportedly considering when it comes to admission to its new kid-friendly park currently under construction in Bliss, TXWhy are the popcorn buckets sold at the Disney Parks in Anaheim & Tokyo so much nicer than the ones that are sold at the WDW ResortHow were the elephants dressed at the groundbreaking ceremony for Circus World back in April of 1973Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Apr 15, 2024 • 54min

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 475: Re-opened 1900 Park Fare serves up a superior character meal

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by deep-diving into the changes the Disney Parks are about to make to their DAS policy. They also continue their look back at WDW’s TomorrowlandThroughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How many episodes of “Law & Order: SVU” has Ice-T appeared in to date What were Disney Legend John Hench’s concerns about the version of World Showcase that was almost built next to WDW’s TTC How long did it take the team at WDW’s Food Labs to create that translucent fruit that was served aboard the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” When was Phase One of “Project Florida” originally supposed to end construction How tall was Thunder Mesa (i.e., the table-top mountain that was supposed to house WDW’s “Western River Expedition” ride) supposed to be Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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