The Disney Dish with Jim Hill
Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
The Disney Dish Podcast with Jim Hill and Len TestaDive into the fascinating world of Disney with theme park historian Jim Hill and Len Testa as they uncover the stories behind the magic. From breaking news and in-depth analyses to quirky historical tidbits and behind-the-scenes secrets, The Disney Dish offers a unique blend of humor, expertise, and insider knowledge.Whether you're a die-hard Disney fan, a theme park aficionado, or just curious about the history and future of Disney parks and resorts, this podcast has something for everyone.What to Expect:
Breaking Disney News: Stay up to date on the latest happenings at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney's global parks.
Historical Deep Dives: Learn how classic attractions were created, the stories behind Disney's biggest decisions, and the Imagineering ingenuity that brought it all to life.
Listener Q&A: Get answers to your burning questions about the parks, attractions, and Disney culture.
Exclusive Insights: Gain access to insider details and stories you won’t find anywhere else.
Fun & Humor: Enjoy the wit and camaraderie of two Disney enthusiasts who know how to make even the most technical details entertaining.
With decades of combined experience and an unmatched passion for all things Disney, Jim and Len guide you through the parks, the stories, and the magic in a way only they can.Your journey to the happiest podcast on earth starts here. Subscribe today!
Breaking Disney News: Stay up to date on the latest happenings at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney's global parks.
Historical Deep Dives: Learn how classic attractions were created, the stories behind Disney's biggest decisions, and the Imagineering ingenuity that brought it all to life.
Listener Q&A: Get answers to your burning questions about the parks, attractions, and Disney culture.
Exclusive Insights: Gain access to insider details and stories you won’t find anywhere else.
Fun & Humor: Enjoy the wit and camaraderie of two Disney enthusiasts who know how to make even the most technical details entertaining.
With decades of combined experience and an unmatched passion for all things Disney, Jim and Len guide you through the parks, the stories, and the magic in a way only they can.Your journey to the happiest podcast on earth starts here. Subscribe today!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 8, 2024 • 48min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 474: Why Disney World’s Asian Resort never got built
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how the Shooting Gallery at WDW’s Magic Kingdom will soon close to become a DVC lounge. They also take a look back at Tomorrowland in this same theme park circa late 1971 / early 1972.Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which then-husband & wife team were originally supposed to play the leads in Disney’s never-produced “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” sequel
When does it appear that the Magic Kingdom will be opening its version of “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure”
Which “Avatar” film is the new experience that Bob Iger recently revealed was in the works for Disneyland in Anaheim supposed to be based on
What significant eco-friendly change is supposedly in the works for Florida’s version of Autopia
According to John Hench, which proposed WDW resorts were deliberately designed in such a way that they could then be seen from inside of the Magic
Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 1, 2024 • 50min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 473: Do you remember WDW’s Treasure Island
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the truce-of-sorts that’s recently been brokered between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District & Disney. They also talk about the drone show that will debut at Disney Springs on May 24thOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which annual event – which is held over in Tampa – made the Imagineers hesitant to bring Disneyland’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride to Florida
Why is much of Epcot’s Morocco pavilion currently hidden behind construction fences
When did Walt Disney make his very last visit to the Studios that he & his brother Roy built in Burbank
What is Tiana asking Guests to help out with when they set sail on her “Bayou Adventure”
How did WDI upset the turkey vultures who frequent the WDW Resort
Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 25, 2024 • 41min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 472: Why the “Disney Fairies” franchise faded out
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the construction permits that just got filed for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They then discuss the “Encanto” -themed show that will be presented in front of CommuniCore Plaza later this SummeOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
What’s the difference between a Milky Way bar and Three Musketeers
Which Dinoland U.S.A. structures are supposed to survive this side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom being transformed into an “Encanto” -themed area
What toy line did Disney Consumer Products launch in the mid-2000s with the hope that it would then become a “Disney Princesses” -like success with little boys
Which “Clueless” star did Disney originally cast as Tinker Bell’s speaking voice
How did Tom Staggs alter Jay Rasulo’s original plans for the Fantasyland expansion that was first announced back in September of 2009
Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 18, 2024 • 47min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep. 471: When may “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” open at WDW’s Magic Kingdom
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Disney World’s latest ticket offer for Florida residents. They’re then joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull who shares some behind-the-scenes storiesOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:What’s significant about the dates that WDW’s latest ticket offer is available for
Where is the control booth for DCA’s “Grizzly River Run” attraction located
Why are Universal Orlando officials so interested in learning where people plan on starting their next Florida vacation
Where was the NYC version of David Copperfield’s Magic Underground restaurant supposed to be locatedWhat happens when you make the Cast Members who drive the monorail nervous Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 11, 2024 • 1h 9min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 470: How WDW fans plan on gaming that “free water park” perk
Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Christina Harrison, who talks up the very best eats to be found at the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Len & Jim then take a closer look at Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySeaOn this episode, listeners will learn about:Which attraction in Dreamworks Land will key off of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”Why are stores at the Disney theme parks still stocking “Monsters University” merch, more than a decade after this Pixar film was first released to theatersWhich hit Fox TV series from the 1990s is The Walt Disney Company reportedly considering revivingWhen do young girls supposedly age out of being fans of the Disney Princess franchiseHow soon after the first “Frozen” film first opened in theaters did the Oriental Land Company announce that it would be adding a land keying off of that Academy Award-winning animated feature to Tokyo DisneySeaShow Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 4, 2024 • 1h 1min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 469: Will Jollywood Nights return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2024
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why the WDW Resort revealed its hotel rates for 2025 months ahead of schedule. They then wrap up their series about the construction of Tomorrowland at DisneylandOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Where the math actually maths for WDW’s free-entry-into-the-water-parks-on-arrival-day offer
What’s different about the newly updated Tequila Experience at Epcot’s La Cava
Where did hundreds of thousands of snow geese stop for a bite as they’re flying back to Canada
When did the very first “Tomorrowland” -themed episode of the “Disneyland” TV show air during the first season of this ABC series
Which Disney animator handled the ID monster in MGM’s “Forbidden Planet”
Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 26, 2024 • 48min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 468: Who just got offered free dining at Walt Disney World
Topics discussed include the future of NBA Experience at Disney Springs, the director hired by Universal Pictures for the next 'Jurassic World' movie, CG animals in 'Soarin' Around the World,' transportation at Disneyland's 'World of Tomorrow,' people watching at World Celebration Gardens, and the evolution of Autopia at Disneyland.
Feb 19, 2024 • 55min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 467: When will WDW’s version of “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” open
Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then explains how Hong Kong Disneyland’s version of Sleeping Beauty Castle was transformed into the Castle of Magical DreamsOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many ECVs can the new bus that’s joining the WDW transportation fleet carry at one time
Why – when you’re given the opportunity by the Disney Cruise Line – you should always take the GYT
How close does the Ultidor system at the Magic Kingdom get to that theme park’s Tomorrowland Speedway
What was the difference between the construction materials that were used to build Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in Anaheim back in 1955 versus the materials that were used to build a second version of this iconic structure at Hong Kong Disneyland
Why did LegCo turn down the opportunity to have a “Star Tours” attraction added to Hong Kong Disneyland in the 2010s
Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 12, 2024 • 42min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 466: Where might Disney World expand out to next
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing a new land use plan that’s recently been revealed for the WDW Resort. They also wrap their series on the history of “Illuminations”SHOW BREAKDOWN:Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:Why did the Imagineers just hate Epcot’s “Surprise in the Sky” showWhich characters will soon begin making appearances at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & SpaWhat did the most recent earnings call reveal about attendance level & hotel room occupancy rates at the WDW ResortHow will Disney, taking a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic Games, potentially impact the Company’s rivals in the themed entertainment businessWhy would it have been a mistake to view the world premiere of “Illuminations” from the Norway pavilion back in late January 1988Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 5, 2024 • 46min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 465: World Celebration Gardens becomes WDW’s newest wedding venue
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by taking a close look at Epic Universe concept art. They then continue their discussion of the development “Illuminations,” EPCOT Center’s break-through nighttime showOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:When (just to be safe) one should go about ordering their tickets for Pride Nite at DisneylandWhy is the Universal Helios Grand Hotel positioned the way it is, facing into Epic Universe Park How Universal Studios Hollywood plans to use the cars themselves that Guests will ride in on that theme park’s new “Fast & Furious” coaster to mitigate noise pollution in the surrounding communityWhere did WDW Entertainment come across the searchlights that then added a popular feature to “A New World Fantasy”Why did Walt Disney Productions suddenly decide to buy the Gibson Greeting Card company in the Late Spring of 1984Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
