Avsnitt
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Len Testa and Jim Hill recap a busy week in the parks, from the debut of Bluey at Disney's Animal Kingdom and the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run experience to Universal's latest expansion rumors. They also dive deep into Disney's surprise announcement that Carousel of Progress will receive its most significant overhaul in decades, including new scenes, new narration, and a fresh look at the future. Along the way, Jim shares the attraction's fascinating history, from its roots in Edison Square to its journey through the 1964 World's Fair and beyond.
NEWS
• Len shares his experience aboard the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run featuring new Mandalorian and Grogu story elements.
• Bluey officially arrives at Disney's Animal Kingdom, drawing massive opening-day crowds and virtual queue demand.
• Disney announces a major reimagining of Carousel of Progress, with new time periods and an all-new future scene.
• Universal removes Express Pass access from Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure beginning July 1.
• New permits and construction activity hint at future expansions for Dark Universe and the Wizarding World at Epic Universe.
FEATURE
• The surprising origins of Carousel of Progress and Disney's abandoned Edison Square concept.
• How General Electric helped transform the attraction from a Disneyland proposal into a 1964 World's Fair centerpiece.
• The attraction's move from Disneyland to Walt Disney World and the evolution of its story over six decades.
• Why Disney's latest update may secure Carousel of Progress as a Magic Kingdom staple for generations to come.
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
UnlockedMagic.com - https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=disneydish
EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/DISNEYDISH Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Len Testa and Jim Hill review Walt Disney World’s latest wave of attraction updates, including the new Soarin’ Across America film, the Muppets’ chaotic takeover of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, and the newly refurbished Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Then Los Angeles Times columnist Todd Martens joins the show to discuss Disneyland’s evolving version of Galaxy’s Edge, why Disney is pivoting away from strict sequel-era storytelling, and how the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run finally addresses years of guest feedback.
NEWS
• Len shares first impressions of Soarin’ Across America, including the updated Patrick Warburton pre-show and the new opening rocket launch sequence
• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets debuts with extensive new ride scenes, classic rock parody album covers, and dozens of hidden gags
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens with a smoother ride experience and upgraded effects after its lengthy refurbishment
• Disney expands Walt Disney World luggage transfer service to American, United, and Southwest Airlines
• Universal announces a Sinners-themed Halloween Horror Nights house for both Orlando and Hollywood
FEATURE
• Todd Martens discusses Disneyland’s changing approach to Galaxy’s Edge and the return of classic Star Wars characters and locations
• Why the original immersive “live your own Star Wars story” concept struggled to fully materialize inside the land
• The updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run adds new destinations including Coruscant, Bespin, Endor, and Tatooine
• How Imagineering redesigned the attraction to improve gameplay for pilots, engineers, and gunners alike
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
GUEST
• Todd Martens - Bluesky: @toddmartens.bsky.social | Instagram: @toddmartens
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
• UnlockedMagic.com - Save on your next Disney vacation with discounted Walt Disney World tickets: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=disneydish
EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/DISNEYDISH Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/DISNEYDISH Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Len Testa and Jim Hill break down a busy week in theme park news, from Bluey crowd control at Animal Kingdom to Universal’s possible drone-show ambitions. Len also crunches the numbers on the best days to visit Magic Kingdom, because nothing says vacation like 22 million wait times and a spreadsheet with emotional damage. Then Jim digs into Disneyland’s opening-day ticket scandal and why Walt Disney may have had very good reasons to sour on Western Publishing.
NEWS
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom prepares for Bluey with a virtual queue and some serious toddler-capacity math.
• Len explains why Sundays may be your best Magic Kingdom bet from January through July, while party season flips the calendar.
• Disneyland’s Autopia goes electric in 2027, raising questions about batteries, car design, and Tomorrowland’s long-overdue tune-up.
• Universal Orlando surveys guests about pets, which may hint at Secret Life of Pets possibilities in Florida.
• A new Universal patent features an onboard animated figure, possibly a frog, possibly a nightmare with wheels.
FEATURE
• Jim revisits Disneyland’s chaotic 1955 opening day and the mysterious flood of “legitimate” invitations.
• The story points toward Western Publishing, one of Disneyland’s earliest investors and official printers.
• Walt’s later decision to buy out Western may have had more behind it than simple business strategy.
• Also discussed: C.V. Wood, Black Sunday, Bob Gurr, Richard Nixon, and why the Secret Service probably hated the monorail.
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
The Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, from the team at DVC Rental Store. Visit UnlockedMagic.com for great deals on Disney theme park admission.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Jim Hill and Len Testa welcome Professor Roland Betancourt to discuss his new book, Disneyland and the Rise of Automation, which somehow connects Walt Disney, Ford factories, magnetic tape, Forest Lawn, Willy Wonka, and ride computers named Fred. They also cover big park updates, from Mythos closing at Universal Orlando to new Walt Disney World previews, Lakeshore Lodge concept art, Roger Rabbit’s safer spin, and Hocus Pocus 3 heading to theaters. Naturally, milk percentages are also examined with the seriousness they deserve.
NEWS
• Universal confirms Mythos will close with Lost Continent, while Thunder Falls Terrace becomes a new full-service signature restaurant in 2027.
• Walt Disney World sets AP preview dates for Soarin’ and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets.
• Magic Kingdom prepares for a fourth ferry boat, the first new one since 1976.
• Disney reveals new Lakeshore Lodge concept art, including a large pool and lazy river area.
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin reopens at Disneyland with pre-programmed spinning.
• Disney officially greenlights Hocus Pocus 3, with the Sanderson Sisters reportedly heading beyond the stage show and into the parks.
FEATURE
• Roland Betancourt explains how Ford’s River Rouge plant helped shape Walt Disney’s thinking about automation.
• The discussion traces magnetic tape, Cold War technology, and the real roots of Audio-Animatronics.
• Big Thunder Mountain introduces “anti-Fred logic,” a wonderfully Disney solution to button-related human creativity.
• Harper Goff’s work on Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory reveals another strange and delightful bridge between factories and theme parks.
• Why Disneyland surveyed guests like a giant postwar science experiment - and how those surveys still shape the parks today.
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
GUEST
• Roland Betancourt - Book: Disneyland and the Rise of Automation
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
The Disney Dish News is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get discounted Walt Disney World tickets and plan your next trip at UnlockedMagic.com
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a caffeinated mix of Disney news, listener questions, and one deeply researched (and slightly petty) rant about guitar accuracy. They also explore the mystery of Walt’s unfinished apartment bathroom and debate just how early is too early for Halloween. Then Jim brings the main event: the story of how Maxwell House coffee landed on Main Street, missed its big debut, and ultimately got shown the door - paving the way for a quieter, smarter coffee strategy at Disneyland.
NEWS
Preview dates announced for Soarin’ and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets, with guests likely riding by mid-May
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run may finally make the engineer role matter (yes, really)
Bluey’s Animal Kingdom appearance may skip meet-and-greets entirely, possibly to avoid crowd-control chaos
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party now starts August 7, because apparently summer needed pumpkins
EPCOT Food & Wine Festival returns in late August, continuing Disney’s “why wait for fall?” strategy
FEATURE
The original deal that brought Maxwell House Coffee to Disneyland - complete with big promises and bigger expectations
Why the Main Street coffee house wasn’t ready for opening day (and stayed that way for months)
The rain-soaked grand opening that didn’t help Disney’s relationship with its coffee sponsor
How Hills Brothers stepped in, kept the New Orleans theming, and quietly made the concept work
The evolution of the location from sponsored coffee house to struggling restaurant to retail space
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
The Disney Dish News is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get discounted Walt Disney World tickets and plan your next trip at UnlockedMagic.com
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Jim and Len are joined by Sporkful host Dan Pashman to dig into the surprisingly rich stories behind Disney theme park food, including how a handwritten gumbo recipe in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure connects to real culinary history. Along the way, they explore Imagineering’s obsessive attention to detail, from menu design to discarded ideas that probably would’ve attracted bees (and at least one very confused operations team). Then, Jim wraps up the story of WestCOT and Disney’s ambitious “Live the Dream” concept, where guests might have spent the night inside the park itself.
NEWS
• Disney quietly discontinues the Pirates Adventure Lightning Lane perk hours after it’s mentioned on the show
• Opening window set for Lakeshore Lodge at Walt Disney World in summer 2027
• Smugglers Run update tied to The Mandalorian and Grogu may arrive alongside the film’s May release
• On-site hotel perks confirmed through 2027, with Fort Wilderness campsites losing eligibility
• Disney Cruise Line rolls out “kids sail half off” promotions as future bookings soften
FEATURE
• The full story of WestCOT, Disney’s planned Epcot-style park for Disneyland’s expansion pad
• The “Live the Dream” concept, which would have placed hotel rooms directly on top of attractions
• How guest surveys pushed Imagineering to explore the idea of staying overnight inside a theme park
• The role of Michael Eisner in driving a more entertaining version of Epcot
• Why a 300-foot-tall golden version of Spaceship Earth nearly rose over Anaheim
• How budget cuts, Disneyland Paris struggles, and scope reductions led to the project’s cancellation
• The surprising ways this idea lived on in later projects like Tokyo DisneySea’s hotels and beyond
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill (@JimHillMedia) – jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa (@lentesta.bsky.social) – touringplans.com
GUEST
• Dan Pashman – Host of The Sporkful
• Website: https://www.sporkful.com/
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sporkful/id350709629
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesporkful/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesporkful?lang=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sporkful
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
Unlock deep discounts on Disney tickets and get your family onto Big Thunder Mountain (doctor’s orders) with Unlocked Magic – https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=disneydish
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Lauren and Eric go underground this week to unpack their unexpectedly viral TikTok and the surprisingly polarizing reactions to their utilidor-inspired basement. What started as a fun Disney homage quickly turned into a reality check from former cast members who know the tunnels all too well. Then, the conversation moves topside as they explore what it really costs to live near Walt Disney World, from Golden Oak luxury to the curious case of Celebration.
HIGHLIGHTS
A TikTok featuring their utilidor-themed basement sparks viral attention and unexpected cast member reactions
Former Disney cast members reveal the less magical side of the utilidor, including smells, noise, and daily operations
The surprising divide between Disney fan perception and cast member reality when it comes to backstage areas
A breakdown of Golden Oak living, including home prices ranging from $4M to $18M and steep HOA fees
Celebration, Florida examined as Disney’s original master-planned community, with mixed reviews from residents on charm versus “uncanny valley” vibes
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
Eric Hersey – X: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey
Lauren Hersey – X: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
FOLLOW – DIS & HERS
Website: DisAndHers.com
Instagram: @disandhers
TikTok: @disandhers
Facebook: Dis and Hers
YouTube: Dis & Hers
FOLLOW – JIM HILL MEDIA
Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
Instagram: JimHillMedia
TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited & Produced by Eric Hersey – Strong Minded Agency
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Len Testa and Jim Hill sprint through a packed week of Disney and Universal news, from Rock 'n' Roller Coaster's Muppets makeover to the return of Walt Disney World's deluxe dining plan. Along the way, they dig into Universal's new day-of Express offering, answer listener questions about everything from BioReconstruct to Main Street nostalgia, and somehow still find room for pistachio-based trauma. In the main segment, Jim continues the fascinating story of Disney's ambitious "Live the Dream" concept for Disneyland's second gate, including the idea of building hotels directly on top of attractions.
NEWS
• Disney has officially brought back the deluxe dining plan for 2027, adding a higher-end option as the company looks for new ways to fill table-service restaurants.
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster reopens on May 26, 2026, with the Electric Mayhem taking over the ride and a set list that mixes classic rock with a few curveballs.
• Celebrity cameos for the reimagined coaster include Awkwafina, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, Wayne Brady, Travis Barker, Yvette Nicole Brown, Danny Trejo, Darren Criss, and Weird Al Yankovic.
• A rumor out of Adventureland suggests that completing A Pirate's Adventure may once again unlock a Lightning Lane for Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Universal Orlando has launched Universal Express Now, a smartphone-based, day-of skip-the-line option that sounds a bit like Lightning Lane's less patient cousin.
FEATURE
• Jim continues the history of Disneyland's "Live the Dream" project, a bold expansion concept tied to the resort's long-discussed second park.
• This chapter explores Disney's growing realization that hotels were a license to print money, especially after the company began operating its own resorts.
• The episode also connects that thinking to Anaheim's old "Disney cone" zoning rules, which helped protect Disneyland's sightlines from looming high-rises.
• Most intriguingly, Jim tees up the wildest part of the story: a version of Disneyland's future where hotels would have been built directly above attractions.
For this episode's show notes click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
• Today's episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, with discounted theme park tickets for Disney's newest and reopening attractions.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a mix of Disney Parks news, listener questions, and a fascinating deep-dive into a forgotten concept for Disneyland’s second gate. They discuss Big Thunder Mountain’s updated height requirement, rumors around Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s Muppet makeover, and whether Disney might follow Las Vegas into immersive Sphere-style storytelling. Then Jim explores Disney’s ambitious “Live the Dream” project—an Imagineering concept that would have placed hotels directly inside a theme park.
NEWS
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens May 3 with a lowered height requirement, allowing more younger guests to ride
• Rumblings of a preview for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets, including possible Electric Mayhem music
• Media event timing hints at a potential Memorial Day launch window for the updated attraction
• Discussion of how ride vehicles or track changes might support the new height requirement
FEATURE
• The origins of Disney’s “Live the Dream” concept for a second Disneyland park
• Dorothea Redmond’s vision of boutique hotel rooms built inside Magic Kingdom’s Main Street structures
• How early Imagineering explored placing full-scale hotel experiences inside theme parks
• The role of Walt Disney’s obsession with “visual intrusion” in shaping park design
• Why corporate decisions and risk aversion ultimately shelved these ambitious ideas
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
The Disney Dish News is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get discounted Walt Disney World tickets and plan your next trip at UnlockedMagic.com
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Len and Jim follow the money, the zoning maps, and at least one imaginary contractor from 79 A.D. to figure out where new Magic Kingdom hotels might go—and whether you’ll one day be able to literally sleep inside Villains Land. Then Jim digs into one of Disneyland’s strangest early attractions: a fully gold-plated “Bathroom of Tomorrow” that proves Walt Disney could, in fact, make plumbing both educational and slightly terrifying. Along the way: after-2pm tickets, summer crowd tea leaves, and why your next Disney vacation might come with a side of afternoon thunderstorms and existential ride downtime.
NEWS
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin soft-opens at Magic Kingdom with updated gameplay and improved interactivity
• Walt Disney World introduces new after-2pm summer tickets with lower per-hour cost—but higher exposure to Florida’s daily thunderstorm roulette
• Summer 2026 discounts (tickets + hotels) hint at softer-than-expected demand and rising travel costs impacting attendance
• Deposition reveals Disney explored building one or two hotels near Magic Kingdom—raising big questions about location, zoning, and long-term expansion
• Universal quietly moves forward with demolition at Islands of Adventure’s Lost Continent as speculation swirls (Zelda, anyone?)
FEATURE
• The real story behind Disneyland’s Bathroom of Tomorrow (1956–1960), designed by industrial legend Henry Dreyfuss
• Why everything in the exhibit was gold-plated—and why diamonds were, regrettably, ruled out
• How Walt Disney’s practical, farm-raised approach to plumbing influenced early park design (and yes, restroom priorities)
• The clash between Dreyfuss’s elegant bathroom design and Monsanto’s… “efficient” House of the Future facilities
• How Disney parks later became a real-world testing lab for product design—including a Polaroid camera shaped by guests fumbling with popcorn-greased fingers
For this episode’s full shownotes click here.
View transcript here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get discounted Walt Disney World theme park tickets—often below Disney’s direct pricing—at UnlockedMagic.com.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Len shares a first-hand look at the newly updated Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, breaking down what’s changed and whether it improves gameplay. The show also covers Bluey’s wildly popular debut at Disneyland and the operational ripple effects already being felt. In the main segment, Jim unpacks the complicated series of business decisions, ownership changes, and industry shifts that ultimately led to Miss Piggy & pals making their home at the Mouse House.
NEWS
Len reviews the updated Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, including new handheld blasters that significantly improve aiming and gameplay
Enhanced laser visibility and dual-color targeting (red vs. green) make it easier to track shots and differentiate players
Targets are now digital with dynamic scoring tied to color and animation, increasing replayability and challenge
A new practice room at the start of the ride helps guests learn the updated system before gameplay begins
Bluey’s Best Day Ever at Disneyland sees overwhelming demand, forcing immediate changes to show operations and crowd management
FEATURE
Jim breaks down why Bear in the Big Blue House ended after four seasons despite its popularity
The financial collapse of EMTV and its impact on the Jim Henson Company’s ability to continue production
Which companies -- besides Disney -- was interested in acquiring the Muppets back in 2003
Why the Henson family ultimately decided that The Walt Disney Company should be Kermit & Co's "forever home"
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com
FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORTSupport the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSORThis episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic, offering discounted Walt Disney World theme park tickets at prices lower than Disney’s direct rates.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Len Testa and Jim Hill unpack a newly discovered Disney patent that may hint at the ride system for Piston Peak, along with updates from Disneyland construction, Disney Cruise Line, and Epic Universe. They also dig into recent survey data revealing how Disney is tracking guest spending and behavior. Then, in the first installment of a new series, Jim explores how Bear in the Big Blue House became a key piece in Disney’s long pursuit of the Muppets and how that history connects directly to Bluey today.
NEWS
• A newly surfaced Disney patent suggests a possible trackless, free-range ride system for Piston Peak, featuring dynamic terrain elements like logs and geysers
• Cast Member previews begin for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin update at Walt Disney World
• Disneyland construction continues on the Coco attraction and new parking infrastructure near Harbor Boulevard
• Anaheim Transportation Network shutdown could impact 22,000 daily riders, with Garden Grove launching replacement shuttle service
• Disney Cruise Line announces the Disney Believe, with speculation about Galveston becoming a future home port
FEATURE
• The origin story of Bear in the Big Blue House and how it became a breakout hit for Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney block
• How Disney used its partnership with the Jim Henson Company to strategically position itself for a future Muppets acquisition
• The surprising role of Sesame Street ownership in derailing Disney’s early attempts to buy Henson
• Why Disney once considered acquiring Bear in the Big Blue House alone instead of the full Muppets library
Show Notes for this episode can be found here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
The Disney Dish is sponsored by Unlock Magic. Save on Walt Disney World tickets with exclusive discounts at UnlockedMagic.com.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
This week’s Disney Dish mixes a packed Walt Disney World news round-up with a deeply nostalgic trip through one of Disney-MGM Studios’ most beloved lost attractions. Jim and Len break down a wave of reopening dates, new discount strategy, annual passholder survey oddities, and a fresh round of listener questions before returning to Jim’s ongoing history of The Great Movie Ride. The main story this time shifts backstage, focusing on the cast members, timing, choreography, and split-second performance work that made the attraction feel so alive. It is part park operations deep dive, part oral history, and pure Disney nerd catnip.
NEWS
• Walt Disney World rolls out a cluster of reopening dates, including Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin on April 8, Soarin’ Around America and Bluey at Animal Kingdom on May 26, plus more returning offerings later this summer.
• Disney also unveils new summer and fall offers, including free dining and a 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket, signaling a coordinated push to fill rooms after the spring reopening window.
• Universal Studios Hollywood begins ride cycling Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, offering a first look at the drifting ride vehicle tech expected to influence the Orlando version.
• Disney names Thomas Mazloum chairman of Disney Experiences, setting off a broader leadership reshuffle across Disneyland, Parks International, and Consumer Products.
• A new annual passholder survey raises eyebrows by spotlighting Zootopia-themed offerings at Animal Kingdom, fueling more speculation about where Disney may lean with that IP in the future.
FEATURE
• Jim continues the history of The Great Movie Ride by focusing on the cast members who brought the attraction to life, from auditioning tour guides to the performers who earned the right to play the gangster and bank robber.
• The episode explores the ride’s hidden operational complexity, including synchronized tram timing, live performance beats, emergency exits, and the backstage choreography required to make two different versions of the attraction work at once.
• Jim also shares stories about effects changes, guest complaints, on-the-job mishaps, and the strong sense of community that kept former cast members emotionally attached to the attraction long after its 2017 closure.
• The result is a vivid look at why The Great Movie Ride was not just a ride system and a script, but a live performance machine that depended on timing, talent, and nerves.
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
View transcript here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - Website: TouringPlans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
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Jim Hill and Len Testa discuss Villains Land expansion permits, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster’s refurbishment timeline, and how negotiations over the Chinese Theatre helped shape Disney’s use of Carthay Circle as a park icon. Plus, listener questions, MuppetVision’s future on Apple Vision Pro, and a standout cheesecake discovery at Walt Disney World.
NEWS
• Updated permits show Villains Land attractions expanding, with both the dark ride and coaster buildings increasing in size.
• Infrastructure work for Piston Peak and Villains Land is currently scheduled to be completed by December 2027.
• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has closed for refurbishment, with a possible Memorial Day reopening target.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s refurbishment permit has been extended through August 31, 2026.
• Brian Henson says MuppetVision 3D is coming to Apple Vision Pro with selectable viewing seats.
• Len shares a rave review of the brulée Basque cheesecake at Bourbon Steak in the Walt Disney World Dolphin.
FEATURE
• Jim continues the history of The Great Movie Ride and Disney’s negotiations with theater owner Tedd Mann.
• The story explains why Disney insisted on calling the building simply the Chinese Theatre.
• Jim also details how the Carthay Circle Theatre eventually became the icon of Disney California Adventure.
• Early plans for the building included a ride, stage show, film attraction, and museum before it became a restaurant.
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: https://www.instagram.com/JimHillMedia | X: https://twitter.com/JimHillMedia | Website: https://JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: https://www.instagram.com/len.testa | Website: https://touringplans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JimHillMedia• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
The Disney Dish news is sponsored by our friends at Unlocked Magic. Looking for discounted Walt Disney World theme park tickets - including hard-to-find 1- and 2-day options? Head to unlockedmagic.com to find deals that can beat Disney’s direct pricing.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
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This week, Jim and Len explore how the most famous movie palace in Hollywood became the centerpiece of Disney’s Hollywood Studios… and somehow never its official icon. Along the way, Olaf teaches drawing lessons (to himself), Millennium Falcon gets a name that even Disney couldn’t commit to, Butterbeer achieves new levels of sugar density, Disneyland Paris flirts with character hotel makeovers, and Disney Cruise Line tries to figure out exactly how much of a discount it takes to get you off the couch.
NEWS
• Olaf hosts a new drawing experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including a wonderfully meta segment where Olaf learns to draw Olaf.
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run briefly adds “A New Mission” to its name before Disney quietly rethinks the branding.
• Universal’s Butterbeer Season returns with waffles, cream puffs, and what your cardiologist calls “concerns.”
• Joe Rohde releases “Floating Mountains,” blending travel stories and creative philosophy.
• Disneyland Paris surveys suggest Newport Bay Club rooms may soon feature aquatic Disney IP overlays.
• A Disney Cruise Line survey reveals how many clicks it takes before 30 percent off starts sounding persuasive.
FEATURE
The History of The Great Movie Ride – Part 2
• Why the Chinese Theatre replica sits in icon position but never officially became the park’s symbol.
• How Sid Grauman turned an earthquake, a tent, and a projector into a Hollywood empire.
• Walt Disney’s long affection for the Chinese Theatre, from Flowers and Trees to the Mary Poppins premiere.
• The subtle design tweaks that made Florida’s version taller, shinier, and occasionally slippery.
• How The Great Movie Ride building carried more history than most guests ever realized.
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets at prices better than gate rates by visiting UnlockedMagic.com.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Len reports on a behind-the-scenes rethink of Magic Kingdom’s upcoming Villains Land, with Imagineering now under pressure to deliver not just “like” but “love.” The guys also touch on Epic Universe’s revenue strategy, Universal’s aggressive 2026 ticket bundles, and what a Mayan archaeology conference might reveal about the future of Indiana Jones at Animal Kingdom.
NEWS• Magic Kingdom reverses the second Disney Starlight parade route to ease Main Street exits.• Universal debuts a 6- or 7-day ticket with Epic Universe access and a $300 hotel dining credit.• Epic Universe updates Early Park Admission again, adding Battle at the Ministry and more Dragon experiences.• Universal taps The Boring Company for a potential next-gen transportation system.• “Project Atlas” is believed to be Shanghai Disneyland’s second gate.• Villains Land concepts revisited post-holidays, with Imagineering asked to go bigger and bolder.• The indoor dark ride is now positioned as the long-term Lightning Lane Single Pass anchor.• Restaurant design shaped by fixed-price dining and per-cap revenue goals.• Mayan mythology themes - bats, jaguars, owls - surface at an archaeology conference tied to Indy research.
FEATURE• The 1992 debut of Disney’s Hotel New York at Euro Disneyland and Michael Eisner’s “architecture patron” era.• How architect Michael Graves’ postmodern, Art Deco-inspired design celebrated early 20th-century Manhattan.• Why the 561-room hotel closed in 2019 for a full reinvention into Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel.• Inside the 2021 reopening: 350+ Marvel artworks, exclusive commissioned pieces, and Tony Stark’s wall of armor.• The new coffee table book, Disney Hotel New York: The Complete Art Collection, and why it finally makes every piece viewable.
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia
PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSORThe Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com from our friends at DVCRentalStore.com. Save on Walt Disney World theme park tickets - often below Disney’s direct pricing - and get expert help planning your next trip. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to start planning today.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Jim and Len dig into multimodal transportation news, Epic Universe’s shifting early entry lineup, and a possible successor to Josh D’Amaro before launching a new series on the history of The Great Movie Ride - including how a live performer in Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion helped inspire one of Disney-MGM Studios’ most ambitious opening-day attractions.
NEWS
• Universal selects The Boring Company to develop a resort-wide transportation system connecting parks and hotels
• Epic Universe quietly reshuffles early park admission offerings mid-month
• Natasha Rafalski emerges as a potential future leader of Disney Experiences
• Garden Rocks concert lineup shifts major acts to Friday through Monday dates
• Walt Disney World files permits tied to updates at Carousel of Progress
FEATURE
• How a live “Knight” performer inside Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion in 1985 influenced Michael Eisner
• The Main Street Cinema’s Phantom of the Opera stunt and its connection to Universal Studios’ early tram tour
• The risks and guest reactions that ended the Haunted Mansion live-performer experiment
• The origins of The Great Movie Ride’s ambitious blend of live actors and animatronics
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets at UnlockedMagic.com.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
A major leadership change headlines this week’s Disney Dish, as Disney officially names Josh D’Amaro its next CEO. Len and Jim break down what this move really means for the company, why Dana Walden’s new role matters just as much, and how this leadership shuffle could shape the future of Disney parks, entertainment, and creative decision-making. After a news-heavy first half, Jim then steps back in time to explain how Universal’s Jurassic Park strategy once forced Disney to rethink Animal Kingdom from the ground up.
NEWS• Josh D’Amaro is named Disney’s next CEO, officially replacing Bob Iger• Dana Walden remains with the company as president and chief creative officer, easing industry concerns• Disney Parks earnings show strong spending but hint at softer attendance trends• New permits reveal expanded ferry capacity at the Magic Kingdom ahead of major land expansions• Disneyland-area bus service faces cancellation, raising guest transportation concerns
FEATURE• How Universal’s Jurassic Park success pressured Disney in the 1990s• Why DinoLand USA moved ahead of Beastly Kingdom in Animal Kingdom’s original plans• How Disney used dinosaurs to counter Universal’s Islands of Adventure before it opened• Why the Indiana Jones ride system became the foundation for Dinosaur the Ride
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com• Len Testa - Instagram: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com
FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia
PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
The Disney Dish Podcast is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com from our friends at DVC Rental Store. If you’re looking for discounted Disney theme park tickets that can help boost your vacation budget, visit UnlockedMagic.com and start planning your next fairy tale adventure.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
This week, Jim and Len unpack a packed Disney Dish that starts with theme park news and surveys before taking a deep dive into the frantic, sleep-deprived final months of EPCOT Center construction. Along the way, they translate Disney survey-speak, speculate on where Pokémon could land at Universal, and stumble onto what might be the most diabolically smart fireworks idea Disney has never tried.
NEWS
• Disney’s guest surveys decoded - What EPCOT and resort questions really reveal about future cuts, changes, and monetization
• Animal Kingdom and Disneyland food updates - Harambe Market speeds up its opening while Napa Rose returns with a $188 price tag
• Pokemon at Universal - Why Springfield, Lost Continent, or Epic Universe are all in play
• Cruise line discounts and CityWalk rethink - What Universal and Disney Cruise Line data gathering tells us about demand
• A subtle Josh D’Amaro change - Could a missing voice hint at bigger leadership news?
FEATURE
• Inside EPCOT’s construction crunch - From 4,000 workers to 10,000 almost overnight
• Why most builders had no idea what they were building - And how Disney fixed that problem
• The overnight concrete pours and brutal schedules - 75 straight days on the job in Florida heat
• How worker preview days helped push EPCOT across the finish line
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
• Be Our Guest Vacations - beourguestvacations.com
• DVC Rental Store - dvcrentalstore.com
• DVC Resale Market - dvcresalemarket.com
• Unlocked Magic - unlockedmagic.com
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
This week on the Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and Len Testa cover a wide range of park news before diving headfirst into one of the most intense construction stories Disney has ever lived through. From Haunted Mansion permits and Animal Kingdom surveys to Hallmark cameras rolling at Walt Disney World, the first half sets the stage for a jaw-dropping look at how EPCOT was nearly derailed before it ever opened. Then Jim walks through the chaotic final year of EPCOT construction, when Disney threw manpower, money, and sanity at the calendar to make an October 1 deadline happen.
NEWS
• New construction permits near the Haunted Mansion spark speculation about queue changes and future guest flow into Villains Land
• Universal confirms a Fast & Furious spinning coaster will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Disney surveys reveal how much a re-themed attraction like Zootopia Better Zoo-Gether actually drives intent to visit
• Animal Kingdom questions hint at how Disney expects families to split up as thrill rides expand
• A Hallmark holiday movie films on location at Walt Disney World, including a surprise Jodi Benson cameo
FEATURE
• Inside EPCOT’s final year of construction, when the project ballooned to 10,000 workers on site
• How endangered woodpeckers, sinkholes, and shifting plans pushed EPCOT dangerously behind schedule
• Why Disney was forced to spend billions to meet a non-negotiable opening date
• Stories from the worksite that explain why veterans still describe it as chaotic, dangerous, and unforgettable
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by DVC Resale Market - get expert help buying or selling Disney Vacation Club points at DVCResaleMarket.com.
Also sponsored by DVC Rental Store - save on your next Disney vacation by renting points at DVCRentalStore.com.
Planning your next trip? Let Be Our Guest Vacations handle the details at BeOurGuestVacations.com.
And by Unlocked Magic, offering concierge-level Disney planning services at UnlockedMagic.com.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Visa fler
