The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey take you back to EPCOT’s grand opening on October 1, 1982. They dive deep into how EPCOT evolved from Walt Disney’s ambitious dream of a futuristic living community to the park we know today.What We Cover: Walt Disney’s original vision for EPCOT as a living, breathing city How Disney leadership navigated the project after Walt's passing How close Disney actually came to breaking ground on Walt’s original city vision – spoiler: they nearly did! The creation of Future World and World Showcase, born from two distinct Imagineer pitches EPCOT’s rocky opening day, including malfunctioning rides and a surprising merchandising misstep The pivotal role EPCOT played in Michael Eisner’s rise to power at Disney, and how his vision reshaped the park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Disney Dish, Len and Jim dive into the rich history of one of EPCOT’s lesser-known attractions, "El Rio del Tiempo."Join us for Part 1 of a two-part series as Jim takes us back to the 1982 dedication of EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion and shares the fascinating origin of the pavilion's boat ride.Learn about the ambitious plans for "Las Tres Culturas de Mexico," the mysterious German Rivers ride, and how tight budgets and changing politics reshaped EPCOT's World Showcase.Tune in as they cover:·      Epic Universe News: Universal Orlando’s newest park is set to open in May 2025! Jim and Len share exclusive details on the opening, soft launches, and breathtaking new effects.·      Lightning Lane Premier Pass: Get the scoop on Disney’s newest pass option for skipping the lines—what it costs, what it covers, and whether it's worth it.·      The History of El Rio del Tiempo: In Part 1 of this two-part series, Jim takes you back to the 1980s to explore the creation and evolution of Epcot's original Mexico Pavilion boat ride.Plus, listener questions, Disney news, and the latest park happenings!Don’t miss out on this jam-packed episode's history, updates, and insider scoops.SHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Looking at Lucasfilm, Jim Hill and Brian Gaughan celebrate October with a special look at horror films and their unexpected ties to Lucasfilm. Brian kicks off by sharing his month-long cinematic Halloween project, while Jim reveals his love for Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein and its surprising connection to Lucasfilm’s scrapped Frankenstein CG film.The episode also pays tribute to the late Lucasfilm producer Robert Watts, dives into the anniversary of Star Wars Rebels, and previews the upcoming John Williams documentary debuting on Disney+.Also in this episode: The removal of the Indiana Jones films from Disney+ and what’s behind the licensing shuffle. Updates on The Mandalorian and Grogu feature film, set to hit theaters in 2026. A deep dive into Radio Land Murders as it celebrates its 30th anniversary, and how it laid the groundwork for future Lucasfilm projects. Join Jim and Brian for a nostalgic, fun, and insightful journey through the world of Lucasfilm, just in time for Halloween! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into breaking news about Universal’s highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park, set to open May 22, 2025. They discuss the potential impact of this new park and how long they've known about this announcement. Additionally, the hosts continue their fascinating exploration of the history behind Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Jim reveals the story of how Universal could have secured the theme park rights to Willy Wonka, but instead created their own steampunk-inspired chocolate factory that has become a fan favorite.Highlights include: Discussion of the confirmed Epic Universe opening date. New Offerings at Universal Studio Hollywood’s FanFest event. Insights into Toothsome Chocolate Emporium's creation and Universal's choice to move away from a Willy Wonka theme. How Universal cleverly developed its own chocolatier, Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome, and her robotic sidekick Jacques. Whether you're curious about upcoming theme parks or love behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is packed with must-know info for Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

n this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor take you on a fascinating journey through Disney’s forgotten Mickey Mouse projects, including the untold story of "Mickey Columbus" and other abandoned ideas that never made it to the big screen.They also dive into Disney's challenges while bringing Mickey into the world of CGI, from his iconic ears to scrapped anniversary projects like "The Search for Mickey.” The Wild Robot's Box Office Triumph: DreamWorks Animation's The Wild Robot continues its strong performance at the box office, paving the way for a sequel. Jim and Drew discuss what’s next for this hit film, based on Peter Brown’s popular book series. Wallace & Gromit Are Back!: Aardman Animations is bringing the beloved duo back to the screen with Vengeance Most Fowl. Jim and Drew break down the significance of this return and what fans can expect from the upcoming Christmas release. What’s Next for Animation Fans: With new releases like Transformers One and the latest from Aardman, there’s a lot to look forward to in the world of animation. Tune in for all this and more on this week’s Fine Tooning! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and Len Testa take you through the latest Disney updates and a deep dive into the fascinating history behind one of Disney’s most ambitious projects.Here’s what you’ll hear: Hurricane Milton Update: How the recent storm impacted Disney parks, and why Jim thinks Medieval Times might be the ultimate hurricane shelter. Disneyland Price Hikes: Len breaks down the latest ticket and annual pass price increases at Disneyland, and what that could mean for your next trip. Fort Wilderness Innovations: Could autonomous delivery robots soon bring food and merchandise to your cabin at Fort Wilderness? Jim and Len explore the possibilities. Listener Questions: Why the ghost of the ‘Creepy Clown Pool’ might still haunt Boardwalk Inn’s occupancy rates, and how AI may make your Disney PhotoPass pictures look better than ever. Main Feature: In a behind-the-scenes look at Disney's battle with Pixar, Jim reveals how Mickey’s PhilharMagicwas developed as a key part of Michael Eisner’s strategy to prove that Disney could create CG animation independently. From its origins as a project for Hong Kong Disneyland to its pivotal role in Disney’s negotiations with Pixar, discover the hidden history behind one of the most beloved 3D attractions in Disney World. Join Jim and Len for a fun, fact-filled episode full of Disney history, news, and a few laughs along the way!SHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the seventh installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid talk about how a working ranch & farm in the San Fernando Valley eventually became one of Southern California’s most popular tourist attractions Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:When was Universal City officially foundedWhich Disney vet designed the Glamour TramsWho built the 50-foot-tall King Kong animatronic for this theme parkOn what floor of “Back to the Future: The Ride” was Steve Spielberg’s room locatedWhere does the simulated quake that Universal visitors experience during” Earthquake: The Big One” reportedly fall on the Richter scale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey kick things off by discussing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles touring show and the impact of Hurricane Milton on theme parks.But the main feature of this episode dives into the origins of one of Universal’s most beloved dining experiences—Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.Highlights include: The latest Epic Universe Construction Photo Drop by @bioreconstruct The Harry Potter-themed Hershey Chocolate Collection How the closure of NBA City paved the way for Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. The fascinating backstory of how Universal almost created a Willy Wonka-themed restaurant. Whether you're curious about theme park history or just love chocolate, tune in to discover the story behind The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are joined by Brandon Sheddon, the founder and CEO of Cakeworthy, to discuss the brand that perfectly blends fan culture with fashion-forward designs.Brandon shares the story behind Cakworthy's humble beginnings and how it grew into a pop culture phenomenon.They dive into some of Cakeworthy’s most popular items, the inspiration behind their signature flannels, and the details of a special Cakeworthy collection that’s making its way into Disney theme parks!What We Cover: Cakeworthy’s journey from a small screen-printing operation to a global brand. The secrets behind their most popular pieces, including their iconic flannel shirts. How Cakeworthy keeps designs both stylish and true to Disney and Universal fandoms. Inside scoop on the latest Cakeworthy collections coming to Disney theme parks. Cakeworthy’s creative process and fan feedback's role in designing new items. Listen in to discover how Cakeworthy brings beloved fandoms to life, one stylish piece at a time!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill dives into the latest animation news and rumors.With Drew Taylor away, Jim covers: Unraveling Studio Feuds and Hollywood Drama: What caused the downfall of Fleischer Studios and their ultimate takeover by Paramount Pictures? Jennifer Lee’s Next Move: Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer steps down to focus on Frozen 3 and Frozen 4, while Jared Bush steps in. Joker: Folie à Deux’s Box Office Struggles**: Warner Bros. Discovery faces losses as the Joker sequel underperforms despite the original film's success. MuppetVision 3D’s Future: Rumors swirl about the potential impact of Disney’s new Monsters Inc. door coaster on MuppetVision 3D at Hollywood Studios.Plus, updates on DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot and Warner Bros.’ upcoming Dynamic Duo superhero film using innovative animation techniques. Don’t miss this deep dive into the latest animation industry news and history! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices