The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

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 closeSHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking up the “Jurassic World: Chaos Theory” panel Drew will be hosting at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.They then talk about which animated film franchise is currently the top earner Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:How many people have been to every single Comic-Con since the first event was held in San Diego back in 1970When did Disney Legend Ken Anderson retire from the Company?Why was Disney forced to make “The Story of Robin Hood” in the UK back in the early 1950sHow many days will separate the release of “Toy Story 5” & “Shrek 5” during the Summer of 2026Where is William Stout’s booth located in the San Diego Convention Center? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 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

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking up the two books that Josh Gad will be bringing to the marketplace in the next six months.They then take a look at how “Inside Out 2” & “Despicable Me 4” have been doing at the box officeOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How many episodes for “Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs: The Animated Series” were produced When does Season 12 of “Futurama” get underway on Hulu Who did Tim Burton share an office with when he worked at Walt Disney Animation Studios back in the 1980sWhich member of the “Inside Out” cast joined Joy & Sadness at DCA’s Pixar Pier Bandstand last monthWhen will “Shrek 5” be arriving in theaters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by checking out some of the bragging rights merch Disney has made available for its recently opened “Splash Mountain” redo.They also take a look back at when the Mouse had a store in virtually every mall in AmericaThroughout this episode, listeners will learn about:How did The Walt Disney Company decide where the first 13 Disney Stores would be locatedWhen did the Critter Co-op open at WDW’s Magic KingdomHow many different categories did Disney Parks, Products & Experiences opt to break its “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” / “Princess & the Frog” merchandise down intoWhatever became of the “Mickey’s Kitchen” fast food chainOut of the eight studios operating in Hollywood back in the early 1980s, where was Disney ranked when Michael Eisner came on board as the Company’s new CEO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 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

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the animated feature that just blew past a billion dollars at the worldwide box office.They also take a look at how Universal Pictures’ promoted “Despicable Me 4” in Las VegasOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about;How tall is the High Roller Ferris wheel (which towers above the Las Vegas Strip)How many “SpongeBob” movies have been released theatrically to dateWhat was one of the last scenes to be animated for the original version of Disney’s “The Lion King” (which was first released to theaters back in June of 1994)When did “Batman: The Animated Series” debut on television as part of the Fox Kids programming blockWhere was Lebo M working prior to helping Hans Zimmer record the soundtrack for Disney’s “The Lion King” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

In the latest installment of this continuing series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid look at the Columbian Exposition of 1893. Which many have called the most influential World’s Fair of all time.Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How Chicago won out over New York, Washington DC & St. Louis when it came to the opportunity to be the host city for this World’s FairWhy the famous poem about Columbus was changedHow the Swift Meats Company sponsored the Columbian Exposition and their role in early DisneylandHow the White City inspired the City Beautiful movementWhy true crime fans remain obsessed with the Columbian Exposition of 1893 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices