The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing Daisy Ridley’s recent visit to the Happiest Place on Earth.They also discuss “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” Lucasfilm’s new limited series for Disney+In this episode, listeners will learn about:How much was James Earl Jones paid to voice Darth Vader on “A New Hope”What happened at Disneyland on the REAL Star Wars Day (i.e., May 25th)Why did Gary Kurtz opt out of producing “Star Wars: Episode VI”When did Disney Studios start its own film distribution companyHow did George Lucas coach Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford when it came to dialogue in the “Star Wars” movies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about “Inside Out 2” ‘s continuing dominance at the worldwide box office.They then discuss some of the television-related news that came out of this year’s Annecy International Film Festival and MarketFor this episode, listeners will learn about:What’s the subtitle of the next holiday special in Disney’s “Prep & Landing” series supposed to be calledWho did Steven Spielberg want to hire to handle all of the animation in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”What’s the title of the new “Gravity Fall” -related book that’s supposed to hit store shelves on July 23rdWhere is the world premiere of DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” going to be heldWhat happened in the “Pig Head” scene that was cut out of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by looking at the “Dark Universe” concept art that the Universal Orlando Resort just revealed. Then they wrap up their history of fireworks displays at DisneylandThroughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Who was Disney’s partner when it came to developing a compressed air-based launch system for its fireworks displays When is work supposed to get underway on the refurbishment of WDW’s version of Big Thunder Mountain Why do golf enthusiasts love the 18-hole putting green over at the Palm & Magnolia course Where had the Imagineers originally wanted to build an Ursula-themed spinner at Disney California Adventure What was the computer-controlled fireworks firing system that Harold “Mickey” Aronson designed for the Disney Parks called Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of "I Want That Too," Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill discuss the history of Disney's first animated star.Then Oswald collector Noe Valladolid shares how he acquired some of his most valuable pieces.For this episode, listeners will learn about: How "Inside Out 2” blew past its initial box office projections Where at Disney Springs you can find the new Aloha Collection mini-store What veteran sports broadcaster did Disney trade to NBCUniversal in exchange for a certain cartoon rabbit Where on the Disney Lot in Burbank Oswald was hiding in plain sight for decades Which souvenir from Universal Studios Japan do Oswald collectors especially lust after  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing what Universal Parks & Experiences has just revealed about Epic Universe’s next land. They also continue the tale of USH’s efforts to get more monsters into that theme parkIn this episode, listeners will learn about:Where’s the best place to stand in Universal Studios Florida to view “CineSational: A Symphony Spectacular”On which coast did the “Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” show first debutWhy did Stephen Sommers pass up the opportunity to make a third “Mummy” movie at Universal PicturesHow is Voodoo Doughnuts getting in on the celebration of the 60th anniversary of USH’s Tram TourWhich Classic Universal Monster is rumored to be getting his own attraction as part of a future expansion of Darkmoor Village Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor is fresh back from France. And he tells Jim Hill all about the animated films that he got to see at this year’s international animation film festival and marketFor this episode, listeners will learn about: What did Nick Park have to say when he learned of Steven Spielberg’s love of the runaway train scene in “The Wrong Trousers” Which recently retired Disney Legend received this year’s Annecy Walk of Fame Award Where do Porky, Daffy & Petunia Pig work in “The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie”The work of which visual futurist reportedly served as the inspiration for the world in which Dreamworks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” is setHow is Disney expanding the cast for “Moana 2”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

 In the fourth installment of this new educational series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid look at even more early World’s Fairs. With the focus this time around being on French advances in themed entertainment.In this episode, listeners will learn about:• Why the Exposition Universelle de Paris of 1899 dwarfed all others• How the temporary Eiffel Tower led to the discovery of gamma rays • The problem with “human zoos”• Why the Tower’s most vehement critic dined there every day• Which themed international buildings served as a precursor for EPCOT’s World Showcase Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

 Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the teaser trailer for “Moana 2.”They also closely examine which Disney Princess moves the most merchandise.Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Why did the Magic Kingdom eventually remove the Disney Princess float from its “Share a Dream Come True” parade What were the three robots in Universal Pictures’ “Silent Running” called Which “Will & Grace” star read the role of the Snow Queen in one of the earliest table reads done for Disney’s “Frozen” What happened inside of the Magic Kingdom on the morning of 9/11 When did the delayed version of WDW’s “100 Years of Magic” celebration finally get underway Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices