The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

 Jim Hill & Eric Hersey kick off a brand-new show which offers a different take on Universal Parks & Experiences. Highlights include an interview with Carson Luter from Universal Creative about “Villain Con Minion Blast”Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:How did the 24 films that Universal Pictures released in 2023 do at the worldwide box officeWhich character from an Alfred Hitchcock film is paid tribute to in “Villain Con Minion Blast”What’s significant about the name Universal choses for its Texas park project, at least from a SEO perspectiveWhich Marvel-themed attraction just closed at Universal Studios JapanWhat’s the secret to racking up a big score on “Villain Con Minion Blast”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill starts off this week’s show with a solo news section. Then Drew Taylor joins the fun in a pre-taped segment that looks back at Gary Rydstrom’s animated filmsOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:How many Annie nominations did Pixar’s “Elemental” receive this yearWhich William Shakespeare play provided the inspiration for “Strange Magic”What Pixar movie were the blobby alien characters seen in “Lifted” originally designed forWhen is the sequel to “Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey” supposed to arrive in theatersHow well did Pixar’s “Soul” do when it was finally released to theaters earlier this month Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Disney historian Dave Bossert to the show. They then discuss what made this Tomorrowland walk-thru exhibit so memorable to park guestsOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:Which sitcom star voiced Nine Eyes in the American version of “The Timekeeper”In what far-flung corner of the globe did Dave Bossert recently encounter a cocoanut chairWhat’s different about the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival ending on May 27thWhen is it expected that Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion will re-open to the public later this yearWhich Disney Legend was effectively the person in charge of the House of the Future / oversaw its three updatesShow Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the recently announced “Mandalorian & Grogu” film project. They also discuss how the first C3PO AA figure was created for “Star Tours”Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:What are Kylo Ren’s original story in the Disney-produced “Star Wars” trilogy supposed to have been likeWhy has production of the previous announced Rey-tries-to-revive-the-Jedi-Order film project been delayed yet againWhat scene was the first to be shot during production of “Return of the Jedi” back in January of 1982Which well-known British actors were reportedly considered to be inside of Darth Vader’s helmet when Luke finally removed his Dad’s face plate in Episode VIWho accidentally revealed that C3PO was supposed to the pilot of the StarSpeeder 1000 in “Sat Tours: The Adventures Continue” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In a solo show this week, Jim Hill starts things off by recapping what happened at this year’s Golden Globe. He shares what he’s heard about the lay-offs that are reportedly coming to Pixar Animation Studios later this year.Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about;When will the Blu-ray version of Disney’s “Wish” be hitting store shelvesWhere did Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera set up their first animation-for-television studio in HollywoodWhat do Disneyland fans have to say about the “Pixar Fest” marquee / photo-up that weill be set in that theme park later this SpringWhich infamous Hollywood mogul from the 1940s & 1940s helped fund the creation of H-B Enterprises, Inc.Why is the “Superman” TV series from the 1950s (i.e., the one that starred George Reeves) sometimes associated with Charlie Chaplin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then shares stories about WDI’s years-long effort to create synced-up soundtracks for thrill rides at the Disney theme parksFor this episode, listeners will learn about:How you can best take advantage of the snack credits when it comes to WDW’s recently relaunched Dining PlanWhen will Florida’s version of “Country Bear Jamboree” be closing for its previously announced reimagining / retoolingWhich two restaurants in the southwest corner of WDW’s Magic Kingdom share a common kitchenWhen did Disneyland’s version of Space Mountain suddenly close with little or no notice to that theme park’s Cast or the general publicWhat’s kind of concerning about the new floor plan for the Cabins at Fort WildernessShow Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing which animated films are up for awards at the 2024 Golden Globes. They take a look at some of the superhero-themed animation that’s headed your way.Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:What did Disney initially charge for VHS and beta versions of that Studio’s filmsWhen will Season 2 of “Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur” debut on the Disney ChannelWhich four US cities did Walt Disney Home Video field-test the idea of selling VHS copies of the Studio’s filmWhen did DC Comics first publish its “Crisis on Infinite Earths” seriesWhich three Golden Globes was “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” up for this year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Len Testa starts off this week’s show by talking about spending New Year’s Eve aboard the Disney Wish. Then Jim Hill takes a look at WDI’s plans for a second gate at the Disneyland ResortOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:In which regions of Canada & the United States can you find candlepin bowlHow did wait times at WDW’s theme parks in 2023 compare to wait times back in 2019What special feature does the Rainforest Spa aboard the Disney Wish have that other ships in the DCL lackHow would the World Showcase portion of Westcot differed from the original in FloridaWhat powered California Screamin’s 0 – 55 MPH launchShow Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by looking at how Illumination’s “Migration” is doing at the box office. They then look at how network television & streaming services are handling animated series differently.Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What do the Fairy Godmother in Disney’s “Cinderella” & the Red Queen in “Alice in Wonderland” have in common How did “Archer” wrap its 14 season long run on FXX Why do you NOT want to take the tour of the Warner Bros. lot over the holiday season How many different names did “My Peoples” have while it was in production at Walt Disney Feature Animation – Florida After Andreas Deja stepped away from “Kingdom of the Sun,” which Disney animated feature did he then go work on Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by sharing a survey about Epcot’s holiday decorations. They then take a close look at what it cost to have dinner at Disneyland’s Blue Bayou restaurant back in 1977Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices