Episodes

  • Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 490: In what month of 2025 is Epic Universe going to open?

    Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 490: In what month of 2025 is Epic Universe going to open?
    Jul 29 2024
    On this week’s show, Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull & Len’s twin sister, Linda. These four then discuss the news of the day and look back at the grand opening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. For this episode, listeners will learn about: What idea did the Imagineers explore for improving DCA’s Grizzly River Run? How long has it been since a major new thrill ride opened at one of the theme parks found at the Universal Orlando Resort? How has the roll-out of Lightning Lane Multi-Pass been going so far What contributed to Disney’s decision to only present “Rogers: The Musical” in the Hyperion Theater for a single summer Who influenced Kelsey Mann to find a place for Figment in “Inside Out 2” SHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 489: How does WDW’s new “Country Bear” show stack up

    Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 489: How does WDW’s new “Country Bear” show stack up
    Jul 22 2024
    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 2012 What land does Hong Kong Disneyland that is traditionally found at other castle parks Why did the Imagineers dial back the North Sea scene in “Maelstrom” just before this World Showcase attraction officially opened in July of 1988 Which animatronic figure from “The Hall of Presidents” can also be found as a eunuch along “Spaceship Earth” ‘s ride track When – according to the U.S. census – did the wide open spaces of the American West officially come to a close SHOW NOTES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 488: Disney Cruise Line coming to Japan

    Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 488: Disney Cruise Line coming to Japan
    Jul 15 2024
    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 Resort Which train show staged back in the mid-1940s reportedly influenced the design of New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park What’s the rumored reason that character greetings are not being offered as part of Lightning Lane Multi-pass Which 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
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 487: A look at LEGO’s lengthy relationship with Disney Parks & Experiences

    Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 487: A look at LEGO’s lengthy relationship with Disney Parks & Experiences
    Jul 8 2024
    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 Festival When did Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith come back online at Disney’s Hollywood Studios How 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 of What happened to attendance levels at EPCOT Center & Disney-MGM Studios theme park right after Disney’s Animal Kingdom first opened in April of 1998 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 486: How Lightning Lane Multi Pass is supposed to work

    Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 486: How Lightning Lane Multi Pass is supposed to work
    Jul 1 2024
    Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing WDW’s Genie+ replacement. They then walk through exactly what happened backstage at Disneyland prior to the launch of that Park’s “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks Over 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 at the Walt Disney World Resort  What holiday-themed projection show is supposed to be updated as part of the 2024 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 & windows an hour before “Fantasy in the Sky” launched Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 485: Is WDW getting ready to revamp the My Disney Experience app

    Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 485: Is WDW getting ready to revamp the My Disney Experience app
    Jun 24 2024
    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 Disneyland Throughout 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
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    52 mins
  • Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 484: How were Disneyland’s fireworks impacted by the Clean Air Act

    Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 484: How were Disneyland’s fireworks impacted by the Clean Air Act
    Jun 17 2024
    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 lately Throughout 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” facility Why were the fast food restaurants & motels built around Disneyland back in the Late 1950s / early 1960s all clustered around the corner of Harbor & Katella Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 483: What were Disneyland’s first fireworks show like

    Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 483: What were Disneyland’s first fireworks show like
    Jun 10 2024
    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
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    46 mins