Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the change that’s reportedly in the works for “Skull Island: Reign of Kong.”
They also talk about the Universal Monsters Tribute Store that just opened at CityWalk out in Hollywood
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:

When – according to Vin Diesel – will the “grand finale” of the “Fast & Furious” film series finally arrive in theaters

Which Epic Universe attraction was being tested after dark late last week

How much longer is the Peter Jackson version of “King Kong” than the original (which was released to theaters back in 1933)

Which Disney Legend helped build the “King Kong Encounter” for the Universal Tram Tour back in the mid-1980s

What was the one thing that Thierry Coup said that he regretted about his career in themed entertainment


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Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 49-3:  Remember when the Universal Orlando Resort had a different name

Join Jim Hill and co-hosts Len Testa, Dustin Fuhs, Drew Taylor, Aaron Adams, Michelle C. Valladolid, Dan Zehr and Brian Gaughan as they talk about the multi-faceted Walt Disney Company - including Pixar, Lucasfilm and Disney Studios - as well as Universal Studios and the world of collectibles.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

TV & Film

Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by discussing a rare Disney book found at the Brimfield Flea Market.
They then take a look at Disney-MGM’s old Streetmosphere program
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

What “Star Trek” vet directed “Three Men & a Baby” for Touchstone Pictures

Which forest creature recently turned up on Jim’s front porch

When was “Lady & the Tramp” first released to theaters

How much did it originally cost to build the Disney-MGM Studio theme park

What will you find at the corner of Mickey Avenue & Dopey Drive on the Disney Lot in Burbank


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I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey Ep 7: What’s it like to live at WDW’s Golden Oak gated community

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the media preview that was recently held for Universal Studios Florida’s reimagining Kidzone area. They then look back at the “Pink Panther” film series
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Where did Duffy AKA the Disney Bear initially exclusively sell on Disney World property back in 2002



Why is the new entrance sign for USF’s “E.T. Adventure” attraction deliberately designed to look like something you associate with a forest



How did MGM/UA decide to cash in on the “Muppet Babies” craze back in the mid-1980s



Which classic Universal cartoon character is reportedly being given the “Hidden Mickey” treatment inside of DreamWorks Land



What are the themes of the first three mazes announced for Universal Orlando’s 2024 edition of Halloween Horror Nights


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Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 55-5\8: What sorts of snacks are served in DreamWorks Land

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the first full trailer for Netflix’s “Ultraman: Rising.” They then talk about “Flow,” the dialogue-free post-apocalyptic animated feature which will be debuting at Cannes next week
In this episode, listeners will learn about:

Who will be voicing Garfield’s Dad in the new animated feature that Sony will be sending out to North American theaters on May 24th

Which George Lucas-produced film was Marvel Productions trying to turn into an animated series in 1984

What company did Illuminations get into bed with back in 2017 to help promote the release of “Despicable Me 3”

How many “South Park” specials have Matt Stone & Trey Parker produced for Paramount+ so far

What was the name of the very first puppet-based series that Jim Henson produced for television


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Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 439: Remembering Jim Henson’s “Muppet Babies”

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing who gets to experience “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” when as part of that WDW attraction’s month-long grand opening event.
They then take a look at the interior of the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

What does Disney’s Hollywood Studios do when the IT system at the WDW Resort crashes

When might we see a second Taylor Swift concert film show up on Disney+

How did Jack Wrather deal with Disneyland being closed on Mondays & Tuesdays during that theme park’s off-season starting back in the late 1950s

What does the future hold for Magic Bands

Why is it very appropriate that the road directly behind the Disneyland Hotel is called Walnut Street


Show Notes
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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 480: When the Disneyland Hotel had a miniature golf course

In the second installment of this new educational series, Noe & Shelly Valladolid discuss the ancestors of today’s Renaissance fairs. To be specific, some of the primitive “rides” that could be found at these medieval entertainments
In this episode, listeners will learn about: 

Elephants walking across the frozen Thames

What fairs were like in faraway India

How an exhibition of two goats led to today’s county fairs

Why Canada’s Hants County Exhibition, the first major fair in North America, is still in operation today

What it was like to attend a Frost Fair in the heart of London


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Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 49-3: Remember when the Universal Orlando Resort had a different name

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