Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the return of live entertainment to WDW’s theme parks. They then share some of the more entertaining anecdotes from the Orlando Sentinel’s unofficial WDW history book, “Disney World at 50” Show Notes for this episode are here.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish Episode 344:  How far back was Disney planning an Animal Kingdom for Florida

Learn more about the latest doings at Disney with TouringPlan's Len Testa & Jim Hill of JimHillMedia.com as they talk about upcoming projects as well as look back at Mouse House history.

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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

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 483: What were Disneyland’s first fireworks show like

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the opening weekend of performances of “Disney Dreams That Soar.”  They then look back at how fireworks got started at Disneyland Park in the late 1950s In this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why Universal Orlando decided to change the name of Epic Universe’s racing coaster
When will work begin on the retheming of Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom 
Which musical acts is Universal Creative reportedly considering using as the jumping-off point for a maze at a future Halloween Horror Night
Why are dining reservations suddenly far easier to get at WDW’s sit-down restaurants
Where will road improvements soon begin on Disney World property

 Show Notes   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 482:  How “Date Nite at Disneyland” got started

Len Testa shares what it was like to watch Disney Springs’ new nighttime show from Saratoga Springs. Jim Hill then finishes his history of the miniature golf courses at the WDW Resort Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why do Disney execs really need to pay attention to what Jenny Nicolson shared throughout her four-hour-long “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” video
What makes the Bacchus hole at “Fantasia Gardens” so difficult for golfers
How long after the theme for “Winter Summerland” was selected did this miniature golf course open up right next door to Blizzard Beach
What did Tiger Woods have to say about “Fantasia Fairways”
Which buildings at Disney’s Saratoga Springs should offer the very best views of “Disney Dreams That Soar” (EDITOR’S NOTE: on the side facing Disney Springs Lake)

 Show Notes   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 481: Up before dawn with “Disney Dreams That Soar”

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

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about what happens next with Disneyland Forward now that the Anaheim City Council has officially approved this project. They also discuss what Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed at the Company’s most recent earnings call. Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How long will the WDW version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad be down for rehab
What’s interesting about Disney’s decision to extend the permit it had with the South Florida Water Management District for the area between Fort Wilderness & Wilderness Lodge for another 5 years
Which moderate resort at WDW will be having its guest room refurbished now through November
What did Michael Eisner want to originally call the water thrill park that the Company first announced for Florida back in December of 1985
Who did Disney initially hire to write the screenplay for that Studio’s “Typhoon Lagoon” movie
Show Notes   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney Dish Episode 344: How far back was Disney planning an Animal Kingdom for Florida

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