I Want That Too - Disney History and Merchandise

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are joined by former Disney Imagineer Jim Shull to unwrap the fascinating (and sometimes funny) story of Disney’s long-running partnership with McDonald’s. From the birth of the Happy Meal to fry carts in Frontierland, this episode explores how two of the world’s biggest brands became the ultimate marketing duo - and what really ended their 10-year deal.

The surprising Star Trek connection that inspired Disney’s early talks with McDonald’s

How Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg turned burgers and fries into box office gold

The untold story of the McDonald’s-themed Splash Mountain that almost happened

Why the partnership ended amid public pressure over kids’ meals and health

The legacy of Disney Happy Meal toys—and how the relationship quietly returned today

Whether you remember Boo Buckets, fry carts, or those elusive Happy Meal collectibles, this supersized episode proves that food and nostalgia are a marketing match made in Disney heaven.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unwrap a holiday-sized story about Disney’s long, complicated relationship with Sears—from Mickey Mouse watches in the 1930s to the retail giant’s near-sponsorship of the Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studios. Plus, the duo dives into the rare blue Disney name tag, Wicked-branded cleaning products, and the Jim Henson Company’s upcoming auction filled with Muppet history.

From rare collectibles to lost sponsorships, Jim and Lauren remind us that Disney history is filled with what-ifs, forgotten deals, and magical mementos worth remembering.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick off October with a witchy episode of I Want That Too. From the avalanche of Wicked merchandise filling store shelves to Disney’s own magical past, this week’s show dives into collectibles, streaming perks, and even a long-lost Sherman Brothers project that never made it to the screen.

The rise of Wicked-themed merch, from dolls and Swarovski ornaments to water bottles and Care Bears

Streaming price hikes - and Lauren’s clever tips to save money on Disney+, Hulu, and beyond

Nostalgic returns like Disney-themed Lincoln Logs and Gentle Christmas advent calendars

A tribute to Disney animator Rick Hopp and his lasting legacy

The untold story of Walt Disney’s planned Hansel & Gretel TV musical with songs by the Sherman Brothers

Whether you’re hunting the latest collectibles or craving untold Disney stories, this episode has a little magic for everyone.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into Disney’s favorite little purple dragon, Figment. From popcorn bucket mania to a live-action movie that never got off the ground, they trace Figment’s journey from Epcot icon to merchandising powerhouse. Along the way, they detour through Lowe’s and Spirit Halloween to check out exclusive Haunted Mansion décor and giant Rudolph displays that will test your willpower (and your storage space).

Haunted Mansion animatronics and holiday mashups spotted at Lowe’s

Figment’s rumored movie project with Seth Rogen’s production company

The $250 million Imagination Pavilion redo that never happened

How merchandise sales drive Disney’s storytelling choices

Figment’s surprising cameos in Inside Out 2, Guardians, and beyond

Even if the Figment movie remains a dream, Jim and Lauren show how one small dragon continues to cast a very big shadow over Disney history, merch, and fandom.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey take listeners from this year’s stealth Muppets capsule release all the way to the projects Disney almost made — including a trilogy of dwarfs prequels and a Snow White spinoff that never saw the light of day. Along the way, they break down Toy Story’s 30th anniversary tie-ins, the first wave of holiday 2025 ornaments, and speculation out of Shanghai that Frozen 3 may center on the “wedding of the century” in Arendelle.

Closing out, Jim and Lauren reflect on Disney’s long tradition of reusing, reviving, and reimagining its classics — and why some stories get told while others sit on the shelf.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey return with a jam-packed episode of I Want That Too, covering the latest Disney merch, clever marketing strategies, and holiday surprises.

The rise of popcorn buckets in parks and movie theaters – from talking Mickey to mummy Stitch to a Tron lightcycle

How Disney uses psychology to nudge us into spending more, from limited releases to sneaky menu tricks

Nightmare Before Christmas merch expansions, books, and light trails around the globe

Early Christmas décor spotted at Disneyland Paris – and why Disney (and retailers) get a head start on the holidays

The surprising history of Winnie the Pooh at Disney, including cereal crossovers and rare collectibles

From ghost Mickey buckets to glow-in-the-dark villain sneakers, Jim and Lauren unpack the ways Disney keeps fans coming back for “just one more thing.”

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey return with a new episode of I Want That Too, diving into Disney Princess Week, new merchandise drops, and the latest Disney history feature. From LEGO sidekicks to Bath & Body Works villains, they’ve got the stories (and opinions) Disney fans will want to hear.

Highlights from Disney Princess Week, including merchandise, sidekick collections, and special events

The “Meant to Be” adult rom-com book series reimagining Disney Princesses in modern settings

Early fan reactions to Bath & Body Works’ Disney Villains collaboration

EPCOT Food & Wine Festival merch, featuring Muppet Labs, Figment, and Chef Mickey collections

Jim and Lauren revisit the story of Kay Kamen and continue their Disney cereal history deep dive

From modern merch drops to classic collectibles, this episode blends Disney history, fan culture, and insider stories from Jim and Lauren.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into the world of Disney merch and history with a mix of spooky snacks and fascinating backstories:

Why Jim bought Count Chocula, Boo Berry, and Franken Berry cereal he can’t eat—thanks to new Jim Henson puppet designs

The launch of Bath & Body Works’ Disney Villains collection, from Maleficent’s plum scents to the Evil Queen’s apple blends

Disney cracking down on resellers and what that means for collectors

New Muppets merchandise teased for Destination D23, plus the latest on the Muppet redo of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

The untold story of Kay Kamen, the salesman who turned Disney into a merchandising powerhouse - before his career ended tragically

From collectible cereal boxes to multi-million-dollar licensing deals, Jim and Lauren explore how Disney’s merchandising magic has shaped everything from your breakfast table to the theme parks.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are back with a Halloween-packed episode of I Want That Too, diving into the latest spooky Disney merch and a century of witchy stories from the Mouse House.

Haunted Mansion peel-and-stick wallpaper and Guillermo del Toro’s obsession

The viral Cutie Ghost collection and why the Minnie Mouse ghost lamp is selling out fast

A massive Nightmare Before Christmas collection, including a $160 countdown coffin and an epic Jack Skellington water bottle set

Disney’s evolving portrayal of witches, from Snow White’s “old crone” to Witch Hazel and beyond

How other studios — and even cereals — are cashing in on the witch trend

From Halloween merch mania to deep Disney history, this episode delivers treats, trivia, and plenty of mischief.

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Jim and Lauren serve up a feast of Disney news, collectibles, and one unforgettable personal tale.

Recap of Disney’s quarterly earnings call, including streaming’s first profitable quarter

Details on Hulu’s full integration into Disney+ by 2026 and the shift away from subscriber count reporting

Hidden perks for Disney+ subscribers, including a free D23 Gold membership and exclusive sweepstakes

A first look at “Single Riders” – a dating app for Disney and theme park fans

Disney’s latest collectible craze from Japan: Rupoka-chan

Jim shares his career origin story, starting with a phone call about Donald Duck that led to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a 40-year career covering the Disney Company

From industry insights to adorable merch and a behind-the-scenes career journey, this episode is packed with stories you won’t want to miss.

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