Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the new “Villain Con: Minion Blast” attraction that just got officially announced for Universal Studios Florida. They also take a look back at the mid-1980s when The Walt Disney Company decided to start acquiring hotels in Orange County, CA
Show Notes
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The Disney Dish with Jim Hill - Episode 405: How the Emerald of Anaheim became a Disneyland Resort hotel

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.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Leisure

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
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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 479: What became of that “Typhoon Lagoon” movie Disney was going to make

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the latest news coming out about the Epic Universe project. They also talk about why Bay Lake Tower is undergoing a year-long refurbishment in the not-so-distant future
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Which crime figure from the 1930s inspired Ma Beagle & the Beagle Boys 

How is Fort Wilderness’ remote location reportedly impacting DVC sales for the cabins there

How many animated series featuring  Disney’s “Stitch” character have been produced to date 

How could the Beyond Big Thunder project potentially impact the Rivers of America at WDW’s Magic Kingdom

Which two living character initiative shows plowed the road for “Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration”

Show Notes
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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 478: What went wrong with “Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration”

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by congratulating Israel Perez & the team at WDW’s Victoria & Albert’s for the Michelin star they were just awarded. 
They then welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a discussion of WDSP’s upcoming “Alice & the Red Queen: Back in Wonderland” show
For this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why – when WDW Cast Members finally get to preview “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” – they may come at this revamped flume ride from backstage

How far along is the “Disneyland Forward” project when it comes to Anaheim’s approval process

What’s interesting about that construction permit that just got pulled for Epcot’s “Journey into Imagination” pavilion


The “Frozen” star recently got the opportunity to try his hand at conducting on the Disneyland Railroad



Why – when it comes to updating and/or making significant changes to the African side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – the Imagineers have very limited choices


Show Notes
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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 477 : Why WDW’s “Fire Mountain” project flamed out

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts at Universal Orlando. They then look back at Disney’s reaction to Mattel’s 1972 announcement of its Circus World theme park project
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many times will Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights be presented this year

What’s the name of the bay that the “World of Frozen” is built alongside at the theme park formerly known as Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris

What price range is Universal reportedly considering when it comes to admission to its new kid-friendly park currently under construction in Bliss, TX

Why are the popcorn buckets sold at the Disney Parks in Anaheim & Tokyo so much nicer than the ones that are sold at the WDW Resort

How were the elephants dressed at the groundbreaking ceremony for Circus World back in April of 1973

Show Notes
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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 476: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” gets ready for its grand opening

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by deep-diving into the changes the Disney Parks are about to make to their DAS policy. 
They also continue their look back at WDW’s Tomorrowland
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

How many episodes of “Law & Order: SVU” has Ice-T appeared in to date

What were Disney Legend John Hench’s concerns about the version of World Showcase that was almost built next to WDW’s TTC

How long did it take the team at WDW’s Food Labs to create that translucent fruit that was served aboard the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser”

When was Phase One of “Project Florida” originally supposed to end construction

How tall was Thunder Mesa (i.e., the table-top mountain that was supposed to house WDW’s “Western River Expedition” ride) supposed to be


Show Notes
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The Disney Dish with Jim Hill - Episode 405: How the Emerald of Anaheim became a Disneyland Resort hotel

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