The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

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

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 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

Show Notes

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 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

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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

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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:

Show Notes

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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

• 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

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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:

Show Notes

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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:

Show Notes

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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:

Show Notes

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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:

Show Notes

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