This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into one of the most unexpectedly heartwarming stories in Disney history, the rise (and fall) of Push, the talking trash can who stole hearts in Tomorrowland. From his humble garage-built beginnings to his mysterious disappearance in 2014, Jim reveals how a simple rolling robot outlasted most of Disney’s high-tech character experiments. Plus, the guys tackle the latest Disney and Universal park rumors, strange guest surveys, and Halloween candy economics.

From fun-sized candy drama to a trash can with better comedic timing than most sitcoms, this episode proves Disney magic can roll on two wheels and talk back.

SHOW NOTES

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Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a leaked Universal survey that hints at the future of Fan Fest in Hollywood. From Scooby-Doo teaming up with Universal Monsters to the possibility of Pokemon Go and Sailor Moon activations, the lineup could be one of the most surprising yet. And in the second half, the guys rewind to explore the retro roots and hidden details of Cabana Bay, Universal Orlando’s massive value resort.

Marvel Zombies and Fangoria’s bold Halloween crossover at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Survey leaks teasing Scooby-Doo, Pokemon Go, One Piece, and more for Fan Fest 2026

How Sailor Moon could bring anime fandom to the DreamWorks Theater

The Simpsons movie sequel and its impact on Universal’s theme park rights

Cabana Bay’s history, retro theming, and how it reshaped Universal’s hotel strategy

Universal’s future IP plans meet its nostalgic past in a packed episode that covers both zombies and neon retro vibes.

Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey

Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia

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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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Marvel Us Disney is back! In this inaugural reboot episode, Jim Hill and new co-host Dan Graney dive into the future of Marvel on screen, honoring the show’s roots while exploring the biggest stories shaking up fandom. From Spider-Man’s next chapter to the rise of AI legends and the gory return of Marvel Zombies, this super-sized episode covers it all.

The debut of Stan Lee’s hologram experience at L.A. Comic Con: amazing tribute or uncanny valley?

Behind the scenes of Spider-Man: Brand New Day with Tom Holland’s accident, practical stunts, and new villains

Daredevil and Punisher’s growing role in the MCU’s “street-level” storytelling

The legacy of Frank Price and how he helped kickstart Marvel’s TV and film journey

Marvel Zombies on Disney+ and how it connects back to Robert Kirkman’s comics and the future of Marvel horror

Dan Graney’s bold prediction about a possible Marvel and DC crossover

Whether you are here for Spider-Man, nostalgia for Stan, or a little zombie mayhem, this episode sets the stage for what is next in Marvel storytelling.

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Jim Hill and Drew Taylor wrap up September with a packed episode of Fine Tooning. From this year’s sold-out Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood to the long, winding saga of Richard Williams’ unfinished opus The Cobbler and the Thief, the guys cover the latest in animation news, box office battles, and even a courtroom clash over Steamboat Willie.

With October on the horizon, Jim and Drew bring insights, history, and some big questions about the future of animation.

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With Len Testa away this week, Jim Hill is joined by Imagineer Jim Shull and Eric Hersey. Shull shares first-hand stories of the frantic 72 hours before Disney parks open - from sod being laid overnight at the Contemporary Resort in 1971 to carloads of flowers on Main Street Paris. Meanwhile, Eric helps cover the latest Universal Studios news, including surprising plans for Scooby-Doo and a deep dive into the popcorn bucket craze.

Why opening a Disney park always comes down to a last-minute scramble

Jim Shull’s behind-the-scenes account of preparing Euro Disneyland in 1992

How media crews and Imagineers clashed during opening-week chaos

Universal FanFest Nights 2026 and its Scooby-Doo/Monsters mashup

The future of collectible popcorn buckets and wild new flavors

Theme park history isn’t always polished - sometimes it’s messy, funny, and unforgettable. This episode pulls back the curtain on those final 72 hours.

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 In the 23rd installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid head down to the water. To be specific, Santa Monica, California.

Where CBS tried to get in the theme park business by radically

reimagining a 30-year-old amusement pier.

Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:

What was the original name of the first amusement pier in this location

What nearby amusement park did Abbott Kinney build

What was the first attraction on “The Million Dollar Pier”

Who narrated POP’s 1958 guidebook and made an appearance in the Park

What were the only two rides added to POP

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This week, Jim and Eric tackle a tough headline out of Epic Universe as a guest tragedy forces the closure of Stardust Racers. From what happened to what comes next, they break down the details and share insights on ride safety across the theme park industry. Later in the show, listener Ernesto sparks a deep dive into the origins of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and how mid-century modern design shaped its creation.

The latest on the Stardust Racers accident and Universal’s response

How often serious injuries really occur at theme parks

Why part of DreamWorks Land has already been torn out just months after opening

Rock the Universe ticket deals and what they include

The mid-century modern inspiration behind Cabana Bay and Universal’s hotel expansion

A mix of news, history, and design deep-dives - all in one episode.

Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey

Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia

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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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This week on Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor rewind to the mid-1950s to uncover how a forgotten studio sale and one scrappy rodent changed television forever. Along the way, they’ll cover everything from box office updates to Paw Patrol holiday specials, plus the latest shake-ups inside Disney corporate.

From network rivalries of the 1950s to today’s streaming-first landscape, Jim and Drew connect the dots on how animation keeps reshaping the industry.

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