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Len Testa and Jim Hill look back at Halloween Hysteria, the Magic Kingdom’s 1979 party that brought the Police to the park. Jim traces Disney’s early Halloween celebrations before following Sting from that concert to the troubled production of Kingdom of the Sun. Plus, new resort room-request options, a Hollywood Studios survey with a confusing sense of direction, and a listener’s successful return with 1986 Disney tickets.
NEWS
• Disney updates My Disney Experience room requests, including new preferences and an early-check-in option that can override them.
• Coronado Springs gets convention-center concept art, while Jim shares a memorable example of the resort’s service.
• A Hollywood Studios survey asks about the park’s “east side,” prompting a look at its layout and possible future expansion.
• Listeners weigh in on Disney Cruise Line survey pressure and share how decades-old park tickets found a new use.
• Could Universal’s Shrek plans include a dark ride, and when will Skull Island’s Kong animatronic return?
FEATURE
• From Disneyland’s Parade of Pumpkins to free Haunted Mansion rides, Disney’s earliest Halloween events looked very different.
• How the Magic Kingdom’s World Series of Entertainment brought Dr. Hook, Sea Level, and the Police to Halloween Hysteria.
• Why Disney recruited Sting for Kingdom of the Sun, and how the project changed on its way to becoming The Emperor’s New Groove.
• Jim discusses The Sweatbox and its unusually candid look at a Disney animated film in transition.
HOSTS
• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social - Instagram: @len.testa - touringplans.com
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
The Disney Dish news is sponsored by Be Our Guest Vacations, from our friends at DVC Rental Store. Plan a fall Orlando getaway with Be Our Guest Vacations.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Len Testa and Jim Hill revisit Halloween Hysteria, trace Sting’s Disney animation detour, and unpack new resort room requests.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey head back to Far Far Away to uncover how Universal's Shrek 4-D became an unlikely bridge between the first two Shrek movies. Jim reveals the creative challenges behind Shrek 2, the surprising connection to a shelved Disney animated project, and why Universal may be preparing to give its favorite ogre a much bigger theme park presence. Plus, the latest Universal Orlando holiday announcements, a troubling incident at Stardust Racers, and some monstrous Halloween surprises at Universal's resort hotels.
NEWS
FEATURE
HOSTS
FOLLOW
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Be Our Guest Vacations takes the guesswork out of your vacation with free, personalized trip planning. Their travel professionals help you choose the right hotel, park tickets, dining reservations, and extras to fit your budget and travel style. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com and tell them Jim and Eric sent you.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore the creation of Shrek 4-D, the behind-the-scenes history of Shrek 2, and the latest Universal Orlando holiday and theme park news.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey open the door to a Monsters, Inc. coaster project that surfaced back in 2008, long before the attraction announced at D23 in 2024. Jim explains how an accidental cast-member video revealed the plans, from a Celia-led reception area to a chaotic finale with Mike and Sulley. They also discuss changes at Disney’s Character Warehouse outlets and the appeal of McDonald’s Disney Villains Boo Buckets.
NEWS
FEATURE
HOSTS
FOLLOW
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
Planning your next Disney or Universal vacation? BeOurGuestVacations.com can help with hotels, theme park tickets, and dining reservations at no additional cost to you. As a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and a Universal U-Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team can help you plan your next getaway. Be sure to tell them Lauren and Jim from I Want That Too sent you!
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Jim and Lauren explore an early Monsters, Inc. coaster plan, Disney outlet changes, and the nostalgia behind McDonald’s Boo Buckets.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How much would you pay to own a piece of Disney history? Eric and Lauren Hersey take a deep dive into Disney's most expensive collectibles, from a $425,000 Enchanted Tiki Room bird to Haunted Mansion ghosts and the legendary Hollywood memorabilia once sold at Sid Cahuenga's. Inspired by Kelly Clarkson's viral mechanical bird controversy, they explore the surprising world of animatronic collecting, extravagant theme park purchases, and the practical challenges of getting oversized souvenirs home. Plus, a complaint at Magic Kingdom's Sunglass Hut brings the conversation right back to where it started.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Kelly Clarkson's viral dispute with New York's Art of Play over a mechanical singing bird takes an unexpected $15 million turn.
• From Garner Holt's build-your-own Tiki birds to a $425,000 José animatronic, Eric and Lauren explore the surprising market for Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room collectibles.
• Rare Disney auction treasures command staggering prices, including Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghosts approaching $400,000 and original stretching room artwork.
• How to ship large Walt Disney World souvenirs and artwork home, including combining purchases at resort gift shops and navigating shipping costs.
• The extravagant crystal Cinderella Castle sculptures sold at Disney parks and the surprising stories behind their purchases.
• A nostalgic look inside Sid Cahuenga's at Disney's Hollywood Studios, where authentic Hollywood props, celebrity memorabilia, and Dick Van Dyke's Mary Poppins jacket once carried hefty price tags.
• From Stormtrooper armor to designer sunglasses, Eric and Lauren discuss the most expensive Disney purchases and a Magic Kingdom Sunglass Hut review that brings the story full circle.
HOSTS
• Lauren Hersey - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ | X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2
• Eric Hersey - Instagram: @erichersey | X/Twitter: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Instagram: @JimHillMedia
• X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia
• Website: jimhillmedia.com
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris Cox, Len Testa, and Jim Hill reopen the listener mailbag for another session of the Court of the Disney World Resort. A terrifying first date on Alien Encounter leads to a story of nearly 30 years of marriage, while other listeners explain when a ride spoiler can be a kindness. The court also weighs sleeping in at Magic Kingdom, finding a quiet corner, and choosing between Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Stick around after the closing remarks for a bonus quiz that pits Jim against Len over the listeners’ poll results.
HIGHLIGHTS
• An Alien Encounter date becomes an unlikely love story, alongside memories of the attraction’s scares and its place in Magic Kingdom.
• Listeners make the case for pool mornings, later park arrivals, and After Hours tickets instead of an early alarm.
• Quiet Magic Kingdom hideaways offer a break from the crowds, from Main Street’s train station to Storybook Circus seating.
• Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach return to court, with shade, slides, theming, and a formidable wave pool entering the evidence.
• Ride previews divide the jury: preserving a surprise versus preparing children and anxious riders, followed by a bonus listener-poll showdown.
HOSTS
• Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox | Instagram: @magiccox | magiccox.com
• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Chris Cox, Len Testa, and Jim Hill revisit listener verdicts on rope drop, Disney water parks, and ride spoilers, including one unforgettable Alien Encounter date.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor have plenty to discuss as Disney's upcoming animated feature Hexed takes center stage, with a fresh trailer, striking visual designs, and new details about the creative team. They also explore the latest animation announcements from New York Comic Con, a milestone anniversary for It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and the next chapter for Disney's long-running Broadway productions. Plus, Don Bluth gets the documentary treatment, LAIKA prepares to unveil Wildwood, and KPop Demon Hunters heads to the Criterion Collection.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Disney's Hexed reveals more of its magical world ahead of its November 25 theatrical debut, with directors Jason Hand, Josie Trinidad, and Fawn Veerasunthorn at the helm.
• Drew shares insights from Disney's recent press event, including a look at the new animated short Lilo & Scratch and the jewel-toned visual style of Hexed.
• New York Comic Con brings updates on Avatar: Seven Havens, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and Marvel's upcoming animated projects.
• It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown celebrates its 60th anniversary with a Starbucks merchandise collection that disappears almost as quickly as it arrives.
• Disney's The Lion King prepares to reimagine its record-breaking North American tour, while BOOP! The Musical hits the road.
• Animation legend Don Bluth gets a new documentary, while Ron Clements shares decades of Disney history in Making Disney Magic.
• LAIKA's Wildwood heads to theaters, and KPop Demon Hunters receives a Criterion Collection release packed with bonus features.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
Planning a fall getaway to Orlando? BeOurGuestVacations.com can help take the stress out of your next Disney or Universal vacation. As both a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and a Universal U-Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team can assist with hotels, theme park tickets, and dining reservations at no additional cost to you. Be sure to tell them Jim and Drew from Fine Tooning sent you!
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Disney's Hexed takes the spotlight alongside New York Comic Con animation news, Peanuts' 60th anniversary, Broadway updates, and a celebration of Don Bluth's legacy.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Len Testa and Jim Hill wrap up their Disneyland DVC history with a look at how Aulani’s ambitious price tag shaped the hotel projects that followed. Jim connects Disney’s Hawaiian resort to an unbuilt New Hampshire lodge, a canceled Disneyland luxury hotel, and the eventual Discovery Tower. They also discuss new playground plans, Disneyland ticket increases, and what Disney’s surveys might reveal about future attractions. Listener ideas offer fresh possibilities for EPCOT dining and a House of Mouse restaurant.
NEWS
• New playground plans at Hollywood Studios raise a practical question: what can younger children do while the rest of the family rides?
• Len compares Disneyland’s latest ticket increases with Walt Disney World’s and asks whether Southern California is reaching a price ceiling.
• The hosts discuss Pokémon possibilities at Universal, Disney Imagination’s planned debut in Japan, and a time-travel television tangent.
• Disney Cruise Line survey pressure and an Avatar question prompt a discussion about how guest feedback influences decisions.
• Listener proposals pair EPCOT dining with Lightning Lane perks and imagine a House of Mouse makeover for Hollywood Studios dining.
FEATURE
• The Grand Californian expansion brings Disney Vacation Club to the West Coast, setting the stage for a much bigger Hawaiian investment.
• Jim explains how Aulani’s costs affected other resort ambitions, including Disney’s proposed White Mountain Lodge in New Hampshire.
• A planned Disneyland luxury hotel runs into sightline concerns and an Anaheim tax-rebate dispute before its cancellation.
• The story concludes with the smaller Disneyland Hotel DVC tower, its mix of accommodations, and construction through the pandemic.
For this episode’s full show notes, click here.
HOSTS
• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
Leave the holiday decorating to Disney and enjoy the lights from Main Street. Our friends at Be Our Guest Vacations can help plan your Walt Disney World holiday trip.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Len Testa and Jim Hill trace Aulani’s impact on Disneyland’s hotel plans, plus park playgrounds, ticket prices, and Disney guest surveys.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey continue the story of Shrek, following the difficult decisions DreamWorks faced after the death of original star Chris Farley. Jim explains how Mike Myers came aboard and why a new voice for the ogre also led to a change for Princess Fiona. They also discuss Blumhouse joining Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show, lower prices at Horror Unleashed, and holiday plans on both coasts. Plus, a look at the early attempt to bring Wicked to the screen.
NEWS
• A new Glinda novel sparks a look back at Demi Moore’s early Wicked movie plans and the creative talent involved.
• Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show prepares for a Blumhouse reimagining, raising questions about the balance between modern scares and classic monster history.
• Eric rounds up Universal Orlando refurbishments and clarifies that Animal Actors on Location remains open until its announced November closure.
• Horror Unleashed lowers selected Las Vegas ticket prices for November and December, while Jim and Eric check in on plans for Chicago.
• Hollywood adds Merry Minions to its holiday lineup, and a licensing report hints at Snoggletog in Epic Universe’s Isle of Berk; the hosts caution that Orlando’s plans still need official confirmation.
FEATURE
• DreamWorks considers ways to finish Chris Farley’s version of Shrek before ultimately recasting the lead role.
• Jim compares the challenge with other productions that had to continue after losing a performer, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Furious 7.
• A chance meeting at the Saving Private Ryan premiere brings Mike Myers into Shrek’s story, changing the ogre’s personality and the balance of the cast.
• Cameron Diaz replaces Janeane Garofalo as Fiona, and Shrek’s eventual success sets up a sequel and a future in Universal’s theme parks.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
Planning a Universal getaway? The travel professionals at Be Our Guest Vacations can work with you one on one to find the right hotel, park admission, and extras for your budget, priorities, and travel style. Mention that Eric and Jim at the Epic Universal Podcast sent you.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore how Shrek’s recasting reshaped the film, plus Universal’s horror attractions, refurbishments, and holiday plans.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lauren Hersey and Jim Hill explore how familiar favorites find new life, from Frozen’s latest merchandise push to Darth Vader’s holiday makeover. Lauren takes a closer look at Frozen Fan Fest, pajama-clad Anna and Elsa, and the Christmas joke becoming “Darth on the Hearth.” Jim shares highlights from his visit to the Land of Oz before revealing how a two-minute licensing limit cost the Great Movie Ride its tornado. Along the way, they discuss oversized Olaf hats, Oz at the Sphere, and the enduring appeal of the Yellow Brick Road.
NEWS
FEATURE
HOSTS
FOLLOW
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
Planning your next getaway to Disney or Universal? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details of your Central Florida vacation. As a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and Universal U Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team knows both destinations. Their vacation planning services come at no additional cost to you. Visit Be Our Guest Vacations to start planning.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Lauren Hersey and Jim Hill unpack Frozen Fan Fest, Star Wars holiday merchandise, and the Wizard of Oz scene cut from the Great Movie Ride.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Disney is bringing artificial intelligence into nearly every corner of its business, but how much AI is too much magic? This week, Lauren and Eric Hersey explore the debate surrounding Haunted Mansion PhotoPass Magic Shots, Disney's growing use of AI in employee performance reviews, and the company's ongoing restructuring and layoffs. They also examine AI-powered vacation planning, Disney+ search, shopping recommendations, and new technology designed to improve theme park operations. From helpful innovations to concerns about replacing human creativity, they're asking where Disney should draw the line.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Haunted Mansion Magic Shots: New PhotoPass images transforming guests into stone busts spark debate over possible generative AI use, artistic ownership, and Disney's creative standards.
• AI in Employee Reviews: Disney reportedly encourages employees to use approved AI tools to prepare performance evaluations and goals, raising questions about efficiency and authenticity.
• Disney Layoffs and Restructuring: Bloomberg's Lucas Shaw challenges Dana Walden about Disney's repeated workforce reductions and the company's push toward a more unified operation.
• AI-Powered Vacation Planning: Disney explores personalized vacation planning tools while Eric and Lauren question whether AI can match the expertise of experienced travel advisors.
• AI Across Disney's Businesses: New AI applications include Disney+ and ESPN search, Disney Store shopping recommendations, streaming advertising tools, ride safety systems, and animal monitoring at Kilimanjaro Safaris.
• Efficiency vs. Creativity: Where should Disney embrace AI to simplify operations, and where does automation threaten the work of artists, animators, and other creative professionals?
• Digital Performances and Voice Replication: A Gene Wilder-inspired AI voice in a Netflix game show sparks discussion about performer consent, legacy characters, and the future of voice acting.
• Finding Disney's AI Boundaries: From improving attraction safety to generating new entertainment, the hosts debate which uses of AI enhance the Disney experience and which go too far.
HOSTS
• Lauren Hersey - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2
• Eric Hersey - Instagram: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Strong Minded Agency
FOLLOW
• Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: @JimHillMedia
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited and Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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