Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into a packed week of Disney merch and fandom news, from Burger King’s surprising Mandalorian and Grogu promotion to the return of toys inside cereal boxes for Toy Story 5. Along the way, Lauren shares how she finally became a Grogu fan after binge-watching The Mandalorian, while Jim unpacks Disney’s rumored “super app” plans and the surprising history behind Disney fan conventions that eventually inspired D23.

NEWS

• Lauren officially joins the Grogu fan club after binge-watching two seasons of The Mandalorian ahead of the upcoming movie release.

FEATURE

• Jim traces the origins of Disney fandom events from the exclusive Mouse Club conventions of the early 1980s to the creation of the NFFC.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com

FOLLOW

• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

SPONSOR

UnlockedMagic.com - Save on your next Disney or Universal vacation with discounted theme park tickets and expert planning help at https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=iwantthat

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

Lauren and Eric dig into a question Disney fans have been quietly (and loudly) asking: is Disney finally starting to listen again? From ride reliability to cast member culture shifts and the return of meaningful passholder perks, the duo breaks down what’s changed and what might just be clever business strategy.

Then they pivot to the dollars-and-cents reality of annual passes in 2026, exploring whether the latest discounts and perks actually make them worth it. Along the way, they balance optimism with skepticism and invite listeners to decide for themselves what’s really driving Disney’s recent moves.

HIGHLIGHTS

For this episode’s full show notes, ⁠click here⁠.HOSTS

FOLLOW – DIS & HERS

FOLLOW – JIM HILL MEDIA

SUPPORT

PRODUCTION CREDITS

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠reach out today.⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this listener-driven episode, Jim Hill presides as Len Testa and Chris Cox dig into a packed mailbag covering everything from Lightning Lane frustrations to ambitious transportation ideas at Walt Disney World. From Skyliner expansions to merch delivery debates, the trio weighs what guests really want versus what Disney actually delivers. Along the way, they explore how convenience, cost, and crowd levels shape the modern park experience. As always, the verdict is anything but final.

HIGHLIGHTS

HOSTS

FOLLOW

SUPPORT

PRODUCTION CREDITS

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠reach out today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor return with a packed episode that jumps from a galaxy far, far away to the runways of a surprise box office hit. They break down the evolving strategy behind Disney’s theatrical releases, spotlight a full-circle Star Wars character comeback, and dig into the unexpected success of a long-awaited sequel. Along the way, they explore new animation experiments, streaming debuts, and what’s next for both studios and theaters as summer heats up.

HIGHLIGHTS

HOSTS

FOLLOW

SUPPORT

PRODUCTION CREDITS

SPONSOR

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

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a caffeinated mix of Disney news, listener questions, and one deeply researched (and slightly petty) rant about guitar accuracy. They also explore the mystery of Walt’s unfinished apartment bathroom and debate just how early is too early for Halloween. Then Jim brings the main event: the story of how Maxwell House coffee landed on Main Street, missed its big debut, and ultimately got shown the door - paving the way for a quieter, smarter coffee strategy at Disneyland.

NEWS

FEATURE

For this episode’s full show notes,⁠ click here.⁠

HOSTS

FOLLOW

SUPPORT

PRODUCTION CREDITS

SPONSOR

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠reach out today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey break down Universal’s ambitious FanFest 2026 event at Universal Studios Hollywood, from interactive Scooby-Doo mysteries to One Piece stunt shows and the Wizarding World’s Forbidden Forest expansion. Then, Chris Cox joins the show to share his first-ever visit to Epic Universe, offering a candid look at what’s working, what’s not, and why Isle of Berk may be the park’s biggest success story. From cutting-edge attractions to operational growing pains, it’s a wide-ranging conversation about where Universal is thriving - and where it still has room to grow.

NEWS

FEATURE

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Website: strongmindedagency.com

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Save on tickets and now Express Passes with Unlocked Magic.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren and Eric break down the biggest Disney rookie mistakes that can quietly derail your trip, from poor planning to painful footwear, and why so many guests end up frustrated before the day is done. Drawing from hundreds of community responses, they count down the most common missteps first-time visitors make and share how to avoid them. Then, they pivot to a growing concern across the parks: why lines do not just feel long, they feel worse than ever. From Lightning Lane dynamics to queue etiquette, this episode connects the dots between planning mistakes and longer, more frustrating waits.

HIGHLIGHTS

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS

FOLLOW – DIS & HERS

FOLLOW – JIM HILL MEDIA

SUPPORT

PRODUCTION CREDITS

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠reach out today.⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

im Hill and Lauren Hersey explore how fan-driven Disney markets, unusual Grogu merch, and long-forgotten animation art traditions reveal what the company can’t ignore about its audience.

Jim and Lauren kick things off with fresh chatter about a possible Apple-Disney partnership before diving into the rise of fan-created Disney shopping experiences like Orlando’s “Happiest Market.” From there, they explore how fandom is shaping retail trends, react to some delightfully strange new Grogu merchandise, and spotlight a book designed to bring Disney-style design into your home. Jim then continues his deep-dive series on the origins of Disney fandom, sharing incredible stories about animation art, early collectors, and the first grassroots Disney fan organization.

NEWS

FEATURE

HOSTS

FOLLOW

SUPPORT

PRODUCTION CREDITS

SPONSOR

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

Jim Hill goes solo this week while Drew Taylor is off moderating panels at a film festival, delivering a packed episode that jumps from animation industry headlines to box office chatter and even a bit of theme park savings strategy. Along the way, Jim reflects on past California travels, breaks down major animation announcements, and then dives deep into why Hollywood continues to struggle with blending animation and live-action. From legacy hits to modern misfires, it’s a thoughtful look at what works, what doesn’t, and why.

NEWS

FEATURE

HOSTS

FOLLOW

SUPPORT

PRODUCTION CREDITS

SPONSOR

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

Jim Hill and Dan Graney unpack Marvel’s latest wave of announcements, from Avengers: Endgame returning to theaters with new footage to the growing sense that Doomsday is directly rewriting what came before. Along the way, they explore CinemaCon reveals, Infinity Vision, and what Disney’s internal shifts could mean for the future of the MCU. It’s a conversation about spectacle, strategy, and whether Marvel is quietly reshaping its own legacy in real time.

HIGHLIGHTS

HOSTS

FOLLOW

SUPPORT

PRODUCTION CREDITS

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠reach out today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices