Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into the recent uproar over Epic Universe preview ticket availability—and why Universal quietly opened the gates to everyone. Then they dive into the surprising retirement of Volcano Bay’s TapuTapu system and the fascinating history behind the short-lived Triceratops Encounter at Islands of Adventure.

Epic Universe preview tickets go public, frustrating some Annual Passholders

What low crowds and Disney discounts might reveal about this summer’s Orlando tourism outlook

Universal’s guest survey tactics—and how they’re targeting Disney’s “seamless” brand language

Volcano Bay announces the retirement of TapuTapu and a five-month closure for overhaul

Universal Hollywood FanFest reactions and Drew Taylor’s tip for avoiding long lines

The box office power of Wicked, Despicable Me, and Universal’s 360-degree promo strategy

The history of Triceratops Encounter and how a 1960s Easter special led to one of Universal’s biggest animatronic swings

Whether you’re here for the latest theme park headlines or the long-forgotten stories behind Universal’s creative gambles, this episode is packed with insights, speculation, and a few dinosaurs along the way.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey return with a jam-packed episode that blends Disney shopping secrets and animation history. Lauren shares her behind-the-scenes visit to Disney’s elusive Property Control store, a cast member-exclusive outlet full of discounted resort furniture, rare park merch, and even frozen food. Hear what she found, what she bought, and why it may be Disney’s best-kept secret.

Then Jim dives into the fascinating history of Gertie the Dinosaur—Hollywood Studios’ lakeside icon—tracing her roots back to a 1914 vaudeville act that helped inspire Walt Disney himself. From stamp collecting to Loungefly obsessions, this episode covers the quirky side of fandom and the legacy of one animated Brontosaurus.

What Property Control is and how Lauren got in

The limited merch, props, and even snacks for sale inside

The new Gertie merch spotted at Hollywood Studios

How Windsor McCay’s 1914 cartoon dinosaur changed animation forever

The real story behind Disney’s ice cream-slinging sauropod

From the backlots of Walt Disney World to the foundations of early animation, this episode of I Want That Too digs into Disney history where you’d least expect it.

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In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor cover a busy week in animation and theme park news, including:

Drew’s full report from FanFest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, including Back to the Future Hill Valley experiences, new anime tie-ins, and what could be coming to the East Coast.

King of the Hill revival update – A new panel announced for the ATX TV Festival, with co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels and voice actors returning.

The Simpsons streaming hiccups – Yellow Planet, the Earth Day episode, struggles to launch properly on Disney+.

Annécy 2025 preview – Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm prepare for a massive presence, including previews for Zootopia 2, Toy Story 5, Elio, and Eyes of Wakanda.

Warner Bros. Animation’s Cartoon Network 25th Anniversary Panel featuring Genndy Tartakovsky, Craig McCracken, Pendleton Ward, and Rebecca Sugar.

Netflix rescues Genndy Tartakovsky’s Fixed after Warner Bros. dropped it—world premiere planned for Annécy.

New announcements – Disney Television Animation’s Dragon Striker series, updates on Combat Carl in Toy Story 5, and more.

Join Jim and Drew for the latest animation industry news, major event coverage, and a look at what’s ahead!

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This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill dig into one of the strangest goofs in Disney history—how the restaurant inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom was originally named after the wrong king, and why it took over two decades (and a flood of guest complaints) to finally correct it.

Also in this episode:

The King Stefan Banquet Hall Backstory – Why Imagineering picked the wrong king in the first place—and how nobody caught it before opening day.

Dave Smith and John Hench’s Awkward Phone Call – The archivist and the Imagineer have a polite, slightly painful conversation about medieval royalty.

The 25th Anniversary Castle Cake Fallout – Why complaints about the Pepto-Bismol pink castle pushed Disney to rethink the restaurant’s name.

How Cinderella’s Royal Table Was Finally Born – And how it became one of the most popular (and profitable) restaurants in all of Walt Disney World.

Listener Questions and More – Updates on Disney and Universal surveys, Lightning Lane changes, and Epic Universe tips.

It’s a story of castles, kings, and the longest game of "whoops" in Disney Parks history.

SHOW NOTES

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In the sixteenth installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid continued their look back at the history of themed entertainment.

This time around, they focus on some of the innovations Walt Disney helped introduce with his family fun park. 

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

How far back in history do automatons go?

Who was the first creator to use pneumatics

What sort of control systems were used originally at Disneyland Park

When were Audio Animatronics first introduced?

PLUS Special Guest Joe Lanzisero’s experiences working with animatronics

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Jim Hill and Eric Hersey share Eric’s full first impressions after visiting Epic Universe—just 27 days before its grand opening. From ride reviews to immersive lands, they explore how Universal’s newest park lives up to the hype. Plus, they discuss Annual Passholder perks, new cosplay merch, and Universal’s latest theme park innovations.

This episode combines park preview excitement, detailed ride analysis, and big-picture context for Universal’s most ambitious project yet.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey sit down with actor and author Colin Egglesfield (All My Children, Something Borrowed) to revisit one of Disney’s most passionate fan events: Super Soap Weekend. Colin shares what it was like to meet thousands of soap fans at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, parade through the park with Goofy, and be part of the event’s final years.

They also discuss Colin’s time on All My Children, his unforgettable character arc as Erica Kane’s long-lost son, and how he battled cancer behind the scenes—while still showing up to set and filming every day.

This heartfelt episode blends Disney fan nostalgia, behind-the-scenes soap drama, and the power of showing up through life’s toughest moments. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.

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Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down with filmmakers Eric Kimelton, Christopher Ninness, and Scott Seibold to talk about the making of Not Just a Goof, the heartfelt new Disney+ documentary celebrating the 30th anniversary of A Goofy Movie. They discuss lost footage, creative challenges, pop culture legacy, and their unexpected journey from fans to contributors in Goofy’s story.

Also in this episode:

It’s a jam-packed episode full of nostalgia, animation history, and exclusive insights.

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Len Testa, Jim Hill, and Imagineer Jim Shull dig into the wild, weird, and wonderfully unsafe history of Disney’s unbuilt Alice in Wonderland walkthrough attraction—complete with collapsing stairs, spinning barrels, and push-bag trees.

Also in this episode:

From fantasy to funhouse nightmares, and from Buzz to barrel rolls, this week’s show explores the wildest ideas Disney never built—and the things they probably shouldn't have.

SHOW NOTES

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DVC Resale Market

Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free.

Learn More

DVC Rental Store

Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures!

Learn More

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Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking up Season Two of “Andor.”

They then closely examine the “Star Wars” -related panels & programming at this year’s WonderCon.

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Which film from the first “Star Wars” trilogy will be presented in its original form at this year’s British Film Institute Film on Film Festival

• How many pieces are there in the new LEGO Star Wars set which then recreates Jango Fett’s Firespray Class Starship

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