Jim Hill and Dan Graney break down a huge week for both Star Wars and Marvel, from the theatrical debut of The Mandalorian and Grogu to major leadership changes inside Marvel Studios and Marvel Comics. They also dig into the evolving future of Galaxy’s Edge, the surprisingly strong response to Punisher: One Last Kill, and why Disney may already be positioning Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars: Starfighter as the franchise’s next major theatrical relaunch.

NEWS

• Jim and Dan share their reactions to The Mandalorian and Grogu and discuss whether the film feels like “The Mandalorian: Season 4” on a much bigger scale

FEATURE

• Jim and Dan break down why Punisher: One Last Kill may be Marvel’s strongest street-level project in years

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 Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets through the trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=marvelus

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Jim Hill and Drew Taylor unpack a packed week in animation and themed entertainment news, from Warner Bros. officially developing a standalone Rick & Morty movie to Disney’s growing Bluey presence in both Anaheim and Orlando. Along the way, the duo discuss Universal Fan Fest’s future, the surprising Memorial Day box office performance of The Mandalorian & Grogu, and why Disney is already planning big for Mickey’s centennial celebration in 2028. They also pay tribute to legendary voice actor Tom Kane and share updates on Adventure Time, Hello Kitty, and the ever-expanding world of animated features headed to theaters over the next few years.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Warner Bros. officially begins development on a standalone Rick & Morty movie directed by series veteran Jacob Hair

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

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Len Testa and Jim Hill review Walt Disney World’s latest wave of attraction updates, including the new Soarin’ Across America film, the Muppets’ chaotic takeover of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, and the newly refurbished Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Then, Los Angeles Times columnist Todd Martens joins the show to discuss Disneyland’s evolving version of Galaxy’s Edge, why Disney is pivoting away from strict sequel-era storytelling, and how the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run finally addresses years of guest feedback.

NEWS

• Len shares first impressions of Soarin’ Across America, including the updated Patrick Warburton pre-show and the new opening rocket launch sequence

• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets debuts with extensive new ride scenes, classic rock parody album covers, and dozens of hidden gags

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens with a smoother ride experience and upgraded effects after its lengthy refurbishment

• Disney expands Walt Disney World luggage transfer service to American, United, and Southwest Airlines

• Universal announces a Sinners-themed Halloween Horror Nights house for both Orlando and Hollywood

FEATURE

• Todd Martens discusses Disneyland’s changing approach to Galaxy’s Edge and the return of classic Star Wars characters and locations

• Why the original immersive “live your own Star Wars story” concept struggled to fully materialize inside the land

• The updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run adds new destinations, including Coruscant, Bespin, Endor, and Tatooine

• How Imagineering redesigned the attraction to improve gameplay for pilots, engineers, and gunners alike

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

HOSTS

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

• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com

GUEST

• Todd Martens - Bluesky: @toddmartens.bsky.social | Instagram: @toddmartens

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

• UnlockedMagic.com - Save on your next Disney vacation with discounted Walt Disney World tickets: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=disneydish

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 Eric Hersey dive into the surprising Universal Pictures history behind Michael Jackson’s breakout acting role in The Wiz, exploring how the 1978 musical helped launch one of the most important creative partnerships in pop culture history. Along the way, they also cover new Epic Universe character reveals, Halloween Horror Nights rumors, and what’s next for Universal Orlando’s evolving parks.

NEWS

• Universal officially unveils Captain Cacao, the oversized bear mascot coming to Celestial Park at Epic Universe

• Rumors swirl around a possible Ozzy Osbourne-themed house for Halloween Horror Nights 35

• Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp at DreamWorks Land temporarily closes for refurbishment through July

• Listener theories continue about a possible Zelda-themed replacement for Mythos at Islands of Adventure

• Universal fans debate whether Volcano Bay’s retired “Spirit of the Volcano” effect could inspire a new home for Mystic Fountain

FEATURE

• The surprising story behind how Michael Jackson landed the role of the Scarecrow in Universal’s 1978 film version of The Wiz

• How The Wiz introduced Michael Jackson to legendary producer Quincy Jones during filming in New York City

• Why Universal and Motown took a massive creative gamble adapting Broadway’s urban retelling of The Wizard of Oz

• Behind-the-scenes stories involving Diana Ross, Richard Pryor, Ray Bolger, and the original casting plans for the film

• How Michael Jackson’s performance in The Wiz helped pave the way for Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad

HOSTS

• Jim Hill

• Eric Hersey

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

UnlockedMagic.com - Save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including Express Pass options, when you book through https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=epicjhm

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey celebrate 100 episodes of I Want That Too by diving deep into one of Disney’s most fascinating recurring patterns: the company’s obsession with technology. From the rise and fall of Go.com to MagicBands, My Pal Mickey, Disney Infinity, and interactive park experiments that never fully worked, Jim traces Disney’s long history of swinging big on tech innovation. Along the way, they also cover Toy Story 5 fast food partnerships, Alice in Wonderland’s 75th anniversary, and new Small World anniversary merchandise.

NEWS

• Toy Story 5 teams up with Papa Johns in Disney’s latest fast food collaboration push.

• Burger King’s Mandalorian promotion sparks conversation about Disney’s growing restaurant partnerships.

• Alice in Wonderland celebrates its 75th anniversary with restored screenings and limited merch.

• Disney launches America 250 merchandise across Walt Disney World.

• New It’s a Small World 60th anniversary pins and collectibles arrive for Disney Parks fans.

FEATURE

• Jim revisits the rise and rapid collapse of Disney’s Go.com initiative and why the company struggled to compete with Yahoo and AOL.

• The history of Disney’s biggest tech experiments, including holograms for The Black Cauldron and Journey Into Imagination.

• Behind the scenes stories about My Pal Mickey, Glow With the Show ears, and the unrealized ambitions of MagicBands.

• The original interactive plans for MagicBands included personalized Small World dolls, reactive character greetings, and real-time park tracking.

• Disney Infinity, Epic Mickey, Lucky the Dinosaur, and Turtle Talk with Crush reveal how Disney repeatedly reinvents its approach to immersive technology.

• Josh D’Amaro’s latest comments about Disney Plus suggest the company may once again be trying to build a digital centerpiece for the Disney brand.

HOSTS

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

• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2, Instagram: @lauren_hersey_

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

Thanks to UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets.

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 dive into the viral Walt Disney World story of a guest jumping off Kilimanjaro Safaris mid-ride to use the bathroom and why cast members are begging guests to stop exiting attractions. Along the way, they spiral into stories of other infamous Disney ride exits, from Living with the Land cucumber thefts to Horizons urban explorers. Then things take a more lighthearted turn as they each build their personal Disney “Mount Rushmore” of attractions and resorts, revealing a lot about their Disney personalities in the process.

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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Len Testa and Chris Cox dive into one of Walt Disney World’s newest debates: adult lounges versus family lounges. From the sleek, spaceship-inspired atmosphere of GEO-82 at EPCOT to the bustling pirate energy of the Beak and Barrel at Magic Kingdom, they break down which Disney bars are actually worth your time and money. Along the way, they compare Trader Sam’s, Oga’s Cantina, Enchanted Rose, and several hidden gems while unpacking guest satisfaction scores, drink pricing, seating frustrations, and what really separates a “grown-up” Disney lounge from a family-friendly hangout.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Why GEO-82’s futuristic EPCOT theming impresses even as its cocktail prices raise eyebrows

• The biggest issue holding Beak and Barrel back despite its strong Pirates of the Caribbean atmosphere

• How Trader Sam’s continues to outperform newer Disney lounges in guest satisfaction

• Why Oga’s Cantina may be more about the experience than the drinks themselves

• Len reveals the surprisingly high-rated EPCOT lounge that most guests overlook entirely

• Chris and Len debate what actually makes a Disney lounge feel “adult” versus “family-friendly”

• A bizarre true story about missing judge Joseph Force Crater somehow becomes the episode’s opening argument

HOSTS

FOLLOW

SUPPORT

PRODUCTION CREDITS

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

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Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down the stunning debut of Laika’s “Wildwood” teaser trailer, the surprising revival of Matt Braly’s cancelled animated feature “Afterworld,” and Universal’s massive push behind the 25th anniversary of “Shrek.” They also discuss Warner Bros. Animation’s uncertain future, Disney’s latest animation-themed park projects, and new details on “CoCoMelon: The Movie” and Apple TV’s upcoming “Snoopy Unleashed.”

AUDIO DISCLAIMER - we had some tech issues, but things clear up after the first break. Thanks for hanging in there.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Laika’s “Wildwood” teaser trailer racks up 115 million views in 24 hours as the studio prepares a major theatrical event strategy for the film’s October release.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill

• Drew Taylor

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 special ticket deals from https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=finetooning

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/

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Len Testa and Jim Hill break down a busy week in theme park news, from Bluey crowd control at Animal Kingdom to Universal’s possible drone-show ambitions. Len also crunches the numbers on the best days to visit Magic Kingdom, because nothing says vacation like 22 million wait times and a spreadsheet with emotional damage. Then Jim digs into Disneyland’s opening-day ticket scandal and why Walt Disney may have had very good reasons to sour on Western Publishing.

NEWS

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom prepares for Bluey with a virtual queue and some serious toddler-capacity math.

• Len explains why Sundays may be your best Magic Kingdom bet from January through July, while party season flips the calendar.

• Disneyland’s Autopia goes electric in 2027, raising questions about batteries, car design, and Tomorrowland’s long-overdue tune-up.

• Universal Orlando surveys guests about pets, which may hint at Secret Life of Pets possibilities in Florida.

• A new Universal patent features an onboard animated figure, possibly a frog, possibly a nightmare with wheels.

FEATURE

• Jim revisits Disneyland’s chaotic 1955 opening day and the mysterious flood of “legitimate” invitations.

• The story points toward Western Publishing, one of Disneyland’s earliest investors and official printers.

• Walt’s later decision to buy out Western may have had more behind it than simple business strategy.

• Also discussed: C.V. Wood, Black Sunday, Bob Gurr, Richard Nixon, and why the Secret Service probably hated the monorail.

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

HOSTS

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

• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social, Instagram: @len.testa, Website: touringplans.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

The Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, from the team at DVC Rental Store. Visit UnlockedMagic.com for great deals on Disney theme park admission.

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 Eric Hersey unpack the surprising behind-the-scenes fallout that pushed Steven Spielberg away from Disney and deeper into Universal’s orbit, while also covering major changes coming to Universal Orlando. Plus, the duo explores the lost Casper dark ride that almost became Universal’s answer to Haunted Mansion.

NEWS

• Universal may finally be testing Epic Universe’s long-rumored “open hub” concept for convention guests visiting Celestial Park

• Mythos Restaurant at Islands of Adventure is officially set to close in 2027 as Lost Continent transformation plans move forward

• Rumors intensify that the Mystic Fountain may soon disappear from Islands of Adventure

• Hot Dog Hall of Fame at CityWalk is reportedly closing, with Joey Fatone’s restaurant concept expected to take over the space

• Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show delivers an emotional final performance before its temporary closure and refresh

• Universal and UCF launch a new themed entertainment leadership program focused on training the next generation of park creatives

• New details emerge about Shrek’s role inside Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas as Shrek 5 merchandise plans begin surfacing

FEATURE

• The untold story of how Steven Spielberg’s relationship with Disney soured after Roger Rabbit and Dick Tracy

• Why Universal’s early theme park struggles pushed Spielberg to become more deeply involved with Universal Studios Florida

• The fascinating history of the canceled Casper dark ride that nearly became Universal’s version of Haunted Mansion

• How Men in Black: Alien Attack ultimately replaced the planned Casper attraction

HOSTS

• Jim Hill

• Eric Hersey

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

UnlockedMagic.com

If you’re planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World, be sure to visit Unlocked Magic and save today: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=epicjhm

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