Jim Hill and Eric Hersey celebrate the long-awaited grand opening of Universal’s Epic Universe. They recap the TODAY Show broadcast, blue carpet livestream, celebrity sightings, and first-day feedback from guests inside the park.

Then, they flash back to Universal’s last major theme park debut - Islands of Adventure in 1999 - and the infamous branding misfire that nearly doomed it: Universal Studios Escape.

Coverage breakdown of Epic Universe’s grand opening, from live broadcasts to opening portal ceremonies

Celebrity sightings include Shigeru Miyamoto, Danny Elfman, Warwick Davis, Tony Baxter, and Cody Rhodes

Ygor and the monsters steal the spotlight - again -on national TV

Early first-day reviews highlight light crowds, limited medallion merch, and a rough start for Battle at the Ministry

Jim shares the wild history of Universal’s 1999 park expansion, including Seagram’s chaotic E-Zone plans and the “Universal Studios Escape” branding blunder

How Islands of Adventure overcame early stumbles to become a flagship park - and how Epic Universe is already avoiding those same mistakes

With one park officially launched and another history lesson unpacked, this episode celebrates the present while learning from the past.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack the unexpected history of Disney’s brief run as a pro sports owner. From Michael Eisner’s synergy strategy to Gene Autry’s $1-a-year land deal, this episode dives into how the House of Mouse ended up with the Mighty Ducks and the Anaheim Angels - and why they eventually let them go.

Also in this episode:

Trash can candy containers debut at Disney Springs

The DisneyStore.com shipping threshold quietly goes up

The latest on Epcot pin trading and Disney's response

A listener asks: Are Spirit Jerseys going out of style?

The real origin story of the Spirit Jersey

Why Tangled’s live-action fate may depend on Stitch’s box office

From puck worlds to ballparks, this episode blends nostalgia, merch, and the business of Disney like never before.

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In this solo episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill dives into a packed week of animation news while Drew Taylor covers the opening of Epic Universe in Florida. Topics include:

The 70th anniversary of Gumby – A look back at Art Clokey’s clay-animated classic and upcoming updates like Gumby Kids.

Faith-based animation on the rise – Following the box office success of The King of Kings, Fairly OddParents creator Butch Hartman launches a new animation studio focused on spiritual storytelling.

DreamWorks embraces early childhood IP – From the upcoming Cocomelon feature to Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie and Bad Guys 2.

Paramount’s shifting release schedule – New dates for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2, The Legend of Aang, and Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie.

Peppa Pig’s gender reveal episode debuts… on Walmart.com – A bold retail-media crossover with exclusive merchandise tied to streaming content.

Smurfs movie sparks fan backlash – Rihanna’s new song “Friend of Mine” fails to impress her Navy, despite her upcoming role as Smurfette.

AI in animation – With $42 million raised by AI animation startups like Cartwheel and Hedra, concerns about job displacement echo the shift from hand-drawn to CG in the ’90s.

New Shaun the Sheep movie announced – Aardman’s The Beast of Mossy Bottom arrives in 2026 with a Halloween theme.

A thoughtful and wide-ranging episode covering preschool hits, legacy IP, streaming trends, theatrical strategy, and the evolving role of AI in the animation industry.

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Len Testa and Jim Hill break down the surprisingly intense history of Epcot’s Mission: Space—from launch-day astronauts and jetpack stunts to the guest experience that made this ride one of Disney’s most regretted one-and-dones.

The Grand Opening – Jetpacks, Walter Cronkite, Buzz Aldrin, and a fireworks display that nearly gave journalists flashbacks.

What Went Wrong – Mission: Space didn’t just thrill—it made people sick, killed plants, and gave Epcot’s custodial team nightmares.

The Shrubbery Crisis – Yes, protein spills killed the landscaping.

Fixing the Fail – How Disney added trash cans, benches, cold air, and a non-spinning version of the ride (that’s actually better).

Ride Longevity – Why guests rarely re-ride, and how Mission: Space quietly became the least essential thrill ride at Walt Disney World.

What Comes Next – With depreciation schedules catching up, is it finally time to replace it? And what’s the likelihood of a Figment/Inside Out combo attraction next door?

A fascinating look at how cutting-edge ambition can spin a little too hard—and what happens when the recovery benches outnumber the ride’s fans.

SHOW NOTES

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Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore how Universal turned a high-maintenance animatronic failure into one of its most popular and shareable meet-and-greets with Raptor Encounter. From behind-the-scenes strategy to guest visibility, they break down what Triceratops Encounter taught Universal—and how that shaped the Jurassic Park experience we know today.

The rise and fall of Triceratops Encounter, and why it never worked as a headline attraction

How Raptor Encounter succeeded by being visible, fast, and built for social sharing

Universal’s upcoming Epic Universe livestream and new Peacock documentary The Epic Ride

Mega Movie Summer kicks off at Universal Hollywood with Jaws props and Jurassic World meet-and-greets

Listener feedback: how to hack your Cabana Bay stay, plus an update on walk-around characters at Toothsomes

Whether you're into classic Jurassic nostalgia or watching how Universal adapts its strategy, this episode is all about learning from the past to create blockbuster experiences.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive deep into the surprising origin of Stitch—and it’s not as cuddly as you think. Before becoming Disney’s mischievous blue icon, Stitch was pitched as a green, intergalactic outlaw leading a robot uprising. Jim shares the full, unfiltered story of Chris Sanders’ original pitch, including unused scenes, a darker backstory, and a surprisingly heroic role for Pleakley.

But first, Lauren recaps her latest Orlando trip with a look at:

Discovery Cove travel hacks (bring your own water socks!)

Changes at Magic Kingdom’s Emporium and the scattered state of merch

The growing mystery of Cinderella Castle’s color shift

Stitch merchandise overload ahead of the new live-action film

The creepy (and hilarious) quirks of the new “Many Moods of Stitch” plush

Puppetmetronics, pin trading, and a Stitch-themed shipping tip

From castle color controversies to plushes with personality disorders, this episode proves that even Disney classics have an unexpected side.

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In this solo episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill covers a wide range of animation news and commentary while Drew Taylor is away covering the global premiere of Mission: Impossible 8. Topics include:

Controversy around Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch – Director Dean Fleischer Camp shares concept art of Pleakley in a dress after Disney reportedly vetoed the idea.

A first look at Elsa’s new castle from Frozen 3 – How Disney Abu Dhabi’s concept art may hint at major design elements from the upcoming 2027 sequel.

Box office updates – Thunderbolts maintains momentum in its second weekend, and The King of Kings becomes a success story for South Korea’s Mofac Studios.

Fox renews Grimsburg, Krapopolis, and Universal Basic Guys – More early multi-season orders continue the trend of long-term investments in adult animation.

Seth MacFarlane returns for Ted: The Animated Series – A new sequel series is in the works at Peacock, picking up after Ted 2.

Remembering Marc and Alice Davis – A new website offers replicas of artwork by Marc Davis that once adorned the couple’s home.

It’s a packed episode full of industry insight, animation history, and a few heartfelt tributes along the way.

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Len Testa and Jim Hill dive deep into the infamous debut of Light Magic, Disneyland’s ill-fated replacement for the Main Street Electrical Parade. What was promised as a “street-tacular” became a technical and creative misfire that left tens of thousands of annual passholders asking for refunds - and left behind glitter that haunted ride systems for months.

The Unraveling of Light Magic – A show so complex it couldn’t complete a dress rehearsal before its paid debut

Pixies, Pajamas, and Panic – Why cast members wore half-masks, threw conductive Mylar into the crowd, and unintentionally triggered attraction breakdowns across the park

Mass Refunds and Retail Regret – The merch worked better than the parade, and fans weren’t quiet about it

Disneyland’s Damage Control – How marketing spin, rewrites, and show tweaks couldn’t save it

Legacy of the Street-Tacular – From shelved alien parades to Tinkerbell merchandising, what came out of this high-profile flameout

It’s a hilarious, jaw-dropping look at one of Disney’s most legendary live entertainment flops—where the only thing that worked on opening night was the jacket.

SHOW NOTES

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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!

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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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Jim Hill and Eric Hersey celebrate the 50th episode of the podcast by exploring Universal’s rumored expansion into India and taking a deep dive into one of Islands of Adventure’s most ambitious—and short-lived—attractions: Triceratops Encounter. Along the way, they talk tribute store props, Epic Universe operations, and what happens when Florida weather shuts everything down.

Universal India theme park rumors emerge just hours after Disney announces a new park in Abu Dhabi

Is the India story a strategic leak or a real expansion plan? Jim breaks down the global pattern

Eric reacts to his family visiting the Universal tribute store without him—and the props they spotted from past Tribute Stores

Annual Passholder discounts and exclusive merch deals return as Epic Universe ramps up

Epic Universe extends park hours—what it means for nighttime crowds and show readiness

What happens when it rains? A long list of outdoor attractions go down at Epic Universe

The ambitious animatronic detail, design goals, and operational struggles behind Triceratops Encounter

Why the attraction was built, how Universal trained for “high touch” interactions, and what ultimately led to its seasonal closure

This episode blends the international future of Universal Parks with one of its most fascinating stories from the past—and sets the stage for the next chapter in Islands of Adventure’s Jurassic Park area.

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This week on I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore the surprising (and very real) connection between Disney and NASA. From Walt’s passion for futurism to the pivotal role of the Disneyland TV show in helping launch America’s space program, this episode tracks how a theme park attraction like Mission: SPACE is rooted in actual history—and how it all started with a cartoon.

Plus, Lauren recaps her latest visit to Walt Disney World, with new pin trading finds at Epcot, handmade souvenirs in Germany, and must-see graduation merch at Creations. Also: Loungefly alternatives, the secret perks of the Mission: SPACE playground, and how the Plain White T’s ended up in the middle of Flower & Garden.

Why Walt Disney worked with Wernher von Braun

How a Disney TV special helped get NASA off the ground

The story behind Mission: SPACE merch (and crystals)

The new must-have black-and-white Disney backpack

Tuesday pin drops and pro trading setups at Epcot

The make-your-own glass art experience in Germany

From space-age storytelling to personalized souvenirs, this episode blends the historical with the hands-on in true I Want That Too fashion.

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