Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are both built for beating the Florida heat, but which Walt Disney World water park deserves the edge? Jim Hill presides as Len Testa and Chris Cox compare the parks' histories, theming, slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and kid-friendly offerings. Along the way, they revisit River Country, Disney's long-gone shark swim, Summit Plummet, and the surprising executive vacation that helped push Typhoon Lagoon into development. The verdict ultimately comes down to what kind of water park day you want - tropical relaxation or bigger thrills.

HIGHLIGHTS

• How Jeffrey Katzenberg's frustrating attempts to visit River Country helped inspire Typhoon Lagoon.

• Why Typhoon Lagoon's massive surf pool remains one of Walt Disney World's most distinctive water park experiences.

• The lost shark-swimming attraction that combined frigid water with some very nervous guests.

• Why families with younger children may prefer Typhoon Lagoon, while older kids and thrill seekers may lean toward Blizzard Beach.

• Summit Plummet, Crush 'n' Gusher, Misadventure Falls, lazy rivers, transportation quirks, and the strengths of both parks.

HOSTS

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

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

• Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox | Instagram: @magiccox | magiccox.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

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 Drew Taylor are getting ready for D23 2026 with a look at the animation news, movies, and announcements worth watching before the big Disney Entertainment Showcase. Along the way, they check in on the box office, upcoming Looney Tunes and PAW Patrol releases, and a newly announced Family Guy spin-off. Then Jim and Drew revisit some memorable animation moments from past D23 Expos and consider what Disney, Pixar, and 20th Century Animation might bring to the stage this year.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Coyote vs. Acme prepares for its August 28 theatrical release from Ketchup Entertainment.

• PAW Patrol 3: The Dino Movie adds dinosaurs to the franchise as Jim and Drew consider its box-office potential.

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey, Toy Story 5, and Minions & Monsters continue shaping the 2026 box-office conversation.

• Adult Swim's President Curtis earns a second season while Fox orders The Stewie Show for the 2027-2028 television season.

• Jim and Drew preview D23 2026 and the animation announcements that could emerge from Disney's Entertainment Showcase.

• The Simpsons Movie 2, The Bluey Movie, Ice Age: Boiling Point, Gatto, Frozen 3, Incredibles 3, Coco 2, and Monsters, Inc. 3 are among the projects potentially in the spotlight.

• Drew looks back at memorable D23 animation presentations, including Idina Menzel performing "Let It Go," the reveal of Get a Horse!, and the onstage pitches for Gigantic and Coco.

• Jim revisits the complicated road to Pixar's The Good Dinosaur and recalls an emotional early screening with director Peter Sohn.

• Drew previews the 15th-anniversary 35mm screening of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and his upcoming book, The Art of Wildwood.

• Jim spotlights Welcome to Wackyland: The Wonderful World of Bob Clampett and the unusual Disney history connecting Clampett, Roald Dahl, and The Gremlins.

HOSTS

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

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @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 your next Disney or Universal adventure? Let the experts at BeOurGuestVacations.com help plan your resort stay, theme park tickets, cruises, and special extras with personalized concierge service. Be sure to mention that Drew and Jim 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/

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Len Testa and Jim Hill dig into Disney’s latest theme park attendance numbers, new Lakeshore Lodge concept art, Disneyland’s possible return to an old favorite, and some surprisingly revealing guest surveys. Listener questions cover everything from GLP-1 drugs and Disney dining to the possible return of Tables in Wonderland and new retail ideas for Disney Springs. Then Jim begins the history of Disney’s family suites by tracing how global events repeatedly reshaped Walt Disney World hotel plans, culminating in the stalled second half of Disney’s Pop Century Resort after 9/11.

NEWS

• Walt Disney World reports a 3% increase in domestic theme park attendance during Disney’s fiscal third quarter.

• Disney adds a new preshow to Zootopia: Better Zoogether to help guests follow the attraction’s story.

• New Lakeshore Lodge concept art reveals the resort lobby, Moon Glade restaurant, Bay Lake Provisions, and other dining spaces.

• Disneyland rumors suggest the Main Street Electrical Parade could once again return in 2027.

• Universal announces Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness and Killer Klowns from Outer Space for Halloween Horror Nights.

FEATURE

• Jim looks back at Disney hotel projects that were dramatically altered by world events, including the proposed Asian Resort at Seven Seas Lagoon.

• The COVID-19 pandemic upends Disney’s ambitious plans for EPCOT and Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration.

• Disney begins developing Pop Century as another massive value resort near the Wide World of Sports complex.

• After 9/11 sends tourism and hotel occupancy plunging, Disney halts work on Pop Century and leaves the unfinished Legendary Years buildings standing for nearly a decade.

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

HOSTS

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

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

Disney Dish News is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com. Plan your Walt Disney World vacation, including a trip to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, with the team at Be Our Guest Vacations.

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 catch up on the latest Universal news, from Halloween Horror Nights announcements in Hollywood to some changes underway at Universal Studios Florida. They also discuss whether Universal could ever follow Disney into the cruise business and look back at a WaterWorld performer whose run spanned three decades. Then Jim traces the surprising history of Hard Rock Cafe and explains how a restaurant built before Universal Studios Florida even opened grew into a major part of the Universal Orlando Resort.

NEWS

• Killer Klowns from Outer Space returns to Halloween Horror Nights with a new house at Universal Studios Hollywood.

• The Purge: Dangerous Waters is returning to the WaterWorld arena as a nighttime stunt spectacular.

• Longtime WaterWorld performer Greg Dolph receives a sendoff after 30 years playing the Deacon at Universal Studios Hollywood.

• Universal Studios Florida’s entrance arch gets a fresh coat of paint as work continues around the park entrance.

• Jim and Eric consider whether Universal could someday test the waters of the cruise industry.

FEATURE

• The upcoming closure of Miami’s longtime Hard Rock Cafe sends Jim back to the chain’s unlikely beginnings in London.

• Learn how Hard Rock arrived at Universal Studios Florida two months before the theme park itself opened in 1990.

• Jim explains how the original guitar-shaped restaurant became an unexpected observation post for curious Walt Disney World executives.

• From CityWalk and the Coliseum of Rock to the Hard Rock Hotel, discover how the brand became deeply connected to Universal Orlando - and what eventually happened to that original restaurant.

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 your next Universal Orlando Resort adventure? Let the experts at Be Our Guest Vacations take care of the details. Their travel professionals provide personalized concierge service and can help with your resort stay, theme park tickets, and special extras from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Jurassic Park to Epic Universe. Be sure to mention that 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/

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Jim and Lauren examine Disney’s decision to move Consumer Products under the studio umbrella and what it reveals about the company’s larger “One Disney” strategy. They explore how films such as Toy Story 5 can generate value far beyond the box office through streaming, merchandise, and long-term franchise growth. The conversation also covers Disney’s new NFL merchandise collection before Jim concludes his three-part history of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, from its Mary Blair mural and Top of the World restaurant to Bay Lake Tower and the expansion of Disney Vacation Club.

NEWS

• Why Disney is moving Consumer Products closer to its film studios.

• How merchandise, streaming, and box office results combine to measure the true value of Disney intellectual property.

• Disney’s NFL collection pairs all 32 teams with characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.

• Woody joins the Dallas Cowboys, Captain America represents the New England Patriots, and Darth Vader meets the Las Vegas Raiders.

• Lauren and Jim suggest Disney character pairings for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles.

FEATURE

• How the Contemporary Resort developed an identity around its monorail, architecture, and towering Mary Blair mural.

• The rise and fall of the Gulf Coast Room, Top of the World, Broadway at the Top, and the Fiesta Fun Center.

• Why Disney added Bay Lake Tower and continued expanding Disney Vacation Club around the Magic Kingdom monorail loop.

• The construction challenges that still shape the Contemporary Resort and Disney’s plans near the Transportation and Ticket Center.

HOSTS

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

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

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

Plan your next Disney, Universal, cruise, or adventure vacation with the experienced team at BeOurGuestVacations.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

After a packed weekend in Philadelphia, Lauren and Eric add up the cost of museums, sightseeing tours, Netflix House experiences, concerts, movies, and more to ask an unexpected question: Is Disney actually a good value? They compare ticket prices through the lens of “cost per enjoyable hour,” from Walt Disney World and regional amusement parks to Broadway shows, sporting events, and increasingly expensive concerts. The answer may surprise Disney fans, but please keep it away from anyone responsible for raising ticket prices.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A Philadelphia weekend reveals how quickly individually reasonable attractions can add up.

• The Franklin Institute, a double-decker bus tour, and Netflix House go head-to-head with the average price of a Disney ticket.

• Lauren and Eric calculate the “cost per enjoyable hour” of theme parks, concerts, movies, sports, and Broadway shows.

• Concert tickets, parking, merchandise, and $19 chocolate-covered strawberries deliver their own form of sticker shock.

• Disney’s upfront price may hurt, but the amount of entertainment packed into a full park day could make it a stronger value than expected.

HOSTS

FOLLOW – DIS & HERS

FOLLOW – JIM HILL MEDIA

SUPPORT

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eric Hersey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 Dan Graney unpack a massive stretch of Marvel news, beginning with the first official Avengers: Doomsday trailer, poster, and ticket sales. They examine Doctor Doom’s hidden symbolism, Steve Rogers’ suspicious reunion with Thor, Loki’s possible new role, and the clues buried in Marvel’s Comic-Con presentation. Then they discuss Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider casting, the official collapse of Mahershala Ali’s Blade, Marvel’s changing television plans, and the spoiler-filled arrival of ****** in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

NEWS

• The Avengers: Doomsday trailer and poster reveal new clues about Doctor Doom, Battleworld, Steve Rogers, Thor, and Loki.

• Ryan Gosling officially joins the MCU as Ghost Rider, while Mahershala Ali’s long-delayed Blade movie is finally declared dead.

• Black Panther 3, the X-Men reboot, Deadpool 4, Vision Quest, and Wonder Man all receive major Comic-Con updates.

• Full spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, including the movie’s possible Oscorp setup.

• Tom Holland discusses Spider-Man’s future, Miles Morales, and the succession plan for whoever eventually follows Peter Parker.

HOSTS

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

• Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery - Facebook: /thehubbubbery - thehubbubbery.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 late-summer trip to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? The experts at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help with hotel reservations, theme park tickets, and the details that make a Central Florida vacation easier. Let them know Dan and Jim 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/

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

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor return with animation news from San Diego Comic-Con, Netflix House Philadelphia, and the latest streaming and box-office releases. Drew shares what it was like moderating DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island panel for a packed Ballroom 20 crowd, while Jim explores how animated characters become theme park attractions and merchandise. Then the episode travels back to Disney’s postwar era for the story of character actor Billy Gilbert, whose booming personality and famous comic sneeze helped bring Sneezy and Willie the Giant to life.

NEWS

• Drew Taylor recounts moderating the Forgotten Island panel at San Diego Comic-Con.

• Jim visits Universal Studios Theme Park: The Exhibition and explores how animation is translated into rides, animatronics, costumes, and merchandise.

• Netflix House Philadelphia brings The Mitchells vs. the Machines and other Netflix films to the big screen inside the Tudum Theater.

• Toy Story 5 crosses the billion-dollar mark as Minions & Monsters continues its worldwide theatrical run.

• Dragon Striker earns a second season following its Disney+ debut and Comic-Con promotional push.

FEATURE

• How vaudeville performer and character actor Billy Gilbert became the original voice of Sneezy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

• Why Walt Disney remembered Gilbert when the studio needed a performer who could make Willie the Giant both threatening and childlike.

• The long development journey that transformed The Legend of Happy Valley into the Mickey and the Beanstalk segment of Fun and Fancy Free.

• How Willie the Giant continued appearing in Disney projects and theme park locations long after Gilbert’s final performance.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com

• Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - drewtaylor.work

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

Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Let the experts at BeOurGuestVacations.com help with your hotel, theme park tickets, and vacation planning.

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 guest co-host Drew Taylor explore the newly updated version of “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including fresh dialogue designed to make the show’s storyline easier to follow. They also examine the water-pressure failure that temporarily disrupted operations across Disneyland and Anaheim, along with Disney’s long history of conserving and recycling water inside its parks. Then Jim completes his history of “Turtle Talk with Crush,” tracing the interactive show from EPCOT and Disney California Adventure to cruise ships and children’s hospitals.

NEWS

• “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” receives new introductory dialogue from Mayor Winddancer.

• Judy Hopps’ closing lines are revised to clarify Dawn Bellwether’s role in disrupting Zootopia Day.

• The changes may help prepare the attraction for a possible future home at Disney California Adventure.

• A citywide water-pressure drop temporarily closes Disneyland restaurants and restrooms.

• Universal Studios Hollywood begins soft-opening “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.”

FEATURE

• “Turtle Talk with Crush” evolves from an unrealized Columbia-based attraction into a global Disney favorite.

• The interactive show expands from EPCOT and Disney California Adventure to Hong Kong, Tokyo and Disney Cruise Line.

• Disney adapts Crush’s conversations for cruise-ship dining rooms and smaller audiences.

• A Children’s Hospital of Orange County installation gives young patients a more intimate opportunity to interact with Crush.

HOSTS

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

• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @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

The Disney Dish news is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com. Their vacation-planning team can help make your next Walt Disney World trip a little more magical.

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 take listeners inside Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute, an interactive look at how Universal Creative designs modern attractions. Along the way, they explore concept art, animatronics, coaster engineering, projection mapping, Halloween Horror Nights props, and development materials from Epic Universe. Jim and Eric also discuss the new Ozzy Osbourne Halloween Horror Nights houses, the noisy debut of Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift, Comcast’s latest theme park results, and Universal’s new Al Roker-led video series.

NEWS

• Halloween Horror Nights officially announces Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness houses for Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.

• The two Ozzy Osbourne houses will feature different scenes, music, imagery, and interpretations of the rock icon’s career.

• Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift begins soft openings at Universal Studios Hollywood, reaching speeds of up to 72 miles per hour.

• Nearby Toluca Lake residents and golfers report hearing screams from the new coaster beyond the park.

• Universal explores potential movie adaptations based on classic Atari properties, including Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, Pong, and Yars’ Revenge.

FEATURE

• Jim and Eric tour Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute.

• The exhibition traces the attraction-development process from early blue-sky concepts to completed rides and themed environments.

• Displays feature concept art, mood boards, scale models, ride vehicles, animatronics, projection technology, costumes, and Halloween Horror Nights artifacts.

• Interactive stations allow guests to operate animatronics, design roller coasters, experiment with lighting, and create themed merchandise.

• Epic Universe receives significant attention through materials connected to Dark Universe, the Ministry of Magic, and other new attractions.

• The exhibition highlights the engineering, storytelling, technology, food, merchandise, and live entertainment behind Universal’s theme parks.

HOSTS

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

• Eric Hersey - X/Twitter and Instagram: @erichersey - strongmindedagency.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

Plan your next Universal Orlando vacation with personalized concierge service from Be Our Guest Vacations. Their travel professionals can help arrange resort stays, theme park tickets, and special extras for your Universal adventure. Be sure to mention 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/

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