Épisodes

  • Annual Passes and the Mystery of Disney’s Vanishing Resort (Ep. 517)

    Annual Passes and the Mystery of Disney’s Vanishing Resort (Ep. 517)
    Feb 3 2025
    This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill explore the surprising history of annual passes—how Disneyland accidentally created a theme park membership program and what Disney might have in store next. Plus, Jim continues the saga of Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge, the resort that made it to the concept art phase but never to reality. The Origins of Annual Passes: How Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom Club set the stage for the modern theme park pass and why Disney might be rethinking it. Hollywood Studios Updates: What’s closing, what’s opening, and why Muppet*Vision 3D, Mama Melrose’s, and Pizza Rizzo are all saying goodbye. Universal’s New Events: Mardi Gras, Volcano Bay Nights, and Butterbeer Season—because Universal understands that food-based festivals are the true theme park superpower. Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge: Jim dives into Disney’s big plans for Bay Lake, why they hit pause, and whether this project will ever return. Muppets at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster?: Is Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem really taking over from Aerosmith? And is that actually a bad thing? Join Len and Jim as they break down Disney history, park updates, and whether we’ll ever see a new resort built before the next iteration of Genie+. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors 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 Be Our Guest Vacations 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. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 min
  • Addams Family and The Munsters: How Two Spooky Sitcoms Battled for Prime Time (Ep. 36)

    Addams Family and The Munsters: How Two Spooky Sitcoms Battled for Prime Time (Ep. 36)
    Jan 31 2025
    In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore Universal’s updates and dive into the rich history of The Munsters. Highlights include: The Munsters’ Origins: How a pitch for an animated series turned into one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms. Wicked’s Box Office Success: Its award potential and the announcement of the new subtitle, For Good. Universal Studios Florida Updates: New entrance music and digital signage enhancing the guest experience. Stella Nova Resort: First impressions of Universal’s sleek, space-themed hotel. Wolfman and Monster Movies: A look at Wolfman’s mixed reviews and its impact on Universal’s monster movie future. Shrek 5 and Minions 3 News: The latest updates on Universal’s animated franchises. This episode is packed with Universal updates, classic monster nostalgia, and exciting insights into upcoming projects! Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Universal 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. Book Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 min
  • The Cinderella Story You’ve Never Heard: How a Bank Saved Disney and Built an Empire (Ep. 33)

    The Cinderella Story You’ve Never Heard: How a Bank Saved Disney and Built an Empire (Ep. 33)
    Jan 30 2025
    In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into Disney anniversaries, exciting new merch, and the bittersweet farewell to a fan-favorite attraction. Cinderella’s 75th Anniversary: The surprising history of how Bank of America played a role in bringing this Disney classic to life. Muppet Vision 3D’s Closure: What we know about the end of this beloved attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and what’s rumored to replace it. Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Merch: A brand-new rotating themed store is coming to Downtown Disney. The Most Expensive Disney Collectible: A $285,000 crystal Cinderella Castle—who’s buying it? Mini Collectibles & New Merch: The latest must-haves, including the irresistible new Cinderella mini ears and limited-edition collections. Whether you’re a fan of Disney history, rare collectibles, or just keeping up with what’s new in the parks, this episode has something for every Disney fan. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform! Be Our Guest Vacations 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. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 min
  • Animated Oscars Buzz: The Wild Robot, Flow, and Surprising Snubs (Ep. 291)

    Animated Oscars Buzz: The Wild Robot, Flow, and Surprising Snubs (Ep. 291)
    Jan 29 2025
    In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss: Warner Bros. Animation’s ambitious adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go! and its 2028 release plans. The marketing genius behind DreamWorks’ Dog Man, including a new The Bad Guys short premiering with the film. Animated Academy Award nominees, from The Wild Robot to Flow, and surprising snubs like Moana 2. The evolving Oscars strategy for animated features, including Disney’s hits and misses in the Best Song category. Changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including new animation-themed shows replacing MuppetVision 3D. Join Jim and Drew for an in-depth look at animation news, awards buzz, and how studios are shaping the future of family entertainment! Be Our Guest Vacations 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. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 min
  • Conquering Epcot’s Festival of the Arts and the Mystery of Disney’s Reflections (Ep. 516)

    Conquering Epcot’s Festival of the Arts and the Mystery of Disney’s Reflections (Ep. 516)
    Jan 27 2025
    This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill are joined by Christina Harrison to explore the best (and worst) of Epcot’s Festival of the Arts while diving into the intriguing history of Disney’s shelved resort project, Reflections: A Lakeside Lodge. Festival of the Arts Food Tour: Christina breaks down the must-try dishes, including the return of Japan’s Taiyaki and the surprising stars of the Painted Panda booth. Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge: Jim continues the story of Disney’s abandoned Bay Lake resort and what might take its place. Lightning Lane Premier Pass: Is it worth the cost when crowd levels drop below a 5? Universal’s Stella Nova Resort: Christina shares her review of Universal’s new value hotel, including the perks of staying near Epic Universe. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Update: Why is Disney adjusting operating hours so soon after its debut? Join Len, Jim, and Christina for a delicious deep dive into Epcot’s festival eats, Disney history, and Universal’s latest addition. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors 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 Be Our Guest Vacations 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. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 9 min
  • Skeleton Crew Reflections, Dawn of the Jedi, and the Unexpected Journey of David Lynch (Ep. 102)

    Skeleton Crew Reflections, Dawn of the Jedi, and the Unexpected Journey of David Lynch (Ep. 102)
    Jan 25 2025
    In this episode of Looking at Lucasfilm, Jim Hill and Brian Gaughan dive into a mix of Lucasfilm updates, thought-provoking stories, and industry reflections: A retrospective on Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, exploring its strengths, challenges, and future prospects. Insights into James Mangold’s ambitious Dawn of the Jedi project, a sweeping tale exploring the origins of the Force. The fascinating story of George Lucas’s attempt to recruit David Lynch for Return of the Jedi—and why Lynch ultimately said no. Warwick Davis’s prestigious BAFTA Fellowship and his legacy as Wicket the Ewok. Updates on upcoming Star Wars projects, including Andor Season 2 and The Mandalorian & Grogu movie. From nostalgic reflections to exciting updates, join Jim and Brian for a lively discussion that delves deep into the Lucasfilm universe and beyond. Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Universal 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. Book Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 11 min
  • How Looney Tunes Helped Shape Universal’s The Munsters (Ep. 35)

    How Looney Tunes Helped Shape Universal’s The Munsters (Ep. 35)
    Jan 24 2025
    In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey tackle a variety of Universal Studios updates and dive into the history of The Munsters. Highlights include: Wildfires and Universal Hollywood’s Closure: How recent California wildfires forced a rare closure of Universal Studios Hollywood, plus ways to support relief efforts. Rock the Universe: A preview of Universal Orlando’s Christian music festival and why it’s a great weekend to visit the parks. The Stella Nova Resort: First impressions of Universal’s newest resort, featuring a sleek space-themed design and unique guest experiences. Skull Island Q&A with Mike West: Insights from the former Imagineer on the design and storytelling behind Reign of Kong. The Munsters Origin Story: How Universal’s iconic sitcom emerged during the 1960s and its connection to the studio’s classic monsters. Whether you’re a fan of Universal’s latest attractions or nostalgic for classic monster lore, this episode has something for everyone! Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Universal 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. Book Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 min
  • From Wildcats to World Tours: The High School Musical Phenomenon (Ep. 32)

    From Wildcats to World Tours: The High School Musical Phenomenon (Ep. 32)
    Jan 23 2025
    In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore the magical intersection of Disney history and merchandise with some fascinating stories and updates: High School Musical: Celebrating the anniversary of this unexpected hit, we uncover behind-the-scenes stories and its massive impact on Disney’s tween empire. Star Wars Merch: From Skeleton Crew collectibles to the franchise’s record-breaking $32 billion in merchandise sales, we explore what makes Star Wars the ultimate merch machine. Disney at CES: Discover how Disney’s ad tech innovations are shaping the future of personalized ads across Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Mini Mix Plush Hats: Get the latest updates on these quirky park favorites and what’s next in Disney’s unique merchandising trends. Whether you’re a fan of Disney history, cutting-edge tech, or just love collecting Disney merch, this episode has something for everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 min