The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the opening weekend of performances of “Disney Dreams That Soar.” They then look back at how fireworks got started at Disneyland Park in the late 1950s In this episode, listeners will learn about: Why Universal Orlando decided to change the name of Epic Universe’s racing coaster When will work begin on the retheming of Dinoland U.S.A. at Di...

Len Testa shares what it was like to watch Disney Springs’ new nighttime show from Saratoga Springs. Jim Hill then finishes his history of the miniature golf courses at the WDW Resort Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Why do Disney execs really need to pay attention to what Jenny Nicolson shared throughout her four-hour-long “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” video What makes the...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing who gets to experience “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” when as part of that WDW attraction’s month-long grand opening event. They then take a look at the interior of the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: What does Disney’s Hollywood Studios do when the IT system at the WDW Resort crash...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about what happens next with Disneyland Forward now that the Anaheim City Council has officially approved this project. They also discuss what Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed at the Company’s most recent earnings call. Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How long will the WDW version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad be down for r...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the latest news coming out about the Epic Universe project. They also talk about why Bay Lake Tower is undergoing a year-long refurbishment in the not-so-distant future Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Which crime figure from the 1930s inspired Ma Beagle & the Beagle Boys How is Fort Wilderness’ remote location reportedl...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by congratulating Israel Perez & the team at WDW’s Victoria & Albert’s for the Michelin star they were just awarded. They then welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a discussion of WDSP’s upcoming “Alice & the Red Queen: Back in Wonderland” show For this episode, listeners will learn about: Why – when WDW Cast Members finally get to preview “T...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts at Universal Orlando. They then look back at Disney’s reaction to Mattel’s 1972 announcement of its Circus World theme park project Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How many times will Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights be presented this year What’s the name of the bay that t...

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by deep-diving into the changes the Disney Parks are about to make to their DAS policy. They also continue their look back at WDW’s Tomorrowland Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How many episodes of “Law & Order: SVU” has Ice-T appeared in to date What were Disney Legend John Hench’s concerns about the version of World Showcase that...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how the Shooting Gallery at WDW’s Magic Kingdom will soon close to become a DVC lounge. They also take a look back at Tomorrowland in this same theme park circa late 1971 / early 1972. Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Which then-husband & wife team were originally supposed to play the leads in Disney’s never-produced “Wh...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the truce-of-sorts that’s recently been brokered between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District & Disney. They also talk about the drone show that will debut at Disney Springs on May 24th Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which annual event – which is held over in Tampa – made the Imagineers hesitant to br...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the construction permits that just got filed for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They then discuss the “Encanto” -themed show that will be presented in front of CommuniCore Plaza later this Summe Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What’s the difference between a Milky Way bar and Three Musketeers Which Dinoland U.S...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Disney World’s latest ticket offer for Florida residents. They’re then joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull who shares some behind-the-scenes stories Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What’s significant about the dates that WDW’s latest ticket offer is available for Where is the control booth for DCA’s “Grizz...

Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Christina Harrison, who talks up the very best eats to be found at the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Len & Jim then take a closer look at Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea On this episode, listeners will learn about: Which attraction in Dreamworks Land will key off of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” Why are stores at the Disney t...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why the WDW Resort revealed its hotel rates for 2025 months ahead of schedule. They then wrap up their series about the construction of Tomorrowland at Disneyland Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Where the math actually maths for WDW’s free-entry-into-the-water-parks-on-arrival-day offer What’s differen...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what’s about to happen to the NBA Experience at Disney Springs. They then talk about why kids back in the 1950s were absolutely crazed when it came to Disneyland’s “Autopia”  Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which “Star Wars” movie director just got hired by Universal Pictures to direct their next “Jurassic W...

 Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then explains how Hong Kong Disneyland’s version of Sleeping Beauty Castle was transformed into the Castle of Magical Dreams Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How many ECVs can the new bus that’s joining the WDW transportation fleet carry at one time Why – when you’re given the opportunity by the Disney...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing a new land use plan that’s recently been revealed for the WDW Resort. They also wrap their series on the history of “Illuminations” SHOW BREAKDOWN: Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Why did the Imagineers just hate Epcot’s “Surprise in the Sky” show Which characters will soon begin making appearances at 1900 Park Fare at...

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by taking a close look at Epic Universe concept art. They then continue their discussion of the development “Illuminations,” EPCOT Center’s break-through nighttime show Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When (just to be safe) one should go about ordering their tickets for Pride Nite at Disneyland Why is the Universal Helio...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the NextGen wands that may soon begin appearing in the Wizarding World over at the Universal Parks. They also discuss Disney’s possible plans to expand the Indiana Jones franchise. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What was especially innovative (circa 1982) about the barges that were used in “Le Carnaval d...

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Disney historian Dave Bossert to the show. They then discuss what made this Tomorrowland walk-thru exhibit so memorable to park guests Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which sitcom star voiced Nine Eyes in the American version of “The Timekeeper” In what far-flung corner of the globe did Dave Bossert recently encounter a cocoanut chair What’...

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then shares stories about WDI’s years-long effort to create synced-up soundtracks for thrill rides at the Disney theme parks For this episode, listeners will learn about: How you can best take advantage of the snack credits when it comes to WDW’s recently relaunched Dining Plan When will Florida’s version of “Country Bear Jamboree”...

 Len Testa starts off this week’s show by talking about spending New Year’s Eve aboard the Disney Wish. Then Jim Hill takes a look at WDI’s plans for a second gate at the Disneyland Resort Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: In which regions of Canada & the United States can you find candlepin bowl How did wait times at WDW’s theme parks in 2023 compare to wait times back...

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by sharing a survey about Epcot’s holiday decorations. They then take a close look at what it cost to have dinner at Disneyland’s Blue Bayou restaurant back in 1977 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” show is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They also chat about a new survey that the Mouse just sent out which seeks specific information about where Guests spent their money while vacationing at the WDW Resort Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how WDW’s Entertainment team turned Jollywood Nights around. They then look at the 44 year-long career of the man who started as an hourly employee at Disneyland and eventually became the Chairman of Disney Parks worldwide Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices