The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

With Drew Taylor sidelined by a broken foot, Jim Hill takes the controls for a solo edition of Fine Tooning packed with animation news and Disney history. Jim checks in on DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, Studio Ghibli Fest, Dana Terrace's Knights of Guinevere, and Drew's new making-of book, The Art of Wildwood. Then he digs into Bob Chapek's new memoir, Behind the Castle Walls, and questi...

Len Testa and Jim Hill dig into Disney’s newly released Monstropolis concept art, Lakeshore Lodge details, a new Kilimanjaro Safaris patent, and some revealing Disney vacation-planning surveys. They also tackle listener questions about Haunted Mansion plumbing, Fantasmic crowds, pricing psychology, and the upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie set at Walt Disney World. Then Jim begins the story of Dis...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into the latest Universal news, from Mardi Gras 2027 dates and a new Five Guys at CityWalk to Halloween Horror Nights collectibles, surveys, and seasonal offerings at Universal Kids Resort. They also tour the Academy Museum’s new horror exhibition before Jim traces the surprisingly tragic origins of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. The story goes...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick off October with a look at Toys "R" Us and the surprising return of large-scale pop-up retail, including a connection to Disney's own limited-time stores. Then Jim digs into Disney's history of taking theme park promotion on the road, from the enormous Ear Force One hot-air balloon and the Lim Mouse Zine to Mickey's Mouse-O-Rail and an eight-story inflatable Malefic...

Disney built its reputation on immersive environments, elaborate backstories, and spaces where even the smallest details help tell a story. This week, Lauren and Eric look at the newly remodeled Disney Wonders store at Disneyland Paris and ask whether Disney's push toward modern minimalism is stripping away some of the personality fans expect. From the richly themed Disney Stores of the 1990s to A...

Jim Hill and Dan Graney dig into the surprising new footage added to Avengers: Endgame Encore and what it may reveal about Marvel’s road to Avengers: Doomsday. From Loki interrupting Steve and Peggy’s dance to Doctor Doom forging his mask, the re-release adds some major Multiverse Saga connective tissue. They also discuss the end of Daredevil: Born Again, new Spider-Man and Star Wars developments,...

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are back with a packed week of animation news, including Disney+ finally ordering its long-in-development Darkwing Duck reboot to series with Mark Hamill, Seth Rogen, and Lizzy Caplan among the announced voice cast. They also check in on DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, react to the trailer for Skydance Animation's Ray Gunn, and look ahead to the next chapter of Da...

Disney surveys are asking increasingly pointed questions about discounts, trip costs, and what actually gets guests to book, while Disneyland history takes center stage with the story of Walt Disney’s never-built Lilliputian Land. Len Testa and Jim Hill also cover changes at Expedition Everest, Haunted Mansion construction, Oogie Boogie Bash availability, and rumors about Darkmoor’s next attractio...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey catch up on the latest Universal news, from King Kong’s temporarily modified return at Islands of Adventure to fresh progress on Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift in Orlando. They also look at Universal’s surprisingly deep catalog of classic characters, including Felix the Cat, and new clues surrounding Universal’s planned UK resort. Then Jim concludes the story of Abbott an...

Disney’s Cars is turning 20, and Lightning McQueen and Mater are still racing through Disney’s merchandise machine with new Loungefly releases, Formula 1 collaborations, and more on the horizon. Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey also explore the merchandise inside the newly opened Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including its animation-inspired Ink & Paint collection. Plus, they...

Disney is changing how guests spend - and skip - their time in line. Lauren and Eric look at the retirement of the Disney Play Parks app, what could happen to interactive experiences like Galaxy’s Edge and DuckTales World Showcase Adventure, and the many ways families keep themselves occupied while waiting for attractions. Then they head to Animal Kingdom, where Expedition Everest has ended its lo...

What happens if you skip rope drop at Magic Kingdom and deliberately start your Disney day at 9, 10, or even 11 a.m.? Len Testa and Chris Cox explore how late arrivals can still build a smart touring strategy, from starting in Adventureland to exploiting mid-morning wait-time lulls and saving Tomorrowland for after dark. They also look at the trade-offs, including extra walking, afternoon weather,...

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into Hasbro’s “Transformers: The Apology Tour,” marking 40 years since Transformers: The Movie traumatized a generation by killing Optimus Prime. They also look at Peter Cullen’s final performance as the Autobot leader, his lesser-known Disney animation work, and Jim Cummings’ pointed reaction to the latest class of Disney Legends. Plus, there’s animation news from Dre...

Len Testa and Jim Hill cover the latest Walt Disney World news, from a Toy Story 5 overlay at Hollywood Studios and shifting timelines for Tropical Americas to Disney’s experiments with themed cruises and DVC owner surveys. They also answer listener questions about Moana’s missing ride presence, Coral Reef surprises, and annual pass payment plans for out-of-state DVC members. Then Jim digs into th...

Jim and Eric dig into a busy week of Universal news, from unexpected trouble with the King Kong animatronic at Islands of Adventure to fresh signs of expansion behind Dark Universe at Epic Universe. They also check out Universal Monsters collectibles at Sonic, a new CityWalk hot dog destination, and The Traitors taking over part of Universal’s Great Movie Escape. Then Jim continues the story of Ab...

Disney is leaning harder than ever into adult collectors, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey look at how "kidulting" is reshaping the company's merchandise strategy. They also dig into Disney's upcoming anniversary-driven retail plans, the unusual merchandising challenge surrounding Walt Disney Animation Studios' Hexed, and the growing importance of collectibles aimed squarely at grown-up fans. Then J...

Disney vacation planning has never offered more information, so why can it still feel harder than ever to know where to begin? Lauren and Eric look back at Disney’s beloved VHS and DVD planning videos, the TV specials that once helped families get excited for a trip, and the shift toward YouTube, TikTok, creators, and influencers. They also discuss Disney’s new AI-powered vacation planning experie...

Kevin Feige is promising major “pinch-me” moments for Avengers: Secret Wars, and all signs increasingly point to Doctor Doom sitting at the center of Marvel’s next big reset. Jim Hill and Dan Graney break down the newest Avengers: Doomsday rumors, the Russo Brothers’ unusual script process, Wanda speculation, and the possible future of Vision Quest. They also dig into new Marvel casting, Avengers...

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor kick things off with Drew’s behind-the-scenes perspective on moderating the press day for DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island, the studio’s Filipino mythology-inspired adventure. Then they run through the latest animation and box office news, from Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Coyote vs. Acme to Toy Story 5, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Aardman’s anniversary celebratio...

Len Testa and Jim Hill are back with Disney news, listener questions, and the conclusion of Jim’s history of Disney family suites. They check out the latest Walt Disney World updates, from Magic of Disney Animation previews and EPCOT festival dates to Jollywood Nights demand and new vacation discounts. Then Jim traces how a stalled Pop Century expansion, the success of Nickelodeon Family Suites, a...

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey start with the latest Universal news, including a new Wicked live-to-film concert tour, Epic Universe performance commentary from Comcast, Rock the Universe 2027, and fresh developments involving Harry Potter. They also look at Universal Pictures crossing the $4 billion mark at the worldwide box office and what recent hits could mean for the parks. Then Jim digs into the r...

A thousand pieces of candy from one Oogie Boogie Bash sounds impressive, but is collecting that much really the best way to spend a Disney Halloween party? Lauren and Eric dig into one guest's massive candy haul, debate the best and worst Halloween treats, and compare America's favorite candies. Then they turn to Disney attractions and ask whether guests actually enjoy becoming part of the story -...

Disney World is getting ready to celebrate its 55th anniversary with a retro-inspired merchandise collection, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into why this milestone may be getting more attention than expected. They also look at Disney's decision to close several international online stores and what that move could signal about the company's evolving retail and licensing strategy. Plus, Lauren...

Theme park POV videos can help you plan a trip, prepare kids for an attraction, and even avoid a motion-sickness disaster - but do they also rob you of the one thing you can never get back: the first-time surprise? Jim Hill presides as Len Testa and Chris Cox debate whether watching ride-through videos counts as useful research or outright spoiling. Along the way, they revisit Rise of the Resistan...

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor return with a packed round of animation news, beginning with a fascinating follow-up to their Tim Curry tribute and the real story behind his brief run as the Joker on "Batman: The Animated Series." They break down a record-setting summer at the box office, from "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "The Odyssey" to the theatrical comeback of "Coyote vs. Acme," "Cars," and "Akir...