I Want That Too - Disney History and Merchandise

Disney’s live-action strategy, a surprisingly exclusive D23 merch sale, and a 65-year-old animated classic all collide on this episode of I Want That Too. Jim and Lauren break down why a new casting announcement for Tangled matters far beyond the movie itself, how Disney is quietly rewarding its most dedicated fans, and why 101 Dalmatians feels more relevant today than ever. Along the way, they co...

As the calendar flips to a brand-new year, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick things off by looking ahead to what’s shaping up to be a massive 2026 for Disney merch fans. From milestone anniversaries Disney rarely shouts about to a packed slate of films and park changes, this episode breaks down why collectors should start paying attention now. And later in the show, Jim dives deep into a Disney hist...

It’s the first episode of the new year, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey ring in 2026 by digging into the annual Disney merch reset. From the surprisingly nostalgic look of next year’s dated park souvenirs to a brand-new Star Wars droid collector program, there’s a lot changing on shelves just as holiday decorations disappear overnight. Plus, Jim takes a deep dive into one of Disney’s most baffling...

It’s a Christmas Day edition of I Want That Too, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey wrap up the year with a festive mix of Disney merch news, pop culture crossovers, and a deep dive into Jim Henson’s long love affair with holiday specials. Along the way, the conversation connects some surprising dots between a largely forgotten Henson TV special and the early creative struggles that eventually led Pix...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are back for a very seasonal edition of I Want That To - and Jim’s latest “project” involves tracking down tiny reindeer snowmobiles to complete his Cars holiday display (because apparently Santa’s sleigh rules apply to Radiator Springs too). From there, the conversation jumps into Disney’s new “Find Merchandise” test inside My Disney Experience, the company’s eye-poppin...

Jim and Lauren ring in the holidays with a very merchy episode of I Want That Too, recorded just after Lauren’s family Polar Express adventure. From Disney Visa mailers and annual passholder calendars to Stitch-heavy gift guides, they dig into how Disney is trying to steer your holiday shopping. • Disney’s “Home for the Holidays” Disney Rewards Insider issue and the surprise AP calendar reveal a f...

Fresh off the long Thanksgiving weekend, Jim and Lauren crawl out from under their leftover Pilgrim sandwiches to talk about Zootopia 2 absolutely owning the holiday box office, how that might shape Disney’s sequel strategy, and the must-have merch that is already slithering into the parks. They also dig into McDonald’s massive 70th anniversary Happy Meal promotion, Disney’s official holiday book...

Jim and Lauren celebrate Thanksgiving with a whirlwind mix of Disney history, holiday nostalgia, and a merch-filled New York adventure. From Wicked-branded ice rinks and a Zootopia 2 takeover at JFK to Macy’s exclusive parade collection and a stop at the Harry Potter Store, Lauren brings back a suitcase full of stories. Jim then dives into the legacy of Don Knotts, his long relationship with Disne...

Disney merch meets Disney history this week as Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack the newest releases tied to Zootopia 2 before shifting gears into a deep dive on one of the most pivotal films in studio history. Then, Disney historian and author Todd James Pierce joins the show to share how Mary Poppins reshaped the future of the company — with behind-the-scenes stories you’ve never heard. NEWS The...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey ring in the holiday season with a look at Disney Lorcana’s newest expansion, Whispers in the Well—a set packed with gorgeous art, new gameplay mechanics, and some of the deepest Disney cuts yet, from The Black Cauldron to Gargoyles. Then they shift from gothic fantasy to nostalgic action as they trace the surprising rise, fall, and resurgence of the Mighty Morphin Power...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey trade glass for grain in this I Want That Too deep dive into Disney’s hidden world of woodwork. From the Arribas Brothers’ new handcrafted photo albums to the retro-chic Mickey Christmas truck popcorn bucket, the episode celebrates the artistry behind Disney’s most tactile treasures. Then, master woodcarver Raymond Kinman joins the show to reveal how his marquees for Ind...

In this jam-packed episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into Disney’s newest fantasy franchise in the making - and how “Impossible Creatures” could become the studio’s answer to Harry Potter. Along the way, they unwrap this year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party merch, explore Disney’s surprising partnership with a British luxury retailer, and share the little-known stor...

This week, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dust off one of Disney’s most underappreciated classics, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. From its wartime origins and lost Mary Poppins connections to Angela Lansbury’s iconic role and Disney’s merchandising mysteries, the duo uncovers how this effects-filled musical became both a box-office sleeper and a cult favorite. Along the way, Lauren connects the dots on wha...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are joined by former Disney Imagineer Jim Shull to unwrap the fascinating (and sometimes funny) story of Disney’s long-running partnership with McDonald’s. From the birth of the Happy Meal to fry carts in Frontierland, this episode explores how two of the world’s biggest brands became the ultimate marketing duo - and what really ended their 10-year deal. The surprising S...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unwrap a holiday-sized story about Disney’s long, complicated relationship with Sears—from Mickey Mouse watches in the 1930s to the retail giant’s near-sponsorship of the Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studios. Plus, the duo dives into the rare blue Disney name tag, Wicked-branded cleaning products, and the Jim Henson Company’s upcoming auction filled with Muppet history...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick off October with a witchy episode of I Want That Too. From the avalanche of Wicked merchandise filling store shelves to Disney’s own magical past, this week’s show dives into collectibles, streaming perks, and even a long-lost Sherman Brothers project that never made it to the screen. The rise of Wicked-themed merch, from dolls and Swarovski ornaments to water bottl...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into Disney’s favorite little purple dragon, Figment. From popcorn bucket mania to a live-action movie that never got off the ground, they trace Figment’s journey from Epcot icon to merchandising powerhouse. Along the way, they detour through Lowe’s and Spirit Halloween to check out exclusive Haunted Mansion décor and giant Rudolph displays that will test your willp...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey take listeners from this year’s stealth Muppets capsule release all the way to the projects Disney almost made — including a trilogy of dwarfs prequels and a Snow White spinoff that never saw the light of day. Along the way, they break down Toy Story’s 30th anniversary tie-ins, the first wave of holiday 2025 ornaments, and speculation out of Shanghai that Frozen 3 may ce...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey return with a jam-packed episode of I Want That Too, covering the latest Disney merch, clever marketing strategies, and holiday surprises. The rise of popcorn buckets in parks and movie theaters – from talking Mickey to mummy Stitch to a Tron lightcycle How Disney uses psychology to nudge us into spending more, from limited releases to sneaky menu tricks Nightmare Before...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey return with a new episode of I Want That Too, diving into Disney Princess Week, new merchandise drops, and the latest Disney history feature. From LEGO sidekicks to Bath & Body Works villains, they’ve got the stories (and opinions) Disney fans will want to hear. Highlights from Disney Princess Week, including merchandise, sidekick collections, and special events The “Mea...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into the world of Disney merch and history with a mix of spooky snacks and fascinating backstories: Why Jim bought Count Chocula, Boo Berry, and Franken Berry cereal he can’t eat—thanks to new Jim Henson puppet designs The launch of Bath & Body Works’ Disney Villains collection, from Maleficent’s plum scents to the Evil Queen’s apple blends Disney cracking down on re...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are back with a Halloween-packed episode of I Want That Too, diving into the latest spooky Disney merch and a century of witchy stories from the Mouse House. Haunted Mansion peel-and-stick wallpaper and Guillermo del Toro’s obsession The viral Cutie Ghost collection and why the Minnie Mouse ghost lamp is selling out fast A massive Nightmare Before Christmas collection, i...

Jim and Lauren serve up a feast of Disney news, collectibles, and one unforgettable personal tale. Recap of Disney’s quarterly earnings call, including streaming’s first profitable quarter Details on Hulu’s full integration into Disney+ by 2026 and the shift away from subscriber count reporting Hidden perks for Disney+ subscribers, including a free D23 Gold membership and exclusive sweepstakes A f...

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey trace the surprising origins of Disney’s licensing empire - back to a time when Walt needed just $300 to keep the studio running. From the Alice Comedies to Donald Duck orange juice and Peter Pan peanut butter, this episode explores how early merchandise deals weren’t just about profit - they were survival. Jim unpacks how licensing set the foundation for everything from...

Lauren returns from an epic summer road trip across nine parks and five hotels, with stories (and shopping bags) in tow. She and Jim break down: The best-kept secret for scoring free Disney water park access How the new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom stacks up (and where to sit) What it’s really like inside Disney’s exclusive Property Control store A merch-lover’s guide to Universal Studios’ 35...