The Hyperion Hub

Bill Cotter lends his knowledge about Disney, to Disney. He's contributed to documentaries and books. Most recently he's appeared on the Disney+ series, Behind the Attraction. In the second half of our conversation, we'll hear how Bill became a historian for the company and why it's important to preserve the past. Plus, would you wait in a seven hour line for popcorn buckets? That story and more t...

Respected author and historian Bill Cotter has worn many hats for the Disney company. Most recently you may have seen him on the Disney+ show, Behind the Attraction. This week he shares his unusual story about how his career began. Plus we’ll talk about some of our favorite Disney gifts we received last month. Do you have a topic for us? We'd love to hear from you. You can email or send us a recor...

What a year at the Hyperion Hub! We were fortunate to interview so many talented and interesting guests. Before we close out the year, we thought we’d revisit some of the amazing stories we heard in 2021. We’ll also play some of our bloopers and no John Alois (me) wasn’t the only one to contribute to the less than stellar moments. A big thanks to my co-hosts, Shawn and John and to all of you! Than...

Tis the season for decked out Disney! We’re talking all about the holidays in the parks. Plus what we’re looking forward to in 2022. Spreading lots of seasonal cheer this week on The Hyperion Hub! Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com.  Find us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @...

Disneyland is decked out for the holidays and John Alois reports from the resort. Plus Destination D23 gave us a lot to talk about. Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com.  Find us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @HubHyperion.  The Hyperion Hub is not affiliated with the Walt Di...

Director Kirk Thatcher joins us for the second half of our conversation and we're talking all about the Muppets and their latest project, Muppets Haunted Mansion on Disney+.  He'll also share his personal stories about what it was like to work with the master, Jim Henson.  Also, the Hub team is looking at upcoming announced Disney+ projects.  Do you have a topic for us?  We'd l...

Kirk Thatcher has worked in just about every area of filmmaking. From special effects, to writing, to directing the latest Muppets project on Disney+. Kirk joins us to share his Hollywood story which includes receiving the Vulcan Neck Pinch in Star Trek IV. Plus when is it too early for Christmas decorations?  We’ll discuss.  Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you....

The Beatles and Disney aren’t usually paired up topics but the most famous band in history has actually crossed paths with the most famous mouse a few times. We’ll share those stories plus we’re getting ready for Peter Jackson’s new three-part docuseries, “The Beatles: Get Back” coming to Disney+. Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or send us a recorded audio m...

We're catching up on our Disney Views and talking about a whole slew of topics including the latest PIXAR trailer, Cruise Line, and our favorite baseball movies made by the Mouse.  Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com.  Find us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitt...

Jeff Baham is back with us and he shares his thoughts on what would make a great Haunted Mansion movie plus we’ll get his opinion of the Muppets haunting the Mansion on Disney+. Also, we’re saying goodbye to a Disney Legend.  Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com.  Find us on soc...

It’s the scary season so we’ve asked for Disney resident expert in all things Haunted Mansion to join us once again. Jeff Baham is back! The creator of Doombuggies.com and author of The Unauthorized Story of Disney’s Haunted Mansion joins us to talk about what some consider the greatest Disney attraction ever built. Plus William Shatner (Captain Kirk) goes to space! We’ll talk about his Disney tie...

We're inspired by our passions and at times we're also inspired by the people who share those same passions with us.  Joining us is the host of the Spark of Hope Podcast, Megan Cullinan.  It's a show highlighting amazing people who deal with difficult obstacles in their lives and have found hope and inspiration through Star Wars.  She also created the show to chronicle her own perso...

Dan Cockerell began his career parking cars at the Magic Kingdom.  Taking inspiration from the castle's namesake, he would work his way up to vice president of that same park in a pure Cinderella story.  This week, he joins us at the Hub to share his story and to pass along leadership advice.  Plus we look back at Disney Legend Tommy Kirk's wonderful career.  Do you have a topi...

Walt Disney World is celebrating it's 50th anniversary and we're looking back and ahead!  In the second part of our two-part series, we're talking about at the resort from the 1980s-to-today and beyond.  Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com.  Find us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and on Tw...

Walt Disney World is celebrating it's 50th anniversary and we're looking back!  Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com.  Find us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @HubHyperion.  The Hyperion Hub is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or its subsidiaries.

This week we're having a healthy discussion about the state of Disney following recent headlines involving the parks and Genie+ which is the new paid FastPass system.  We're also sharing what we still love about the Mouse.  Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com.  Find us on...

In the second half of our conversation with Dave Bossert and Alan Coats, we'll hear how Claude Coats was given the prestigious role of lead Imagineer on Pirates of the Caribbean.  Also, the Haunted Mansion has two distinct approaches between the scary first half and the light hearted second half.  We'll find out how Claude and fellow Imagineer Marc Davis worked together on the perfectly...

Among the projects Disney Legend Claude Coats oversaw were Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion and EPCOT'S Horizons.  But his 50-year career actually began in animation where he created immersive backgrounds on such films as Pinocchio and Dumbo.  Author Dave Bossert along with retired Imagineer Alan Coats, Claude's son, joins us this week to talk about Dave's new bo...

We have a nontraditional trip report this week from Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort.  John Redlingshafer and his crew spent a few days on the South Carolina sand and he shares some of their vacation highlights.  Plus Donald encounters a new scene in Mickey's PhilharMagic in the Disney Parks.  Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or sen...

On December 8, 1941 U.S. Army troops arrived at the Disney Studio Lot in Burbank, CA and requisitioned over half the property.  From that moment till the end of the war, majority of the work Disney put out was in service to the war effort.  The Walt Disney Studios and World War II - The Special exhibit featured at The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco looks at many aspects from those year...

We're taking a quick trip to the Disneyland Resort!  John Alois reports from Downtown Disney and the hotels on property.  It's a beautiful day at Disneyland!  Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com.  Find us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @HubHyper...

We love it when the rides come to life!  This week we're talking about all the Disney films based on theme park attractions.  Some are among our favorite movies and some are simply better when experienced in the parks.  Plus Scarlett Johansson is suing Disney because of the option to watch Black Widow on Disney+.  What could this mean for the direct to streaming platform moving...

In the second half of our conversation with former Imagineer Jim Sarno, we hear stories about his great friend, fellow Imagineer and legend Harriet Burns.  Jim also recalls what it was like to work on the 1983 redesign of Disneyland's Fantasyland and much more.  Do you have a topic for us?  We'd love to hear from you.  You can email or send us a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com...

In the mid 1970s Disney was looking towards new horizons in their theme parks.  A new world's fair concept was in development for Walt Disney World with the unique EPCOT Center and Fantasyland in Disneyland was getting reimagined.  Jim Sarno was in the middle of it all and shares his Imagineering stories with us in part one of this two part series.  Plus the Monsters are back at work on Disney+!  ...

How do you lead a creative life?  Filmmaker and producer Ted Thomas tries to answer that question every time he approaches his documentary subjects.  It just so happens many of his subjects are among the most creative artists Disney has ever had.  In the second part of our two part conversion, Ted talks about his filmmaking process.  He also shares more stories of his his father Frank and his lega...