The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey discuss the upcoming closure of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and what it means for Universal Studios Florida’s future. Highlights include: The End of Rip Ride Rockit: A look at the iconic coaster’s history, its groundbreaking music selection feature, and the rumored Fast and Furious-themed coaster set to take its place. Universal...

In this post-Christmas episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into the world of Disney shopping, employee engagement, and the fascinating history of the Walt Disney Company. What You’ll Hear: Insider tips on scoring the best post-holiday Disney merchandise deals, from ornaments to exclusive Twice Upon a Year Sale items. Lauren’s experience at the Disney Institute’s engagement...

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dive into: The excitement surrounding Bluey's upcoming presence in Disney theme parks and its debut on Disney Cruise Line. Highlights from the Annie Awards, where The Wild Robot, Inside Out 2, and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl lead the nominations. The box office performance of Mufasa: The Lion King and how franchise timing and audi...

Join Len Testa and Jim Hill as they dive into the fascinating and occasionally outrageous story of how Disney transformed Caribbean Beach into their 15th DVC property: Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort: Len reviews Disney’s newest addition, featuring epic Magic Kingdom views, thoughtful amenities, and… chump prices? Caribbean Beach to Riviera Resort: Jim uncovers the competitive forces an...

In the fourteenth installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid look at the history of this seminal thrill ride. Which started off as a strictly seasonal offering but eventually grew to become an amusement park mainstay. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: ·     What are the icy origins of the roller coaster ·     What is an Americanski Gorsky ·     What...

n this festive episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore the magic of Universal Orlando’s holiday offerings and share exciting park updates. Episode Highlights: Universal’s Holiday Magic: Eric shares his first-ever experience of the holidays at Universal, from Grinchmas and Seuss Landing to the magical projection show at Hogwarts Castle. Earl the Squirrel Adventures: ...

In this episode of I Want That Too, Lauren Hersey shares highlights from her recent holiday trips to Disney and Universal, spotlighting the first wave of Disney’s 2025 dated merch, viral trends making waves in the parks, and budget-friendly travel tips. Meanwhile, Jim Hill recounts his trip to Christmas Con and explores the surprising connections between Hallmark and Disney.   2025 Dated Disney Me...

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss: The 35th anniversary of The Simpsons debut with "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire," and how production challenges shaped its legacy. The upcoming Bluey feature film, its creator’s vision, and how the beloved pup is heading to theaters in 2027. Warner Bros. Animation’s Dynamic Duo, an innovative mix of animation, puppetry, and CG t...

Join Jim and Len as they serve up another helping of Disney history, humor, and holiday cheer: Jollywood Nights 2024 Review: Len breaks down why this year’s merriest event at Hollywood Studios is a must-visit, with mouthwatering popovers, stunning projections, and walk-on rides galore. Cotino Housing Development Tour: Get an insider’s peek at Disney’s new mid-century modern community, where Imagin...

In this December episode of Looking at Lucasfilm, Jim Hill and Brian Gaughan explore the latest updates and stories from the world of Lucasfilm: A festive nod to Life Day and Star Wars-themed holiday treats. A deep dive into Star Wars: Skeleton Crew—does this series mark a turning point for the franchise? Exclusive updates on The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, including casting news and plot hints. A...

In this festive episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into Universal’s holiday celebrations and exciting announcements. Episode Highlights: Earl the Squirrel’s Backstory: Discover how a mischievous rodent became Universal’s beloved holiday mascot. Universal’s Holiday Events: From Butterbeer season to Macy’s Christmas Parade, explore what makes this time of year magic...

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how well “Moana 2” did at the box office over its second weekend in theaters. They also talk about why “Paddington in Peru” had its release date pushed back to February 14, 2025 Listeners will learn about these highlights: How long did it take the original “Fantasia” to finally turn a profit Which spec song led to the creation of the...

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing when “Dinosaur: The Ride” will close at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They also discuss the new Disney Villains show that’s being prepped for Disney’s Hollywood Studios Listeners will learn about: How did Tokyo Disneyland’s version of “Star Tours” impact WDW’s Tomorrowland Terrace Is there any difference between “Reflections: A Disney Lakeside...

In this special holiday episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unwrap all things Disney for the holidays—from the exciting return of Prep & Landing to Disney Lorcana, the trading card game everyone’s talking about. Plus, they spotlight this season’s hottest collaborations and must-have merch, making it your ultimate guide to a Disney-filled holiday season What You’ll Hear: The Retu...

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how well “Moana 2” did at the domestic box office over its opening weekend. They then talk about the role that General Electric’s housewares division played in creating that beloved holiday special, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” For this episode, listeners will learn about:  How did “Flow” ‘s Per Theater Average over its opening weeke...

Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Jim Shull of “Disney Journeys” &; Eric Hersey of the “Epic Universal Podcast” for an in-depth look at WDW’s Utilidor system. Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:  What did Marty Sklar do back in the mid-1950s that made Walt Disney furious  Where can Refreshment Gardens be found at Disneyland Park  How many acres do the Utilidors cover at WD...

In the thirteenth installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid talk about the origins of two theme park favorites; how the very first carousels & Ferris Wheels were developed & constructed. Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:  What do knights have to do with the creation of the very first carousel What’s the main difference between a carousel and a merry-go-roun...

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore the latest Universal news, movie milestones, and fascinating theme park updates. Episode Highlights: The Magic of Wicked: From record-breaking box office numbers to potential theme park tie-ins, Jim and Eric discuss the film’s impact and Universal’s creative strategies. Lost Continent's Future: Could the remnants of th...

In this festive episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey take a trip down memory lane to explore Disney’s Fifth Avenue Store—once the largest Disney store in the world. From its stunning design to its unique collectibles, they’ll uncover what made this shopping destination so unforgettable and why it’s still missed today. The holiday cheer doesn’t stop there! Jim and Lauren dive into...

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor bring you the latest in animation news and insights. Tune in as they dive into: "Wicked" Dominates the Box Office: Universal Pictures’ adaptation dazzles with a massive opening weekend. Jim and Drew discuss the strategic marketing behind its success and what it means for future blockbusters. Animated Feature Oscars Update: A record 31 anima...

oin Jim and Len as they explore the latest holiday updates, behind-the-scenes details, and listener questions about Disney’s parks and attractions. Jollywood Nights 2024 Review: Discover how this year’s event improved on last year, with brighter displays, enhanced entertainment, and reimagined spaces that bring the magic of Hollywood Studios to life. Muppet Vision 3D Updates: Learn about the plans...

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss: The history and mystery behind Disney’s forgotten project The Hero of Otherwhere, a live-action/animation hybrid tied to Pete’s Dragon and Jerome Courtland's career. The evolution of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, celebrating 15 years of The Princess and the Frog while previewing the updates coming to the reimagined attraction. Highlight...

In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into the latest Universal news and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. Episode Highlights: The Opening of Wicked in Theaters: Jim and Eric discuss the much-anticipated film release and its potential impact on Universal's brand and future strategies. Facial Recognition Technology at Universal Parks: Eric explores the ro...

On This Week's Episode of I Want That Too: Join Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey as they explore the holiday season’s biggest Disney highlights! From Moana 2’s release and must-have merch to Disney’s surprising ties to The Wizard of Oz, this episode is packed with fun stories and shopping tips. What You’ll Hear: Moana 2: What to expect from Disney’s highly anticipated sequel and the top holiday toys ins...

In this week’s Disney Dish Podcast, Jim and Len deliver a mix of Disney news, listener questions, and fascinating history. Tune in as they cover: Villains Land Sneak Peek: Explore which Disney villains are set to star in Magic Kingdom’s highly anticipated new land. Cars Trackless Ride Announced: Learn about the exciting plans for this innovative attraction coming to the Magic Kingdom. Attraction O...