The Disney Dish with Jim Hill - podcast cover

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill Media Podcast Networkwww.podpage.com
The Disney Dish Podcast with Jim Hill and Len Testa Dive into the fascinating world of Disney with theme park historian Jim Hill and Len Testa as they uncover the stories behind the magic. From breaking news and in-depth analyses to quirky historical tidbits and behind-the-scenes secrets, The Disney Dish offers a unique blend of humor, expertise, and insider knowledge. Whether you're a die-hard Disney fan, a theme park aficionado, or just curious about the history and future of Disney parks and resorts, this podcast has something for everyone. What to Expect: Breaking Disney News: Stay up to date on the latest happenings at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney's global parks. Historical Deep Dives: Learn how classic attractions were created, the stories behind Disney's biggest decisions, and the Imagineering ingenuity that brought it all to life. Listener Q&A: Get answers to your burning questions about the parks, attractions, and Disney culture. Exclusive Insights: Gain access to insider details and stories you won’t find anywhere else. Fun & Humor: Enjoy the wit and camaraderie of two Disney enthusiasts who know how to make even the most technical details entertaining. With decades of combined experience and an unmatched passion for all things Disney, Jim and Len guide you through the parks, the stories, and the magic in a way only they can. Your journey to the happiest podcast on earth starts here. Subscribe today!

Episodes

Disney Dish Episode 207: Making a better (Disney) world, one damp towel at a time

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by sharing some of the promotional slogans that the WDW Resort are reportedly considering adopting in the near future. He & Jim then talk about The Walt Disney Company’s forward-thinking approach when it comes to mitigating the impact that climate change will potentially have on Florida tourism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 25, 201941 minEp. 207

Disney Dish Episode 206: When Disney World almost lost its Hall of Presidents

Jim Hill goes it alone in a special Presidents Day edition of the Disney Dish podcast. He first talks about what’s been going on with Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts. Jim then shares how the “Disney’s America” project almost caused a motion-based simulator attraction to be built in the Liberty Square section of WDW’s Magic Kingdom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 19, 201935 minEp. 206

Disney Dish Episode 204: Why the Seven Dwarfs drove Cinderella & Sleeping Beauty out of Fantasyland Forest

Len Testa starts off this week’s show by sharing some of Touring Plans’ more recent discoveries about Disney World’s transportation system. Jim Hill then talks about how the Disney Princess & Disney Fairies franchises originally heavily influenced both the design of & the attraction line-up at New Fantasyland at WDW’s Magic Kingdom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 11, 201941 minEp. 204

Disney Dish Episode 203: How WDI have been Tinkertoying with DHS’ Toy Story Land

Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their November 2018 walk-through of Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a visit to that theme park’s newest “land”. They discuss how the June 2018 opening of Toy Story Land has fundamentally changed the way Guests experience WDW’s third gate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 07, 20199 minEp. 198

Disney Dish Episode 202:: Where would you want to go on WDW’s first customizable tour?

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show with an update on WDW’s Skyliner system as well as offering some additional info on that resort’s pricey new “World of Dreams” tour. Len also shares some stories from the Monsanto corporate archives, included what it actually took to tear down Disneyland’s House of the Future back in December of 1967 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 04, 201937 minEp. 202

Disney Dish Episode 201: How character greetings will be done differently at Black Spire Outpost

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about Disney’s Riveria Resort (which recently began accepting reservations for stays beginning on December 16th). They also discuss Anaheim’s “Project Stardust,” which is being done out ahead of the opening of the Disneyland Park version of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 28, 201940 minEp. 201

Disney Dish Episode 200: Are you ready to take the controls on “Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run” ?

In honor of the 200th episode of Disney Dish, Len Testa & Jim Hill give a shout-out to the very first folks to subscribe to this podcast. They then share what they’ve learned about what Disney Parks & Resorts is doing to school Cast Members about “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” ‘s marquee attractions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 21, 201929 minEp. 200

Disney Dish Episode 199: Why the original version of Disney California Adventure Park missed the mark

Len Testa & Jim Hill discuss what new shows & attractions the Imagineers hope to have up & running at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by May 2019 (just in time for this theme park’s 30th anniversary celebration). They also talk about how the tests that are currently going on in Epcot’s parking lot in regards to Uber & Lyft could impact the layout of parking lots at Disney’s other theme parks. Len & Jim then continued their Chronological Disneyland series with the initial construction of DCA. Learn mo...

Jan 15, 201936 minEp. 199

Disney Dish Episode 198: Live From Grand Avenue - Disney’s grand plans for DHS’ Grand Park area

Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their November 2018 walking tour of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As they explore the part of this theme park that was formerly known as the Muppets Courtyard, Len & Jim discuss everything that the Imagineers have done in the past year to ready DHS for the opening of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 14, 201911 minEp. 198

Disney Dish Episode 197: Live From the Animation Courtyard - What happens to “Star Wars Launch Bay” after “Galaxy’s Edge” opens

As Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their walk-thru of Disney’s Hollywood Studios in November of 2018, they turn their attention to the Animation Courtyard area. In particular how the Imagineers have tried to balance this theme park’s celebration of Old Hollywood with WDW Guests desire to find brand-new rides, shows & attractions to experience whenever they visit DHS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 08, 20199 minEp. 196

Disney Dish Episode 196: Aulani may just be the ultimate Disney Resort

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about why the menu at Tiffins has been mutating over these past few months. They also discuss the DVC Resorts that Disney execs ultimately decided not to build, including the Times Square Villas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 07, 201941 minEp. 197

Disney Dish Episode 195: Live From the Studios - Tinsel Town really piles on the tinsel for DHS’ holiday celebration

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off their November 2018 tour of Disney’s Hollywood Studios by checking out all of the holiday decorations along Hollywood & Sunset Boulevards. They also discuss WDW Entertainment’s plan to replace “Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage!” with a new “Tangled” -themed show out ahead of the Resort’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 01, 201912 minEp. 195

Disney Dish Episode 194:What’s behind Be Our Guest’s recent drop in readers satisfaction ratings?

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this episode by talking about one of Disney’s biggest concerns when it comes to “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” Which is that people’s need to get selfies of themselves in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon will then significantly slow down the load / unload time for “Smugglers Run.” Len then talks some of his recent dining experiences around the WDW Resort Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 31, 201842 minEp. 195

Disney Dish Episode 193: Live From Tomorrowland-Is a “Slaughter Race” -based attraction headed to Disney World?

As Len Testa & Jim Hill conclude their 2018 walk-thru of WDW’s Magic Kingdom, they discuss many of the changes that have been made to Tomorrowland over the past few years. The topics covered included the U.S. version of Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON Lightcycle Power Run Coaster as well as what WDI possibly has in the works to replace “Stitch’s Great Escape.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 24, 20189 minEp. 193

Disney Dish Episode 192: 21st century politics & flume rides don’t mix in Frontierland

Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their audio tour of the 2018 version of WDW’s Magic Kingdom with a stroll along the Rivers of America. They discuss how a Guest who’d been an annual passholder for 24 years found out the hard way what happens when you test Disney Corporate’s patience one two many times. Len & Jim also talk about how recent changes to the props used to decorate the queue space with “Splash Mountain” illustrate the Company’s continuing efforts to stay PC. Learn more about your ad choi...

Dec 17, 20189 min

Disney Dish Episode 191: New Fantasyland to be spruced up ahead of WDW’s 50th anniversary celebration

Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their walking tour of WDW’s Magic Kingdom by strolling through Fantasyland. They talk about Guests’ increasing use of mobile devices forced the creation of in-park charging stations like the ones found around the Rapunzel Tower. Len & Jim also discuss why Disney World’s Safety team ordered that changes be made to the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak water play area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 10, 201813 minEp. 190

Disney Dish Episode 190: Details on Grand Destino, “Epcot Forever,” & Star Wars Hotel

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by reflecting on what millenniums now expect to find in their hotel rooms heavily influenced the design of “Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge,” “The Cove,” and Universal’s Aventura Hotel. They also look ahead to the construction challenges that WDW’s Entertainment team will be facing as they ready World Showcase Lagoon for Epcot’s new nighttime extravaganza (which is slated to open in 2020). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

Dec 04, 201839 minEp. 214

Disney Dish Episode 189: Scene One & Done in Liberty Square

Len Testa & Jim Hill continue their walk-thru of WDW’s Magic Kingdom by exploring the colonial corner of this theme park. As they head towards the Hall of Presidents, Len & Jim talk about the stylized open sewer that the Imagineers inserted in this land. They also talk about why the Haunted Mansion’s interactive queue has had trouble connected with international visitors to this Resort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 03, 20188 minEp. 189

Disney Dish Episode 188: Mapping out WDI’s plans to redo Adventureland at WDW’s Magic Kingdom

Len Testa & Jim Hill kick off this week's show by talking about Walt Disney Studios’ decision to push back the release of “The Jungle Cruise” movie from October 2019 to July 2020 is new impacting the Imagineers’ long-in-development plans to overhaul Adventureland. They then discuss how the Jungle Skipper Cantina Restaurant has been a real challenge for WDW’s Food & Beverage team. Len & Jim close things out by pointing out how “A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas” is similar to the ...

Nov 26, 201816 minEp. 188

Disney Dish Episode 187: Live From Main Street- Walking down Main Street, U.S.A. during the 2018 holiday season

Len Testa & Jim Hill kick off a brand-new walk-thru of WDW's Magic Kingdom by exploring Main Street, U.S.A. This tour starts off with an update on that theater project which Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek first revealed at 2017's D23 Expo. Len & Jim then discuss how the redo of this theme park's Central Plaza didn't go quite as the Imagineers had hoped. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 19, 201812 minEp. 187

Disney Dish Episode 186: How Disney's decision to delay "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3" has impacted the "Jungle Cruise" movie

Len Testa and Jim Hill kick off this week's show talking about how EPCOT will be expanding its International Festival of the Arts to seven days a week in 2019. They then discuss those "Rehire James Gunn" billboards that have been erected outside of the Disney Parks & Anaheim. They also contrast Disneyland Park's plan to handle the crowds for "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" with the way Disney's Hollywood Studios is thinking about having Guests queue up for this 14-acre land. Learn more about your ad ...

Nov 05, 201844 minEp. 186

Disney Dish Episode 185: Teeny trains at Epcot. Big changes coming to "Rock 'n' Roller Coaster" in Paris

It's a special listener mail edition of the Disney Dish podcast. Len Testa and Jim Hill start things off by discussing the history of Epcot's Garden Railway. They then reveal Joffrey's wound up at the specialty coffee and tea provider for Disney Parks & Resorts. Len then shares a bunch of patents that The Walt Disney Company recently filed and speculates on how all of this cutting-edge technology may be employed as part of "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

Oct 29, 201836 minEp. 185

Disney Dish Episode 184: An in-depth look at Disney World's new date-based ticket pricing system

Len Testa & Jim Hill starts off this episode by talking about how Disney World finally officially announcing that long-rumored DVC which will be built where Fort Wilderness' River Country was once located. After that, Len and Jim discuss WDW's new date-based ticket pricing system (which debuted on October 16th). They then share new information about the Marvel superhero-themed land that's being built at Disney California Adventure Park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Oct 22, 201832 minEp. 184

Disney Dish Episode 183: Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge to be WDW's next DVC. How Starbucks came to be part of Disney Parks & Resorts

Len Testa and Jim Hill start off this week's podcast by talking about the name that Disney Vacation Club is considering for the new resort they're planning on building on top of River Country's old location. Len and Jim then speculate on what Disney Parks & Resorts will charge for early morning access to "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge." Finally, Jim reveals how the placement of the banks & camera stores at WDW's Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park influenced where Walt Disney Imagineering placed the in...

Oct 15, 201852 minEp. 183

Disney Dish Episode 182: Listener questions about WDW's Skyliner, "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge," and flexible ticket pricing

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this listener question show by revisiting WDW's Skyliner system. They then encourage a Disney Dish listener to brave the crowds at Black Spire Outpost when "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" first opens in to the public in Anaheim in the late Spring / early Summer of 2019. Finally Len & Jim weigh in on the new tool that's about to come online for Disney World's flexible ticket pricing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 08, 201838 min

Disney Dish Episode 181: Skymosphere in Epcot's replacement of "Illuminations" and Thunder in Paradise

Len Testa & Jim Hill discuss the impact that swapping out Epcot's nighttime show will have on all the restaurants around World Showcase. Then Len & Jim look back at "Thunder in Paradise," the short-lived syndicated series from the producers of "Bay Watch" that was shot around the Walt Disney World Resort in the early 1990s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 01, 201831 minEp. 181

Disney Dish Episode 180: Could Free Dining be on its way out at Disney World?

Len Testa starts off this episode by discussing what changes are in the works for Artist Point at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort & Mickey's Backyard BBQ at the Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. Next Jim Hill talks up Evermore Park, that immersive theatrical experience which is about to throw open its doors in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Then Len & Jim discuss how Port Canaveral is getting ready for the next three ships that are about to be added to the Disney Cruise Line's fleet. Learn m...

Sep 25, 201828 minEp. 180

Disney Dish Episode 179: Is it time for a two part Food & Wine ? Why are the Disneyland Resort & the City of Anaheim brawling?

Len starts this week's podcast off with his impressions of Disney Springs' newest eateries, Chicken Guy! and Terralina Crafted Italian. Mr. Testa then shares his thoughts about how Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival could be improved (i.e., Ice Cream 'round the World). Then Jim uses the closure of "A Bug's Land" at Disney California Adventure Park as an excuse to look back at the closing of "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" at WDW's Magic Kingdom as well as offering a construction update on the TRO...

Sep 17, 201836 minEp. 179

Disney Dish Episode 178: You might just get stuck in the muck in the next version of The Void Star Wars VR Experience

Len braves the Florida heat to get the latest news from Toy Story Land and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. He also can't resist talking about this episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color in which Walt takes Ambassador Julie on a tour of Imagineering for Disneyland's 10th anniversary. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0768379/ And to prove that the use of technology in and around the parks is advancing by leaps and bounds, Jim and Len discuss the possible application of a novel floor ...

Sep 10, 201834 minEp. 178