Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick things off with Fourth of July traditions, viral Disney merch, and the growing strategy behind park-specific popcorn buckets and venue-branded souvenirs. Lauren digs into the early arrival of 2027 Walt Disney World merchandise, the mini Mickey ear keychains taking over social media, and why Hollywood Studios suddenly feels like a collectible popcorn bucket hotspot. Then Jim shares the story of Disney Texposition, a proposed Dallas-area regional entertainment conce...
Jul 02, 2026•51 min•Ep. 106
Lauren and Eric take on two Disney resort stories that had the online community fired up this week. First, they unpack why the Grand Floridian gingerbread house may be going away for reasons that have less to do with gingerbread and more to do with crowd flow, guest satisfaction, and deluxe resort expectations. Then they turn to Wilderness Lodge, where a multi-day air conditioning outage during extreme Florida heat raised big questions about communication, compensation, and what guests should ex...
Jul 02, 2026•32 min•Ep. 24
Jim Hill presides over another not-so-weighty session of The Case For as Len Testa and Chris Cox debate which lost Walt Disney World guest services deserve a comeback. Inspired by a listener email about resort package delivery, the trio weighs the case for bringing back in-park purchase delivery, Magical Express, resort airline check-in, wider Extra Magic Hours access, longer park days, and even those wonderfully impractical resort mugs. Along the way, they consider whether these old perks were ...
Jul 01, 2026•35 min•Ep. 22
Drew Taylor is back from Annecy, sleep-deprived but fully loaded with animation news, studio reveals, and a few very good Brad Bird breakfast stories. This week, Jim and Drew look at Toy Story 5’s massive second weekend, Supergirl’s box office debut, and the Minions’ return to the big screen before diving into what Drew saw at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. From DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island to new Warner Bros. Animation projects, Disney and Pixar updates, and a tribute to Lilo...
Jun 30, 2026•49 min•Ep. 364
Len Testa and Jim Hill start with snow shovels, snapping turtles, and New Hampshire’s ongoing audition for “America’s Australia,” then move into a packed Disney Dish. This week, they cover Disney’s holiday party calendar, the Grand Floridian gingerbread house retirement, tightening resort-access rules, the BoardWalk’s new Hurley Burley lounge, Disneyland’s Celebrate Soulfully Yardfest, and Universal Kids Resort’s very sunny Texas debut. They also dig into new DVC survey perks, listener questions...
Jun 29, 2026•57 min•Ep. 590
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a very Oz-heavy opening, from new Wicked-adjacent publishing news to the limited reopening dates for North Carolina’s Land of Oz. Then they unpack the latest Halloween Horror Nights announcements, Universal Studios Hollywood’s new security setup, and the early reactions to Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. The episode wraps with a fond farewell to CityWalk Orlando’s Hot Dog Hall of Fame and a deep dive into Steven Schussler, the Rainforest Cafe creator who...
Jun 26, 2026•56 min•Ep. 108
Disney Springs transportation changes have the Disney community split, and Lauren and Eric dig into why this resort bus and water taxi policy is about more than just closing a parking hack. They look at how resort amenities, beignets, pools, and fireworks viewing have all become part of the broader “who gets access?” debate. Then they shift to Pixar, Toy Story 5, online movie rankings, and the surprisingly passionate arguments over WALL-E, Monsters Inc., Onward, Lightyear, and Cars 2. HIGHLIGHTS...
Jun 25, 2026•34 min•Ep. 23
This week on I Want That Too , Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey look at how Toy Story 5 is already reshaping the summer box office, the Disney collector market, and the fast-food promotional landscape. Lauren digs into Lorcana’s sudden surge, Disney Springs’ new merch-drop rules, and the growing trading-card gold rush around Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Magic: The Gathering. Then Jim and Lauren unpack Disney Store’s AI shopping experiment, the new Hakuna Matata Lion King Broadway collection, Cinderella ...
Jun 25, 2026•58 min•Ep. 105
Jim Hill and Dan Graney dig into a wild week of Marvel speculation, from murky Avengers: Doomsday leak drama to Sony’s carefully controlled Spider-Man: Brand New Day rollout. They also spotlight the Muppets’ latest Marvel crossover before Dan unveils a Doctor Doom theory that may reframe Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU return entirely. Plus, brisket, burnt ends, Muppet Treasure Island covers, and one very big question: what if Tony Stark was never the rule, but the exception? HIGHLIGHTS • Jim and Dan br...
Jun 24, 2026•42 min•Ep. 20
This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill cover a packed Disney Dish news lineup, from Disney’s “virtual reservations” patent to new Disney Springs transportation checks, rare two-day ticket discounts, and Disneyland Autopia’s electric future. They also dig into listener questions about steak pricing, Jersey Week crowds, and whether Disney’s new AI trip-planning tools could reshape vacation booking. Then Jim takes us back to the early days of Imagineering’s Living Character Initiative, where Mickey’s To...
Jun 22, 2026•58 min•Ep. 589
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a packed Epic Universal Podcast covering the newest Halloween Horror Nights reveal, fresh Epic Universe developments, and more chatter from Universal Orlando and Hollywood. Eric shares impressions from his Helios Grand Hotel stay, while Jim digs into the latest Universal news from Stranger Things to the United Kingdom resort. Then Jim uses Steven Spielberg’s new UFO movie Disclosure Day as a launchpad for the strange story of Night Skies, the terrifying alien...
Jun 19, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 107
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are back with a merch-packed episode that starts at Target, swings through Walt Disney World, and lands deep in Mickey Mouse history. Lauren shares what she spotted on her latest Florida trip, from Muppets merch and Uncle Deadly deep cuts to Disney’s colorful new Logo Mania collections. Then Jim looks back at Disney’s repeated attempts to give Mickey Mouse a milestone birthday celebration big enough for the big screen, and why those plans often arrived late, changed sh...
Jun 18, 2026•56 min•Ep. 104
Lauren and Eric are back from another Epic Universe visit, and this time Helios Grand Hotel may have changed the whole conversation. They break down whether one day is enough at Epic, how early entry helped them knock out major attractions before lunch, and why Battle at the Ministry should probably be your first stop. Then they compare Universal attractions to Disney favorites to help Disney fans figure out what belongs on their must-do list. HIGHLIGHTS Lauren and Eric test whether one day is e...
Jun 18, 2026•35 min•Ep. 22
The courthouse is drying out, so Jim Hill, Len Testa, and Chris Cox relocate to the mailroom for a listener mail edition of The Case 4. This episode revisits recent debates about Disney World lounges, Disneyland Lightning Lane strategy, and Universal Orlando’s hotel categories. Along the way, the panel weighs in on communal seating, pricey mocktails, park-hopping fatigue, Epic Universe hotel demand, and whether a “throwaway” Universal room can still make vacation math work. HIGHLIGHTS • Listener...
Jun 17, 2026•28 min•Ep. 21
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor look at a packed week in animation, from the box office surprises around Disclosure Day and Obsession to the latest honors for Aardman’s founders. They also preview Pixar’s Gatto, salute Floyd Norman’s upcoming Academy Honorary Award, and remember Tinker Bell reference model Margaret Kerry. The main event is Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch 2, with Chris Sanders returning to write and direct a brand-new story for everyone’s favorite blue alien experiment. NEWS • Di...
Jun 16, 2026•54 min•Ep. 363
Jim Hill and Len Testa start with Monstropolis, Disney park capacity, Universal patents, and the sort of tequila event that makes you check whether your Epcot admission is included. Then Jim looks back at Disneyland’s very first Grad Nite, held on June 15, 1961, when 8,500 well-dressed seniors were locked inside the park until 4:30 a.m. Along the way, they cover Life magazine’s lost photo spread, chaperone lounges, forbidden long hair, and the timeless teenage urge to stash contraband somewhere ...
Jun 15, 2026•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 588
Drew Taylor is back from the Toy Story 5 Premiere and Jim Hill gets all the details! They talk about some highly anticipated projects like The Doomies heading to Disney Plus, some Treehouse of Horror-related theming coming to The Simpsons at Universal, and plenty of other animation they’re looking forward to like Gatto from Pixar (with a teaser dropping pretty much right now!) NEWS • Toy Story 5 has it’s premiere, and Drew was there to get the scoop • Ice Age Boiling Point is on it’s way in Febr...
Jun 12, 2026•45 min•Season 1Ep. 362
Swifties, Cars, and the Mystery of Mickey’s Missing Plaque (Ep. 103) Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey start this week’s episode with a merch-minded look at Disney’s latest collaborations, from Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 tie-in to the 20th anniversary of Cars. They also dig into how Disney is already positioning Mickey Mouse for his 100th birthday in 2028 through fashion, music, wellness, and lifestyle partnerships. Then Jim takes Lauren back to Mickey’s 50th anniversary celebration and the strange sto...
Jun 11, 2026•49 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Lauren and Eric talk through the nightmare scenario every theme park fan secretly worries about: getting stuck high above the ground on a ride. From a real-world roller coaster evacuation in Galveston to Disney attractions like the Skyliner, Space Mountain, Incredicoaster, and the monorail, they weigh which breakdowns would be terrifying and which might actually be kind of cool. Then they pivot to another theme park hazard: clickbait Disney news sites, including Hersheypark’s online clapback and...
Jun 11, 2026•30 min•Ep. 21
Jim Hill and Dan Graney talk about the latest, highly caffeinated Doomsday advertising stunt, and a certain friendly neighborhood Spider-Man makes his way to a neighborhood across the pond - what exactly is he doing there? Then take a trip down memory lane as they talk about the advertising genius that put Richard Pryor into Star Wars! Or more aptly, put Star Wars into everyone’s favorite 70's variety shows. NEWS • Jim and Dan discuss the surprise pop-up “green” coffee shop which may or may not ...
Jun 11, 2026•52 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Jim Hill and Len Testa are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull for a globe-trotting look at how Toy Story became one of Disney’s most reusable theme park ideas. First, they cover the latest from Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Orlando, and Disney Cruise Line, including Magic of Disney Animation details, Villains Land rumors, Oogie Boogie Bash logistics, and possible Universal expansion plans. Then Jim Shull shares how Toy Story Playland, Toy Story Hotel, and multiple international Pix...
Jun 08, 2026•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 587
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey cover a busy Universal news week, from Universal Kids Resort pricing and seasonal operations to new rotating experiences planned for Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas. They also check in on Universal Studios Hollywood’s Mega Movie Summer, including Wicked meet-and-greets, Minions menu items, Fast and Furious teases, Jaws treats, and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey getting some serious backlot synergy. Then Jim digs into the surprisingly fiery history of Universal S...
Jun 05, 2026•58 min•Ep. 106
Lauren and Eric explore why Disney fans seem to be craving real-world experiences again, from the surprising turnout at the reopening of the Disney Store in Pittsburgh to Disney's continued push toward immersive entertainment. They discuss what thousands of fans standing in line for a retail opening reveals about today's Disney audience, whether digital fatigue is driving people back to physical spaces, and how Disney may be adapting to that demand. Then they dive into Disney's newly announced o...
Jun 04, 2026•32 min•Ep. 20
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into Disney’s latest wave of merch-driven experiences, from a London pop-up built around Disney UU collectibles to Trader Sam’s 15th anniversary tiki mug celebration. They also track the growing Toy Story 5 promotional push, including Papa John’s Pizza Planet packaging, movie theater collectibles, and Grogu’s new blue Nilla Nummies. Then Jim turns to Disney’s newly reimagined Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios and asks whether Disney will properly honor the F...
Jun 04, 2026•51 min•Ep. 102
On this episode of The Case For, Len Testa and Chris Cox debate one of the most practical planning questions facing Disneyland visitors: if you can only choose one upgrade, should you spend your money on Park Hopper access or Lightning Lane? Along the way, they compare the unique advantages of Disneyland's compact layout, discuss how Lightning Lane functions differently in California, and explore whether staying off-site might actually unlock a better overall vacation strategy. As always, Jim Hi...
Jun 03, 2026•21 min•Ep. 20
Drew Taylor and Jim Hill dive into one of the busiest weeks in animation and entertainment news, from early reactions to Pixar's Toy Story 5 and its surprisingly Jessie-focused story to major developments involving Rick & Morty, X-Men '97, Jorge Gutierrez, and Netflix animation. Along the way, they unpack box office surprises, discuss the end of Disney Twenty-Three magazine, and explore what the future may hold for some of animation's biggest franchises. This episode also includes Drew's tho...
Jun 02, 2026•44 min•Ep. 361
Len Testa and Jim Hill recap a busy week in the parks, from the debut of Bluey at Disney's Animal Kingdom and the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run experience to Universal's latest expansion rumors. They also dive deep into Disney's surprise announcement that Carousel of Progress will receive its most significant overhaul in decades, including new scenes, new narration, and a fresh look at the future. Along the way, Jim shares the attraction's fascinating history, from its roots in Edison...
Jun 01, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 586
Jim Hill and Eric Hersey break down the first major Halloween Horror Nights announcement for 2026, dig into Universal’s quiet decision to remove Hagrid’s from Express Pass, and discuss what’s going on with Universal Kids Resort in Texas after a series of accidental leaks. Then Jim looks back at the creation of Back to the Future: The Ride and the forgotten Canadian simulator attraction that helped inspire it, all while tracing the career of visual effects legend Doug Trumbull. NEWS • Universal o...
May 29, 2026•49 min•Ep. 105
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into the surprising return of Disney retail as thousands of fans flood Ross Park Mall for the grand opening of Disney’s newest limited-time store. Along the way, they unpack the latest Disneyland 70th merchandise reveals, the unexpectedly successful Muppets takeover of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and why Disney’s renewed focus on immersive shopping experiences may signal a much larger strategy under new CEO Josh D’Amaro. Plus, Lauren shares firsthand stories from sta...
May 28, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 101
Eric and Lauren dive into one of the biggest debates in the Disney fan community: should you spoil upcoming attractions before your vacation, or go in completely blind? From ride POV videos and vlog coverage to hotel walkthroughs and foodie recommendations, they unpack when spoilers help and when they ruin the magic. Then, they take a spoiler-free look at Walt Disney World's newest additions, including the Muppets takeover of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Bluey’s debut at Animal Kingdom, and the reim...
May 28, 2026•34 min•Ep. 19
