Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about Disney Villains After Hours, that new hard ticket for WDW’s Magic Kingdom which will be offered on select nights in June, July & August. They also do a deeper dive on that Universal Parks & Resorts survey which offers some clues about what sorts of rides, shows & attractions are possibly in the mix for Universal Orlando’s Fantastic Worlds theme park Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 08, 2019•41 min•Ep 214•Transcript available on Metacast Dan Zehr reports back on his recent trip to Chicago, where he scoped out McCormick Place (i.e., the massive convention center where Star Wars Celebration is being held this year). Jim Hill then shares some behind-the-scene stories about George Lucas’ involvement in the production of “Captain EO” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 06, 2019•55 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast Drew Taylor & Jim Hill kick off this week’s show by talking about “Steven Universe” ‘s win at the GLAAD Media Awards. Drew then shares an interview he did with Danny Devito at the press junket for Disney’s live-action “Dumbo” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 02, 2019•44 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how The Walt Disney Company is still struggling with “Song of the South.” Jim then continues his Chronological Disneyland series by revealing why the Rockets Rods went down for rehab in September of 2000 and never re-opened Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 01, 2019•37 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast Aaron Adams & Jim Hill talk about how James Gunn’s offensive Tweets problem forced Kevin Feige to change up Marvel Studios’ batting order. They also wonder whether – after “The Infinity Saga” wraps – moviegoers will continue to turn out in record number for new Marvel Cinematic Universe releases or whether Marvel film fatigue will set in Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 29, 2019•38 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill share what they’ve learned about the work that’s been going on down on the Lower Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood. They also talk about why – when it came time to turn “Jurassic Park” into the jumping-up off point for a theme park attraction – Universal Creative opted to build a boat ride rather than a jeep-based experience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 28, 2019•37 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast Michelle Valladolid & Jim Hill discuss how Disney hopes lightning will strike twice in 2019. First by following up 2017’s Rose Gold craze with its new Briar Rose Gold line. And then by sequelizing 2018’s wildly successful Mickey Memories merch with its Disney Wisdom collection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 27, 2019•38 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by trying to sort out where exactly Disney & ABC now stand in regards to all those animated “Peanuts” specials. Then Drew shares the interviews that he did with Danny Elfman & Rick Heinrichs at the “Dumbo” media event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 26, 2019•53 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast Len Testa starts off this episode with an enthusiastic review of Disney Spring’s latest addition, Jaleo by José Andrés. Len & Jim then share a survey that Universal Parks & Resorts is using to zero in on just the right mix of rides, shows & attractions for Theme Park No. 4 (i.e., Universal’s Fantastic Worlds) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 25, 2019•47 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s episodes by talking about how Disney & Universal actually came together to plus Stan Lee’s cameo appearance in “Captain Marvel.” They then discuss the role that Disney’s acquisition of Fox & ABC’s firing of Roseanne played in the “Guardians” director debacle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 22, 2019•47 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the factors involved with The Walt Disney Company’s decision to move up the opening of Disneyland Park’s Black Spire Outpost to May 31st. They then take an in-depth look at “Star Wars Resistance” and offer conjecture on where this Lucasfilm Animation production might be headed when Season 2 starts up on the Disney Channel later this Fall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 20, 2019•43 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by revealing which character Walt Disney Animation Studios favorite Alan Tudyk will be voicing in the live-action version of “Aladdin.” They then get into the convoluted history of Mammy Two Shoes, the seldom-seen-from-the-knees-up supporting character in the “Tom & Jerry” series that underwent an intriguing makeover in the 1960s & 1980s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 19, 2019•35 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast Len Testa starts off this week’s show by dissecting Disney World’s latest round of ticket price increases and what that will mean for Resort Guests in the coming months. Jim Hill then talks about the behind-the-scenes decisions that led to the Company recently revealing that “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” would open in Anaheim on May 31st and in Orlando on August 29th a_edr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 18, 2019•46 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast Aaron Adams & Jim Hill discuss “Captain Marvel” and how this Anna Boden / Ryan Fleck film often defied audience expectations (but in a good way). They then go on debate when exactly Kevin Feige decided to make Carol Danvers an Avengers / fold this character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 14, 2019•39 min•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the history of projection mapping at Universal Parks & Resorts. They then pay tribute to the longtime president & CEO of MCA who hung tough when The Walt Disney Company tried to stop Universal from entering the Central Florida tourism market in the mid-1980s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 13, 2019•41 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast Drew Taylor & Jim Hill talks about which films from the Disney Vault will actually be streamable when Disney+ goes live later this year. Drew also shares audio from the interview that he did just last week with the director of “Mary Poppins Returns” about the challenges Rob Marshall is now facing as he preps his next project for Walt Disney Pictures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 12, 2019•36 min•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how the Imagineers plan on reconfiguring the front half of WDW’s science & discovery park. They also continue their Chronological Disneyland series by discussing how Michael Eisner’s Montana-inspired visions of the future eventually translated into Tomorrowland having decorative displays of kumquats & kale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 11, 2019•36 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast Out ahead of “Captain Marvel” ‘s opening weekend, Jim Hill & Aaron Adams talk about how Rotten Tomatoes dealt with the online trolls who were trying to artificially drive down the audience score for this Marvel Cinematic Universe film. They then take about how Disney’s attempt to take advantage of certain tax laws is impacting what’s been going on down on the construction site for Disney California Adventure’s new Spider-Man ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 08, 2019•38 min•Ep 27•Transcript available on Metacast Dan Zehr and Jim Hill wade through the tidal wave of news that just broke about “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” Some of the factoids that they unearth in the process include that the color palette used for Florida’s version of this new “land” will be different than the one out in Southern California. Also the blue milk will be berry-melon flavored while the green milk will have more of a citrus taste Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 06, 2019•43 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this episode by wondering if John Lasseter’s luck is starting to run out at Skydance Animation. Largely because of that open letter Emma Thompson sent to the Los Angeles Times last week (in which Emma explained why exactly she was exiting Alessandro Carloni’s “Luck”). Drew & Jim then go on talk about how animated series like Netflix’s “Race to the Edge” & the Disney Channel’s “Hotel Transylvania: The Series” now factor into studios’ decisions to greenlight sequel...
Mar 05, 2019•36 min•Ep 27•Transcript available on Metacast Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the progress that’s been made to date with WDW’s Skyliner system. They also point out that Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is obviously supposed to serve as a rebuttal to any theme park fan who claims that “Universal Creative only builds screen-based attractions.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 04, 2019•30 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast Len Testa & Jim Hill talk with Carlye Wisel of “Travel & Leisure” magazine. Ms. Wisel shares what she learned about “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” while participating in that three day-long media event that Disney Parks & Resorts held this past weekend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 01, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how “Black Panther” & “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” did at the 91st Academy Awards. They then explain why – thanks to international waters -- the Disney Cruise Line is able to do things with the Marvel characters that the stateside Disney Parks & Resorts can only dream about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 01, 2019•44 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast Shelley Valladolid & Jim Hill start off this episode by talking about Disney D-Lish and the food-themed merch that this short-lived pop-up store sold at WDW’s Disney Springs this past weekend. They then talk about Disney Comics artist Amy Mebberson and the fun new Disney Princess items that Amy & the team at Hasbros are now collaborating on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 28, 2019•35 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing everything that they’ve heard about Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. They also talk about “Dragon Gliders,” the “How to Train Your Dragons” -based storytelling coaster that DreamWorks Animation licensed to be built at Motiongate Dubai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 27, 2019•46 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast Drew Taylor and Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about things they probably shouldn’t (EX: The name of that motorcycle-riding character from “Toy Story 4”). They then sequin into sharing some audio from the recent media event that was held for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” out ahead of this Oscar-winning animated feature’s release on Blu-ray & 4K HD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 26, 2019•43 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast 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, 2019•41 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast Aaron Adams & Jim Hill start off this episode by discussing why President of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige has chosen this exact moment to fold the character of Captain Marvel into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Jim then talks about the role Universal Studios Hollywood’s Marvel Mania restaurant may have played in The Walt Disney Company still not being able to use the name “Marvel” in association with either of its West Coast theme parks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...
Feb 23, 2019•47 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast Dan Zehr & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about how (based on what happened with “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”) “Episode IX” really was wrapped production. They then talk about Ron Miller’s role in persuading George Lucas to let the Imagineers develop some rides, shows & attractions based on Lucasfilm productions for the Disney Parks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 20, 2019•36 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast Drew Taylor starts off this week’s podcast by talking about “Hidden World” director Dean DeBlois shared with him about the development of DreamWorks Animation’s third “How to Train Your Dragon” movie. Then Jim Hill shares the history of Epcot’s “Journey into Imagination” attraction and the role that Pixar may play in the future of this Future World pavilion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 19, 2019•43 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast 
