Episodes
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In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dive into some of animation’s quirkiest corners and biggest news:
Godzilla’s 70th Anniversary: Celebrating Godzilla Day with a look back at the 1978 Godzilla animated series and the fascinating story behind Hanna-Barbera’s unique take on the King of Monsters.
The Wild Robot’s Box Office Success: DreamWorks' hit continues to climb, surpassing $250 million worldwide.
"Emily the Strange" Returns: A new animated feature from Warner Bros. and J.J. Abrams brings the iconic goth character to life.
The Simpsons’ NFL Takeover: A real-time Simpsons Monday Night Football game using innovative animation technology.
Halloween Treats & Holiday Previews: Highlights from Netflix’s That Christmas, Marvel’s upcoming series lineup, and spooky animated specials.
Tune in for a monster-packed episode celebrating everything from classic kaiju to modern animation news!
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ver exciting updates and wrap up a beloved EPCOT attraction’s history in the grand finale of their series on El Rio del Tiempo.
Here’s what’s in store:
Cake Bake Shop Review: Len shares his experience at the newly opened Cake Bake Shop, highlighting the quality of their offerings and discussing the pricing.
Universal's Animatronic Monsters: The hosts discuss Universal Orlando's recent trailer featuring 14 advanced animatronic monsters for the upcoming Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment attraction. They marvel at the lifelike fluidity of these figures, comparing them to Disney's Na’Vi Shaman and Rise of the Resistance animatronics.
Disney's Tropical Americas Plans: Len and Jim examine Disney's new permit filings, revealing plans to transform Dinoland into Tropical Americas. They explore potential attractions, including a character greeting area, a Mayan-themed play area, and expansive queue designs for upcoming rides.
Listener Questions and Surveys: The episode answers listener questions about various Disney experiences and discusses recent surveys from Universal Orlando and Disney Cruise Line, touching on possible new ticketing options and guest feedback.
Additionally, join us for the grand finale in Jim’s multi-part series on the history of EPCOT’s El Rio del Tiempo boat ride, where he shares fascinating details about the journey to the Gran Fiesta Tour.
Catch all the latest Disney news, updates, and in-depth theme park insights in this jam-packed episode!
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In this episode of Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore the jaw-dropping Classic Monsters animatronics coming to Epic Universe, with exclusive insights on Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula, and more.
Discover Universal Orlando’s must-see holiday festivities, from Grinchmas magic to exclusive Holiday Tour perks.
Pricing tiers and annual pass options for Epic Universe
Hotel updates: Stella Nova and Terra Luna resort details
Universal's permanent horror attraction and what to expect in Vegas
Holiday offerings at Universal Orlando, including exclusive tours and Grinchmas
More Wicked!
Get ready to be thrilled and enchanted by what’s in store this season at Universal!
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On this week’s episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are joined by veteran Disney Imagineer Jim Shull to take a deep dive into the world of Disney fun maps. These aren’t just park guides—they’re works of art that have captured the evolution of Disney parks from the earliest days of Disneyland.
What We Cover:
The origins of Disney fun maps, including Sam McKim’s first Disneyland map in the 1950s
How these maps became collector’s items and influenced future Disney park designs
Jim Shull’s personal connection to Disney fun maps, how they inspired his career, and the role they played in shaping attractions like Toon Studio and Mickey’s Toontown
Why these artistic maps were more than just souvenirs—they were a marketing tool that encouraged guests to return to the parks
A sneak peek into Jim Shull’s own map projects, including his post-retirement fun map collection covering all 12 Disney parks around the world
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In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor explore a wide range of animation news and insights:
Netflix's Spellbound and Disney’s Thanksgiving Line-Up: A look at Netflix’s upcoming animated feature Spellbound set to compete with Disney’s holiday releases, plus details on Disney’s latest Thanksgiving promotions.
King of the Hill Returns: A sneak peek at Hulu’s revival of King of the Hill, including aged-up characters and exclusive artwork reveals.
Inside Out Universe Expands: Updates on Pixar’s Inside Out spinoff series, Dream Productions, and what fans can expect from Riley’s imaginative world.
SpongeBob’s New Stop-Motion Christmas Special: Details on SpongeBob and Sandy’s Country Christmas, the latest festive stop-motion treat featuring everyone's favorite sea sponge.
Disney's Lost Hitchcock Tribute: A deep dive into Frady Cat, Disney's ambitious but abandoned Hitchcock-inspired animated film. Discover the story of how it almost became a Halloween classic.
Tune in for all this and more on this week’s Fine Tooning!
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In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Len and Jim explore more of Epcot’s rich history with part two of their series on the Mexico Pavilion’s beloved boat ride, El Rio del Tiempo.
Join them as they delve into the ride’s development challenges, the inspiration behind its immersive scenes, and how Disney Imagineers used clever design and technology to bring Mexican culture to life in World Showcase.
Tune in for:
The latest on Epic Universe’s ticket launch and sold-out opening day
Behind-the-scenes of Disney’s Cake Bake Shop pricing
A dive into the fascinating design details and lesser-known facts of El Rio del Tiempo’s
original storyline
Don’t miss this captivating episode filled with Disney lore, Epcot nostalgia, and exclusive theme park insights!
SHOW NOTES
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In the twelfth installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid talk about how a small, roadside berry stand in Buena Park, CA eventually grew to become one of America’s most popular theme parks
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How an abandoned berry plant found in a ditch became a thriving family business
How the tea room at Knott’s Berry Place eventually transformed into Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant
How was the piece for Knott’s “Ghost Town Village” acquired
Which piece of the Roaring ’20s is still in operation within the Park
How did Knott’s annual Halloween Haunt hard ticket get its start
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In Episode 22 of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey discuss the latest details about the highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park, set to open in May 2025.
They dive into ticket pricing strategies, hotel deals, and how Universal is setting the stage for an unforgettable guest experience.
Highlights include:
Epic Universe ticket pricing and vacation packages breakdown.
Key details on the hotels launching alongside Epic Universe.
A spooky look back at Universal Studios Florida’s former haunted attractions.
The story behind Universal's original Halloween events, including Beetlejuice's Graveyard Tours.
A tribute to the iconic Alfred Hitchcock attractions and their eerie impact on Universal's history.
Get ready for an episode packed with news, travel tips, and spooky Universal nostalgia!
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In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor take you behind the curtain of Moana 2, diving deep into the highlights from Drew’s recent panel at the Animation is Film festival. They explore the exciting details shared by directors David Derrick Jr. and Jason Hand, including Moana’s continued journey, new characters, and thrilling challenges in this upcoming sequel.
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor also explore some of the biggest news and exciting developments in animation:
"Creature Commandos" Preview: Dive into DC Studios' upcoming animated series, set to premiere on Max this December. With James Gunn at the helm and voice talents like Alan Tudyk and David Harbour, this series is set to shake up the DC animated universe.
Halloween-Themed Animated Shorts: From The Simpsons to Sing, we break down the latest Halloween-inspired shorts, including a nod to Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" and Disney+’s spooky surprises.
The Wild Robot's Box Office Success: The Wild Robot continues to dominate, having surpassed $100 million domestically. What’s next for this DreamWorks hit?
"Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur" Cancellation: Disney Channel's beloved animated series wraps up after two seasons, but the character still has some exciting crossovers in store with "Spidey and His Amazing Friends."
New Marvel Preschool Show: Get ready for Marvel’s Iron Man and his Awesome Friends, a new show for Disney Junior and Disney+ slated for 2025, introducing preschoolers to the Marvel Universe.
Tune in for these topics and more on this week’s Fine Tooning!
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In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey take you back to EPCOT’s grand opening on October 1, 1982. They dive deep into how EPCOT evolved from Walt Disney’s ambitious dream of a futuristic living community to the park we know today.
What We Cover:
Walt Disney’s original vision for EPCOT as a living, breathing city
How Disney leadership navigated the project after Walt's passing
How close Disney actually came to breaking ground on Walt’s original city vision – spoiler: they nearly did!
The creation of Future World and World Showcase, born from two distinct Imagineer pitches
EPCOT’s rocky opening day, including malfunctioning rides and a surprising merchandising misstep
The pivotal role EPCOT played in Michael Eisner’s rise to power at Disney, and how his vision reshaped the park
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In this week’s Disney Dish, Len and Jim dive into the rich history of one of EPCOT’s lesser-known attractions, "El Rio del Tiempo."
Join us for Part 1 of a two-part series as Jim takes us back to the 1982 dedication of EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion and shares the fascinating origin of the pavilion's boat ride.
Learn about the ambitious plans for "Las Tres Culturas de Mexico," the mysterious German Rivers ride, and how tight budgets and changing politics reshaped EPCOT's World Showcase.
Tune in as they cover:
· Epic Universe News: Universal Orlando’s newest park is set to open in May 2025! Jim and Len share exclusive details on the opening, soft launches, and breathtaking new effects.
· Lightning Lane Premier Pass: Get the scoop on Disney’s newest pass option for skipping the lines—what it costs, what it covers, and whether it's worth it.
· The History of El Rio del Tiempo: In Part 1 of this two-part series, Jim takes you back to the 1980s to explore the creation and evolution of Epcot's original Mexico Pavilion boat ride.
Plus, listener questions, Disney news, and the latest park happenings!
Don’t miss out on this jam-packed episode's history, updates, and insider scoops.
SHOW NOTES
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In this episode of Looking at Lucasfilm, Jim Hill and Brian Gaughan celebrate October with a special look at horror films and their unexpected ties to Lucasfilm. Brian kicks off by sharing his month-long cinematic Halloween project, while Jim reveals his love for Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein and its surprising connection to Lucasfilm’s scrapped Frankenstein CG film.
The episode also pays tribute to the late Lucasfilm producer Robert Watts, dives into the anniversary of Star Wars Rebels, and previews the upcoming John Williams documentary debuting on Disney+.
Also in this episode:
The removal of the Indiana Jones films from Disney+ and what’s behind the licensing shuffle.
Updates on The Mandalorian and Grogu feature film, set to hit theaters in 2026.
A deep dive into Radio Land Murders as it celebrates its 30th anniversary, and how it laid the groundwork for future Lucasfilm projects.
Join Jim and Brian for a nostalgic, fun, and insightful journey through the world of Lucasfilm, just in time for Halloween!
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In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into breaking news about Universal’s highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park, set to open May 22, 2025. They discuss the potential impact of this new park and how long they've known about this announcement.
Additionally, the hosts continue their fascinating exploration of the history behind Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Jim reveals the story of how Universal could have secured the theme park rights to Willy Wonka, but instead created their own steampunk-inspired chocolate factory that has become a fan favorite.
Highlights include:
Discussion of the confirmed Epic Universe opening date.
New Offerings at Universal Studio Hollywood’s FanFest event.
Insights into Toothsome Chocolate Emporium's creation and Universal's choice to move away from a Willy Wonka theme.
How Universal cleverly developed its own chocolatier, Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome, and her robotic sidekick Jacques.
Whether you're curious about upcoming theme parks or love behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is packed with must-know info for
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n this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor take you on a fascinating journey through Disney’s forgotten Mickey Mouse projects, including the untold story of "Mickey Columbus" and other abandoned ideas that never made it to the big screen.
They also dive into Disney's challenges while bringing Mickey into the world of CGI, from his iconic ears to scrapped anniversary projects like "The Search for Mickey.”
The Wild Robot's Box Office Triumph: DreamWorks Animation's The Wild Robot continues its strong performance at the box office, paving the way for a sequel. Jim and Drew discuss what’s next for this hit film, based on Peter Brown’s popular book series.
Wallace & Gromit Are Back!: Aardman Animations is bringing the beloved duo back to the screen with Vengeance Most Fowl. Jim and Drew break down the significance of this return and what fans can expect from the upcoming Christmas release.
What’s Next for Animation Fans: With new releases like Transformers One and the latest from Aardman, there’s a lot to look forward to in the world of animation.
Tune in for all this and more on this week’s Fine Tooning!
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In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and Len Testa take you through the latest Disney updates and a deep dive into the fascinating history behind one of Disney’s most ambitious projects.
Here’s what you’ll hear:
Hurricane Milton Update: How the recent storm impacted Disney parks, and why Jim thinks Medieval Times might be the ultimate hurricane shelter.
Disneyland Price Hikes: Len breaks down the latest ticket and annual pass price increases at Disneyland, and what that could mean for your next trip.
Fort Wilderness Innovations: Could autonomous delivery robots soon bring food and merchandise to your cabin at Fort Wilderness? Jim and Len explore the possibilities.
Listener Questions: Why the ghost of the ‘Creepy Clown Pool’ might still haunt Boardwalk Inn’s occupancy rates, and how AI may make your Disney PhotoPass pictures look better than ever.
Main Feature: In a behind-the-scenes look at Disney's battle with Pixar, Jim reveals how Mickey’s PhilharMagicwas developed as a key part of Michael Eisner’s strategy to prove that Disney could create CG animation independently. From its origins as a project for Hong Kong Disneyland to its pivotal role in Disney’s negotiations with Pixar, discover the hidden history behind one of the most beloved 3D attractions in Disney World.
Join Jim and Len for a fun, fact-filled episode full of Disney history, news, and a few laughs along the way!
SHOW NOTES
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In the seventh installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid talk about how a working ranch & farm in the San Fernando Valley eventually became one of Southern California’s most popular tourist attractions
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
When was Universal City officially founded
Which Disney vet designed the Glamour Trams
Who built the 50-foot-tall King Kong animatronic for this theme park
On what floor of “Back to the Future: The Ride” was Steve Spielberg’s room located
Where does the simulated quake that Universal visitors experience during” Earthquake: The Big One” reportedly fall on the Richter scale
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In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey kick things off by discussing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles touring show and the impact of Hurricane Milton on theme parks.
But the main feature of this episode dives into the origins of one of Universal’s most beloved dining experiences—Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.
Highlights include:
The latest Epic Universe Construction Photo Drop by @bioreconstruct
The Harry Potter-themed Hershey Chocolate Collection
How the closure of NBA City paved the way for Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.
The fascinating backstory of how Universal almost created a Willy Wonka-themed restaurant.
Whether you're curious about theme park history or just love chocolate, tune in to discover the story behind The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen.
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In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are joined by Brandon Sheddon, the founder and CEO of Cakeworthy, to discuss the brand that perfectly blends fan culture with fashion-forward designs.
Brandon shares the story behind Cakworthy's humble beginnings and how it grew into a pop culture phenomenon.
They dive into some of Cakeworthy’s most popular items, the inspiration behind their signature flannels, and the details of a special Cakeworthy collection that’s making its way into Disney theme parks!
What We Cover:
Cakeworthy’s journey from a small screen-printing operation to a global brand.
The secrets behind their most popular pieces, including their iconic flannel shirts.
How Cakeworthy keeps designs both stylish and true to Disney and Universal fandoms.
Inside scoop on the latest Cakeworthy collections coming to Disney theme parks.
Cakeworthy’s creative process and fan feedback's role in designing new items.
Listen in to discover how Cakeworthy brings beloved fandoms to life, one stylish piece at a time!
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In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill dives into the latest animation news and rumors.
With Drew Taylor away, Jim covers:
Unraveling Studio Feuds and Hollywood Drama: What caused the downfall of Fleischer Studios and their ultimate takeover by Paramount Pictures?
Jennifer Lee’s Next Move: Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer steps down to focus on Frozen 3 and Frozen 4, while Jared Bush steps in.
Joker: Folie à Deux’s Box Office Struggles**: Warner Bros. Discovery faces losses as the Joker sequel underperforms despite the original film's success.
MuppetVision 3D’s Future: Rumors swirl about the potential impact of Disney’s new Monsters Inc. door coaster on MuppetVision 3D at Hollywood Studios.
Plus, updates on DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot and Warner Bros.’ upcoming Dynamic Duo superhero film using innovative animation techniques. Don’t miss this deep dive into the latest animation industry news and history!
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In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Len Testa and Jim Hill discuss the latest updates and history behind Mickey’s PhilharMagic.
Tune in for:
Autonomous Vehicles at Fort Wilderness?: Could self-driving vehicles soon be delivering food and merchandise around this iconic resort? Jim and Len explore the potential future of tech at Disney.
Occupancy Rates for Disney Vacation Club Resorts: Discover why DVC properties like the Grand Californian and Bay Lake Tower are at the top of the occupancy charts and what makes them so popular.
The Legend of the Lion King: Jim dives deep into the history of this fan-favorite stage show, detailing the ambitious production, massive puppetry, and how it paved the way for future Disney attractions.
This episode is filled with Disney news, unique history, and some listener questions.
SHOW NOTES
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