Episodes
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In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey cover a range of Universal-related stories, from unique events to fascinating history:
Episode Highlights:
Universal’s Garage Sale: Discover the details of the 2024 garage sale, where fans can snag exclusive merchandise and rare finds.
Green Eggs and Ham Returns: Eric shares his excitement about the return of this iconic Seuss Landing sign and its connection to holiday celebrations.
Epic Universe Promotions: Jim discusses Universal’s early marketing efforts for the highly anticipated Epic Universe.
Horror Unleashed in Vegas: A deep dive into the year-round horror attraction featuring Universal Monsters and more.
The Birth of the Universal Tram Tour: Jim takes us back to the 1960s to explore the humble beginnings of Universal Studios Hollywood’s iconic tram tour.
Whether you're a Universal newbie or a seasoned park-goer, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in for news, nostalgia, and plenty of fun!
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In this festive episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore the rich history between Disney and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. From Mickey Mouse’s first parade appearance in 1934 to Minnie Mouse’s brand-new balloon debut in 2024, they uncover fascinating stories about Disney’s presence in this iconic holiday tradition.
What We Cover:
The origins of Disney’s involvement in the Macy’s Parade, starting with Mickey Mouse’s debut.
Behind-the-scenes facts about creating and managing those giant character balloons.
Minnie Mouse’s highly anticipated 2024 balloon debut and the Disney Cruise Line float tribute.
How Macy’s and Disney teamed up to launch the new Mickey and Minnie shops inside 200 stores nationwide.
Nostalgic reflections on Disney’s parade history, including the surprising role of the character warehouse and the evolution of holiday merch.
Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the collaboration between two beloved brands and the holiday magic they bring to life!
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In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dive into the magical world of Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Hear all about Jim's recent visit to this dazzling event at the New York Botanical Gardens, where he experienced life-sized sculptures, fog-filled forests, and stunning light displays that bring Burton's eerie, whimsical vision to life.
Also in this episode:
The Wild Robot still dominates the box office, edging closer to $300 million worldwide.
D23 Brasil’s big animation reveals, including a new Ice Age film and Toy Story 5 updates.
Behind the scenes on Skydance and Netflix's Spellbound promotion in Times Square.
Updates on Marvel’s animated lineup and what’s in store for 2025.
Get ready for all this and more on this week’s Fine Tooning!
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In this week’s episode, Len Testa and Jim Hill bring you a packed show with the latest theme park news and the finale of Jim’s deep dive into EPCOT’s El Rio del Tiempo.
Tune in as they cover:
Universal’s Year-Round Horror Nights in Las Vegas: Get the details on Universal’s permanent horror attraction, “Universal Horror Unleashed,” set to launch at Area 15 with classic scares from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Exorcist: Believer, and more.
Magic Kingdom’s Premier Pass Math: Len and Jim respond to a listener’s cost breakdown for Disney’s new Premier Pass. Does the math make sense?
Frozen Holiday Surprise: Disney surprised everyone with an early start to this fan-favorite holiday event at the Magic Kingdom.
El Rio del Tiempo’s Journey to Gran Fiesta Tour: In the final part of Jim’s history series, learn about Eric and Susan Goldberg’s transformation of the Mexico Pavilion’s iconic boat ride into Gran Fiesta Tour and the arrival of animatronic versions of the Three Caballeros.
Listener questions, Disney news, and inside scoops make this an episode you won’t want to miss!
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In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey share a first-time experience exploring Universal's Minion Land. Jim provides unique historical insights, connecting the new attractions to Universal’s storied past and its evolution in theme park innovation.
Episode Highlights:
A First Look at Minion Land: Eric’s first impressions of Minion Land’s unique attractions, rides, and immersive details.
History of the Minions at Universal: Jim reveals how the Minions evolved from movie icons to major theme park stars and their journey to becoming a land of their own.
What’s New and What’s Next: Discover the standout features of Minion Land and hints about potential expansions and updates from Universal.
Behind the Scenes of Minion Mayhem: Gain insider knowledge on the making of Minion Land and the creative choices that brought it to life.
Jim’s Historian Perspective: How Minion lLand fits into the larger history of Universal theme parks and its significance for fans of all ages.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Universal veteran, this episode will make you see Minion Land in a whole new light. Tune in now to experience the magic, mischief, and history!
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This week on I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey welcome a true icon in the theme park industry: Garner Holt, the mastermind behind Garner Holt Productions and the creative force behind some of the most jaw-dropping animatronics in Disney, Universal, and even Chuck E. Cheese locations worldwide!
What We Cover:
Learn how a young Garner transformed his passion for animatronics in his parents' garage into the largest animatronics company in the world.
Hear about Garner's experience creating unforgettable figures for beloved Disney attractions, from Haunted Mansion Holiday to Buzz Lightyear, Monsters Inc., and Cars Land.
Garner shares how he's inspiring a new generation with "Animaker Spaces," where kids can build their own animatronics. Plus, find out how you can bring the animatronics experience home with Garner's "Make-Your-Own Animatronic Kit," a one-of-a-kind project that lets you assemble and program your own interactive Tiki bird right at your kitchen table!
Hear how Garner’s team uses animatronics to train soldiers in life-like scenarios, blending creativity and technology to save lives.
With over 5,000 animatronic figures in 36 countries, Garner Holt reflects on his extraordinary career and his favorite projects, from haunted houses to high-tech figures in top theme parks.
Whether you’re a Disney fan, a collector, or simply fascinated by the art of animatronics, this episode is packed with stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
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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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