Advertise on podcast: The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what’s about to happen to the NBA Experience at Disney Springs. They then talk about why kids back in the 1950s were absolutely crazed when it came to Disneyland’s “Autopia”  Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which “Star Wars” movie director just got hired by Universal Pictures to direct their next “Jurassic World” movie Why did the Imagineers insert all of those CG animals into “Soarin’ Around the World” What was originally supposed to transport Disneyland visitors from the Hub all the way to the very back of that theme park’s “World of Tomorrow” Where in World Celebration Gardens should you go if you want to do some people watching When did Disneyland’s Junior Autopia get renamed the Fantasyland Autopia Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then explains how Hong Kong Disneyland’s version of Sleeping Beauty Castle was transformed into the Castle of Magical Dreams Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How many ECVs can the new bus that’s joining the WDW transportation fleet carry at one time Why – when you’re given the opportunity by the Disney Cruise Line – you should always take the GYT How close does the Ultidor system at the Magic Kingdom get to that theme park’s Tomorrowland Speedway What was the difference between the construction materials that were used to build Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in Anaheim back in 1955 versus the materials that were used to build a second version of this iconic structure at Hong Kong Disneyland  Why did LegCo turn down the opportunity to have a “Star Tours” attraction added to Hong Kong Disneyland in the 2010s Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing a new land use plan that’s recently been revealed for the WDW Resort. They also wrap their series on the history of “Illuminations” SHOW BREAKDOWN: Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Why did the Imagineers just hate Epcot’s “Surprise in the Sky” show Which characters will soon begin making appearances at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa What did the most recent earnings call reveal about attendance level & hotel room occupancy rates at the WDW Resort How will Disney, taking a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic Games, potentially impact the Company’s rivals in the themed entertainment business Why would it have been a mistake to view the world premiere of “Illuminations” from the Norway pavilion back in late January 1988 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by taking a close look at Epic Universe concept art. They then continue their discussion of the development “Illuminations,” EPCOT Center’s break-through nighttime show Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When (just to be safe) one should go about ordering their tickets for Pride Nite at Disneyland Why is the Universal Helios Grand Hotel positioned the way it is, facing into Epic Universe Park How Universal Studios Hollywood plans to use the cars themselves that Guests will ride in on that theme park’s new “Fast & Furious” coaster to mitigate noise pollution in the surrounding community Where did WDW Entertainment come across the searchlights that then added a popular feature  to “A New World Fantasy” Why did Walt Disney Productions suddenly decide to buy the Gibson Greeting Card company in the Late Spring of 1984 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the NextGen wands that may soon begin appearing in the Wizarding World over at the Universal Parks. They also discuss Disney’s possible plans to expand the Indiana Jones franchise. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What was especially innovative (circa 1982) about the barges that were used in “Le Carnaval de Lumiere” Why is the Magic Kingdom running its “Festival of Fantasy” parade twice daily on certain days during the month of February How is Disney+ potentially impacting the Company’s spending with it comes to Disney’s theme parks When it comes to Disney theme park rides, what’s the difference between on-board audio and attraction narration Should the Hatbox Ghost be counted as one of the 999 Happy Haunts that reside in Disney’s Haunted Mansion Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Disney historian Dave Bossert to the show. They then discuss what made this Tomorrowland walk-thru exhibit so memorable to park guests Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which sitcom star voiced Nine Eyes in the American version of “The Timekeeper” In what far-flung corner of the globe did Dave Bossert recently encounter a cocoanut chair What’s different about the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival ending on May 27th When is it expected that Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion will re-open to the public later this year Which Disney Legend was effectively the person in charge of the House of the Future / oversaw its three updates Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then shares stories about WDI’s years-long effort to create synced-up soundtracks for thrill rides at the Disney theme parks For this episode, listeners will learn about: How you can best take advantage of the snack credits when it comes to WDW’s recently relaunched Dining Plan When will Florida’s version of “Country Bear Jamboree” be closing for its previously announced reimagining / retooling Which two restaurants in the southwest corner of WDW’s Magic Kingdom share a common kitchen When did Disneyland’s version of Space Mountain suddenly close with little or no notice to that theme park’s Cast or the general public What’s kind of concerning about the new floor plan for the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Len Testa starts off this week’s show by talking about spending New Year’s Eve aboard the Disney Wish. Then Jim Hill takes a look at WDI’s plans for a second gate at the Disneyland Resort Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: In which regions of Canada & the United States can you find candlepin bowl How did wait times at WDW’s theme parks in 2023 compare to wait times back in 2019 What special feature does the Rainforest Spa aboard the Disney Wish have that other ships in the DCL lack How would the World Showcase portion of Westcot differed from the original in Florida What powered California Screamin’s 0 – 55 MPH launch Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by sharing a survey about Epcot’s holiday decorations. They then take a close look at what it cost to have dinner at Disneyland’s Blue Bayou restaurant back in 1977 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” show is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They also chat about a new survey that the Mouse just sent out which seeks specific information about where Guests spent their money while vacationing at the WDW Resort Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how WDW’s Entertainment team turned Jollywood Nights around. They then look at the 44 year-long career of the man who started as an hourly employee at Disneyland and eventually became the Chairman of Disney Parks worldwide Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show with a brief recap of the 2023 Gingersnap Challenge. Then they discuss Epcot’s new nighttime extravaganza, “LuminoUS: The Symphony of Us” Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices