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Jim Hill and Eric Hersey head back to Far Far Away to uncover how Universal's Shrek 4-D became an unlikely bridge between the first two Shrek movies. Jim reveals the creative challenges behind Shrek 2, the surprising connection to a shelved Disney animated project, and why Universal may be preparing to give its favorite ogre a much bigger theme park presence. Plus, the latest Universal Orlando holiday announcements, a troubling incident at Stardust Racers, and some monstrous Halloween surprises at Universal's resort hotels. NEWS Universal Orlando reveals its 2026 holiday lineup, including Snoggletog at Epic Universe, Super Nintendo World decorations, Grinchmas, and the return of the Macy's Holiday Parade. Could Shrek 5 bring updated characters to Universal's holiday parade, and is the Dronkey balloon being retired? A falling overhead fan at Stardust Racers raises new questions about the roller coaster's troubled first year. Universal Orlando's resort hotels embrace Halloween with Universal Monsters at Royal Pacific, alien invasions, zombie rockers, and the return of the Pumpkin Lord. Jim prepares for Universal's Oz-Tacular celebration and an after-hours visit to Epic Universe, while discovering that Buc-ee's might just be a theme park without rides. FEATURE How DreamWorks struggled to develop Shrek 2 after exhausting the story possibilities of William Steig's original 32-page children's book. Why Jeffrey Katzenberg gave Universal Creative a tiny window between Shrek and Shrek 2 to develop Shrek 4-D, and how the attraction became a clever continuation of the original film. Jim shares the surprising story of a Disney animation project inspired by The Frog Princess and its alleged connection to Shrek 2's development. With Shrek 5 arriving in 2027 and a Donkey spinoff planned for 2028, could Universal Orlando eventually build a full-fledged Shrek dark ride? HOSTS Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - https://jimhillmedia.com Eric Hersey - X/Twitter and Instagram: @erichersey - https://strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a trip to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Be Our Guest Vacations takes the guesswork out of your vacation with free, personalized trip planning. Their travel professionals help you choose the right hotel, park tickets, dining reservations, and extras to fit your budget and travel style. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com and tell them Jim and Eric sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore the creation of Shrek 4-D, the behind-the-scenes history of Shrek 2, and the latest Universal Orlando holiday and theme park news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey open the door to a Monsters, Inc. coaster project that surfaced back in 2008, long before the attraction announced at D23 in 2024. Jim explains how an accidental cast-member video revealed the plans, from a Celia-led reception area to a chaotic finale with Mike and Sulley. They also discuss changes at Disney’s Character Warehouse outlets and the appeal of McDonald’s Disney Villains Boo Buckets. NEWS Disney’s Character Warehouse at the Vineland outlets prepares to move into a larger space, while Jim and Lauren consider what outlet expansion could mean for leftover park merchandise. McDonald’s Disney Villains Boo Buckets mix Halloween nostalgia with familiar characters as the bucket tradition marks its 40th anniversary. Jim plans a visit to the Hallmark holiday pop-up at Disney Springs, and the hosts look at Monsters, Inc. anniversary merchandise. FEATURE Pete Docter’s door-hangar chase inspires an early coaster concept for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with the former Mickey Avenue soundstages in the mix. A video appearing on the cast-member portal in July 2008 gives Jim an unexpected look at a project envisioned for Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary in 2011. The proposed ride includes a Monsters, Inc. open house, scream and laugh canisters, and an explosive finale that leaves Mike and Sulley needing bigger canisters. Jim traces how the financial crisis shelved that proposal and reflects on the long road to the Monsters, Inc. land announced in 2024. HOSTS Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com Lauren Hersey - X: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning your next Disney or Universal vacation? BeOurGuestVacations.com can help with hotels, theme park tickets, and dining reservations at no additional cost to you. As a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and a Universal U-Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team can help you plan your next getaway. Be sure to tell them Lauren and Jim from I Want That Too sent you! If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Jim and Lauren explore an early Monsters, Inc. coaster plan, Disney outlet changes, and the nostalgia behind McDonald’s Boo Buckets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much would you pay to own a piece of Disney history? Eric and Lauren Hersey take a deep dive into Disney's most expensive collectibles, from a $425,000 Enchanted Tiki Room bird to Haunted Mansion ghosts and the legendary Hollywood memorabilia once sold at Sid Cahuenga's. Inspired by Kelly Clarkson's viral mechanical bird controversy, they explore the surprising world of animatronic collecting, extravagant theme park purchases, and the practical challenges of getting oversized souvenirs home. Plus, a complaint at Magic Kingdom's Sunglass Hut brings the conversation right back to where it started. HIGHLIGHTS • Kelly Clarkson's viral dispute with New York's Art of Play over a mechanical singing bird takes an unexpected $15 million turn. • From Garner Holt's build-your-own Tiki birds to a $425,000 José animatronic, Eric and Lauren explore the surprising market for Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room collectibles. • Rare Disney auction treasures command staggering prices, including Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghosts approaching $400,000 and original stretching room artwork. • How to ship large Walt Disney World souvenirs and artwork home, including combining purchases at resort gift shops and navigating shipping costs. • The extravagant crystal Cinderella Castle sculptures sold at Disney parks and the surprising stories behind their purchases. • A nostalgic look inside Sid Cahuenga's at Disney's Hollywood Studios, where authentic Hollywood props, celebrity memorabilia, and Dick Van Dyke's Mary Poppins jacket once carried hefty price tags. • From Stormtrooper armor to designer sunglasses, Eric and Lauren discuss the most expensive Disney purchases and a Magic Kingdom Sunglass Hut review that brings the story full circle. HOSTS • Lauren Hersey - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ | X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 • Eric Hersey - Instagram: @erichersey | X/Twitter: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Instagram: @JimHillMedia • X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia • Website: jimhillmedia.com SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Cox, Len Testa, and Jim Hill reopen the listener mailbag for another session of the Court of the Disney World Resort. A terrifying first date on Alien Encounter leads to a story of nearly 30 years of marriage, while other listeners explain when a ride spoiler can be a kindness. The court also weighs sleeping in at Magic Kingdom, finding a quiet corner, and choosing between Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Stick around after the closing remarks for a bonus quiz that pits Jim against Len over the listeners’ poll results. HIGHLIGHTS • An Alien Encounter date becomes an unlikely love story, alongside memories of the attraction’s scares and its place in Magic Kingdom.• Listeners make the case for pool mornings, later park arrivals, and After Hours tickets instead of an early alarm.• Quiet Magic Kingdom hideaways offer a break from the crowds, from Main Street’s train station to Storybook Circus seating.• Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach return to court, with shade, slides, theming, and a formidable wave pool entering the evidence.• Ride previews divide the jury: preserving a surprise versus preparing children and anxious riders, followed by a bonus listener-poll showdown. HOSTS • Chris Cox - X/Twitter: @bigcox | Instagram: @magiccox | magiccox.com• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Chris Cox, Len Testa, and Jim Hill revisit listener verdicts on rope drop, Disney water parks, and ride spoilers, including one unforgettable Alien Encounter date. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor have plenty to discuss as Disney's upcoming animated feature Hexed takes center stage, with a fresh trailer, striking visual designs, and new details about the creative team. They also explore the latest animation announcements from New York Comic Con, a milestone anniversary for It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and the next chapter for Disney's long-running Broadway productions. Plus, Don Bluth gets the documentary treatment, LAIKA prepares to unveil Wildwood, and KPop Demon Hunters heads to the Criterion Collection. HIGHLIGHTS • Disney's Hexed reveals more of its magical world ahead of its November 25 theatrical debut, with directors Jason Hand, Josie Trinidad, and Fawn Veerasunthorn at the helm. • Drew shares insights from Disney's recent press event, including a look at the new animated short Lilo & Scratch and the jewel-toned visual style of Hexed. • New York Comic Con brings updates on Avatar: Seven Havens, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and Marvel's upcoming animated projects. • It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown celebrates its 60th anniversary with a Starbucks merchandise collection that disappears almost as quickly as it arrives. • Disney's The Lion King prepares to reimagine its record-breaking North American tour, while BOOP! The Musical hits the road. • Animation legend Don Bluth gets a new documentary, while Ron Clements shares decades of Disney history in Making Disney Magic. • LAIKA's Wildwood heads to theaters, and KPop Demon Hunters receives a Criterion Collection release packed with bonus features. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a fall getaway to Orlando? BeOurGuestVacations.com can help take the stress out of your next Disney or Universal vacation. As both a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and a Universal U-Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team can assist with hotels, theme park tickets, and dining reservations at no additional cost to you. Be sure to tell them Jim and Drew from Fine Tooning sent you! If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Disney's Hexed takes the spotlight alongside New York Comic Con animation news, Peanuts' 60th anniversary, Broadway updates, and a celebration of Don Bluth's legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill wrap up their Disneyland DVC history with a look at how Aulani’s ambitious price tag shaped the hotel projects that followed. Jim connects Disney’s Hawaiian resort to an unbuilt New Hampshire lodge, a canceled Disneyland luxury hotel, and the eventual Discovery Tower. They also discuss new playground plans, Disneyland ticket increases, and what Disney’s surveys might reveal about future attractions. Listener ideas offer fresh possibilities for EPCOT dining and a House of Mouse restaurant. NEWS • New playground plans at Hollywood Studios raise a practical question: what can younger children do while the rest of the family rides?• Len compares Disneyland’s latest ticket increases with Walt Disney World’s and asks whether Southern California is reaching a price ceiling.• The hosts discuss Pokémon possibilities at Universal, Disney Imagination’s planned debut in Japan, and a time-travel television tangent.• Disney Cruise Line survey pressure and an Avatar question prompt a discussion about how guest feedback influences decisions.• Listener proposals pair EPCOT dining with Lightning Lane perks and imagine a House of Mouse makeover for Hollywood Studios dining. FEATURE • The Grand Californian expansion brings Disney Vacation Club to the West Coast, setting the stage for a much bigger Hawaiian investment.• Jim explains how Aulani’s costs affected other resort ambitions, including Disney’s proposed White Mountain Lodge in New Hampshire.• A planned Disneyland luxury hotel runs into sightline concerns and an Anaheim tax-rebate dispute before its cancellation.• The story concludes with the smaller Disneyland Hotel DVC tower, its mix of accommodations, and construction through the pandemic. For this episode’s full show notes, click here.HOSTS • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Leave the holiday decorating to Disney and enjoy the lights from Main Street. Our friends at Be Our Guest Vacations can help plan your Walt Disney World holiday trip. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Len Testa and Jim Hill trace Aulani’s impact on Disneyland’s hotel plans, plus park playgrounds, ticket prices, and Disney guest surveys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey continue the story of Shrek, following the difficult decisions DreamWorks faced after the death of original star Chris Farley. Jim explains how Mike Myers came aboard and why a new voice for the ogre also led to a change for Princess Fiona. They also discuss Blumhouse joining Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show, lower prices at Horror Unleashed, and holiday plans on both coasts. Plus, a look at the early attempt to bring Wicked to the screen. NEWS • A new Glinda novel sparks a look back at Demi Moore’s early Wicked movie plans and the creative talent involved.• Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show prepares for a Blumhouse reimagining, raising questions about the balance between modern scares and classic monster history.• Eric rounds up Universal Orlando refurbishments and clarifies that Animal Actors on Location remains open until its announced November closure.• Horror Unleashed lowers selected Las Vegas ticket prices for November and December, while Jim and Eric check in on plans for Chicago.• Hollywood adds Merry Minions to its holiday lineup, and a licensing report hints at Snoggletog in Epic Universe’s Isle of Berk; the hosts caution that Orlando’s plans still need official confirmation. FEATURE • DreamWorks considers ways to finish Chris Farley’s version of Shrek before ultimately recasting the lead role.• Jim compares the challenge with other productions that had to continue after losing a performer, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Furious 7.• A chance meeting at the Saving Private Ryan premiere brings Mike Myers into Shrek’s story, changing the ogre’s personality and the balance of the cast.• Cameron Diaz replaces Janeane Garofalo as Fiona, and Shrek’s eventual success sets up a sequel and a future in Universal’s theme parks. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com• Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Universal getaway? The travel professionals at Be Our Guest Vacations can work with you one on one to find the right hotel, park admission, and extras for your budget, priorities, and travel style. Mention that Eric and Jim at the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore how Shrek’s recasting reshaped the film, plus Universal’s horror attractions, refurbishments, and holiday plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren Hersey and Jim Hill explore how familiar favorites find new life, from Frozen’s latest merchandise push to Darth Vader’s holiday makeover. Lauren takes a closer look at Frozen Fan Fest, pajama-clad Anna and Elsa, and the Christmas joke becoming “Darth on the Hearth.” Jim shares highlights from his visit to the Land of Oz before revealing how a two-minute licensing limit cost the Great Movie Ride its tornado. Along the way, they discuss oversized Olaf hats, Oz at the Sphere, and the enduring appeal of the Yellow Brick Road. NEWS Frozen Fan Fest returns with a storybook-style YouTube adventure, new pajamas, and American Girl’s Anna and Elsa baby sets. Walt Disney World’s holiday merchandise includes plaid apparel, a miniature Christmas monorail, festive Buzz Lightyear, and a towering Olaf hat. “Darth on the Hearth” turns a Star Wars holiday joke into merchandise, with Lauren exploring what the trademark filing might suggest for its future. The Wizard of Oz gets new attention at the Sphere and on broadcast television, while Disney’s Hallmark holiday pop-up arrives at Disney Springs. FEATURE Jim visits Autumn at Oz on Beech Mountain and walks the restored Yellow Brick Road through the seasonal Land of Oz park. How Disney’s agreement to recreate two minutes of The Wizard of Oz shaped the Great Movie Ride’s finale. Why a planned tornado gave way to Fantasia, and how Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway finally brought a twister into the building. From classic-film collectibles to retro park T-shirts, Oz’s appeal keeps the merchandise moving. HOSTS Lauren Hersey - X: @laurenhersey2 - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ Jim Hill - X/Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com FOLLOW Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning your next getaway to Disney or Universal? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details of your Central Florida vacation. As a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and Universal U Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team knows both destinations. Their vacation planning services come at no additional cost to you. Visit Be Our Guest Vacations to start planning. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Lauren Hersey and Jim Hill unpack Frozen Fan Fest, Star Wars holiday merchandise, and the Wizard of Oz scene cut from the Great Movie Ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney is bringing artificial intelligence into nearly every corner of its business, but how much AI is too much magic? This week, Lauren and Eric Hersey explore the debate surrounding Haunted Mansion PhotoPass Magic Shots, Disney's growing use of AI in employee performance reviews, and the company's ongoing restructuring and layoffs. They also examine AI-powered vacation planning, Disney+ search, shopping recommendations, and new technology designed to improve theme park operations. From helpful innovations to concerns about replacing human creativity, they're asking where Disney should draw the line. HIGHLIGHTS • Haunted Mansion Magic Shots: New PhotoPass images transforming guests into stone busts spark debate over possible generative AI use, artistic ownership, and Disney's creative standards. • AI in Employee Reviews: Disney reportedly encourages employees to use approved AI tools to prepare performance evaluations and goals, raising questions about efficiency and authenticity. • Disney Layoffs and Restructuring: Bloomberg's Lucas Shaw challenges Dana Walden about Disney's repeated workforce reductions and the company's push toward a more unified operation. • AI-Powered Vacation Planning: Disney explores personalized vacation planning tools while Eric and Lauren question whether AI can match the expertise of experienced travel advisors. • AI Across Disney's Businesses: New AI applications include Disney+ and ESPN search, Disney Store shopping recommendations, streaming advertising tools, ride safety systems, and animal monitoring at Kilimanjaro Safaris. • Efficiency vs. Creativity: Where should Disney embrace AI to simplify operations, and where does automation threaten the work of artists, animators, and other creative professionals? • Digital Performances and Voice Replication: A Gene Wilder-inspired AI voice in a Netflix game show sparks discussion about performer consent, legacy characters, and the future of voice acting. • Finding Disney's AI Boundaries: From improving attraction safety to generating new entertainment, the hosts debate which uses of AI enhance the Disney experience and which go too far. HOSTS • Lauren Hersey - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 • Eric Hersey - Instagram: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Strong Minded Agency FOLLOW • Website: JimHillMedia.com • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: @JimHillMedia • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited and Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Dan Graney open the case files on comic book movies that never made it to theaters, from Mahershala Ali’s Blade to Nicolas Cage’s Superman Lives. Their new recurring feature explores the creative clashes, production delays, and unlikely detours behind some of Hollywood’s most intriguing superhero projects. They also discuss Avengers: Endgame’s box office rematch with Avatar, the latest Avengers: Doomsday speculation, and Marvel’s New York Comic Con television and animation reveals. Plus, a spoiler-filled look at the Lanterns finale, Sean Gunn’s work beyond Rocket, and the latest Star Wars chatter. NEWS Avengers: Endgame’s encore run sparks another round of box office competition with Avatar, while Doomsday merchandise fuels new Doctor Doom theories. Jim and Dan sort through Doomsday casting chatter, Loki’s potential next chapter, and unconfirmed Secret Wars production rumors. Marvel’s New York Comic Con panel brings discussion of Daredevil: Born Again, Zodiac, Marvel Zombies, X-Men ’97, and VisionQuest. The hosts unpack the Lanterns finale with spoilers, discuss Clayface’s horror direction, and reflect on Sean Gunn’s on-set work as Rocket. Ahsoka, Timothy Zahn, and a Star Wars/Marvel crossover round out the conversation. FEATURE Why Blade earns a place in the hosts’ new “Comic Book Movies That Never Were” series after years of development. The unrealized Batman project that could have paired Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy, plus an early Batman sequel concept. Kevin Smith’s Superman Lives script, Jon Peters’ giant-spider demand, and the Nicolas Cage and Tim Burton production that never took flight. How George Miller’s Justice League Mortal became another ambitious superhero team-up that never reached the screen. HOSTS Jim Hill - X/Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery - Facebook: /thehubbubbery - thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning your next Disney or Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, cruises, and more. As a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and Universal U Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team can help you plan your getaway at no additional cost. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com and tell them Jim and Dan sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Jim Hill and Dan Graney explore unmade superhero films, Avengers: Doomsday speculation, and Marvel’s New York Comic Con reveals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor take a trip through animation history as they explore the life and legacy of Walter Lantz, the creator of Woody Woodpecker. Following Drew's visit to Lantz's historic Toluca Lake home, Jim traces the animator's unlikely career, from inheriting Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to becoming one of the last producers of theatrical cartoon shorts. Along the way, they discuss Disney's latest Netflix licensing strategy, the London Film Festival premieres of Wildwood and Ray Gunn, and the return of Coco to the concert stage. Plus, why Lantz's greatest contribution to animation may have been keeping his artists employed long after other studios had moved on. NEWS • Wildwood and Brad Bird's Ray Gunn make their London Film Festival debuts, with Tom Waits lending his voice to both animated features. • Disney licenses all five Ice Age films to Netflix ahead of Ice Age: Boiling Point, while keeping major franchises like Frozen and Toy Story exclusive to Disney+. • Pixar's Coco hits the road with a live-to-film concert tour as Disney continues developing a theatrical sequel. • The stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away prepares for its exclusive U.S. engagement in Los Angeles in 2027. • Forgotten Island continues its theatrical run as Wildwood and The Cat in the Hat prepare to enter the family animation market. FEATURE • Drew visits Walter Lantz's restored Art Deco home in Toluca Lake, where the legendary animator lived for decades. • Jim explores how Lantz inherited Oswald the Lucky Rabbit after Walt Disney lost the character, sparking a decades-long professional friendship and rivalry. • From Andy Panda to Woody Woodpecker, Lantz built an animation studio that followed industry trends while giving generations of artists steady work. • Why Walter Lantz Studios outlasted Disney and Warner Bros. in theatrical cartoon production, finally closing its doors in 1972. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a fall getaway to Orlando? Be Our Guest Vacations can help you book hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and more for both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. As a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and Universal U Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team knows the ins and outs of both destinations. Best of all, their vacation planning services come at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com and tell them Jim and Drew sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill unpack Disney’s latest price increases, from annual passes and tickets to the quick-service meals taking a bigger bite out of vacation budgets. They also check out Monstropolis menu reveals, holiday ride soundtracks, and a Bluey survey that may hint at Animal Kingdom’s plans for next summer. Then Jim continues the history of Disneyland’s DVC resorts with the Grand Californian, the architect who once worked in its parking lot, and the soundproofing that solved one problem only to create another. NEWS• Disney’s annual-pass and ticket increases tell a different story from the sharper jumps in quick-service food prices.• Monstropolis previews eyeball fish cakes, ramen, and the mysterious Blort soda.• Holiday music is coming to Guardians of the Galaxy, Alien Swirling Saucers, and the Muppets’ ‘Obligatory Holiday Overlay.’• A Bluey guest survey prompts a discussion of Animal Kingdom’s summer 2027 entertainment plans.• Len shares a report from Universal Nights at Epic Universe, including short waits and included snacks. FEATURE• Jim remembers architect Peter Dominick, whose Disney resorts include Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the Grand Californian.• The unbuilt Cypress Point Lodge helps explain the site and history of Wilderness Lodge.• Building the Grand Californian meant balancing park views, Downtown Disney, the monorail, and resort amenities.• Coaster screams led to extra soundproofing for the Grand Californian’s villas, followed by an inventive solution for guests who could see World of Color but couldn’t hear it. For this episode’s full show notes, click here.View transcript here. HOSTS• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com FOLLOW• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORTSupport the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSORPlanning a Walt Disney World vacation? Get started with Be Our Guest Vacations. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Jim and Len explore the Grand Californian’s design challenges, its DVC villas, and Disney’s latest price increases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey catch up on Universal news, from a Wicked celebration at CityWalk to the closure of Po Live in DreamWorks Land. They also look at the international push for Shrek 5 and wonder whether more Shrek could return to Universal’s holiday parade. Then Jim traces DreamWorks Animation’s rocky early years and the version of Shrek that nearly starred Chris Farley, with a very different cast and creative direction. NEWS • Halloween Horror Nights’ 35th anniversary brings a commemorative coin to the public, and Jim previews his upcoming Orlando visit.• CityWalk Orlando’s free Oz-tacular Spectacular celebrates Wicked on October 24 with characters, costumes, and a Yellow Brick Road dance party.• Po Live closes in DreamWorks Land, prompting discussion of the area’s future and speculation about Universal’s wider plans.• Universal builds an international campaign for Shrek 5, while Eric asks whether Shrek’s holiday parade presence could make a comeback. FEATURE • Jim revisits Antz, The Prince of Egypt, and The Road to El Dorado as DreamWorks searches for its first breakout animated hit.• Jeffrey Katzenberg’s rivalry with Disney helps set the stage for Shrek’s irreverent approach to fairy tales.• Steven Spielberg’s early Shrek plans included hand-drawn animation and a proposed Bill Murray and Steve Martin pairing.• Chris Farley, Eddie Murphy, and Janeane Garofalo form an early Shrek cast before Farley’s death leaves the production facing a painful decision. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com• Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Universal getaway? The travel professionals at Be Our Guest Vacations can work with you one on one to find the right hotel, park admission, and extras for your budget, priorities, and travel style. Mention that Eric and Jim at the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Chapek’s new book has reopened one of Disney Parks’ trickiest debates: just how valuable are annual passholders? Lauren and Eric break down the math behind Disneyland Magic Keys and Walt Disney World annual passes, including Disney’s latest price increases, break-even points, crowding concerns, and the difference between loyal locals and once-in-a-lifetime vacationers. They also examine whether Disney risks alienating its biggest fans by focusing too heavily on per-visit spending. NEWS • Walt Disney World raises annual pass prices for the fourth consecutive October, including another increase for the top-tier Incredi-Pass. • Disneyland leaves Magic Key prices unchanged while increasing select ticket and Lightning Lane prices. • Bob Chapek’s new book revisits Disney’s concerns over annual passholders, park capacity, and per-guest spending. • Chapek says some Disneyland annual passholders once visited as many as 200 days per year. • Disney’s past comments about a more “favorable guest and ticket mix” raise new questions about how the company values passholders. • Lauren and Eric compare Disneyland and Walt Disney World annual pass economics, including how many visits it takes to break even. • Disneyland’s regional audience helps explain why annual passholders can have a much larger effect on crowding and capacity. • The hosts debate whether frequent passholders may still generate more annual revenue than higher-spending vacation guests. • Annual passholders also serve as unofficial Disney marketers, sharing park experiences and helping fuel interest among friends and family. HOSTS • Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Eric Hersey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into Bob Chapek's memoir, Behind the Castle Walls, and his account of reshaping Disney Consumer Products. They examine his franchise-first strategy, his claims about Disney Store profitability, and the store closures that followed during his time as CEO. Then Jim reports from the limited-time Disney Store at New Jersey's Westfield Garden State Plaza, comparing its merchandise and atmosphere with Lauren's visit to the Pittsburgh location. Along the way, they consider whether these pop-ups signal a retail comeback or a deliberately fleeting shopping experience. NEWS • The Hallmark Holiday Pop-Up Store opens at Disney Springs, bringing another limited-time shopping experience to Disney fans.• Disney's consumer-products restructuring moves licensing and publishing closer to the entertainment teams creating its stories and franchises.• Jim visits New Jersey's limited-time Disney Store as he and Lauren consider how its retail partnership could shape future pop-ups. FEATURE • Lauren breaks down Chapek's shift from product categories to franchise teams, while Jim asks how much Frozen contributed to the division's growth.• The hosts examine Chapek's account of improving merchandise, raising prices, limiting discounts, and returning the Disney Store to profitability.• Disney's 2021 store closures raise a central question: why did the executive who championed the stores' turnaround later oversee their retreat?• Jim compares the New Jersey and Pittsburgh pop-ups, including location-specific merchandise, their anticipated January closing windows, and the uncertainty around further expansion. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a Disney or Universal getaway? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotel reservations, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that make a Central Florida vacation easier to plan, all at no additional cost to you. Visit BeOurGuestVacations.com to start planning your trip. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Jim and Lauren examine Bob Chapek's consumer-products claims and explore what Disney's limited-time stores reveal about the future of Disney shopping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices