The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

  • 55 minutes 9 seconds
    The Fireworks Villains Win, Plus the Final Mad Dash to Open EPCOT (Ep. 569)

    This week, Jim and Len unpack a packed Disney Dish that starts with theme park news and surveys before taking a deep dive into the frantic, sleep-deprived final months of EPCOT Center construction. Along the way, they translate Disney survey-speak, speculate on where Pokémon could land at Universal, and stumble onto what might be the most diabolically smart fireworks idea Disney has never tried.

    NEWS
    Disney’s guest surveys decoded - What EPCOT and resort questions really reveal about future cuts, changes, and monetization
    Animal Kingdom and Disneyland food updates - Harambe Market speeds up its opening while Napa Rose returns with a $188 price tag
    Pokemon at Universal - Why Springfield, Lost Continent, or Epic Universe are all in play
    Cruise line discounts and CityWalk rethink - What Universal and Disney Cruise Line data gathering tells us about demand
    A subtle Josh D’Amaro change - Could a missing voice hint at bigger leadership news?

    FEATURE
    Inside EPCOT’s construction crunch - From 4,000 workers to 10,000 almost overnight
    Why most builders had no idea what they were building - And how Disney fixed that problem
    The overnight concrete pours and brutal schedules - 75 straight days on the job in Florida heat
    How worker preview days helped push EPCOT across the finish line

    For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

    HOSTS
    • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
    • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
    • Instagram: JimHillMedia
    • TikTok: JimHillMedia

    SUPPORT
    Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Edited by Dave Grey
    Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

    SPONSOR
    • Be Our Guest Vacations - beourguestvacations.com
    • DVC Rental Store - dvcrentalstore.com
    • DVC Resale Market - dvcresalemarket.com
    • Unlocked Magic - unlockedmagic.com

    If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.



    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 56 minutes 19 seconds
    Ten Thousand Workers, One Deadline: EPCOT’s Craziest Year (Ep. 568)

    This week on the Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and Len Testa cover a wide range of park news before diving headfirst into one of the most intense construction stories Disney has ever lived through. From Haunted Mansion permits and Animal Kingdom surveys to Hallmark cameras rolling at Walt Disney World, the first half sets the stage for a jaw-dropping look at how EPCOT was nearly derailed before it ever opened. Then Jim walks through the chaotic final year of EPCOT construction, when Disney threw manpower, money, and sanity at the calendar to make an October 1 deadline happen.

    NEWS
    • New construction permits near the Haunted Mansion spark speculation about queue changes and future guest flow into Villains Land
    • Universal confirms a Fast & Furious spinning coaster will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
    • Disney surveys reveal how much a re-themed attraction like Zootopia Better Zoo-Gether actually drives intent to visit
    • Animal Kingdom questions hint at how Disney expects families to split up as thrill rides expand
    • A Hallmark holiday movie films on location at Walt Disney World, including a surprise Jodi Benson cameo

    FEATURE
    • Inside EPCOT’s final year of construction, when the project ballooned to 10,000 workers on site
    • How endangered woodpeckers, sinkholes, and shifting plans pushed EPCOT dangerously behind schedule
    • Why Disney was forced to spend billions to meet a non-negotiable opening date
    • Stories from the worksite that explain why veterans still describe it as chaotic, dangerous, and unforgettable

    For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

    HOSTS
    • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
    • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
    • Instagram: JimHillMedia
    • TikTok: JimHillMedia

    SUPPORT
    Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Edited by Dave Grey
    Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

    SPONSOR
    This episode is sponsored by DVC Resale Market - get expert help buying or selling Disney Vacation Club points at DVCResaleMarket.com.
    Also sponsored by DVC Rental Store - save on your next Disney vacation by renting points at DVCRentalStore.com.
    Planning your next trip? Let Be Our Guest Vacations handle the details at BeOurGuestVacations.com.
    And by Unlocked Magic, offering concierge-level Disney planning services at UnlockedMagic.com.

    If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 57 minutes 36 seconds
    When Did Summer Vacation Disappear at Walt Disney World? Plus The Surprising History of the Sword in the Stone Ceremony (Ep. 567)

    This week on Disney Dish, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into a deceptively simple question with big implications for trip planning: when exactly did “summer vacation” stop being peak season at Walt Disney World? Using years of hotel pricing data as a proxy for crowd demand, Len walks through what the numbers say - and the results may surprise longtime fans. Then Jim takes listeners on a deep historical tour of one of the parks’ most quietly beloved traditions, the Sword in the Stone ceremony, tracing its evolution across Disney parks worldwide.

    NEWS
    • Why Disney hotel pricing data suggests summer is no longer peak season at Walt Disney World
    • A breakdown of how demand has shifted from summer to fall travel, especially October
    • Updates on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishments and new cave effects
    • Casting and timing details for the upcoming Bluey experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
    • Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge timeline expansion, adding characters from across all Star Wars eras

    FEATURE
    • The full history of the Sword in the Stone ceremony, from Disneyland in 1983 to parks around the globe
    • Why Imagineers were obsessed with The Sword in the Stone long before the ceremony debuted
    • How budget cuts slowly transformed a full-scale show into today’s simpler experience
    • The true story of the guest who actually pulled the sword completely out of the stone

    For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

    HOSTS
    • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
    • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
    • Instagram: JimHillMedia
    • TikTok: JimHillMedia

    SUPPORT
    Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Edited by Dave Grey
    Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

    SPONSOR
    This episode of Disney Dish is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, powered by our friends at DVC Rental Store. Save $50 or more per person on select multi-day Walt Disney World tickets and take the stress out of planning your next vacation. Visit UnlockedMagic.com for details.

    If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    19 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 54 minutes 34 seconds
    A Runaway Boulder and a Crumbling Fairytale (Ep. 566)

    This week on Disney Dish, Jim Hill is joined by mind reader and showman Chris Cox, who steps in for Len Testa and immediately finds himself in the middle of some very Disney-sized mishaps. From a runaway Indiana Jones boulder at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the surprisingly fragile roof of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the conversation explores what happens when iconic park moments go just a little too far. Along the way, Jim and Chris dig into forgotten ceremonies, cutback entertainment, and the Imagineering decisions that quietly shaped Disneyland over the decades.

    NEWS
    • A 400-pound boulder goes off track during a performance of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and what that means for show safety going forward
    • The temporary removal of the iconic boulder scene and why Disney is famously cautious after incidents like this
    • The Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk cuts back to a three-night schedule and what that signals about nightlife at the resort
    • Listener mail on working New Year’s Eve at Disney parks and why January 1 might secretly be the best day to visit

    FEATURE
    • The long and surprisingly complicated history of the Sword in the Stone ceremony and how it really worked behind the scenes
    • How Imagineer Kim Irvine subtly transformed Sleeping Beauty Castle over four decades without sparking guest outrage
    • Why holiday overlays and anniversary bling eventually caused serious structural damage to the castle roof
    • The 60th anniversary decorations that led to a six-figure repair and a full castle roof replacement


    HOSTS
    • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
    • Chris Cox - IG: @magiccox | X: @bigcox | Website: magiccox.com

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
    • Instagram: JimHillMedia
    • TikTok: JimHillMedia

    SUPPORT
    Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Edited by Dave Grey
    Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

    If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    12 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 56 minutes 20 seconds
    The Patent That May Have Cracked Disney’s Encanto Ride - Plus the Secrets of Castle Care (Ep. 565)

    Welcome to the first Disney Dish of the new year, where Jim Hill and Len Testa kick things off with news, listener questions, and a deep dive into Disney history and tech. This week, a newly published Disney patent sparks speculation about how the upcoming Encanto attraction may work, while Jim launches into a fascinating (and surprisingly hands-on) story about how Disney maintains, repairs, and periodically reinvents its iconic theme park castles. Along the way, there are transportation woes, glittering greenhouses, and more than a few once-in-a-lifetime Disney moments.

    NEWS
    • Disney reveals Buddy, a new helper character coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin when it reopens in 2026 • A newly filed Disney patent hints at holographic characters, with strong evidence pointing toward use in the upcoming Encanto ride • Imagineering files a new construction permit for the Haunted Mansion, likely focused on interior work • Updates on Glittering Greenhouses at EPCOT and extended holiday decorations at Disneyland • Changes to Disneyland perks, including the end of Early Entry and the rollout of a new California resident ticket deal

    FEATURE
    • Why Disney castles require constant repainting, roof repairs, and drainage fixes • The overlooked engineering challenges of maintaining structures built for 1950s deadlines, not 21st-century weather • How Imagineer Kim Irvine spent decades refining Sleeping Beauty Castle’s look, color palette, and functionality • The surprising amount of artistry that goes into making castle “bricks” look authentically imperfect

    For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

    HOSTS
    • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia

    SUPPORT
    Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

    SPONSOR
    This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com. Planning a Walt Disney World getaway? Our friends at Unlocked Magic offer discounted theme park tickets, including savings of $50 or more per person on four-day tickets. Learn more at UnlockedMagic.com.

    If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    5 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 49 minutes 23 seconds
    The $7 Million 3D Gamble That Saved Opening Day at EPCOT (Ep. 564)

    Jim and Len kick off the final Disney Dish of the year with holiday crowds, sold-out Lightning Lane Premier Passes, and one last lap through Jollywood Nights before pivoting into surveys, listener questions, and some unexpectedly nerdy math. Along the way, they remember a beloved Imagineer, dig into why Disney asks the survey questions it does, and break down the best times to roll the dice on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind if you are chasing that perfect song. Then Jim takes everyone deep into EPCOT history with the strange, expensive, and surprisingly high-stakes story of Magic Journeys, the 3D film that quietly kept opening day from turning into a full-blown disaster.

    NEWS
    • Lightning Lane Premier Pass prices hit record highs and still sell out across Walt Disney World during the holiday rush
    • Jollywood Nights sticks the landing in its later years and may now be Disney World’s most popular hard-ticket holiday event
    • A remembrance of legendary Imagineer Eddie Sato, including unrealized Mission Space concepts and behind-the-scenes stories
    • Animal Kingdom survey questions raise eyebrows about shaded seating and what Disney might really be testing

    FEATURE
    • How Kodak sponsorships, lost 3D filmmaking knowledge, and a $7 million budget led to Magic Journeys
    • Why Magic Journeys was one of the only EPCOT opening-day attractions that actually worked as planned
    • Murray Lerner, improvisation, and the near-panic inside Imagineering as the film fell behind schedule
    • The experimental reach-and-flinch moments that made Magic Journeys unforgettable and unrepeatable

    For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

    HOSTS
    • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
    • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
    • Instagram: JimHillMedia
    • TikTok: JimHillMedia

    SUPPORT
    Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Edited by Dave Grey
    Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

    SPONSOR
    This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com. Start planning your 2026 Disney and Universal vacations with exclusive ticket discounts, including savings of $50 or more per person on four-day Walt Disney World tickets. Tickets link directly to your My Disney Experience account, fast and easy. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to save big.

    If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Disney Destiny’s “Meet-and-Play” Feels Very Starcruiser-ish (Ep. 563)

    Sam from Sam’s Disney Diary joins Len and Jim to spill the (highly theatrical) tea on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny - where character “meet-and-greets” have evolved into full-on, semi-improvised encounters that can follow you across the voyage. Then Jim heads back to where Disney’s in-park 3D film history really begins, from the 1950s 3D Jamboree at Disneyland to the studio’s eternal talent for repurposing anything that is not nailed down.

    NEWS
    • Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour costumes will stay on display at Walt Disney Presents: One Man’s Dream through January 23, 2026
    Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith plays its final riff on March 1, 2026 - with a “summer” reopen that is, as always, Disney-flexible
    • The Muppet Show special with Sabrina Carpenter hits Disney+ on February 4 - and may be a stealth pilot for a bigger revival
    • The Boathouse at Disney Springs lands as one of America’s top-grossing independent restaurants - fueled by sheer, glorious volume
    • A reported FTC allegation about Pepsi + Walmart “pricing power” takes an extra twist once Len connects the dots to Disney’s current CFO talk about dynamic pricing

    FEATURE
    • Sam breaks down how Disney Destiny’s characters run “meet-and-play” moments - Pirates pub invites, Cruella’s improv songwriting, and other “be here later” surprises
    • The ship’s hero-vs-villain throughline (hello, Loki) and why it feels like Disney quietly recycled some Galactic Starcruiser know-how
    • The Haunted Mansion parlor sticks around - now with an in-app AR hunt to round up “escaped” ghosts
    • Jim rewinds to Disney’s earliest 3D experiments, including Disneyland’s 1956-era 3D Jamboree and the studio’s short-lived 1950s 3D flirtation

    For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

    HOSTS
    • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
    • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Website: TouringPlans.com

    GUEST
    • Sam Marraccini - IG: @samsdisneydaily | X: @SamsDisneyDiary | Website: SamsDisneyDiary.com Sam's Disney Diary+2X (formerly Twitter)+2

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
    • Instagram: JimHillMedia
    • TikTok: JimHillMedia

    SUPPORT
    Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Edited by Dave Grey
    Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

    SPONSOR
    This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic - visit UnlockedMagic.com for special discounts on Disney theme park tickets for 2026.

    If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Why Disney Is Quietly Letting 3D Die in the Parks (Ep. 562)

    Construction at Animal Kingdom’s upcoming Encanto attraction is finally starting to pop above the fence line, and Jim and Len do what they do best - stare at aerial photos until they start seeing ride-height changes and possible “big thing” anchors. Then the show veers into a surprisingly tight math problem: is it actually cheaper for an American couple to fly to Japan and do Tokyo Disney than it is to do a weekend at Walt Disney World? (Spoiler: the internet is almost right, which is somehow worse.)

    NEWS
    • Aerial photos suggest the Encanto ride site at Animal Kingdom may include a ride-height change (and at least one very suspicious hole in the ground).
    Orange County tourist tax collections hit a new record for October, up 15 percent year over year - yes, people are still going to Orlando.
    Disney Cruise Line Port Canaveral numbers show strong October sailings - Disney Magic at 81 percent occupancy, Treasure and Wish at 89 percent.
    • Hallmark and Disney team up for the first in-park holiday movie, “Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True,” arriving in 2026.
    • Disney’s surprise AI headline: a reported $1 billion OpenAI investment tied to Disney characters appearing in Sora, and what Disney might really be building toward.

    FEATURE
    • Why Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (and its Paris counterpart) reportedly switched from 3D to 2D - guest comfort, visibility, and the ongoing cost of 3D glasses.
    • The long history of Disney’s ever-changing 3D eyewear “story names,” from MuppetVision safety goggles to opera glasses and beyond.
    • The wild near-miss: Avatar: Flight of Passage allegedly came close to becoming 2D, and how producer Jon Landau pushed back.

    For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

    HOSTS
    • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
    • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
    • Instagram: JimHillMedia
    • TikTok: JimHillMedia

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Edited by Dave Grey
    Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

    SPONSOR
    This episode’s Disney-ish News is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com - from our friends at DVCRentalStore.com.

    If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    15 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 54 minutes 58 seconds
    From Burbank Backlot to Hollywood Studios - The Roy E. Disney Building’s Second Act (Ep. 561)

    Len and Jim race through a packed week of Disney and Universal updates before diving into how the Roy E. Disney Animation Building went from an architectural showpiece to the creative model for Hollywood Studios’ upcoming Magic of Disney Animation attraction.

    NEWS
    • Disney outlines major 2026 refurbishments, Bluey offerings on both coasts, and new character entertainment. • EPCOT confirms Flower & Garden dates, attraction reopenings, and steep winter hotel discounts for Visa cardholders. • Universal celebrates FIA honors while advancing a three-phase transit plan connecting its resorts and parks. • Listener questions lead to discussions on vacation packages, Tron Ares timing, and the rise of non-alcoholic beverage offerings. • Jim and Len break down New Year’s Eve crowd patterns, phased closures, and survival strategies for the busiest days of the year.

    FEATURE
    • Jim revisits architect Robert A.M. Stern’s Disney work, from Casting Center to Celebration to the Roy E. Disney Animation Building. • The building’s iconic exterior contrasts with an interior layout that frustrated traditional animation workflows. • Lasseter’s renovation sends teams to a former WDI fabrication site where films like Zootopia and Moana take shape amid industrial ambiance. • The redesigned building’s collaborative layout now inspires Hollywood Studios’ upcoming Magic of Disney Animation experience.

    For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

    HOSTS
    • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | IG: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia

    SUPPORT
    Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Edited by Dave Grey
    Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

    SPONSOR
    The Disney Dish news segment is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com from DVC Rental Store, offering discounted 2026 Disney theme park tickets.

    If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    8 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 41 minutes 41 seconds
    Sneaking Into Sam’s: Jim Finally Cracks the Grog Grotto Code (Ep. 560)

    After a week wandering Walt Disney World with Len and Jim Shull, Jim goes solo this episode to share fresh Orlando observations, big theme park news, and the triumphant tale of finally getting inside Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto after a decade of trying. From Zootopia 2’s massive box office to the latest on dynamic pricing, Magic Kingdom expansion hints, and some curious choices around holiday traditions at the Grand Floridian, this one covers a lot of ground. And yes, there will be tiki mugs.

    NEWS
    • Disney officially announces that The World of Frozen opens at Disneyland Paris on March 29, 2026.
    • CFO Hugh Johnston publicly confirms dynamic pricing expansions at Disney parks after a year of corporate pushback.
    Zootopia 2 posts a remarkable $556 million global opening weekend.
    • Ongoing fan hunt for the hidden Joe Rohde at Zootopia Zoo Better Together—Jim Shull reveals where to look.
    • Early visuals emerge around the Magic Kingdom expansion, with notable activity near Seven Seas Drive and Floridian Way.

    FEATURE
    • The full saga of Jim’s 10-year quest to enter Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
    • Why going late - very late - is the key to getting inside this tiny tiki temple.
    • Comparisons between Trader Sam’s, the new Beacon Barrel in Adventureland, and The Perch at the Grand Floridian.
    • Updates on this year’s missing Grand Floridian Gingerbread House and what might happen next.


    HOSTS
    • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
    • Instagram: JimHillMedia
    • TikTok: JimHillMedia

    SUPPORT
    Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Edited by Dave Grey
    Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

    SPONSOR
    This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, the same team behind the DVC Rental Store. If you're planning a trip to Central Florida and want discounted tickets to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando - often 10 to 12 percent less than elsewhere - visit UnlockedMagic.com.

    If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 42 minutes 56 seconds
    Inside IAAPA 2025: Big Rides, Bold Tech, and the Industry’s Next Moves (Ep. 559)

    Len Testa, Jim Hill, and veteran Imagineer Jim Shull hit the IAAPA Expo show floor in Orlando, exploring the newest ride systems, vendor innovations, and behind-the-scenes stories fueling the future of themed entertainment.

    NEWS

    • A look at how IAAPA blends professional showcase, industry reunion, and pop-up amusement park—complete with traffic, parking challenges, and surprises at every booth.
    • Zamperla’s full-size demo of its new interactive “flap-to-fly” ride, where sensors track arm movements to lift riders higher.
    • The stacked-track, heart-shaped family coaster concept designed to fit high-capacity thrills into a tiny footprint.
    • Mack Rides’ water-coaster hybrid for Dollywood: a tracked boat that transitions between basins, rapids, and coaster moments.
    • The debut of brand-new industry tech, including an AI park-operations platform launched just two weeks earlier—so new the vendor couldn’t answer most questions yet.
    • Why Imagineers were quietly examining faux-fossil rockwork in a small booth—possible clues to future projects.
    • A vendor’s dramatic countdown-clock presentation that fell apart when no one realized the microphone was dead.
    • The team’s ongoing quest for pickle-flavored cotton candy and other baffling IAAPA food innovations.
    • Len’s impromptu pitch to Doppelmayr about Universal’s transportation RFQ—and the unexpectedly enthusiastic response.
    • Why IAAPA acts as “old home week” for themed entertainment pros, with surprise run-ins, backstage conversations, and stories that won’t be public for years.

    Full show notes available here: Show Notes

    Hosts

    Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
    Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
    Jim Shull (Veteran Imagineer) — X/Twitter: @JimShull | YouTube: @jimhshull | Website: jimhshull.com

    Patreon

    Support the Disney Dish and get exclusive content, early episodes, and behind-the-scenes stories. Join us at:
    https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/

    Follow Us

    • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
    • YouTube: @jimhillmedia
    • TikTok: @jimhillmedia

    Producer Credits

    Edited by Dave Grey
    Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency
    https://strongmindedagency.com

    Sponsor

    This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team at DVC Rental Store — offering discounted Disney theme park tickets, including special events. Save on your next trip with Unlocked Magic.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 November 2025, 5:00 am
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