This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill share how to conquer Animal Kingdom faster than you can finish a Mickey waffle and dig into the curious case of Disney’s Reflections: A Lakeside Lodge.

• Animal Kingdom Touring Plan: Len’s step-by-step guide to finishing all major rides in under two hours—because who has time to wait in line?
• Reflections: A Lakeside Lodge: Jim uncovers the rise, fall, and possible resurrection of Disney’s most mysterious resort project.
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure vs. Splash Mountain: Fans weigh in—has Tiana’s really taken the crown from Splash?
• Smuggler’s Run Upgrades: Could Grogu finally make being an engineer on the Millennium Falcon cool?
• Dinoland’s New Beat: A drumming band made from recycled materials? That’s the kind of green initiative even Mickey can’t resist.

Tune in for tips, history, and plenty of questions like, “Is it really a park day if you’re home by 10 a.m.?”

SHOW NOTES

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This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill reveal how to take on Hollywood Studios during peak crowds without relying on Lightning Lane, plus a look at Disney’s music legend George Wilkins and other park updates:

• Hollywood Studios Touring Plan: Len’s step-by-step guide to beating a 9/10 crowd level in six hours flat—without Lightning Lane.
• George Wilkins Tribute: The Disney composer who wrote EPCOT’s soundtrack and once reworked “Tutti Frutti” in a half-hour.
• Big Thunder Mountain’s Closure: What it means for Magic Kingdom’s Lightning Lane priorities (spoiler: it’s chaos).
• Mandalorian on Smuggler’s Run: Grogu might make engineers the stars of the Millennium Falcon.
• Dinoland Demolition: What’s next for Animal Kingdom’s most polarizing area?

Join Len and Jim for strategies, stories, and maybe a few tips on not getting run over by a rope

dropper.

SHOW NOTES

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This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill explore the remarkable career of Disney composer George Wilkins, the man behind EPCOT’s most iconic music, and discuss the latest park updates and strategies.

• George Wilkins Tribute: How a 45-year-old jingle writer turned EPCOT into his personal symphony.
• Free Dining Returns: Disney’s 2025 dining offer is back, but is its timing a response to Universal’s Epic Universe?
• Big Thunder Mountain Closure: With this fan favorite offline, what should you grab for Lightning Lane instead?
• Epic Universe Updates: Universal Orlando inches closer to opening with exciting ride testing and big surprises.

Join Len and Jim as they uncover Disney history, analyze park strategies, and debate the best way to navigate post-Big Thunder chaos.

SHOW NOTES

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This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill break down the jaw-dropping prices of Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which sold out at a whopping $478 per person during the holidays.

• Premier Pass Sticker Shock: Is there a limit to how much Disney fans will pay for shorter wait times?
• Bluey Comes to Disney: The beloved pup makes her way to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line.
• Universal Orlando Updates: Epic Universe rides ramp up testing, and a new Fast & Furious coaster is in the works.
• Listener Questions: Where are the best places to rent DVC points, and what’s the deal with Bonnet Creek’s location?
• Riviera Resort Finale: Jim wraps up the fascinating history of Disney’s most glamorous DVC property.

Tune in for Disney history, park updates, and plenty of laughs as Len and Jim close out the year in style.

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Join Len Testa and Jim Hill as they dive into the fascinating and occasionally outrageous story of how Disney transformed Caribbean Beach into their 15th DVC property:

• Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort: Len reviews Disney’s newest addition, featuring epic Magic Kingdom views, thoughtful amenities, and… chump prices?
• Caribbean Beach to Riviera Resort: Jim uncovers the competitive forces and behind-the-scenes maneuvering that turned a moderate resort into a deluxe DVC powerhouse.
• Listener Questions: Why isn’t there a Magic Kingdom resort between the Contemporary and TTC? And what’s the deal with Bonnet Creek’s proximity to Disney property?
• Dynamic Pricing at Disney: Len speculates on Disney’s next big move for hotels and tickets—and what it might mean for annual passholders.

Discover the stories behind Disney’s resorts, along with plenty of laughs and fascinating insights.

Show Notes

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Join Jim and Len as they serve up another helping of Disney history, humor, and holiday cheer:

• Jollywood Nights 2024 Review: Len breaks down why this year’s merriest event at Hollywood Studios is a must-visit, with mouthwatering popovers, stunning projections, and walk-on rides galore.
• Cotino Housing Development Tour: Get an insider’s peek at Disney’s new mid-century modern community, where Imagineering meets high-end desert living.
• Listener Questions: From the best World Showcase bathroom (yes, really) to a Muppet-inspired Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster playlist, fans bring the fun and creativity.
• Riviera Resort History: Jim digs deep into how Disney turned Caribbean Beach into Riviera Resort, a deluxe DVC destination with a European flair—and a hefty price tag.

Tune in for a laugh-filled journey through Disney’s past, present, and possibly a restroom or two. Don’t miss it!

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 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing when “Dinosaur: The Ride” will close at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

They also discuss the new Disney Villains show that’s being prepped for Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Listeners will learn about:

• How did Tokyo Disneyland’s version of “Star Tours” impact WDW’s Tomorrowland Terrace

• Is there any difference between “Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge” and the Company’s second attempt at getting a resort built at the edge of Bay Lake

• How did mobile ordering at Disney World impact Guests’ ability to access Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café

• Why is Mulan considered a Disney Princess

• How will “Project Cyclops” potentially impact your WDW dining experience 

SHOW NOTES

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Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Jim Shull of “Disney Journeys” &; Eric Hersey of the “Epic Universal Podcast” for an in-depth look at WDW’s Utilidor system.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

• What did Marty Sklar do back in the mid-1950s that made Walt Disney furious
• Where can Refreshment Gardens be found at Disneyland Park
• How many acres do the Utilidors cover at WDW’s Magic Kingdom
• What reportedly caused the black mold problem in the Men’s Locker Room under the Magic Kingdom
• What was the secret behind Skippy being transported in “The ExtraTERRORtrial

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Join Jim and Len as they explore the latest holiday updates, behind-the-scenes details, and listener questions about Disney’s parks and attractions.

• Jollywood Nights 2024 Review: Discover how this year’s event improved on last year, with brighter displays, enhanced entertainment, and reimagined spaces that bring the magic of Hollywood Studios to life.
• Muppet Vision 3D Updates: Learn about the plans for the Electric Mayhem overlay at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and what it means for Muppets fans.
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Comparison: Christina Harrison joins the discussion to compare Disney’s two biggest holiday events.
• Holiday Attraction Overlays: Jim dives into the history of Disney’s seasonal attraction overlays, featuring the story behind the Country Bear Christmas Special.

Don’t miss this episode packed with holiday cheer, park updates, and Disney history – tune in now!

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In this week’s Disney Dish Podcast, Jim and Len deliver a mix of Disney news, listener questions, and fascinating history.

Tune in as they cover:

• Villains Land Sneak Peek: Explore which Disney villains are set to star in Magic Kingdom’s highly anticipated new land.
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• Cars Trackless Ride Announced: Learn about the exciting plans for this innovative attraction coming to the Magic Kingdom.
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• Attraction Overlay Origins: In the main segment, Jim dives into the history of Disney attraction overlays, from their surprising beginnings to how they’ve evolved into beloved seasonal experiences like The Country Bear Christmas Show.
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• Listener Questions: Get the inside scoop on Dinoland’s props, farewell merch, and more!

From news to nostalgia, this episode is packed with insider stories and expert analysis. Don’t miss the history, updates, and laughs in this week’s show!

SHOW NOTES

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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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