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.

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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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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:
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• 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.
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• 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 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 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 The Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and Len Testa take you through the latest Disney updates and a deep dive into the fascinating history behind one of Disney’s most ambitious projects.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

• Hurricane Milton Update: How the recent storm impacted Disney parks, and why Jim thinks Medieval Times might be the ultimate hurricane shelter.
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• Disneyland Price Hikes: Len breaks down the latest ticket and annual pass price increases at Disneyland, and what that could mean for your next trip.
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• Fort Wilderness Innovations: Could autonomous delivery robots soon bring food and merchandise to your cabin at Fort Wilderness? Jim and Len explore the possibilities.
• Listener Questions: Why the ghost of the ‘Creepy Clown Pool’ might still haunt Boardwalk Inn’s occupancy rates, and how AI may make your Disney PhotoPass pictures look better than ever.
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• Main Feature: In a behind-the-scenes look at Disney's battle with Pixar, Jim reveals how Mickey’s PhilharMagicwas developed as a key part of Michael Eisner’s strategy to prove that Disney could create CG animation independently. From its origins as a project for Hong Kong Disneyland to its pivotal role in Disney’s negotiations with Pixar, discover the hidden history behind one of the most beloved 3D attractions in Disney World.
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Join Jim and Len for a fun, fact-filled episode full of Disney history, news, and a few laughs along the way!

SHOW NOTES

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