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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In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Len Testa and Jim Hill discuss the latest updates and history behind Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

Tune in for:

• Autonomous Vehicles at Fort Wilderness?: Could self-driving vehicles soon be delivering food and merchandise around this iconic resort? Jim and Len explore the potential future of tech at Disney.
• Occupancy Rates for Disney Vacation Club Resorts: Discover why DVC properties like the Grand Californian and Bay Lake Tower are at the top of the occupancy charts and what makes them so popular.
• The Legend of the Lion King: Jim dives deep into the history of this fan-favorite stage show, detailing the ambitious production, massive puppetry, and how it paved the way for future Disney attractions.

This episode is filled with Disney news, unique history, and some listener questions.

SHOW NOTES

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Len Testa and Jim Hill start this week’s episode by sharing a

survey the Universal Orlando Resort recently sent out.

They then look back at the 3D movie that eventually led to “Mickey’s PhilharMagic”

Over the course of this show, listeners will learn about:

 Why Rodney Dangerfield’s obituary may be the funniest story that the Los

Angeles Times ever ran

 How does an RIP Tour compare to a HHN Express Pass

 Why it’s unlikely that Disney will ever build a just-for-kids theme park at its Florida

Resort

SHOW NOTES

 What’s the name of that 3D Donald Duck cartoon that used to run on a double bill

at the Fantasyland theater

 How did Dick Nunis feel about “The Mickey Mouse Revue” attraction at WDW’s

Magic Kingdom

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In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Len Testa and Jim Hill bring you the latest updates and an in-depth look at Disney’s past, present, and future.

Tune in as they cover:

• Exclusive Interview: Special guest Ricky Debler Jr. from Palmas Restaurant Group shares the inside story behind their iconic Disney dining locations and the evolution of La Cava del Tequila.

• Disney Treasure Updates: Get the scoop on the newest details for Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming ship.

• Disney Surveys: Find out what surprising questions Disney is asking guests about their park experiences.

• The Untold Story of Big Thunder Mountain: Jim wraps up his series on the history of this beloved attraction and reveals the ambitious plans that never made it to Disneyland.

Dive into the latest news, fascinating history, and a few laughs in this can’t-miss episode!

SHOW NOTES

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In this episode of The Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and Len Testa bring you the latest Disney theme park news, listener questions, and a deep dive into Disney history.

Tune in as they cover:

• Crane Permits and Fort Wilderness Construction: What’s going on at the old River Country site?

• Disney Cruise Line’s Future: How jumbo-ification could extend the life of Disney’s Magic and Wonder ships.

• The Evolution of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Jim continues his history of this Frontierland classic and the ambitious plans that never made it to Disneyland, including Discovery Bay and Dumbo’s Circus.

• Listener Questions: From Rise of the Resistance’s B-mode to the future of Disney’s IP-driven attractions.

Listen now for a fun, fact-filled episode covering the latest updates and Disney history!

 SHOW NOTES

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In this episode of The Disney Dish, Jim Hill and Len Testa bring you the latest Disney theme park news, dive into listener questions, and share some fascinating theme park history.

Tune in for an entertaining and informative discussion featuring:

• The History of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Learn how this beloved attraction evolved from the original Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland.

• Disney’s Tron Lightcycle Run Update: Why Disney is replacing the virtual queue with a traditional standby line and what it means for other park attractions.

• Universal Studios’ New How to Train Your Dragon Attraction?: Jim and Len break down a new survey hinting at a potential addition to Universal’s Epic Universe or Hollywood park.

• Listener Questions: A lively discussion on Disney’s attraction changes, including the high-cost failures like Galactic Starcruiser.

• Nostalgia in Disney Parks: Are Magic Kingdom’s attractions too geared toward older generations, or is there something for everyone?

Join Jim and Len for a fun mix of history, humor, and theme park insights!

Show Notes can be found here.

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Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the three tiers of hotels that the Universal Orlando Resort just rolled out.

They also talk about why Disney wants to know more about how you allocated your cash during your most recent trip to Orlando.

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

• Why the Universal Theme Parks want to learn more about which brands & IPs your young daughter is interested

• Who was just placed in charge of the committee to find a successor for Disney CEO Bob Iger

• Why it’s likely that DCL will soon need to replace the Magic & the Wonder

• How many people visited the Magic Kingdom in Florida during the first full year that theme park was in operation

• Which opening day attraction for Walt Disney World did Tony Baxter go to the field to install back in 1971

SHOW NOTES

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