I Want That Too - Disney History and Merchandise

Jim Hill
  • 4.8 (17)
  • Hobbies
  • Updated Biweekly

Join Lauren Hersey and entertainment expert Jim Hill as they unpack the world of Disney products. From exclusive merchandise to magical collectibles, Lauren and Jim dive into not only what's available but also the stories and history behind these must-have items. Whether you're a collector or just a fan, get insider tips on the latest Disney finds and the fascinating tales that make each piece special.

  1. Texposition: Disney’s Forgotten Dallas Destination

    19h ago

    Texposition: Disney’s Forgotten Dallas Destination

    Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick things off with Fourth of July traditions, viral Disney merch, and the growing strategy behind park-specific popcorn buckets and venue-branded souvenirs. Lauren digs into the early arrival of 2027 Walt Disney World merchandise, the mini Mickey ear keychains taking over social media, and why Hollywood Studios suddenly feels like a collectible popcorn bucket hotspot. Then Jim shares the story of Disney Texposition, a proposed Dallas-area regional entertainment concept that could have brought a little bit of Walt Disney World magic to Texas decades before Universal Kids Resort. NEWS • Disney’s 2027 dated merchandise has already started appearing at Walt Disney World, beginning with a calendar that may hint at next year’s design direction. • Lauren breaks down the viral mini Mickey and Minnie headband keychains, including why the plain black Mickey version became the must-find souvenir. • Hollywood Studios continues to lean into specialty popcorn buckets, from Lightning McQueen to Bullseye, Sam Eagle, Star Wars, and more. • Jim and Lauren discuss whether Disney is using park-exclusive buckets and merchandise to move guests around Walt Disney World. • Baseline Tap House gets its moment in the spotlight as Jim explains the Disney MGM Studios history hiding behind that surprisingly specific t-shirt. FEATURE • Jim tells the story of Disney Texposition, a planned Dallas-area regional entertainment center developed with the Rouse Company in the late 1980s. • The project would have blended Pleasure Island, Disney MGM Studios, character dining, themed shopping, live shows, and simulator attractions into a smaller regional Disney experience. • Disney considered the Texas concept as a possible gateway that could encourage families to book larger trips to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. • Jim explains how Disneyland Paris financial troubles helped derail Disney Texposition, just before Disney shifted focus to another regional project: Disney’s America. 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 Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a trip down to Florida to visit the parks is on your radar for the summer of 2026, head over to Unlocked Magic and let their team help make your next vacation a little more magical. 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

    51 min
  2. Toy Story 5, Lorcana Mania, and Disney’s Summer of Smart Merch

    Jun 25

    Toy Story 5, Lorcana Mania, and Disney’s Summer of Smart Merch

    This week on I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey look at how Toy Story 5 is already reshaping the summer box office, the Disney collector market, and the fast-food promotional landscape. Lauren digs into Lorcana’s sudden surge, Disney Springs’ new merch-drop rules, and the growing trading-card gold rush around Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Magic: The Gathering. Then Jim and Lauren unpack Disney Store’s AI shopping experiment, the new Hakuna Matata Lion King Broadway collection, Cinderella Castle snow globe nostalgia, and why Disney picked Papa John’s, Wendy’s, Subway, and McDonald’s for this summer’s movie tie-ins. NEWS • Toy Story 5 opens huge at the box office, with Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and Smarty Pants helping Disney dominate the summer conversation. • Disney Lorcana enters a new collector frenzy as older cards become harder to find and Pixar characters arrive in the Wild’s Unknown set. • Disney Springs introduces new merch-drop procedures, including later garage openings, wristbands, and designated waiting areas. • Topps Chrome Disney and Marvel’s Magic: The Gathering collaboration show how Disney is leaning deeper into trading cards and tabletop fandom. • Disney Store begins testing a generative AI shopping assistant designed to recommend gifts and products through natural-language prompts. FEATURE • Jim explains why Disney chose Papa John’s for Toy Story 5, turning Pizza Planet into a real-world promotional hook. • Wendy’s answers with a Minions and Monsters drive-thru activation that reportedly drew massive crowds in California. • Subway gets in early with a live-action Moana meal, collectible cups, and a Fandango ticket-code incentive. • McDonald’s remains in Disney’s promotional orbit, with Hexed positioned for a Thanksgiving push tied to Happy Meal visibility. 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 Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR I Want That Too is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a trip to the parks is on your radar for summer or fall of 2026, head to UnlockedMagic.com and let their team help make your next vacation a little more magical. 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

    58 min
  3. Mickey’s Big Birthday Plans Keep Missing Their Cue

    Jun 18

    Mickey’s Big Birthday Plans Keep Missing Their Cue

    Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are back with a merch-packed episode that starts at Target, swings through Walt Disney World, and lands deep in Mickey Mouse history. Lauren shares what she spotted on her latest Florida trip, from Muppets merch and Uncle Deadly deep cuts to Disney’s colorful new Logo Mania collections. Then Jim looks back at Disney’s repeated attempts to give Mickey Mouse a milestone birthday celebration big enough for the big screen, and why those plans often arrived late, changed shape, or became something else entirely. NEWS • Golden Girls returns to the bookstore with Death on the Lanai, the second mystery novel in Disney’s sitcom-inspired series. • Target’s Disney Fan Snacks line brings character-shaped chips to the aisle, including Darth Vader corn chips and Grogu-inspired flavors. • Toy Story 5 merch arrives early with Ginormous, a truly oversized plush pig that may require its own shopping cart. • Lauren checks out Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets merch, including Kermit keychains, Miss Piggy gear, and Animal-focused designs. • Walt Disney World’s Logo Mania collections lean into color-coded Disney fan moments, from Last Day of Trip Blues to Popcorn on Main Street. FEATURE • Jim revisits how The Sorcerer’s Apprentice began as a Mickey birthday short before growing into Fantasia. • Disney’s planned Jack and the Beanstalk feature for Mickey’s 15th birthday was derailed by World War II and eventually reshaped into Fun and Fancy Free. • Mickey’s 60th birthday brought a star-studded NBC special and the temporary Magic Kingdom land that became surprisingly permanent. • The abandoned Search for Mickey Mouse would have sent Disney characters across the animated canon before evolving into Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers. 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 Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a trip to the parks is on your radar for 2026, head over to Unlocked Magic and let their team help make your next vacation just a little bit more magical. 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

    56 min
  4. Swifties, Cars, and the Mystery of Mickey’s Missing Plaque

    Jun 11

    Swifties, Cars, and the Mystery of Mickey’s Missing Plaque

    Swifties, Cars, and the Mystery of Mickey’s Missing Plaque (Ep. 103) Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey start this week’s episode with a merch-minded look at Disney’s latest collaborations, from Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 tie-in to the 20th anniversary of Cars. They also dig into how Disney is already positioning Mickey Mouse for his 100th birthday in 2028 through fashion, music, wellness, and lifestyle partnerships. Then Jim takes Lauren back to Mickey’s 50th anniversary celebration and the strange story of the bronze plaque that once marked the birthplace of Steamboat Willie in New York City.  NEWS • Taylor Swift’s newly confirmed Toy Story 5 song sends Swifties hunting for Disney-Pixar Easter eggs. • Toy Story 5 builds even more buzz ahead of its June 2026 theatrical release. • Disney celebrates 20 years of Cars with new anniversary merchandise and a Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket. • The upcoming Piston Peak expansion at Walt Disney World keeps Cars front and center for the next generation. • Disney’s Main Street marketing initiative begins laying the groundwork for Mickey Mouse’s 100th birthday. FEATURE • Jim explains why Mickey Mouse did not always have one official birthday. • The episode traces how Dave Smith and the Disney Archives helped settle on November 18, 1928. • Jim revisits Mickey’s 50th anniversary celebration in New York City, including Ward Kimball’s whistle-stop tour. • The mystery of the missing Steamboat Willie plaque leads to Broadway, Shrek the Musical, and Jeffrey Katzenberg. 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 Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. 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

    49 min
  5. The Animation Courtyard Has a Florida-Sized Footnote

    Jun 4

    The Animation Courtyard Has a Florida-Sized Footnote

    Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into Disney’s latest wave of merch-driven experiences, from a London pop-up built around Disney UU collectibles to Trader Sam’s 15th anniversary tiki mug celebration. They also track the growing Toy Story 5 promotional push, including Papa John’s Pizza Planet packaging, movie theater collectibles, and Grogu’s new blue Nilla Nummies. Then Jim turns to Disney’s newly reimagined Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios and asks whether Disney will properly honor the Florida animation team that helped create Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, and more. NEWS • Disney tests another ticketed-style merch experience with a Disney UU collectible pop-up in London. • Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar celebrates 15 years with a new anniversary mug and expanded food offerings. • Papa John’s rolls out Pizza Planet boxes and Toy Story 5 personal pan pizzas tied to the film’s release. • AMC, Cinemark, and Regal prepare exclusive Toy Story 5 popcorn buckets, cups, blankets, and collectible tie-ins. • Grogu gets his own blue Nilla Nummies cookies as Mandalorian and Grogu merch keeps expanding. FEATURE • Jim looks at the newly opened Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. • The reimagined space pays tribute to Disney’s California animation history, from Hyperion to Burbank. • The conversation turns to the often-overlooked legacy of Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida. • Jim hopes the finished Magic of Disney Animation attraction includes meaningful nods to Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, John Henry, and the artists who made them. 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 Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a 2026 park trip is on your radar, head over to UnlockedMagic.com and let their team help make your next vacation a little more magical. 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

    51 min
  6. The Disney Store Is Back? Inside the Wild Return of Disney Retail

    May 28

    The Disney Store Is Back? Inside the Wild Return of Disney Retail

    Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into the surprising return of Disney retail as thousands of fans flood Ross Park Mall for the grand opening of Disney’s newest limited-time store. Along the way, they unpack the latest Disneyland 70th merchandise reveals, the unexpectedly successful Muppets takeover of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and why Disney’s renewed focus on immersive shopping experiences may signal a much larger strategy under new CEO Josh D’Amaro. Plus, Lauren shares firsthand stories from standing in line for hours alongside Disney fans from across multiple states just to shop exclusive merch. NEWS • Disney and LEGO unveil a massive 3,899-piece Disneyland Main Street U.S.A. set celebrating Disneyland’s 70th anniversary • The new LEGO set includes Walt Disney’s apartment, Dapper Dans figures, attraction references, and a $399 collector price tag • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets earns rave early reviews from previews at Disney’s Hollywood Studios • Disney releases a full line of new Muppets merchandise tied to the coaster retheme, including apparel, magnets, pins, and license plates • Disney partners with Elf on the Shelf for the first-ever line of Disney-themed scout elves featuring Marvel, Olaf, Mickey, and Minnie-inspired designs FEATURE • Lauren shares her firsthand experience attending the grand opening of Disney’s new limited-time store at Ross Park Mall in Pittsburgh • Thousands of Disney fans from Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, and Canada lined up hours before opening for a chance to shop • Disney implemented virtual queues, wristbands, timed entry windows, and exclusive Pittsburgh merchandise during opening weekend • Jim and Lauren explore how Michael Eisner originally launched the Disney Store chain in 1987 and why the stores disappeared • The conversation examines whether Josh D’Amaro’s focus on immersive retail experiences could lead to a larger Disney Store comeback nationwide 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 Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR • UnlockedMagic.com - Your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets, resorts, and vacation planning assistance. 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

    1 hr
  7. The Disney Tech That Worked - And the Stuff That Didn’t

    May 21

    The Disney Tech That Worked - And the Stuff That Didn’t

    Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey celebrate 100 episodes of I Want That Too by diving deep into one of Disney’s most fascinating recurring patterns: the company’s obsession with technology. From the rise and fall of Go.com to MagicBands, My Pal Mickey, Disney Infinity, and interactive park experiments that never fully worked, Jim traces Disney’s long history of swinging big on tech innovation. Along the way, they also cover Toy Story 5 fast food partnerships, Alice in Wonderland’s 75th anniversary, and new Small World anniversary merchandise. NEWS • Toy Story 5 teams up with Papa Johns in Disney’s latest fast food collaboration push. • Burger King’s Mandalorian promotion sparks conversation about Disney’s growing restaurant partnerships. • Alice in Wonderland celebrates its 75th anniversary with restored screenings and limited merch. • Disney launches America 250 merchandise across Walt Disney World. • New It’s a Small World 60th anniversary pins and collectibles arrive for Disney Parks fans. FEATURE • Jim revisits the rise and rapid collapse of Disney’s Go.com initiative and why the company struggled to compete with Yahoo and AOL. • The history of Disney’s biggest tech experiments, including holograms for The Black Cauldron and Journey Into Imagination. • Behind the scenes stories about My Pal Mickey, Glow With the Show ears, and the unrealized ambitions of MagicBands. • The original interactive plans for MagicBands included personalized Small World dolls, reactive character greetings, and real-time park tracking. • Disney Infinity, Epic Mickey, Lucky the Dinosaur, and Turtle Talk with Crush reveal how Disney repeatedly reinvents its approach to immersive technology. • Josh D’Amaro’s latest comments about Disney Plus suggest the company may once again be trying to build a digital centerpiece for the Disney brand. 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 Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Thanks to UnlockedMagic.com, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. 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

    1h 3m
  8. ⁠Go.com⁠ and Disney’s First Internet Misfire

    May 14

    ⁠Go.com⁠ and Disney’s First Internet Misfire

    Jim and Lauren celebrate Episode 99 of I Want That Too with a packed conversation about Disney’s latest merch experiments, the surprising box office success of Devil Wears Prada 2, and what Disney’s newest earnings call may reveal about the company’s digital future. Along the way, Jim begins a two-part deep dive into Disney’s long history of embracing emerging technology, leading into the cautionary tale of Go.com and the company’s first major internet gamble. NEWS • Lauren rope drops the new Mandalorian and Grogu collection at Bath & Body Works and breaks down Disney’s latest franchise licensing strategy. • Disney continues leaning heavily into Toy Story 5 merchandise months ahead of release, with Jessie emerging as a major focus of the film’s marketing push. • Jim shares early impressions from the newly released Toy Story 5 Little Golden Book and explains why Jessie appears to be central to the upcoming sequel. • Devil Wears Prada 2 overperforms at the box office with a remarkably strong second weekend, signaling major audience demand for nostalgia-driven theatrical releases. • Disney officially moves forward with Hocus Pocus 3 following the breakout success of Devil Wears Prada 2 and renewed interest in female-driven legacy franchises. FEATURE • Jim and Lauren unpack Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro’s latest earnings call comments about Disney+, Epic Games, Fortnite, AI, and the company’s evolving “hub and spoke” digital strategy. • Jim begins Part One of a new series exploring Disney’s complicated history with emerging technology, from Fantasound and Xerox animation to the rise and fall of Go.com. • The story traces Disney’s aggressive late-1990s internet expansion, including the acquisition of Infoseek and the company’s attempt to build a Disney-controlled online entertainment hub. • The episode also revisits Michael Eisner passing on Marvel during its 1996 bankruptcy period, years before Disney eventually acquired the company for $4 billion. 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 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 UnlockedMagic.com - https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=iwantthat 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

    55 min
See All (106)

4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Join Lauren Hersey and entertainment expert Jim Hill as they unpack the world of Disney products. From exclusive merchandise to magical collectibles, Lauren and Jim dive into not only what's available but also the stories and history behind these must-have items. Whether you're a collector or just a fan, get insider tips on the latest Disney finds and the fascinating tales that make each piece special.

Information

You Might Also Like