The Disney Dish with Jim Hill Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Len Testa starts this week’s show by revealing which attractions will be open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Extended Evening Hours at that theme park later this year.

And then Jim Hill wraps up his history of Epcot’s “Maelstrom” attraction.

In this episode, listeners will learn about:

Why was the original version of “Country Bear Jamboree” trimmed down back in October 2012

What land does Hong Kong Disneyland that is traditionally found at other castle parks

Why did the Imagineers dial back the North Sea scene in “Maelstrom” just before this World Showcase attraction officially opened in July of 1988

Which animatronic figure from “The Hall of Presidents” can also be found as a eunuch along “Spaceship Earth” ‘s ride track

When – according to the U.S. census – did the wide open spaces of the American West officially come to a close

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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Disney author & historian Foxx Nolte. Who gives them a preview of his latest book, “Scoundrels, Villains, & Knaves: Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Popular Culture” 

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

What are the differences between the VIP tours offered at WDW versus those made available to visitors at the Universal Orlando Resort

Which train show staged back in the mid-1940s reportedly influenced the design of New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park

What’s the rumored reason that character greetings are not being offered as part of Lightning Lane Multi-pass

Which scene was originally designed for the Escher Staircase area for WDW’s version of the Haunted Mansion


What’s kind of intriguing about the fact that the Themed Entertainment Association has yet to release its annual Theme Park Index (which lists theme park attendance numbers) has yet to be released for 2024



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

 Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the different “lands” that Guests can explore once they board the Disney Adventure (which begins sailing out of Singapore in 2025).

They also share a survey from Universal Orlando about this Resort’s version of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Which musical acts will be appearing at this year’s “Eat to the Beat” concert series as part of the 2024 edition of EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival

When did Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith come back online at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

How many passengers is the Disney Adventure supposed to be able to accommodate on each sailing of this new DCL vessel (Bonus question: How many crew members will be on board to service these passengers)

According to Greek mythology, which three very different things is the God Poseidon supposed to watch over / be in charge of

What happened to attendance levels at EPCOT Center & Disney-MGM Studios theme park right after Disney’s Animal Kingdom first opened in April of 1998

Show Notes

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing
WDW’s Genie+ replacement.

They then walk through exactly what happened backstage at
Disneyland prior to the launch of that Park’s “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks

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

 How far in advance will on-site Guests be able to book Multi Pass reservations
 When is this new ride reservation system supposed to officially come online at
the Walt Disney World Resort
 What holiday-themed projection show is supposed to be updated as part of the
2024 edition of “Jollywood Nights”
 Where did Disneyland used to store its fireworks back in the 1980s
 Why did Disneyland’s firemen go around backstage checking doors & windows
an hour before “Fantasy in the Sky” launched

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by looking at the “Dark Universe” concept art that the Universal Orlando Resort just revealed. Then they wrap up their history of fireworks displays at Disneyland
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:

Who was Disney’s partner when it came to developing a compressed air-based launch system for its fireworks displays



When is work supposed to get underway on the refurbishment of WDW’s version of Big Thunder Mountain



Why do golf enthusiasts love the 18-hole putting green over at the Palm & Magnolia course



Where had the Imagineers originally wanted to build an Ursula-themed spinner at Disney California Adventure



What was the computer-controlled fireworks firing system that Harold “Mickey” Aronson designed for the Disney Parks called

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

Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the operational issues that “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” continues to have during its preview period.
They also share listeners' theories about why WDW sit-down restaurants have seemed so empty lately
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
What changes have been made to the on-board narration for Disneyland’s Mark Twain


When will the revamped version of “Country Bear Jamboree” be opening at the Magic Kingdom in Florida



Who personally supervised the fireworks display over Seven Seas Lagoon back on October 23, 1971


What’s happening with WDW’s old “Pirates Leagues” facility

Why were the fast food restaurants & motels built around Disneyland back in the Late 1950s / early 1960s all clustered around the corner of Harbor & Katella

Show Notes

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