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 Eric Hersey returns from the Universal Orlando Resort and gives Jim Hill a brief glimpse of what he & his family experienced down in Central Florida.

Eric & Jim then take a look at the Rock’s first film role

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

Why you should go straight to the Trolls Trollercoaster as soon as Universal Studios Florida opens for the day

How much was Dwayne Johnson paid to appear in “The Mummy Returns”

What’s the origin story for Seven Bucks Productions

How does “Disney Dreams That Soar” stack up against the drone component of USF’s new nighttime show, “Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular”

How did Comcast’s earnings for the second quarter of 2024 compare to that company’s earning for the same period in fiscal 2023

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Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start this week’s show by spotlighting some of the “Star Wars” -related panels being presented at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.

They then do a deep dive in on Lucasfilm’s latest limited series for Disney+

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

How big (square foot-wise) is the San Diego Convention Center


Which room do you want to be in this Friday morning to experience three solid hours of “Star Wars” goodness



What role did Craig Miller play in helping to make “A New Hope” the success that it was



How soon after “Russian Doll” debuted on Netflix was Leslye Headland recruited to come work on a new limited series for Lucasfilm


Who is Shawn Levy working with to develop a script for his proposed “Star Wars” film

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Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about how “Inside Out 2” just became the highest-grossing animated feature of all time (barring Disney’s photo-realistic “Lion King” of 2019).
They also take a look back at “The Rescuers”

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about;

Which character was Phil Harris originally supposed to voice in “The Rescuers”

How many art students did Disney initially invite to take part in the Studio’s inaugural animation boot camp?

What advice did Bob Newhart give Don Rickles in regards to voicing Mr. Potatohead in Pixar’s “Toy Story”

Which Disney featurette from the mid-1970s did the Studio’s animation trainees cut their teeth on?

What film did better than the original “Star Wars” when it was finally released in France in 1977

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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
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 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking up the “Jurassic World: Chaos Theory” panel Drew will be hosting at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.
They then talk about which animated film franchise is currently the top earner 
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many people have been to every single Comic-Con since the first event was held in San Diego back in 1970

When did Disney Legend Ken Anderson retire from the Company?

Why was Disney forced to make “The Story of Robin Hood” in the UK back in the early 1950s

How many days will separate the release of “Toy Story 5” & “Shrek 5” during the Summer of 2026

Where is William Stout’s booth located in the San Diego Convention Center?

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 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
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