Len Testa starts off this episode by discussing what changes are in the works for Artist Point at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort & Mickey's Backyard BBQ at the Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. Next Jim Hill talks up Evermore Park, that immersive theatrical experience which is about to throw open its doors in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Then Len & Jim discuss how Port Canaveral is getting ready for the next three ships that are about to be added to the Disney Cruise Line's...

Drew Taylor starts off this week's "Fine Tooning" by focusing a spotlight on the first-ever official collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios & Pixar Animation Studios. Then Jim Hill talks about Frank Thomas' struggles when it came to animating those dancing penguins in the original "Mary Poppins" movie. Then Drew & Jim talk about some of the more innovative things that are going on in television animation -- including how Disney Consumer Products and...

Len starts this week's podcast off with his impressions of Disney Springs' newest eateries, Chicken Guy! and Terralina Crafted Italian. Mr. Testa then shares his thoughts about how Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival could be improved (i.e., Ice Cream 'round the World). Then Jim uses the closure of "A Bug's Land" at Disney California Adventure Park as an excuse to look back at the closing of "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" at WDW's Magic Kingdom as...

It's that time of year - late August - so of course Jim and Dustin are talking about Halloween in the theme parks. They also discuss Universal Orlando's future expansion and possible running events.

Drew Taylor pays tribute to his best friend from middle school, Penn Ward (i.e., the creator of "Adventure Time"). Then Jim & Drew discuss the history of Warner Feature Animation's efforts -- post-"Space Jam" & "Looney Tunes: Back in Action" -- to build a new feature film around various characters from the Looney Tunes stable. They also make a big announcement about an upcoming Fine Tooning Live event from Disney World, with Storybook Destinations. To join...

Len braves the Florida heat to get the latest news from Toy Story Land and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. He also can't resist talking about this episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color in which Walt takes Ambassador Julie on a tour of Imagineering for Disneyland's 10th anniversary. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0768379/ And to prove that the use of technology in and around the parks is advancing by leaps and bounds, Jim and Len discuss the possible application of...

Jim and Len update us on new info about the Skyliner that changes everything we thought we knew. And also get fidgety when talking about taking a spin around the new Aventura Hotel. (That will make sense after you hear the show, promise.)

In their fifth "Universal Joint" podcast, Dustin Fuhs and Jim Hill discuss whether Comcast's pursuit of pay-TV giant Sky could possibly lead to the sunseting of Universal Parks & Resort's licensing deal with Marvel Entertainment. They also discuss how the continuing popularity of the "Fast & Furious" films not only led to Universal bringing this IP into their theme parks but also led to the Luke Hobbs & Deckard Shaw characters being spun off into their own...

Walk through Toy Story Land and ride the rides with Len. Plus Jim tells us what else is coming up in the next year for the Studios. In our main story, Jim tells us about an upcoming TV reality show about the Disney parks, cruises, and adventures! The Disney Dish with Jim Hill is available on iTunes , Google Podcast on Android, Google Play, Stitcher and Bandcamp .

Disney recently sent out two different surveys around use of technology. Len reads each question and Jim tells us what Disney's trying to figure out with your answers. Jim also talks about how the appointment of Jennifer Lee and Pete Docter will add new attractions from Frozen, Inside Out, and Monsters Inc, to the theme parks. Click here or on the image above to listen to this episode on Bandcamp.com The Disney Dish with Jim Hill is part of the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

With this week's Marvel US Disney podcast, Aaron Adams & Jim Hill look toward the future of the Cinematic Universe with "Spider-Man: Far From Home" & "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3." Aaron also his opinions on Marvel Television's most recent productions, Freeform's "Cloak & Dagger," FX's "Legion," and Netflix's "Luke Cage." Click here or on the graphic above for a link to Marvel Us Disney Episode 12 on Bandcamp.com...

Jim and Len answer listener questions about in-park games like A Pirate's Adventure, and how Disney might incorporate elements of those into waiting in line at Galaxy's Edge. Jim also talk about Disney's announcement that new Disneyland Annual Passholder park-specific blackout dates are "the first step" in a series of changes. And Len reviews the new Guardians of the Galaxy musical show at Epcot. Click here or on the graphic above for a link to Episode 168 on Bandcamp.com. The...

In the fifth installment of this podcast series, Jim Hill & Drew Taylor discuss how "Incredibles 2" has been doing at the box office. More importantly, how Pixar's latest sequel stacks up against the original "Incredibles" from 2004. Jim & Drew also talk about Warner Bros' new Looney Tunes initiative and why Illuminations Entertainment's "Grinch" teaser trailer deliberately steers around the topic of Christmas. Click here or on the graphic above for...

Jim goes over newly-discovered details about the Harry Potter coaster Universal is building over at Islands of Adventure. Len talks about the new Donald's Dino-Bash at Animal Kingdom, visiting the Magic Kingdom on Gay Days weekend, and more. Cover art by @bioreconstruct. <a href="http://disneydish.bandcamp.com/track/ep-167-new-harry-potter-coaster-details?campaign=jhm-blogpost" mce_href="http://disneydish.bandcamp.com/track/ep-167-new-harry-potter-coaster-details...

"C'mon on, grab your friends ... " A new Adventure Time game is coming out across multiple platforms. Copyright Cartoon Network / Outright Games Ltd. All rights reserved In this open world game, Finn and Jake will be sailing on a raft (Named Jeff) through the flooded land of Ooo to solve the mystery of why water engulfed their home and to help others & get in hijinks along the way. With a ragtag gang of friends (From a vampire, to an Ice King, to a little robot) Finn and Jake will...

Immediately after the Pokemon press conference on May 29th, the mobile-switch cross platform game Pokemon Quest was available to download on the Nintendo eShop (with the mobile device version debuting later this month). Curious about the 'Free-to-Start' game, I snagged a download and started playing. Copyright 2018 Nintendo. All rights reserved Pokemon Quest is a game that feels best letting itself auto-run. You check in several times a day to see what Pokemon have appeared at your camp ...

When "Wreck-It Ralph" opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. Now Disney is hoping Ralph will not only break the Internet but the 2018 Thanksgiving boxoffice records as well. The film re-teams the original director, producer and co-writer behind "Wreck-It Ralph." The screenplay is currently being written by Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon. Director Rich Moore, producer Clark Spencer,...

It's been over a decade now since Marvel Studios produced "Iron Man," the very first movie in its Cinematic Universe series. Since that Paramount Pictures first released that Jon Favreau film back in May of 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has gone on encompass 19 movies (with the 20 th in the series, "Ant-Man and the Wasp," arriving in theaters on July 6 th of this year) and sold over $16 billion worth tickets worldwide. That said, there are a number of Marvel Comics titles...

During a conference in Japan earlier this week, the Pokemon Company revealed three new games : A mobile and Nintendo Switch cross platform game, "Pokemon Quest," with graphics similar to Crossy Road and some absolutely adorable furniture in a "free to start" format; and for the Nintendo Switch, "Pokemon -- Let's Go, Pikachu !" and "Pokemon -- Let's Go, Eevee !" Taking inspiration from gameplay styles from the popular "Pokemon Go" for mobile...

In a "Fine Tooning" that's sure to be controversial, Drew Taylor & Jim Hill wonder why animation fans were so quick to embrace Disney's "DuckTales" reboot but then rejected Cartoon Network's new take on "Thundercats." These two also talk about John Lasseter's attempts to get Walt Disney Animation Studios to produce CG versions of "Where the Wild Things Are" & "The Brave Little Toaster" back in the early 1980s.

Aaron Adams & Jim Hill get into a lively discussion when it comes to the topic of "Deadpool 2" on this Marvel Us Disney podcast. Aaron & Jim also wonder why Marvel Studios had suddenly gone mum when it comes to the fate of certain characters last seen in "Infinity War." Adams & Hill additionally talk about ABC's decision to schedule the final season of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." for the Summer of 2019.

It's a night full of joy, horror and raptors, as Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill talk about hard ticket events that have been held at the Universal Parks & Resorts. On the latest "Universal Joint" podcast, these two also talk about USF's still-under-construction new nighttime lagoon show as well as the changes that are coming to USH's "Jurassic Park -- The Ride."

On this episode of "Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor," Jim Hill & Drew Taylor talk about all of the animation-related news that came out of CinemaCon & Tribeca this year. Among the topics they touch on are Don Hahn's new documentary about Howard Ashman, the murderous matriarch that "How to Train Your Dragon 2" almost had, and the "Black Cauldron" -inspired ride that the Imagineers wanted to build at Disneyland Park.

After chatting about Feld Entertainment's "Marvel Live ! Age of Heroes" arena show, Jim Hill and Aaron Adams launch into a spoiler-heavy discussion of "Avengers: Infinity Wars." Among the topics these two touch on are how the next couple of Marvel Cinematic Universe movies will help properly set the stage for "Avengers 4." Plus Jim & Aaron review which now-dead characters are obviously going to be resurrected.

In the second installment of their new series, Dan Zehr & Jim Hill cast an eye on the tricky topic of recasting. Why -- for example -- replacing Richard Harris with Michael Gambon as Dumbledore did work on the "Harry Potter" films but why having Meryl Streep replace Carrie Fisher as General Organa in the "Star Wars" movies probably wouldn't work at this point-in-time. Zehr also talks about his recent trip to LA, where Denny's execs revealed what was in the cards for...

With the release of "Avengers: Infinity Wars" less than a week away, Jim Hill & Aaron Adams talk about all of the fan events Walt Disney Studios has been staging around the world to help raise awareness of this Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Aaron & Jim also discuss the Stan Lee situation and wrap up their making-of-the-Hulk-movies series.

In the debut episode of this brand-new podcast series, Jim Hill & Dustin Fuhs discuss Universal Orlando's Endless Summer Resort as well as look back at when the Bates Motel was the only structure you could see out on the Universal Studios Florida construction site. These two also share some Universal Studios Escape-related stories and pass along some Dragon Challenge-related info. Now available on DisneyDish.Bandcamp.com credits released April 20, 2018 Hosts: Jim Hill and Dustin Fuhs Fabulously...

Looking at Lucasfilm Episde 1: The Saga Begins (Audio) In the introductory episode of this new podcast series, Dan Zehr of "Coffee with Kenobi" and Jim Hill talk about the latest news out of the land of Lucas. Among the topics discussed is Frank Oz's terrific interview with Mark Hamill at the 92nd Street Y, the preview of Batuu that will be included in "Thrawn: Alliances," as well as John Boyega bulking up as he gets ready to shoot Episode 9. Released April 13, 2018 Hosts...

Universal Studios' theme parks are full of strange & wondrous things. State-of-the-art rides, shows & attractions based on super-popular film & television franchises like " Fast & The Furious " and " The Simpsons ." Not to mention fun things to eat & drink like Krusty Burgers , Butterbeer and Voodoo Doughnuts . But will visitors who journey to the Universal Studios parks soon find themselves craving some Eggo frozen waffles ? To be honest, that depends...

Marvel News Round​-​up for March 2018 Jim Hill and Aaron Adams discuss the latest Marvel Entertainment-related headlines, including when James Gunn will be shooting the live-action footage for EPCOT's new "Guardians of the Galaxy" indoor coaster as well as when we may be seeing a "Black Panther" sequel released to theaters.

David Ogden Stiers was the sort of guy who forced you to step up your game. Just ask Alan Alda. Who had - for the first five years that "M*A*S*H" was on the air - had Larry Linville (who played the weaselly Frank Burns) as Hawkeye Pierce's comic foil. But when Linville opted out of continuing to play this craven character as this Emmy Award-winning series was heading into its sixth season on CBS ... The powers-that-be at 20 th Fox Television division decided to do something different...

Kingdom Hearts is the longest-running video game series featuring the Disney mascots. The latest title, Kingdom Hearts III is about to debut and audiences cannot wait for it. Copyright Disney / Square Enix. All rights reserved Developed by the Japanese studio Square Enix , the series was originally a Nintendo GameCube exclusive when it appeared in 2002. It had fantastic reviews and tremendous word of mouth. It sold millions of copies, to date over 20 million in the series, and created fans the world...

Now through February 7th (in honor of the 80 th anniversary of the general release of the studio's first full-length animated feature), Disney is presenting "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" at the El Capitan Theatre. To help sell tickets to this extremely limited engagement (How limited? Just six days. Then the El Cap tosses The Fairest in the Land out on her fanny to make room for its Throwback Thursday presentation. Which - fittingly enough [given that the opening ceremonies for...

If things had gone a little different at Walt Disney Animation Studios back in the early 1980s, it wouldn’t have been J.K. Rowling who first introduced the world to the idea of a school that then specialized in teaching wizardry and witchcraft. But rather, it would have been another English author – Mary Stewart – who would have been credited with popularizing this concept. Thanks largely to “The Little Broomstick,” a movie that the Mouse House came within inches of...

Doreen Tracey - who passed away last Wednesday while being treated for pneumonia at a hospital in Thousand Oaks, CA -- had a complicated relationship with The Walt Disney Company. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved How so? Well, this story that Jennifer Armstrong shared in "Why? Because We Still Like You: An Oral History of the Mickey Mouse Club" (Grand Central Publishing, October 2010) should give you some idea of the challenges that this performer faced in her post...

If 20 th Century Fox Home Entertainment had actually followed tradition (i.e., that your 50 th anniversary is supposed to be golden, your 60 th anniversary is diamond, etc.), they'd have done something platinum to commemorate the 70 th anniversary of the release of "Miracle on 34 th Street." But instead of platinum, 20 th Century Fox opted to go with helium. As in: Pay tribute to this much-beloved holiday classic by recreating one of the giant balloons that can be seen floating in the...

"We can't do this. This doesn't work." This is what Michael Eisner - the then-Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company - told Thomas Schumacher, Peter Schneider and Julie Taymor back in August of 1996. That the stage version of Disney's acclaimed animated feature, "The Lion King," which this trio had been developing at that time wasn't even remotely ready for Broadway. Which is why - as Michael Lassell recounts in his terrific new behind-the-scenes book, "The...

When Mouse House managers wanted Christmas to come to Arendelle, they knew exactly who to turn to: Kevin Deters & Stevie Wermers-Skelton. Who are basically Walt Disney Animation Studios' in-house specialists when it comes to holiday specials. After all, Kevin & Stevie are the talented team who rode herd on "Prep & Landing." Which was WDAS' very first foray into creating a Christmas special for television. That 2009 production was so well-received that it not only took...

Greetings from Orlando. Where Nancy and I are right in the middle of a whirlwind working trip. Things got underway bright & early this past Saturday morning with the kick-off of the first-ever Disney Dish Podcast fan weekend. Organizing by the very nice folks at Storybook Destinations, this three day-long event was full of fun holiday-themed activities like Ugly Christmas sweater contests ... Photo by Nancy Stadler Len Testa and I also recorded our first live-in-front-of-an-audience (at a Disney...

Over the month of November, Disney will be spending some serious cheddar on its Big Cheese. But that's all because Mickey Mouse will be celebrating his 89th birthday on November 18th. As part of the lead-up to his big day, Mickey has begun traveling around the globe. Making stops in places like London so that he can then surprise some of his biggest fans (and - of course - share these encounters on Disney's official Mickey Mouse Facebook page). Which is all well & good. But Mickey isn't...

When "Star Tours" originally opened at Disneyland Park back in January of 1987, one of the things that most excited theme park fans about this motion-based simulator is that its ride film could supposedly easily be changed out. Which meant that - once the cabin of the StarSpeeder 3000 had been reprogrammed to move in concert with a new ride film - Guests could then experience a brand-new Star Wars-inspired adventure. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved In fact, according...

What makes a Disney Princess? In this post-"Frozen" period, that may seem like a pretty silly / simple-to-answer question. But as Jody Dreyer - the former Vice President of Corporate Synergy at the Walt Disney Company - recounts in "Beyond the Castle" (Zondervan, September 2017), there was a time in the not-too-distant past when Mouse House managers really struggled to come up with an adequate answer to this query. Copyright Zondervan. All rights reserved Mind you, prior to February...

Whatever happened to "Happily Ever After" ? It used to be - when a Walt Disney Animation Studios production came to a close - you could count on that story being neatly tied up. With the villain being vanquished and the hero & heroine getting hitched. But now that a number of the more recent WDAS releases are opting to continue their tales (thanks to new animated series that Walt Disney Television is producing), Happy Endings are much harder to come by. Take - for example - poor Pascal...

When she first started out in stand-up back in 1982, Lea DeLaria - who now proudly describes herself as " ... an actress, singer, comedian and professional lesbian" (though not necessarily in that order) -- could have never imagined the path that her 35 year career in entertainment would follow. Lea's first unexpected turn came back in November of 1998 when she played Hildy in the hit revival of "On the Town." Which was when Ben Brantley of the New York Times declared that...

So how exactly did Ernie Sabella wind up with " ... the greatest gig of my life" (i.e., being cast as the voice of Pumbaa the warthog in Disney's "The Lion King") ? To hear this Broadway veteran talk, it was all because Nathan Lane doesn't like to work alone. "In early 1992, Nathan & I had been cast in a revival of 'Guys & Dolls.' He was playing Nathan Detroit. I was playing Harry the Horse," Sabella recalled during a recent sit-down interview...

How long can you hold your breath? I ask this question because Paul Briggs wound up holding his "Breath" (i.e., "Catch My Breath," that charming picture book which Briggs wrote & illustrated. This is also the 48-page hardcover that Disney Hyperion sent out into stores late last month as the most recent installment of its Walt Disney Animation Studios Artist Showcase series) for over five years. "I initially submitted my pitch for a children's book back in early 2012...

Marvel Entertainment has long been celebrated for its ability to weave these epic-length narratives that can then play out across multiple motion pictures, TV shows and comic books. Copyright Marvel Studios. All rights reserved So if length really plays to this studios' storytelling strength, why then is Marvel Animation headed in the opposite direction? Creating a series of stand-alone, 90-second long shorts that - rather than putting Marvel's super heroes through their usual action-adventure...

Back in the early summer of 2015, when Matthew Youngberg & Francisco Angones first met to discuss how they were going to try and reboot DuckTales for Disney XD , the big question that really dogged them was ... Which version of this much-beloved IP were these two actually going to revive? "Both Matt and I have an intense love for the original animated series. But we also understood that the DuckTales characters meant different things to different people," Angones - the co-producer ...

If you were to ask Star Trek fans which was the best film to be based on that much-beloved 1960s television series, "Wrath of Khan" would undoubtedly be their answer. And as to who should get the lion's share of the credit for this 1982 Paramount Pictures release actually being exciting & entertaining (which then made "Star Trek II" a decided improvement over that studio's initial attempt to transfer Kirk & Co. to the big screen, 1979's "Star Trek: The...

"Playful spooks have interrupted our tour. Please remain seated in your ... Doom Buggy." Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc.All rights reserved If you've ever been on The Haunted Mansion and heard this message as your ride vehicle temporarily came to a halt, those were the reassuring tones of Disney Legend X Atencio that you were listening to. Who just passed away this past Sunday at the ripe old age of 98. And believe you me, X knew a lot about interrupted journeys. The weird little...