Épisodes

  • From Pleasure Island to Pints of Guinness: Disney’s Nightlife Reinvented (Ep. 553)

    From Pleasure Island to Pints of Guinness: Disney’s Nightlife Reinvented (Ep. 553)
    Oct 13 2025
    Jim Hill and Len Testa uncover how a single Irish pub reshaped Disney Springs. From the forgotten Pleasure Island Jazz Company to the birth of Raglan Road, this episode reveals how one restaurant sparked a renaissance in Disney dining. Plus, the guys tackle Disney’s latest round of price increases, Universal’s updated safety policies, and a listener’s perfect park-free resort itinerary. Disney’s latest ticket and Lightning Lane price hikes and how far above inflation they’ve gone The long-awaited opening details for Zootopia: Better Zoo Gether at Animal Kingdom Universal’s new accessibility rules following a tragic ride incident Planning the ultimate resort-only day at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge The untold history of Pleasure Island’s Jazz Company and how it paved the way for Raglan Road From gated nightclubs to Guinness on tap, this week’s show traces the evolution of Disney nightlife and how Raglan Road set the stage for everything that came after. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 min
  • Talking Trash: The Strange History of Disney’s Most Beloved Garbage Can (Ep. 552)

    Talking Trash: The Strange History of Disney’s Most Beloved Garbage Can (Ep. 552)
    Oct 6 2025
    This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into one of the most unexpectedly heartwarming stories in Disney history, the rise (and fall) of Push, the talking trash can who stole hearts in Tomorrowland. From his humble garage-built beginnings to his mysterious disappearance in 2014, Jim reveals how a simple rolling robot outlasted most of Disney’s high-tech character experiments. Plus, the guys tackle the latest Disney and Universal park rumors, strange guest surveys, and Halloween candy economics. Why Disney is quietly rethinking crowd flow and Lightning Lane logistics at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Universal's rumored plans for a Fast & Furious drifting coaster How a new SeaWorld event called "Paradise Nights" could shake up Orlando nightlife The truth behind those "subscription" annual pass surveys at Universal The real story of Push the Talking Trash Can, Disney's low-tech robot with a 19-year run From fun-sized candy drama to a trash can with better comedic timing than most sitcoms, this episode proves Disney magic can roll on two wheels and talk back. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 3 min
  • 72 Hours Before a Disney Park Opens (featuring Jim Shull) (Ep. 551)

    72 Hours Before a Disney Park Opens (featuring Jim Shull) (Ep. 551)
    Sep 29 2025
    With Len Testa away this week, Jim Hill is joined by Imagineer Jim Shull and Eric Hersey. Shull shares first-hand stories of the frantic 72 hours before Disney parks open - from sod being laid overnight at the Contemporary Resort in 1971 to carloads of flowers on Main Street Paris. Meanwhile, Eric helps cover the latest Universal Studios news, including surprising plans for Scooby-Doo and a deep dive into the popcorn bucket craze. Why opening a Disney park always comes down to a last-minute scramble Jim Shull’s behind-the-scenes account of preparing Euro Disneyland in 1992 How media crews and Imagineers clashed during opening-week chaos Universal FanFest Nights 2026 and its Scooby-Doo/Monsters mashup The future of collectible popcorn buckets and wild new flavors Theme park history isn’t always polished - sometimes it’s messy, funny, and unforgettable. This episode pulls back the curtain on those final 72 hours. Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 8 min
  • How Disney Built Cars Land and What It Means for Piston Peak (Ep. 550)

    How Disney Built Cars Land and What It Means for Piston Peak (Ep. 550)
    Sep 22 2025
    This week, Imagineer Jim Shull joins Jim Hill and Len Testa to finish the wild story of how Cars Land was built at Disney California Adventure. Along the way, the guys cover everything from gorillas and Muppets to a scuba diver who robbed Paddlefish. Tomorrowland’s Cool Ship replacement that looks suspiciously like a McDonald’s drive-thru The life of Gino the gorilla and why Animal Kingdom will never be the same A Florida man in scuba gear robs Paddlefish and swims away with the cash Sabrina Carpenter, Seth Rogen, and the Muppets’ big 50th anniversary comeback How Disney pulled off Cars Land’s massive rockwork and what it means for Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom From new construction projects to classic park traditions, this episode looks at the details shaping Disney’s past, present, and future. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 7 min
  • Cruise Street? The Alternate Cars Land That Almost Happened (Ep. 549)

    Cruise Street? The Alternate Cars Land That Almost Happened (Ep. 549)
    Sep 15 2025
    This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into the wild backstory of Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land and the strange “what ifs” that could’ve changed Radiator Springs forever. From Marty's Malt Shop to a road trip attraction fueled by beef jerky and Diet Mountain Dew, the alternate ideas were as quirky as they were ambitious. A new Disneyland ticket discount that signals softer bookings Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind’s Earth, Wind & Fire overlay Disney Cruise Line’s delay of the Disney Adventure out of Singapore Universal Orlando’s Golden Ticket Award wins and Len’s trip to Halloween Horror Nights The evolution of Cars Land - and how close we came to driving through “Cruise Street” instead Whether you’re here for the theme park news, HHN survival tips, or Jim’s deep dive into Disney Imagineering history, this episode has something for every fan. Buckle up - Radiator Springs wasn’t always the only road Disney could’ve taken. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 min
  • NEW SHOW: The Case For with Chris Cox, Len Testa & Jim Hill

    NEW SHOW: The Case For with Chris Cox, Len Testa & Jim Hill
    Sep 10 2025
    The Case For (and Against) Park Hopping at Walt Disney World Is park hopping the best way to squeeze every drop of Disney magic out of your vacation - or just an overpriced bus pass with extra steps? In this first episode of The Case For with Chris Cox, mind reader and performer Chris Cox squares off against theme park expert Len Testa, while Disney historian Jim Hill dons judge’s robe to deliver a verdict. What’s on trial this week: The strange history of park hopping at Walt Disney World (including a giant ticket costume) Costs, trade-offs, and whether that money is better spent on Dole Whip or dinner The joy - or misery - of buses, monorails, and the Disney Skyliner How Lightning Lane, rope drops, and UK vs. US vacation styles change the debate Why some families say “yes” to more rides, while others say “slow down and enjoy the parks” The verdict? You be the judge. Tell us if park hopping is your go-to Disney strategy - or just a fast pass to frustration. Follow the Hosts Chris Cox – https://www.magiccox.com Instagram - @magiccox Twitter/X - @bigcox Len Testa – https://www.touringplans.com Instagram - @len.testa BlueSky - lentesta.bsky.social Jim Hill – https://jimhillmedia.com Instagram - @jimhillmedia Twitter/X - @jimhillmedia Next case: rope dropping at Disney Parks - because nothing says “vacation” like a 5 a.m. wake-up call. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 min
  • Dinosaur’s Last Ride, Tron Goes Red, and the Cars That Saved California Adventure (Ep. 548)

    Dinosaur’s Last Ride, Tron Goes Red, and the Cars That Saved California Adventure (Ep. 548)
    Sep 8 2025
    Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a Disney Dish full of hard-hitting questions like: is a popcorn bucket a collectible, a food container, or proof of life’s absurdity? Along the way, they tackle Disney’s latest surveys, new overlays, and a franchise that almost stalled out before becoming a billion-dollar juggernaut. Disney sets the closing date for Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom and spruces up Carousel of Progress with a new Walt Disney animatronic Tron Lightcycle Run trades neon blue for Nine Inch Nails red in a Tron: Ares overlay Disneyland Paris ticket pricing hints at when World of Frozen may open in 2026 Universal ponders the true meaning of souvenir popcorn buckets, from Aristotle to social media influencers Jim explains how Pixar’s Cars almost didn’t get made — and how Radiator Springs ended up saving Disney California Adventure From castle cake flashbacks to Schrödinger’s popcorn, this episode mixes history, news, and a little bit of existential dread — all with the usual Testa-Hill banter. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 4 min
  • Birds, Booze & The Beak & Barrel: Magic Kingdom’s New Pirate Lounge Sets Sail (Ep. 547)

    Birds, Booze & The Beak & Barrel: Magic Kingdom’s New Pirate Lounge Sets Sail (Ep. 547)
    Sep 1 2025
    Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a packed episode of The Disney Dish to discuss Magic Kingdom’s brand new Beak & Barrel Lounge, an immersive pirate-themed bar near Pirates of the Caribbean. Len shares firsthand impressions of the decor, the elusive animatronic pirate Rummy, and why it’s already drawing Trader Sam’s comparisons. Also in this episode: Why Disney villains might be the next big meet and greet trend Early entry’s 70 million dollar cost-cutting math Len’s thoughts on all-inclusive dining plans (and horrifying Gold Key memories) A hard truth about Jungle Cruise’s future in the Magic Kingdom The story behind Cars Land’s origins and how an unrealized DCA parade inspired it Plus: shoutouts to Surrey bike designers, a blood alcohol calculator for Food & Wine, and ashtray trauma from the 1970s. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 min