The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey break down the first major Halloween Horror Nights announcement for 2026, dig into Universal’s quiet decision to remove Hagrid’s from Express Pass, and discuss what’s going on with Universal Kids Resort in Texas after a series of accidental leaks. Then Jim looks back at the creation of Back to the Future: The Ride and the forgotten Canadian simulator attraction that helped inspire it, all while tracing the career of visual effects legend Doug Trumbull. NEWS • Universal officially announces a Sinners haunted house for Halloween Horror Nights in both Orlando and Hollywood, inspired by the Oscar-winning vampire film set in 1930s Mississippi • Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood tickets go on sale with RIP Tours, Frequent Fear passes, and premium add-ons already available • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is quietly removed from Universal Orlando’s Express Pass lineup beginning July 1 • Universal’s Mega Movie Parade return is delayed until June 5 as operational adjustments continue behind the scenes • Universal Orlando prepares a Steven Spielberg Summer Tribute Store featuring Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and the upcoming Disclosure Day film • Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas accidentally leaks July opening details and early ticket pricing online FEATURE • Jim revisits the origins of Back to the Future: The Ride on its 35th anniversary • The forgotten Tour of the Universe attraction inside Toronto’s CN Tower helped inspire Star Tours and Universal’s simulator rides • Visual effects pioneer Doug Trumbull’s work on 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters, and Blade Runner shaped the future of theme park attractions • Behind-the-scenes stories from Trumbull’s Massachusetts rope mill studio where the Back to the Future ride film was created • Why Universal originally planned an entirely different Back to the Future ride experience before switching to the Biff Tannen storyline HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey - Instagram: @erichersey - Website: strongmindedagency.com 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 - Save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, now including Express Pass options: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=epicjhm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Eric and Lauren debate Disney ride spoilers, preview the new Muppets coaster overlay, and react to Bluey’s arrival at Animal Kingdom.

Jim Hill and Dan Graney break down a huge week for both Star Wars and Marvel, from the theatrical debut of The Mandalorian and Grogu to major leadership changes inside Marvel Studios and Marvel Comics. They also dig into the evolving future of Galaxy’s Edge, the surprisingly strong response to Punisher: One Last Kill, and why Disney may already be positioning Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars: Starfighter as the franchise’s next major theatrical relaunch. NEWS • Jim and Dan share their reactions to The Mandalorian and Grogu and discuss whether the film feels like “The Mandalorian: Season 4” on a much bigger scale • The opening Bond-inspired action sequence signals a more cinematic approach while still leaning heavily into the Disney+ series formula • Burger King’s Mandalorian and Grogu promotion sparks a deep dive into Disney’s former McDonald’s exclusivity deal and how fast-food tie-ins changed after 2006 • Marvel officially promotes Brad Winderbaum to oversee television, animation, comics, and franchise operations as longtime Marvel executive Dan Buckley steps down • Vision Quest finally gets a Disney+ release date, positioning it between Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday FEATURE • Jim and Dan break down why Punisher: One Last Kill may be Marvel’s strongest street-level project in years • Jon Bernthal’s creative control over Frank Castle appears to redefine how Marvel approaches mature Disney+ specials moving forward • The hosts discuss the surprising reveal that Frank Castle racks up exactly 100 kills during the special • Disney updates Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run with an entirely new Mandalorian-themed adventure featuring Grogu, Coruscant, Endor, and new bounty missions • Box office projections for The Mandalorian and Grogu shift dramatically over Memorial Day weekend as Disney focuses on theatrical success and Disney+ subscriber impact alike HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: @TheHubbubbery | Facebook: /thehubbubbery | Website: thehubbubbery.com 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 - Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets through the trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=marvelus 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

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor unpack a packed week in animation and themed entertainment news, from Warner Bros. officially developing a standalone Rick & Morty movie to Disney’s growing Bluey presence in both Anaheim and Orlando. Along the way, the duo discuss Universal Fan Fest’s future, the surprising Memorial Day box office performance of The Mandalorian & Grogu, and why Disney is already planning big for Mickey’s centennial celebration in 2028. They also pay tribute to legendary voice actor Tom Kane and share updates on Adventure Time, Hello Kitty, and the ever-expanding world of animated features headed to theaters over the next few years. HIGHLIGHTS • Warner Bros. officially begins development on a standalone Rick & Morty movie directed by series veteran Jacob Hair • Disney introduces Bluey’s Best Day Ever at Disneyland while Walt Disney World prepares to launch Bluey’s Wild World with a virtual queue system • Universal may bring Fan Fest to Islands of Adventure as Hollywood’s version wraps up its 2026 run • The Mandalorian & Grogu overperforms at the Memorial Day box office with projections climbing past $100 million • Netflix lands Cannes animated feature In Waves while Sony Pictures Classics acquires Iron Boy • Adventure Time: Side Quests heads to Hulu with Pendleton Ward’s universe continuing to expand • Disney and licensing insiders preview Frozen 3, Incredibles 3, Gatto, and Star Wars: Starfighter at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas • Why Warner Bros. believes a Rick & Morty feature film can work as a true theatrical event rather than an extended TV episode • Drew shares details from Disneyland’s new animation and Bluey-themed experiences, including updates on Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios • A look at Universal’s rumored Zelda-themed plans and how Fan Fest could evolve on the East Coast • Remembering beloved voice actor Tom Kane, from Star Wars and Powerpuff Girls to the voice of the Walt Disney World Monorail HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work 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 - Save on Disney and Universal theme park tickets with expert planning help and exclusive offers: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=finetooning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices