Episodes
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts at Universal Orlando. They then look back at Disney’s reaction to Mattel’s 1972 announcement of its Circus World theme park project
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many times will Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights be presented this year
What’s the name of the bay that the “World of Frozen” is built alongside at the theme park formerly known as Walt Disney...
Published 04/22/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by deep-diving into the changes the Disney Parks are about to make to their DAS policy.
They also continue their look back at WDW’s Tomorrowland
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many episodes of “Law & Order: SVU” has Ice-T appeared in to date
What were Disney Legend John Hench’s concerns about the version of World Showcase that was almost built next to WDW’s TTC
How long did it take the team at WDW’s Food Labs...
Published 04/15/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how the Shooting Gallery at WDW’s Magic Kingdom will soon close to become a DVC lounge. They also take a look back at Tomorrowland in this same theme park circa late 1971 / early 1972.
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which then-husband & wife team were originally supposed to play the leads in Disney’s never-produced “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” sequel
When does it appear that the Magic Kingdom will be...
Published 04/08/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the truce-of-sorts that’s recently been brokered between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District & Disney.
They also talk about the drone show that will debut at Disney Springs on May 24th
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which annual event – which is held over in Tampa – made the Imagineers hesitant to bring Disneyland’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride to Florida
Why is much of Epcot’s...
Published 04/01/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the construction permits that just got filed for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They then discuss the “Encanto” -themed show that will be presented in front of CommuniCore Plaza later this Summe
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
What’s the difference between a Milky Way bar and Three Musketeers
Which Dinoland U.S.A. structures are supposed to survive this side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom being...
Published 03/25/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Disney World’s latest ticket offer for Florida residents.
They’re then joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull who shares some behind-the-scenes stories
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
What’s significant about the dates that WDW’s latest ticket offer is available for
Where is the control booth for DCA’s “Grizzly River Run” attraction located
Why are Universal Orlando officials so interested in...
Published 03/18/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Christina Harrison, who talks up the very best eats to be found at the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Len & Jim then take a closer look at Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea
On this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which attraction in Dreamworks Land will key off of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”
Why are stores at the Disney theme parks still stocking “Monsters University” merch, more than a decade after this...
Published 03/11/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why the WDW Resort revealed its hotel rates for 2025 months ahead of schedule. They then wrap up their series about the construction of Tomorrowland at Disneyland
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Where the math actually maths for WDW’s free-entry-into-the-water-parks-on-arrival-day offer
What’s different about the newly updated Tequila Experience at Epcot’s La Cava
Where did hundreds of...
Published 03/04/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what’s about to happen to the NBA Experience at Disney Springs. They then talk about why kids back in the 1950s were absolutely crazed when it came to Disneyland’s “Autopia”
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which “Star Wars” movie director just got hired by Universal Pictures to direct their next “Jurassic World” movie
Why did the Imagineers insert all of those CG animals into “Soarin’ Around the...
Published 02/26/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then explains how Hong Kong Disneyland’s version of Sleeping Beauty Castle was transformed into the Castle of Magical Dreams
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many ECVs can the new bus that’s joining the WDW transportation fleet carry at one time
Why – when you’re given the opportunity by the Disney Cruise Line – you should always take the GYT
How close does the Ultidor system at the...
Published 02/19/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing a new land use plan that’s recently been revealed for the WDW Resort. They also wrap their series on the history of “Illuminations”
SHOW BREAKDOWN:
Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about:
Why did the Imagineers just hate Epcot’s “Surprise in the Sky” show
Which characters will soon begin making appearances at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
What did the most recent earnings call reveal...
Published 02/12/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by taking a close look at Epic Universe concept art. They then continue their discussion of the development “Illuminations,” EPCOT Center’s break-through nighttime show
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
When (just to be safe) one should go about ordering their tickets for Pride Nite at Disneyland
Why is the Universal Helios Grand Hotel positioned the way it is, facing into Epic Universe Park
How Universal...
Published 02/05/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the NextGen wands that may soon begin appearing in the Wizarding World over at the Universal Parks. They also discuss Disney’s possible plans to expand the Indiana Jones franchise.
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
What was especially innovative (circa 1982) about the barges that were used in “Le Carnaval de Lumiere”
Why is the Magic Kingdom running its “Festival of Fantasy” parade twice daily on...
Published 01/29/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome Disney historian Dave Bossert to the show. They then discuss what made this Tomorrowland walk-thru exhibit so memorable to park guests
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which sitcom star voiced Nine Eyes in the American version of “The Timekeeper”
In what far-flung corner of the globe did Dave Bossert recently encounter a cocoanut chair
What’s different about the 2024 edition of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival...
Published 01/22/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill welcome back veteran Imagineer Jim Shull. Who then shares stories about WDI’s years-long effort to create synced-up soundtracks for thrill rides at the Disney theme parks
For this episode, listeners will learn about:
How you can best take advantage of the snack credits when it comes to WDW’s recently relaunched Dining Plan
When will Florida’s version of “Country Bear Jamboree” be closing for its previously announced reimagining / retooling
Which two restaurants in...
Published 01/15/24
Len Testa starts off this week’s show by talking about spending New Year’s Eve aboard the Disney Wish. Then Jim Hill takes a look at WDI’s plans for a second gate at the Disneyland Resort
Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
In which regions of Canada & the United States can you find candlepin bowl
How did wait times at WDW’s theme parks in 2023 compare to wait times back in 2019
What special feature does the Rainforest Spa aboard the Disney Wish have that other...
Published 01/08/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by sharing a survey about Epcot’s holiday decorations. They then take a close look at what it cost to have dinner at Disneyland’s Blue Bayou restaurant back in 1977
Show Notes
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Published 01/01/24
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” show is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They also chat about a new survey that the Mouse just sent out which seeks specific information about where Guests spent their money while vacationing at the WDW Resort
Show Notes
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Published 12/25/23
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing how WDW’s Entertainment team turned Jollywood Nights around. They then look at the 44 year-long career of the man who started as an hourly employee at Disneyland and eventually became the Chairman of Disney Parks worldwide
Show Notes
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Published 12/18/23
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show with a brief recap of the 2023 Gingersnap Challenge. Then they discuss Epcot’s new nighttime extravaganza, “LuminoUS: The Symphony of Us”
Show Notes
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Published 12/11/23
Len Testa & Jim Hill offer up their opinions of the new holiday hard ticket that’s being presented on select nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They then talk about how Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures roadside attraction eventually grew into a full-sized Dino-Rama
Show Notes
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Published 12/04/23
Jim Hill starts off a solo edition of this podcast by discussing the changes that have recently been made to Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He also wraps up his “Disney Princesses in the Parks” series
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Published 11/27/23
Len Testa & Jim Hill are joined by Christina Harrison, who offers up her take on Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ new holiday hard ticket. They then continue their look at Disney Princesses in the Parks
Show Notes
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Published 11/20/23
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by revealing which Disney songs will be featured in Epcot’s new nighttime show, “Luminous: The Symphony of Us.” They then also share some patents for new technologies that could be coming into the Disney Parks very soon
Show Notes
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Published 11/13/23