From Zootopia to the Matterhorn: Disney’s Big Swings and Small Details (Ep. 557)
Len Testa and Jim Hill continue No Negative November with a look at Zootopia’s new 4D adventure, listener trip-planning wisdom, and the surprising book that inspired Disneyland’s first mountain.
NEWS
Zootopia: Better Zoo-gether debuts at Animal Kingdom — The Tree of Life theater gets a major refresh with a new story, water gags, and a charming Benjamin Clawhauser animatronic.
Holiday highlights return — Tree of Life Awakenings now plays nightly thanks to early sunsets, and the beloved Merry Menagerie puppet experience returns November 14.
Storytime with Santa Deadpool — A holiday twist hits Avengers Campus, complete with meta Christmas jokes and Greek Orthodox canon accuracy.
Listener questions answered — From the best Bay Lake Tower villas for New Year’s Eve fireworks to whether it’s time for Tables in Wonderland to return.
Disney’s shrinking parades — Why the Festival of Fantasy looks lighter on dancers and floats—and how Disney’s still managing two parades a day at Magic Kingdom.
FEATURE
The Making of the Matterhorn — Jim shares the wild story of how a 1950s family film led Walt Disney to send a postcard from Switzerland that simply said: “Build this.”
How Banner in the Sky and Third Man on the Mountain inspired Walt’s alpine obsession.
Why the Matterhorn nearly became a luge-style attraction (yes, really).
The creative legacy of director Ken Annakin, whose films also led to Swiss Family Treehouse and Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Full show notes available here: Show Notes
HostsJim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.comLen Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
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Love what we do? Support The Disney Dish on Patreon for exclusive bonus shows and early access: patreon.com/jimhillmedia
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Produced by
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store. Save up to 10% on Disney park and event tickets, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights — only at unlockedmagic.com.
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49:27
Disney's Game Plan for Epic & The Raglan Road Story (Ep. 556)
Jim wraps up the story of Raglan Road and explains how one Irish pub helped inspire the full transformation of Pleasure Island into today’s Disney Springs. Along the way, Len kicks off No Negative November and the crew answers listener trip-planning questions with their best “only happy thoughts” energy.
The origins of Raglan Road and how authentic Irish design found a home at Walt Disney World
Why its immediate success made Disney rethink the entire Pleasure Island plan
How that rethink led from Hyperion Wharf to the Disney Springs we know today
EPCOT strategy debate: one-day visit vs. After Hours event
Jollywood Nights character advice and what to prioritize
Updates on Disney and Universal ticket options and offerings
A classic Disney story that starts in a pub and ends with a whole new district.
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
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52:32
Disney’s Numbers Are In: What the 2024 TEA Attendance Report Tells Us (Ep. 555)
This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa discuss Disney’s newest attraction update — Soarin’ Across America, debuting at EPCOT and Disney California Adventure in 2026 — and what it means for the company’s strategy ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary. They also break down the just-released TEA Global Attendance Report and what the latest theme park numbers reveal about Disney, Universal, and the post-pandemic recovery.
The new Soarin’ Across America film and why Disney’s betting on nostalgia over novelty
Key takeaways from the 2024 TEA Global Attendance Report — who’s up, who’s down, and why
Disney Cruise Line’s new discount strategy and survey data collection
The surprising link between Disney tech and U.S. military innovations
The unbuilt Legend of Sleepy Hollow attraction that could have haunted the Magic Kingdom
From ride refreshes to record books, Jim and Len explore how attendance trends, patriotic tie-ins, and spooky forgotten projects all shape Disney’s next chapter.
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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When Disney Becomes the Classroom: Teaching Magic, Strategy, and Imagination (Ep. 554)
This week, Len and Jim welcome Dr. Jill Peterfeso from Guilford College to talk about her new book Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning. The conversation explores how Disney is studied in college classrooms, how its mix of “magic and strategy” reveals deeper lessons about creativity and culture, and why professors are turning theme parks into teaching tools. Plus, Jim continues his history of Disney Springs with the rise and fall of Pleasure Island’s West Side expansion and what that meant for future Disney retail and dining districts.
How professors are using Disney films, parks, and history to teach everything from religion to marketing
The balance of “magic and strategy” that makes Disney both creative and calculated
Surprising college courses inspired by Disney, from theme park architecture to environmental storytelling
Why Epcot’s Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is removing 3D effects and what it could mean for other attractions
New Universal Orlando test for single attraction Express Passes and how guests are reacting
Universal Kids Park in Texas reveals themed lands for Shrek, Trolls, and SpongeBob
The forgotten Hyperion Wharf project that led to Disney Springs’ modern design
From academia to Pleasure Island, this episode connects the art of learning with the business of magic. Whether you’re a Disney scholar, park historian, or just love a good origin story, this one’s packed with imagination and insight.
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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1:17:42
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1:17:42
From Pleasure Island to Pints of Guinness: Disney’s Nightlife Reinvented (Ep. 553)
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
The Disney Dish Podcast with Jim Hill and Len Testa
Dive into the fascinating world of Disney with theme park historian Jim Hill and Len Testa as they uncover the stories behind the magic. From breaking news and in-depth analyses to quirky historical tidbits and behind-the-scenes secrets, The Disney Dish offers a unique blend of humor, expertise, and insider knowledge.
Whether you're a die-hard Disney fan, a theme park aficionado, or just curious about the history and future of Disney parks and resorts, this podcast has something for everyone.
What to Expect:
Breaking Disney News: Stay up to date on the latest happenings at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney's global parks.
Historical Deep Dives: Learn how classic attractions were created, the stories behind Disney's biggest decisions, and the Imagineering ingenuity that brought it all to life.
Listener Q&A: Get answers to your burning questions about the parks, attractions, and Disney culture.
Exclusive Insights: Gain access to insider details and stories you won’t find anywhere else.
Fun & Humor: Enjoy the wit and camaraderie of two Disney enthusiasts who know how to make even the most technical details entertaining.
With decades of combined experience and an unmatched passion for all things Disney, Jim and Len guide you through the parks, the stories, and the magic in a way only they can.
Your journey to the happiest podcast on earth starts here. Subscribe today!
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