The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill and Len Testa welcome Professor Roland Betancourt to discuss his new book, Disneyland and the Rise of Automation, which somehow connects Walt Disney, Ford factories, magnetic tape, Forest Lawn, Willy Wonka, and ride computers named Fred. They also cover big park updates, from Mythos closing at Universal Orlando to new Walt Disney World previews, Lakeshore Lodge concept art, Roger Rabbit’s safer spin, and Hocus Pocus 3 heading to theaters. Naturally, milk percentages are also examined with the seriousness they deserve.

NEWS

• Universal confirms Mythos will close with Lost Continent, while Thunder Falls Terrace becomes a new full-service signature restaurant in 2027.

• Walt Disney World sets AP preview dates for Soarin’ and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets.

• Magic Kingdom prepares for a fourth ferry boat, the first new one since 1976.

• Disney reveals new Lakeshore Lodge concept art, including a large pool and lazy river area.

• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin reopens at Disneyland with pre-programmed spinning.

• Disney officially greenlights Hocus Pocus 3, with the Sanderson Sisters reportedly heading beyond the stage show and into the parks.

FEATURE

• Roland Betancourt explains how Ford’s River Rouge plant helped shape Walt Disney’s thinking about automation.

• The discussion traces magnetic tape, Cold War technology, and the real roots of Audio-Animatronics.

• Big Thunder Mountain introduces “anti-Fred logic,” a wonderfully Disney solution to button-related human creativity.

• Harper Goff’s work on Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory reveals another strange and delightful bridge between factories and theme parks.

• Why Disneyland surveyed guests like a giant postwar science experiment - and how those surveys still shape the parks today.

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: ⁠⁠@JimHillMedia⁠⁠ | X: ⁠⁠@JimHillMedia⁠⁠ | Website: ⁠⁠JimHillMedia.com⁠⁠
• Len Testa - IG: ⁠⁠@len.testa⁠⁠ | Website: ⁠⁠touringplans.com⁠⁠

GUEST
• Roland Betancourt - Book: ⁠⁠⁠Disneyland and the Rise of Automation

FOLLOW
• Facebook: ⁠⁠JimHillMediaNews⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠JimHillMedia⁠⁠
• TikTok: ⁠⁠JimHillMedia⁠⁠

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at ⁠⁠Patreon.com/JimHillMedia⁠⁠.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - ⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠

SPONSOR
The Disney Dish News is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get discounted Walt Disney World tickets and plan your next trip at ⁠⁠UnlockedMagic.com⁠⁠

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠⁠reach out today.⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a caffeinated mix of Disney news, listener questions, and one deeply researched (and slightly petty) rant about guitar accuracy. They also explore the mystery of Walt’s unfinished apartment bathroom and debate just how early is too early for Halloween. Then Jim brings the main event: the story of how Maxwell House coffee landed on Main Street, missed its big debut, and ultimately got shown the door - paving the way for a quieter, smarter coffee strategy at Disneyland.

NEWS

Preview dates announced for Soarin’ and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets, with guests likely riding by mid-May

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run may finally make the engineer role matter (yes, really)

Bluey’s Animal Kingdom appearance may skip meet-and-greets entirely, possibly to avoid crowd-control chaos

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party now starts August 7, because apparently summer needed pumpkins

EPCOT Food & Wine Festival returns in late August, continuing Disney’s “why wait for fall?” strategy

FEATURE

The original deal that brought Maxwell House Coffee to Disneyland - complete with big promises and bigger expectations

Why the Main Street coffee house wasn’t ready for opening day (and stayed that way for months)

The rain-soaked grand opening that didn’t help Disney’s relationship with its coffee sponsor

How Hills Brothers stepped in, kept the New Orleans theming, and quietly made the concept work

The evolution of the location from sponsored coffee house to struggling restaurant to retail space

For this episode’s full show notes,⁠ click here.⁠

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: ⁠@JimHillMedia⁠ | X: ⁠@JimHillMedia⁠ | Website: ⁠JimHillMedia.com⁠
• Len Testa - IG: ⁠@len.testa⁠ | Website: ⁠touringplans.com⁠

FOLLOW
• Facebook: ⁠JimHillMediaNews⁠
• Instagram: ⁠JimHillMedia⁠
• TikTok: ⁠JimHillMedia⁠

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at ⁠Patreon.com/JimHillMedia⁠.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - ⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠

SPONSOR
The Disney Dish News is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get discounted Walt Disney World tickets and plan your next trip at ⁠UnlockedMagic.com⁠

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠reach out today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Len are joined by Sporkful host Dan Pashman to dig into the surprisingly rich stories behind Disney theme park food, including how a handwritten gumbo recipe in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure connects to real culinary history. Along the way, they explore Imagineering’s obsessive attention to detail, from menu design to discarded ideas that probably would’ve attracted bees (and at least one very confused operations team). Then, Jim wraps up the story of WestCOT and Disney’s ambitious “Live the Dream” concept, where guests might have spent the night inside the park itself.

NEWS
• Disney quietly discontinues the Pirates Adventure Lightning Lane perk hours after it’s mentioned on the show
• Opening window set for Lakeshore Lodge at Walt Disney World in summer 2027
• Smugglers Run update tied to The Mandalorian and Grogu may arrive alongside the film’s May release
• On-site hotel perks confirmed through 2027, with Fort Wilderness campsites losing eligibility
• Disney Cruise Line rolls out “kids sail half off” promotions as future bookings soften

FEATURE
• The full story of WestCOT, Disney’s planned Epcot-style park for Disneyland’s expansion pad
• The “Live the Dream” concept, which would have placed hotel rooms directly on top of attractions
• How guest surveys pushed Imagineering to explore the idea of staying overnight inside a theme park
• The role of Michael Eisner in driving a more entertaining version of Epcot
• Why a 300-foot-tall golden version of Spaceship Earth nearly rose over Anaheim
• How budget cuts, Disneyland Paris struggles, and scope reductions led to the project’s cancellation
• The surprising ways this idea lived on in later projects like Tokyo DisneySea’s hotels and beyond

For this episode’s full show notes, click here.

HOSTS
• Jim Hill (@JimHillMedia) – jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa (@lentesta.bsky.social) – touringplans.com

GUEST
• Dan Pashman – Host of The Sporkful
• Website: https://www.sporkful.com/
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sporkful/id350709629
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesporkful/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesporkful?lang=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sporkful

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
Unlock deep discounts on Disney tickets and get your family onto Big Thunder Mountain (doctor’s orders) with Unlocked Magic – https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=disneydish

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

Lauren and Eric go underground this week to unpack their unexpectedly viral TikTok and the surprisingly polarizing reactions to their utilidor-inspired basement. What started as a fun Disney homage quickly turned into a reality check from former cast members who know the tunnels all too well. Then, the conversation moves topside as they explore what it really costs to live near Walt Disney World, from Golden Oak luxury to the curious case of Celebration.

HIGHLIGHTS

A TikTok featuring their utilidor-themed basement sparks viral attention and unexpected cast member reactions

Former Disney cast members reveal the less magical side of the utilidor, including smells, noise, and daily operations

The surprising divide between Disney fan perception and cast member reality when it comes to backstage areas

A breakdown of Golden Oak living, including home prices ranging from $4M to $18M and steep HOA fees

Celebration, Florida examined as Disney’s original master-planned community, with mixed reviews from residents on charm versus “uncanny valley” vibes

For this episode’s full show notes, ⁠click here⁠.

HOSTS


Eric Hersey – X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@erichersey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@erichersey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Lauren Hersey – X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@laurenhersey2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lauren_hersey_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW – DIS & HERS

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DisAndHers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@disandhers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@disandhers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dis and Hers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dis & Hers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW – JIM HILL MEDIA

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JimHillMediaNews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JimHillMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JimHillMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/JimHillMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited & Produced by Eric Hersey – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠reach out today.⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa and Jim Hill sprint through a packed week of Disney and Universal news, from Rock 'n' Roller Coaster's Muppets makeover to the return of Walt Disney World's deluxe dining plan. Along the way, they dig into Universal's new day-of Express offering, answer listener questions about everything from BioReconstruct to Main Street nostalgia, and somehow still find room for pistachio-based trauma. In the main segment, Jim continues the fascinating story of Disney's ambitious "Live the Dream" concept for Disneyland's second gate, including the idea of building hotels directly on top of attractions.

NEWS

• Disney has officially brought back the deluxe dining plan for 2027, adding a higher-end option as the company looks for new ways to fill table-service restaurants.
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster reopens on May 26, 2026, with the Electric Mayhem taking over the ride and a set list that mixes classic rock with a few curveballs.
• Celebrity cameos for the reimagined coaster include Awkwafina, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, Wayne Brady, Travis Barker, Yvette Nicole Brown, Danny Trejo, Darren Criss, and Weird Al Yankovic.
• A rumor out of Adventureland suggests that completing A Pirate's Adventure may once again unlock a Lightning Lane for Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Universal Orlando has launched Universal Express Now, a smartphone-based, day-of skip-the-line option that sounds a bit like Lightning Lane's less patient cousin.

FEATURE

• Jim continues the history of Disneyland's "Live the Dream" project, a bold expansion concept tied to the resort's long-discussed second park.
• This chapter explores Disney's growing realization that hotels were a license to print money, especially after the company began operating its own resorts.
• The episode also connects that thinking to Anaheim's old "Disney cone" zoning rules, which helped protect Disneyland's sightlines from looming high-rises.
• Most intriguingly, Jim tees up the wildest part of the story: a version of Disneyland's future where hotels would have been built directly above attractions.

For this episode's show notes click here.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.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

• Today's episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, with discounted theme park tickets for Disney's newest and reopening attractions.

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