The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey share Erics full first impressions after visiting Epic Universejust 27 days before its grand opening. From ride reviews to immersive lands, they explore how Universals newest park lives up to the hype. Plus, they discuss Annual Passholder perks, new cosplay merch, and Universals latest theme park innovations.

Eric shares his thoughts after previewing Epic Universe for the first time

New Dungeons & Dragons animatronic debuts at Universal Studios Hollywood, created in partnership with Jim Hensons Creature Shop

Passholder perks, merch discounts, and alcohol restrictions tied to the Monster Makeup Experience

Fan Fest Nights merch preview includes Star Trek, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and more

Universals $2B economic impact for Florida and $11B national impact highlighted by new reports

This episode combines park preview excitement, detailed ride analysis, and big-picture context for Universals most ambitious project yet.

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Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey sit down with actor and author Colin Egglesfield (All My Children, Something Borrowed) to revisit one of Disneys most passionate fan events: Super Soap Weekend. Colin shares what it was like to meet thousands of soap fans at Disneys Hollywood Studios, parade through the park with Goofy, and be part of the events final years. They also discuss Colins time on All My Children, his unforgettable character arc as Erica Kanes long-lost son, and how he battled cancer behind the sceneswhile still showing up to set and filming every day.

The story behind Colins stolen-fetus storyline and how he landed his role on All My Children

What it was like to attend Super Soap Weekend as a featured star

The culture of soap opera fandom and merch at Disney, from autographed dolls to signed headshots

How Colins cancer diagnosis shaped his time on the show and inspired his public speaking career

Behind-the-scenes stories about Susan Lucci, cast bonding, and meeting fans at the parks

Details about Colins books Agile Artist and The Evolved Artist, plus his Inspire retreats and coaching

This heartfelt episode blends Disney fan nostalgia, behind-the-scenes soap drama, and the power of showing up through lifes toughest moments. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down with filmmakers Eric Kimelton, Christopher Ninness, and Scott Seibold to talk about the making of Not Just a Goof, the heartfelt new Disney+ documentary celebrating the 30th anniversary of A Goofy Movie. They discuss lost footage, creative challenges, pop culture legacy, and their unexpected journey from fans to contributors in Goofy’s story.

Also in this episode:



Star Wars animation news out of Tokyo – Updates on Tales of the Underworld, Visions: Volume 3, The Ninth Jedi, Maul: Shadow Lord, and Young Jedi Adventures.

Tim Allen teases Toy Story 5 – Including the return of multiple Buzz Lightyears and emotional story beats.

Hailee Steinfeld talks Beyond the Spider-Verse – How she’s embracing the long development process.

DreamWorks announces Forgotten Island – A new original comedy rooted in Philippine mythology, coming September 2026.

Big City Greens celebrates its 100th episode, Bill Plympton’s Guard Dog goes free on YouTube, and Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 begins with Kiki’s Delivery Service.



It’s a jam-packed episode full of nostalgia, animation history, and exclusive insights.

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Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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Len Testa, Jim Hill, and Imagineer Jim Shull dig into the wild, weird, and wonderfully unsafe history of Disney’s unbuilt Alice in Wonderland walkthrough attraction—complete with collapsing stairs, spinning barrels, and push-bag trees. Also in this episode:



Disneyland’s Funhouse That Never Was – Concept art and site plans reveal a walkthrough filled with rotating platforms, disorienting ramps, and a healthy disregard for OSHA.

Why Alice’s Walkthrough Got the Axe – Was it the cost, the chaos, or the fact that guests might leave with concussions and playing cards in their pockets?

Alice’s Maze Lives On – How elements of the walkthrough survived in Paris and Shanghai—hedges, live-action inspiration, and all.

Buzz Lightyear’s Costume Was a Health Risk – The original walk-around suit nearly wrecked cast members’ backs and required Disney to cover chiropractor visits.

Everest and the Yeti (Still Broken) – Jim Shull gives the latest on Disco Yeti, ride longevity, and why any real fix won’t happen until Expedition Everest hits its track expiration date.

Universal’s Deep Survey Dive – A guest poll so long and personal it should’ve come with a HIPAA notice.

From fantasy to funhouse nightmares, and from Buzz to barrel rolls, this week’s show explores the wildest ideas Disney never built—and the things they probably shouldn't have.

SHOW NOTES

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Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking up Season Two of “Andor.” They then closely examine the “Star Wars” -related panels & programming at this year’s WonderCon.

For this episode, listeners will learn about:

Which Cole Porter song features the line “ … what a swell party this is”

How many films based-on-Stephen-King-stories films will Mark Hamill be appearing in this year

Who was a last-minute replacement for Harrison Ford / stood in for this “Star Wars” veteran as a presenter at this year’s Academy Awards

Which film from the first “Star Wars” trilogy will be presented in its original form at this year’s British Film Institute Film on Film Festival

How many pieces are there in the new LEGO Star Wars set which then recreates Jango Fett’s Firespray Class Starship

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