Best Jim Testa Podcasts (2025)

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The Case for Disney World on New Year’s Eve (Ep. 9) 22:25

Play Pause

12h ago22:25

22:25

Spending New Year’s Eve inside a Disney World theme park sounds like the ultimate “most magical place on Earth” flex - until you remember you’re doing it shoulder-to-shoulder with what feels like the population of a small nation. This week in the Court of the Disney World Resort, Len Testa argues the case for the marathon day, the once-a-year enter…

1
Fine Tooning Looks Back at 2025, From Disney’s AI Gamble to Animation’s Biggest Wins (Ep. 339) 37:33

1d ago37:33

37:33

As 2025 comes to a close, Jim Hill flies solo on this Drew-free edition of Fine Tooning to take stock of one of the biggest, strangest, and most consequential years the animation industry has seen in decades. From record-shattering box office runs and surprise streaming hits to uncomfortable conversations about AI and the future of creative labor, …

1
The $7 Million 3D Gamble That Saved Opening Day at EPCOT (Ep. 564) 49:23

3d ago49:23

49:23

Jim and Len kick off the final Disney Dish of the year with holiday crowds, sold-out Lightning Lane Premier Passes, and one last lap through Jollywood Nights before pivoting into surveys, listener questions, and some unexpectedly nerdy math. Along the way, they remember a beloved Imagineer, dig into why Disney asks the survey questions it does, and…

1
The $7 Million 3D Gamble That Saved Opening Day at EPCOT (Ep. 564) 49:23

3d ago49:23

49:23

Jim and Len kick off the final Disney Dish of the year with holiday crowds, sold-out Lightning Lane Premier Passes, and one last lap through Jollywood Nights before pivoting into surveys, listener questions, and some unexpectedly nerdy math. Along the way, they remember a beloved Imagineer, dig into why Disney asks the survey questions it does, and…

1
Permits, Surveys, and Big Moves as Universal’s Next Era Points to Saudi Arabia (Ep. 83) 51:08

6d ago51:08

51:08

This holiday week episode of the Epic Universal Podcast was recorded on Christmas Eve, which means Jim and Eric are juggling last minute shopping, customer service horror stories, and a surprisingly full slate of Universal news. From attractions closing sooner than expected to permits hinting at big changes in Islands of Adventure, this show looks …

1
How a Jim Henson Christmas Special Helped Point Pixar Toward Toy Story (Ep. 79) 52:42

7d ago52:42

52:42

It’s a Christmas Day edition of I Want That Too, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey wrap up the year with a festive mix of Disney merch news, pop culture crossovers, and a deep dive into Jim Henson’s long love affair with holiday specials. Along the way, the conversation connects some surprising dots between a largely forgotten Henson TV special and th…

1
Marvel’s Leakiest Christmas Yet and Why Steve Rogers’ Baby Changes Everything (Ep. 7) 49:26

8d ago49:26

49:26

Jim Hill and Dan Graney ring in the holidays with a Marvel conversation that somehow involves hacked PayPal accounts, cardboard Star Wars memories, and one of the strangest trailer rollouts in studio history. As Marvel’s Doomsday marketing quietly unravels through shaky theater footage and strategically ignored leaks, the guys dig into what’s reall…

1
How “The Small One” Became a Very Big Problem for Disney (Ep. 338) 36:14

9d ago36:14

36:14

With Drew Taylor sidelined by a nasty case of the Christmas crud, Jim Hill flies solo for this end-of-year edition of Fine Tooning. After a bit of seasonal vamping, Jim dives into animation news before kicking off the first half of a deep-dive holiday history lesson. This week’s episode sets the stage for a story that begins with a modest Disney fe…

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Disney Destiny’s “Meet-and-Play” Feels Very Starcruiser-ish (Ep. 563) 1:02:02

10d ago1:02:02

1:02:02

Sam from Sam’s Disney Diary joins Len and Jim to spill the (highly theatrical) tea on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny - where character “meet-and-greets” have evolved into full-on, semi-improvised encounters that can follow you across the voyage. Then Jim heads back to where Disney’s in-park 3D film history really begins, from …

1
Disney Destiny’s “Meet-and-Play” Feels Very Starcruiser-ish (Ep. 563) 1:02:02

10d ago1:02:02

1:02:02

Sam from Sam’s Disney Diary joins Len and Jim to spill the (highly theatrical) tea on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny - where character “meet-and-greets” have evolved into full-on, semi-improvised encounters that can follow you across the voyage. Then Jim heads back to where Disney’s in-park 3D film history really begins, from …

1
Manufacturing the Magic: Project Florida gets underway 16:57

11d ago16:57

16:57

In the 28th installment of this educational series, Shelly & Noe Valladolid turn their attention to the Sunshine State. Which is where Walt, after an extensive land search, decides to build the East Coast version of Disneyland in the 1960s Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What are some of the shell company names that Dis…

1
The Day Boris Karloff Walked Into the Commissary and Changed Hollywood (Ep. 82) 54:59

13d ago54:59

54:59

Jim and Eric kick off this week’s show with a very on-brand travel mishap from Jim’s latest Hallmark-fueled road trip, then pivot back to the stuff you came for - Universal news, theme park weirdness, and one surprisingly deep dive into how Frankenstein’s Monster became the pop culture template we all still recognize today. Along the way: Epic Univ…

1
Dynamic Pricing Raises Eyebrows as Disney Sing-Alongs Raise the Volume (Ep. 78) 1:00:24

14d ago1:00:24

1:00:24

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are back for a very seasonal edition of I Want That To - and Jim’s latest “project” involves tracking down tiny reindeer snowmobiles to complete his Cars holiday display (because apparently Santa’s sleigh rules apply to Radiator Springs too). From there, the conversation jumps into Disney’s new “Find Merchandise” test ins…

1
Snack Credits: A Fudge Judge Renders the Verdict (Ep. 8) 19:38

15d ago19:38

19:38

Snack credits are either the best little “vacation cheat code” Disney ever slipped into the Dining Plan - or a spreadsheet-powered trap that turns your family trip into a competitive sport. This week in the Court of the Disney World Resort, Len Testa and Chris Cox argue whether snack credits are a smart way to stretch your Walt Disney World dollars…

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Disney’s 200-Character OpenAI Bet and a Detour Down the Yellow Brick Road (Ep. 337) 52:19

16d ago52:19

52:19

Drew Taylor and Jim Hill kick off this week’s show with a genuinely wild media landscape where holiday releases, awards season, and corporate maneuvering are all colliding at once. From a brewing battle over Warner Bros. Discovery to Disney’s latest tech-flavored swing, the first half is a rapid tour through what’s breaking (and what might be break…

1
Why Disney Is Quietly Letting 3D Die in the Parks (Ep. 562) 1:01:02

17d ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Construction at Animal Kingdom’s upcoming Encanto attraction is finally starting to pop above the fence line, and Jim and Len do what they do best - stare at aerial photos until they start seeing ride-height changes and possible “big thing” anchors. Then the show veers into a surprisingly tight math problem: is it actually cheaper for an American c…

1
Why Disney Is Quietly Letting 3D Die in the Parks (Ep. 562) 1:01:02

17d ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Construction at Animal Kingdom’s upcoming Encanto attraction is finally starting to pop above the fence line, and Jim and Len do what they do best - stare at aerial photos until they start seeing ride-height changes and possible “big thing” anchors. Then the show veers into a surprisingly tight math problem: is it actually cheaper for an American c…

1
The Dracula Gamble That Built Universal’s Monster Empire (Ep. 81) 55:11

20d ago55:11

55:11

From queue changes to construction walls to nighttime lagoon testing, the parks offer plenty to parse this week. The guys then pivot from the Epic Universe lagoon to Universal’s classic monsters, using the buzz around Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein to explore how the 1931 film lurched into existence. Expect lost projects, studio pivots, and a Mo…

1
How Disney Wants You to Shop This Holiday Season (Ep. 77) 54:46

21d ago54:46

54:46

Jim and Lauren ring in the holidays with a very merchy episode of I Want That Too, recorded just after Lauren’s family Polar Express adventure. From Disney Visa mailers and annual passholder calendars to Stitch-heavy gift guides, they dig into how Disney is trying to steer your holiday shopping. • Disney’s “Home for the Holidays” Disney Rewards Ins…

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The Endgame Encore and the Multiverse Mess Hulk Made (Ep. 6) 46:16

22d ago46:16

46:16

Avengers: Endgame heads back to theaters, the Road to Doomsday widens, theme park tectonics start shifting, and Hulk’s stair-related temper sets off an unintended butterfly effect across the entire MCU. Jim and Dan break down Marvel’s theatrical chess moves, assemble Sam Wilson’s emerging Avengers roster, and dive into a feature story where one ver…

1
Netflix Buys Warner Bros. Discovery and an Animated Trip Over the Rainbow (Ep. 336) 48:24

23d ago48:24

48:24

Jim and Drew unpack one of the biggest industry shakeups in years as Netflix snaps up Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that reshapes everything from Adult Swim to the broader animation marketplace. Then the guys follow the yellow brick road into this week’s feature, exploring the strange, stop-and-start history of Hollywood’s many attempts to revisit…

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From Burbank Backlot to Hollywood Studios - The Roy E. Disney Building’s Second Act (Ep. 561) 54:58

24d ago54:58

54:58

Len and Jim race through a packed week of Disney and Universal updates before diving into how the Roy E. Disney Animation Building went from an architectural showpiece to the creative model for Hollywood Studios’ upcoming Magic of Disney Animation attraction. NEWS • Disney outlines major 2026 refurbishments, Bluey offerings on both coasts, and new …

1
From Burbank Backlot to Hollywood Studios - The Roy E. Disney Building’s Second Act (Ep. 561) 54:58

24d ago54:58

54:58

Len and Jim race through a packed week of Disney and Universal updates before diving into how the Roy E. Disney Animation Building went from an architectural showpiece to the creative model for Hollywood Studios’ upcoming Magic of Disney Animation attraction. NEWS • Disney outlines major 2026 refurbishments, Bluey offerings on both coasts, and new …

1
The 27-Year Idea: Uncovering the Surprising Origins of CityWalk (Ep. 80) 56:56

27d ago56:56

56:56

Jim kicks off this week’s show with a wild winter travel saga involving airport shutdowns, missing donuts, and a 3 a.m. pickup run that somehow beats the incoming snowstorm. From there, he and Eric dive into a new Universal survey aimed squarely at teens, explore construction movement in Lost Continent, and track down the long-missing Monsters Café…

1
Zootopia 2’s Record Thanksgiving and Disney’s Long Love Affair With Talking Animals (Ep. 76) 50:13

28d ago50:13

50:13

Fresh off the long Thanksgiving weekend, Jim and Lauren crawl out from under their leftover Pilgrim sandwiches to talk about Zootopia 2 absolutely owning the holiday box office, how that might shape Disney’s sequel strategy, and the must-have merch that is already slithering into the parks. They also dig into McDonald’s massive 70th anniversary Hap…

1
The Case for Butterbeer: How Universal Won the Sip Heard ’Round the World (Ep. 7) 36:15

29d ago36:15

36:15

In this week’s episode of The Case For, Jim and Chris dive deep into the foamy, sugary mystery of Butterbeer – from its first mention in Prisoner of Azkaban to its billion-calorie domination of Universal’s theme parks. Along the way, they track the near-miss Disney deal, J.K. Rowling’s taste-testing power, and exactly why Len Testa is currently hor…

1
Zootopia 2 Runs Wild in China and Oz Takes Over the Holidays (Ep. 335) 44:06

30d ago44:06

44:06

Jim goes solo this week while Drew speeds back toward LA for an early press screening of “Avatar: Fire & Ash.” In the meantime, Jim catches us up on a very eventful week in animation news, from the monster launch of “Zootopia 2” in China to Disney Parks animatronics already slipping into B mode. He also spotlights new shorts, holiday specials, and …

Jim Testa Podcasts

1
The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

1
Jersey Beat Podcast

Jim Testa

1
The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

1
The Case for Disney World on New Year’s Eve (Ep. 9) 22:25

1
Fine Tooning Looks Back at 2025, From Disney’s AI Gamble to Animation’s Biggest Wins (Ep. 339) 37:33

1
The $7 Million 3D Gamble That Saved Opening Day at EPCOT (Ep. 564) 49:23

1
The $7 Million 3D Gamble That Saved Opening Day at EPCOT (Ep. 564) 49:23

1
Permits, Surveys, and Big Moves as Universal’s Next Era Points to Saudi Arabia (Ep. 83) 51:08

1
How a Jim Henson Christmas Special Helped Point Pixar Toward Toy Story (Ep. 79) 52:42

1
Marvel’s Leakiest Christmas Yet and Why Steve Rogers’ Baby Changes Everything (Ep. 7) 49:26

1
How “The Small One” Became a Very Big Problem for Disney (Ep. 338) 36:14

1
Disney Destiny’s “Meet-and-Play” Feels Very Starcruiser-ish (Ep. 563) 1:02:02

1
Disney Destiny’s “Meet-and-Play” Feels Very Starcruiser-ish (Ep. 563) 1:02:02

1
Manufacturing the Magic: Project Florida gets underway 16:57

1
The Day Boris Karloff Walked Into the Commissary and Changed Hollywood (Ep. 82) 54:59

1
Dynamic Pricing Raises Eyebrows as Disney Sing-Alongs Raise the Volume (Ep. 78) 1:00:24

1
Snack Credits: A Fudge Judge Renders the Verdict (Ep. 8) 19:38

1
Disney’s 200-Character OpenAI Bet and a Detour Down the Yellow Brick Road (Ep. 337) 52:19

1
Why Disney Is Quietly Letting 3D Die in the Parks (Ep. 562) 1:01:02

1
Why Disney Is Quietly Letting 3D Die in the Parks (Ep. 562) 1:01:02

1
The Dracula Gamble That Built Universal’s Monster Empire (Ep. 81) 55:11

1
How Disney Wants You to Shop This Holiday Season (Ep. 77) 54:46

1
The Endgame Encore and the Multiverse Mess Hulk Made (Ep. 6) 46:16

1
Netflix Buys Warner Bros. Discovery and an Animated Trip Over the Rainbow (Ep. 336) 48:24

1
From Burbank Backlot to Hollywood Studios - The Roy E. Disney Building’s Second Act (Ep. 561) 54:58

1
From Burbank Backlot to Hollywood Studios - The Roy E. Disney Building’s Second Act (Ep. 561) 54:58

1
The 27-Year Idea: Uncovering the Surprising Origins of CityWalk (Ep. 80) 56:56

1
Zootopia 2’s Record Thanksgiving and Disney’s Long Love Affair With Talking Animals (Ep. 76) 50:13

1
The Case for Butterbeer: How Universal Won the Sip Heard ’Round the World (Ep. 7) 36:15

1
Zootopia 2 Runs Wild in China and Oz Takes Over the Holidays (Ep. 335) 44:06