Podcast
I Want That Too - Disney History and Merchandise
Join Lauren Hersey and entertainment expert Jim Hill as they unpack the world of Disney products. From exclusive merchandise to magical collectibles, Lauren and Jim dive into not only what's available but also the stories and history behind these must-have items. Whether you're a collector or just a fan, get insider tips on the latest Disney finds and the fascinating tales that make each piece special.
- Episodes
- 123
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 51 min
- On air since
- 2024
- Latest episode
- 5 days ago
Episodes
123 episodes, newest first
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42 min
A Hallmark Holiday Shopping Spree at Disney Springs
Episode 123
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey go shopping for Disney history as Jim shares highlights from his latest Florida trip. They check in on the Character Warehouse’s planned move, explore rare finds at Recycling the Magic, and celebrate World of Disney’s 30th anniversary. Then Jim reports from the Disney Hallmark Holiday Pop-Up Store at Disney Springs, where holiday merchandise is selling fast and some sought-after items are easier to find online.
NEWS
• An on-site update on the Character Warehouse’s move into the former Timberland space at Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, including hopes for an opening before the holidays.
• Recycling the Magic offers retired attraction props, park signs, and animation maquettes, plus a surprise Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster photo featuring Imagineer Jim Shull.
• World of Disney marks 30 years, prompting memories of its original artwork, enormous layout, and longtime cast members.
• Jim discovers Buc-ee’s travel-center spectacle, from character merchandise and seasonal displays to Beaver Nuggets.
FEATURE
• Inside the Disney Hallmark Holiday Pop-Up Store at Disney Springs and its merchandise tied to Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True.
• How brisk sales changed the store’s selection between Jim’s visits, with spirit jerseys and pajamas proving especially popular.
• Why checking the Hallmark Channel Store online helped Nancy find pajamas that were unavailable during their Disney Springs visit.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
Planning a Disney or Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations can help you find the best options and handle the details, with planning services at no additional cost to you. Start planning at https://beourguestvacations.com/.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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42 min
The Monsters, Inc. Coaster Disney Almost Built in 2008
Episode 122
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey open the door to a Monsters, Inc. coaster project that surfaced back in 2008, long before the attraction announced at D23 in 2024. Jim explains how an accidental cast-member video revealed the plans, from a Celia-led reception area to a chaotic finale with Mike and Sulley. They also discuss changes at Disney’s Character Warehouse outlets and the appeal of McDonald’s Disney Villains Boo Buckets.
NEWS
• Disney’s Character Warehouse at the Vineland outlets prepares to move into a larger space, while Jim and Lauren consider what outlet expansion could mean for leftover park merchandise.
• McDonald’s Disney Villains Boo Buckets mix Halloween nostalgia with familiar characters as the bucket tradition marks its 40th anniversary.
• Jim plans a visit to the Hallmark holiday pop-up at Disney Springs, and the hosts look at Monsters, Inc. anniversary merchandise.FEATURE
• Pete Docter’s door-hangar chase inspires an early coaster concept for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with the former Mickey Avenue soundstages in the mix.
• A video appearing on the cast-member portal in July 2008 gives Jim an unexpected look at a project envisioned for Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary in 2011.
• The proposed ride includes a Monsters, Inc. open house, scream and laugh canisters, and an explosive finale that leaves Mike and Sulley needing bigger canisters.
• Jim traces how the financial crisis shelved that proposal and reflects on the long road to the Monsters, Inc. land announced in 2024.HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | https://jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_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
Planning your next Disney or Universal vacation? https://beourguestvacations.com/ can help with hotels, theme park tickets, and dining reservations at no additional cost to you. As a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and a Universal U-Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team can help you plan your next getaway. Be sure to tell them Lauren and Jim from I Want That Too sent you!
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Jim and Lauren explore an early Monsters, Inc. coaster plan, Disney outlet changes, and the nostalgia behind McDonald’s Boo Buckets.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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44 min
Frozen Pajamas, Darth on the Hearth, and Disney’s Missing Tornado
Episode 121
Show notes
Lauren Hersey and Jim Hill explore how familiar favorites find new life, from Frozen’s latest merchandise push to Darth Vader’s holiday makeover. Lauren takes a closer look at Frozen Fan Fest, pajama-clad Anna and Elsa, and the Christmas joke becoming “Darth on the Hearth.” Jim shares highlights from his visit to the Land of Oz before revealing how a two-minute licensing limit cost the Great Movie Ride its tornado. Along the way, they discuss oversized Olaf hats, Oz at the Sphere, and the enduring appeal of the Yellow Brick Road.
NEWS
• Frozen Fan Fest returns with a storybook-style YouTube adventure, new pajamas, and American Girl’s Anna and Elsa baby sets.
• Walt Disney World’s holiday merchandise includes plaid apparel, a miniature Christmas monorail, festive Buzz Lightyear, and a towering Olaf hat.
• “Darth on the Hearth” turns a Star Wars holiday joke into merchandise, with Lauren exploring what the trademark filing might suggest for its future.
• The Wizard of Oz gets new attention at the Sphere and on broadcast television, while Disney’s Hallmark holiday pop-up arrives at Disney Springs.FEATURE
• Jim visits Autumn at Oz on Beech Mountain and walks the restored Yellow Brick Road through the seasonal Land of Oz park.
• How Disney’s agreement to recreate two minutes of The Wizard of Oz shaped the Great Movie Ride’s finale.
• Why a planned tornado gave way to Fantasia, and how Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway finally brought a twister into the building.
• From classic-film collectibles to retro park T-shirts, Oz’s appeal keeps the merchandise moving.HOSTS
• Lauren Hersey - X: @laurenhersey2 - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
• Jim Hill - X/Instagram: @JimHillMedia - https://jimhillmedia.comFOLLOW
• 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
Planning your next getaway to Disney or Universal? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details of your Central Florida vacation. As a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and Universal U Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team knows both destinations. Their vacation planning services come at no additional cost to you. Visit Be Our Guest Vacations to start planning.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Lauren Hersey and Jim Hill unpack Frozen Fan Fest, Star Wars holiday merchandise, and the Wizard of Oz scene cut from the Great Movie Ride.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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35 min
Bob Chapek, Disney Store Closures, and the Pop-Up Comeback
Episode 120
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into Bob Chapek's memoir, Behind the Castle Walls, and his account of reshaping Disney Consumer Products. They examine his franchise-first strategy, his claims about Disney Store profitability, and the store closures that followed during his time as CEO. Then Jim reports from the limited-time Disney Store at New Jersey's Westfield Garden State Plaza, comparing its merchandise and atmosphere with Lauren's visit to the Pittsburgh location. Along the way, they consider whether these pop-ups signal a retail comeback or a deliberately fleeting shopping experience.
NEWS
• The Hallmark Holiday Pop-Up Store opens at Disney Springs, bringing another limited-time shopping experience to Disney fans.
• Disney's consumer-products restructuring moves licensing and publishing closer to the entertainment teams creating its stories and franchises.
• Jim visits New Jersey's limited-time Disney Store as he and Lauren consider how its retail partnership could shape future pop-ups.FEATURE
• Lauren breaks down Chapek's shift from product categories to franchise teams, while Jim asks how much Frozen contributed to the division's growth.
• The hosts examine Chapek's account of improving merchandise, raising prices, limiting discounts, and returning the Disney Store to profitability.
• Disney's 2021 store closures raise a central question: why did the executive who championed the stores' turnaround later oversee their retreat?
• Jim compares the New Jersey and Pittsburgh pop-ups, including location-specific merchandise, their anticipated January closing windows, and the uncertainty around further expansion.HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: https://jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_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.comSPONSOR
Planning a Disney or Universal getaway? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotel reservations, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that make a Central Florida vacation easier to plan, all at no additional cost to you. Visit https://beourguestvacations.com/ to start planning your trip.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Jim and Lauren examine Bob Chapek's consumer-products claims and explore what Disney's limited-time stores reveal about the future of Disney shopping.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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33 min
When Disney Took Toontown to the Mall
Episode 119
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick off October with a look at Toys "R" Us and the surprising return of large-scale pop-up retail, including a connection to Disney's own limited-time stores. Then Jim digs into Disney's history of taking theme park promotion on the road, from the enormous Ear Force One hot-air balloon and the Lim Mouse Zine to Mickey's Mouse-O-Rail and an eight-story inflatable Maleficent. The main event is the 1993 Mickey's Toontown mall tour, which brought Disney characters and elaborate installations directly to shoppers across the West Coast.
NEWS
• Toys "R" Us prepares to expand its physical retail presence with 120 new shops ahead of the holiday season.
• Lauren explores the Go Retail Group connection between Toys "R" Us locations and Disney's recent limited-time retail stores.
• The rise of "kidulting" helps explain why major toy and entertainment brands are taking another look at brick-and-mortar retail.
• Jim checks out The Art of Gravity Falls, a new coffee-table book celebrating Alex Hirsch's enduring animated series.
FEATURE
• How the 1993 Mickey's Toontown mall tour promoted Disneyland's newest land by bringing Mickey, Minnie, and elaborate sets directly to shoppers.
• Jim traces Disney's oversized promotional stunts back to Ear Force One, a nearly 100-foot-tall Mickey Mouse hot-air balloon created for Walt Disney World's 15th anniversary.
• The Lim Mouse Zine turned a dramatically stretched Lincoln Town Car into a traveling Disney-MGM Studios publicity machine.
• Disneyland's Mickey's Mouse-O-Rail transformed part of an actual monorail into a road-going promotional vehicle for the park's 35th anniversary.
• An eight-story inflatable Maleficent helped promote the nighttime spectacular that eventually became Fantasmic!, even as Disney repeatedly changed the show's name.
• Jim explains how those ambitious road tours eventually helped steer Disney toward elaborate mall promotions like Mickey's Toontown, Hercules, and A Bug's Life tours.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
Planning a Disney or Universal getaway? Be Our Guest Vacations can help with hotel reservations, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that make a Central Florida vacation easier to plan, all at no additional cost to you. Visit https://beourguestvacations.com/ to start planning your trip.
If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/
Jim and Lauren explore Toys "R" Us's retail comeback and Disney's wild history of promoting Disneyland with hot-air balloons, custom vehicles, giant inflatables, and the 1993 Mickey's Toontown mall tour.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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31 min
Cars Keeps Rolling: 20 Years of Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Merch
Episode 118
Show notes
Disney’s Cars is turning 20, and Lightning McQueen and Mater are still racing through Disney’s merchandise machine with new Loungefly releases, Formula 1 collaborations, and more on the horizon. Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey also explore the merchandise inside the newly opened Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including its animation-inspired Ink & Paint collection. Plus, they look at Disney’s latest experiment in collectible cast member dolls and wonder which theme park roles should get the doll treatment next. Along the way, Lauren reports back from a massive Ohio flea market and what longtime collectors are saying about the changing market for Disney memorabilia.
NEWS
• The Magic of Disney Animation is now fully open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, complete with exclusive studio-inspired merchandise.
• Disney’s new Ink & Paint collection leans into model sheets, character sketches, and the look of the animation process.
• Cars celebrates its 20th anniversary with new Lightning McQueen merchandise, Loungefly designs, and fresh collaborations.
• A new Disney Parks collectible doll inspired by Guest Relations raises a bigger question: Which Cast Member role should Disney turn into a doll next?
• Lauren’s trip to Rogers Flea Market reveals how longtime collectors are downsizing while a new generation searches for nostalgia and authenticity.
FEATURE
• Jim looks back at how Cars grew from a successful Pixar film into a massive merchandise franchise.
• Mater’s breakout popularity helped reshape the series, from Cars 2 to Mater’s Tall Tales and decades of collectibles.
• With a new preschool series and a Walt Disney World attraction on the way, Disney continues introducing Cars to another generation of fans.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia - Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
Plan your next Orlando getaway with https://beourguestvacations.com/, a Disney travel agency and Universal planning partner that can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that go into planning your vacation - all at no additional cost for their planning services.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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39 min
Disney Grows Up: Kidulting, Collectibles, and the Toys That Started It All
Episode 117
Show notes
Disney is leaning harder than ever into adult collectors, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey look at how "kidulting" is reshaping the company's merchandise strategy. They also dig into Disney's upcoming anniversary-driven retail plans, the unusual merchandising challenge surrounding Walt Disney Animation Studios' Hexed, and the growing importance of collectibles aimed squarely at grown-up fans. Then Jim heads back to the earliest days of Disney toys for the story of Marx, Disney Kins, a massive West Virginia toy factory, and one tiny Timothy Mouse who may have gone on a very unexpected adventure.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Disney's Hexed faces an unusually compressed merchandise rollout after a major character change late in production.
• Star Wars prepares for its 50th anniversary with new theatrical activity and a major consumer-products push.
• Disney is already looking ahead to Mickey's 100th and Marvel's 90th as year-long merchandising opportunities.
• "Kidulting" is becoming an increasingly important part of Disney's strategy as adults drive demand for toys, dolls, collectibles, and premium collaborations.
• From limited-edition dolls to high-end fashion partnerships, Disney is finding new ways to reach fans wherever they already shop.
• Listener Mike inspires a look back at Louis Marx and Company, one of Disney's earliest major toy partners.
• The Marx factory in Glen Dale, West Virginia once became one of the world's largest toy-manufacturing operations.
• Jim revisits Disney Kins, the tiny hand-painted figures that brought Mickey, Ludwig Von Drake, classic animated characters, and more to toy shelves beginning in the 1960s.
• A childhood encounter with a very small Timothy Mouse Disney Kin gives Jim one of his more unusual collecting stories.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
Plan your next Disney or Universal vacation with Be Our Guest Vacations, a platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and Universal Preferred Platinum planning partner. Their vacation-planning services come at no additional cost to you.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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32 min
Disney World Turns 55 as Disney Rethinks the Future of Merch
Episode 116
Show notes
Disney World is getting ready to celebrate its 55th anniversary with a retro-inspired merchandise collection, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into why this milestone may be getting more attention than expected. They also look at Disney's decision to close several international online stores and what that move could signal about the company's evolving retail and licensing strategy. Plus, Lauren breaks down Disney's push into premium athleisure and a new mash-up of two popular merchandise trends: customizable headbands and mystery collectibles.
NEWS
• Walt Disney World's 55th anniversary collection brings retro colors, classic Mickey artwork, and merchandise celebrating all four parks.
• A limited-edition Cinderella doll inspired by Prince Charming Regal Carrousel could become one of the anniversary's most sought-after collectibles.
• Disney is closing its online stores in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia as the company leans on authorized retail partners in those markets.
• Disney's new understated athleisure collection takes aim at the park-going audience already wearing brands like lululemon and Alo.
• Disneyland combines customizable character headbands with mystery collectibles for a new Disney Villains release featuring Maleficent, Ursula, Hades, Yzma, and more.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @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
Plan your next Disney or Universal vacation with Be Our Guest Vacations. Their experienced travel planners can help with hotels, tickets, dining reservations, and the details that make vacation planning easier, all at no additional cost to you.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
31 min
Disney Merch Goes Quiet Luxury - and D23 Exclusives Go Wide
Episode 115
Show notes
Disney merchandise is changing fast, and this week Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into the trends coming out of D23, from bag charms and high-end collectibles to the rise of "quiet luxury" fandom. They also look at the frustration surrounding supposedly special D23 merchandise appearing on DisneyStore.com almost immediately after the event. Then the conversation shifts to World Princess Week, where Disney is pushing its princess brands into fitness, jewelry, fashion, and other lifestyle categories aimed squarely at grown-up fans.
NEWS
• Disney's next limited-time pop-up store heads to Paramus, New Jersey, following the crowds and long lines seen in Pittsburgh.
• Licensing industry observers see Disney moving beyond character T-shirts toward bag charms, premium collectibles, home decor, publishing, and understated "quiet luxury" merchandise.
• Limited-edition D23 collectibles continue to command huge demand - and eye-popping prices on the secondary market.
• Fans question the value of D23 merchandise access after many convention items appeared on DisneyStore.com just one day after the event.
• Disney continues expanding major brand collaborations, with new collections tied to Vera Bradley, Loungefly, Crocs, ColourPop, Pandora, and more.
• World Princess Week's "Create Your World" campaign pushes Disney Princess into lifestyle categories built around confidence, personal interests, and self-expression.
• Disney partners with Peloton on a princess-inspired Pilates class while Crowned Athletics brings princess branding into fitness apparel.
• Pandora expands the franchise into higher-end jewelry with a Disney Princess lab-grown diamond collection featuring Tiana, Jasmine, Moana, and Snow White.
• Jim and Lauren look ahead to how projects including live-action Tangled and Frozen 3 could fuel the next wave of Disney Princess merchandise.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_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
Planning a Disney or Universal vacation can get complicated fast. The team at https://beourguestvacations.com/ can help with hotels, tickets, reservations, and the many details that go into planning your trip - all at no additional cost for their planning services.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
30 min
The Dolly Parton Disney Movie That Almost Was
Episode 114
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey remember Dolly Parton by exploring her long and surprisingly deep connection to Disney. Jim recounts the ambitious Feature Animation Florida project that nearly gave Dolly a starring role in a hand-drawn/CG hybrid set in Appalachia, variously known as My Peoples, Angel and Her No Good Sister, and A Few Good Ghosts. They also look back at Dolly's appearances with Disney, her relationship with Miley Cyrus, the growth of Dollywood and the Imagination Library, and Jim's own conversation with the country music legend.
HIGHLIGHTS
• How Dolly Parton became Miley Cyrus's Aunt Dolly on Hannah Montana.
• Dolly's Disney connection stretching back to Walt Disney World's 15th anniversary celebration.
• The story behind Barry Cook's abandoned Feature Animation Florida project My Peoples.
• Why Disney paired traditional human animation with CG Appalachian folk-art characters.
• The all-star voice cast that included Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, Ashley Judd, Travis Tritt, Hal Holbrook, and more.
• How the project evolved through titles including Elgin's Peoples, Once in a Blue Moon, Angel and Her No Good Sister, and A Few Good Ghosts.
• Michael Eisner's enthusiastic reaction shortly before Disney ultimately shut the project down.
• How changing attitudes toward hand-drawn animation and Disney's strained relationship with Pixar helped bring the film - and Feature Animation Florida - to an end.
• Jim remembers interviewing Dolly about the Imagination Library and asking her about the Disney movie that never made it to theaters.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @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
Planning a Disney or Universal vacation can get complicated fast. The team at BR Guest Vacations can help with hotels, tickets, reservations, and all the little details that go into planning your trip, with planning services offered at no additional cost. Start planning your next vacation at https://beourguestvacations.com/.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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43 min
D23 Shopping, Popcorn Bucket Chaos, and Joe Rohde’s “Floating Mountains”
Episode 113
Show notes
Fresh from D23 in Anaheim, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack what it was really like to shop the show floor, from virtual queues and coveted merchandise to fans finding creative ways around the reservation system. Lauren shares what surprised her about D23 Day at Disneyland, the new Imagineering apparel collection, and Disney’s increasingly social-media-driven activations. Then Jim and Lauren turn to legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde and his new book, Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible, including how Rohde’s work connects the Adventurers Club to Disney’s later Living Character Initiative.
NEWS
• D23 Day at Disneyland brings massive merchandise lines, exclusive releases, and the Hatbox Ghost popcorn bucket frenzy.
• Disney’s D23 shopping system puts fans up against limited virtual queues for the Marketplace, Mickey’s of Glendale, the Company Store, and other high-demand locations.
• Lauren explains how some attendees gamed shopping reservations, paid others to hold places in line, and bought merchandise in bulk.
• Disney+ and Hulu lean heavily into photo activations and social sharing across the D23 show floor.
• The new Walt Disney Imagineering apparel collection turns out to be understated clothing designed by Imagineers for Imagineers - with a very unusual mobile-order shopping process.
FEATURE
• Jim and Lauren discuss Joe Rohde’s Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible and what sets it apart from a traditional Disney memoir.
• Rohde offers a behind-the-scenes look at Imagineering’s creative process, leadership style, and the development of experiences such as the Adventurers Club.
• Jim traces the roots of Disney’s interactive “living characters” from the Adventurers Club back to an unusual talking vulture once installed inside Disneyland’s Club 33.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
Plan your next Disney or Universal vacation with Be Our Guest Vacations. Their team can help with hotels, tickets, reservations, cruises, and the details that make vacation planning easier, all at no additional planning cost.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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52 min
D23 Merch, Park Surprises, and the Return of Atari (Ep. 112)
Episode 112
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are packing their bags for Anaheim and previewing what Disney fans can expect from D23 Day and the 2026 D23 Ultimate Fan Event. They dig into Disneyland exclusives, anniversary merchandise, rare character appearances, and some unexpected collectibles hitting the show floor. Along the way, Jim explains the history behind the Disneylandia name, Lauren investigates Disney's growing interest in repurposing park materials, and both try to make sense of Atari's surprising return to the Disney gaming conversation.
HIGHLIGHTS
• D23 Day at Disneyland brings exclusive merchandise, commemorative ears, a character cavalcade, and rare appearances by Merlin and the Blue Fairy.
• The Disneylandia collection revives a name with roots in one of Walt Disney's earliest pre-Disneyland concepts.
• Hunchback of Notre Dame and Alice in Wonderland anniversary merchandise join a packed lineup of D23 collectibles.
• Atari arrives at D23 with new Toy Story releases, retro Disney games, and an exclusive convention pin.
• Harveys turns retired Soarin' Over California seat belts into collectible bags as Jim and Lauren explore Disney's history of repurposing park materials.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
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57 min
Disney’s Merch Machine Moves Closer to the Movies
Episode 111
Show notes
Jim and Lauren examine Disney’s decision to move Consumer Products under the studio umbrella and what it reveals about the company’s larger “One Disney” strategy. They explore how films such as Toy Story 5 can generate value far beyond the box office through streaming, merchandise, and long-term franchise growth. The conversation also covers Disney’s new NFL merchandise collection before Jim concludes his three-part history of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, from its Mary Blair mural and Top of the World restaurant to Bay Lake Tower and the expansion of Disney Vacation Club.
NEWS
• Why Disney is moving Consumer Products closer to its film studios.
• How merchandise, streaming, and box office results combine to measure the true value of Disney intellectual property.
• Disney’s NFL collection pairs all 32 teams with characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.
• Woody joins the Dallas Cowboys, Captain America represents the New England Patriots, and Darth Vader meets the Las Vegas Raiders.
• Lauren and Jim suggest Disney character pairings for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles.
FEATURE
• How the Contemporary Resort developed an identity around its monorail, architecture, and towering Mary Blair mural.
• The rise and fall of the Gulf Coast Room, Top of the World, Broadway at the Top, and the Fiesta Fun Center.
• Why Disney added Bay Lake Tower and continued expanding Disney Vacation Club around the Magic Kingdom monorail loop.
• The construction challenges that still shape the Contemporary Resort and Disney’s plans near the Transportation and Ticket Center.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @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
Plan your next Disney, Universal, cruise, or adventure vacation with the experienced team at https://beourguestvacations.com/.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 hr 1 min
Disney Outlets, Yen Sid Style, and the Contemporary’s Construction Chaos
Episode 110
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore how Disney is rethinking retail, from temporary Disney Store locations and outlet oddities to Imagineering’s new Yen Sid lifestyle brand. They also recap their Pennsylvania road trip, including Netflix House, the surviving Disney Store outlet in Lancaster, and some surprisingly stubborn souvenir prices. Then Jim continues the story of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, revealing how prefabricated rooms, U.S. Steel, and a costly construction crisis nearly derailed Walt Disney World’s opening.
NEWS
• Disney Store pop-ups in Pittsburgh and Paramus appear set to remain open through the 2026 holiday season.
• Lauren and Jim assess whether Pennsylvania’s isolated Disney Store outlet is worth a dedicated road trip.
• Disneyland merchandise turns up in surprising quantities at an East Coast Disney outlet.
• Netflix House offers a compelling new model for immersive entertainment, dining, and retail inside a former department store.
• Walt Disney Imagineering introduces Yen Sid, a subtle lifestyle apparel brand designed for knowledgeable Disney fans.
FEATURE
• Why Disney’s Contemporary Resort was briefly promoted as the Tempo Bay Resort.
• How U.S. Steel’s prefabricated hotel-room system fell behind schedule before Walt Disney World’s opening.
• Why Roy O. Disney authorized a $100 million buyout to regain control of the Contemporary and Polynesian projects.
• How rushed construction led Disney to begin repairing Contemporary Resort rooms less than two years after opening.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
Plan your next Disney or Universal vacation, cruise, or adventure with the experienced team at https://beourguestvacations.com/.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
59 min
The Contemporary’s Surprisingly Smelly Origin Story
Episode 109
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack a whirlwind week of Disney and Universal discoveries, from a chaotic Lorcana release to a little-known Walt Disney World store hidden inside an Orlando parking garage. Lauren shares highlights from her latest theme park merchandise haul, including deeply discounted Universal gear and retro-inspired Contemporary Resort merchandise. Then Jim digs into the surprisingly smelly construction history connecting Seven Seas Lagoon, EPCOT, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Walt Disney World’s original hotels.
NEWS
• A limited-edition Disney Lorcana release creates massive crowds at Disney Springs and forces the cancellation of a London event.
• Jim and Lauren consider whether artificial scarcity and reseller demand are helping fuel Lorcana’s popularity.
• Lauren discovers an official Walt Disney World merchandise and ticket location hidden inside an International Drive parking garage.
• Universal Orlando’s Brown Derby shop offers select current merchandise at discounts of up to 70 percent.
• The Contemporary Resort leans into vintage Disney style with monorail merchandise, classic photography, and deep-cut references.
FEATURE
• The excavation of Seven Seas Lagoon required moving millions of cubic yards of ancient organic material.
• EPCOT guests encountered an unforgettable odor when construction crews disturbed old World Showcase Lagoon debris during development of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
• Jim explains how Walt Disney World’s original hotels were designed to extend the storytelling beyond the Magic Kingdom.
• Early resort concepts included Persian, Thai, Dutch, Cape Cod, and South Seas destinations positioned around Bay Lake.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 - Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @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
Save up to 12 percent on Disney and Universal theme park tickets through https://unlockedmagic.com/, powered by the trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
57 min
From All-Stars to Art of Animation: Disney’s Value Resort Story
Season 1, Episode 108
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick off this week’s I Want That Too with concert merch sticker shock, a new family dog named Luna, and a surprising amount of Disney pet gear at Petco. They also dig into Disney’s new auction partnership with Heritage Auctions and the build-a-bag trend popping up in the parks. Then Jim traces the history of Walt Disney World’s value resorts, from the All-Stars to Pop Century to Art of Animation, and explains how 9/11 unexpectedly changed Disney’s hotel strategy.
NEWS
• Lauren shares the story of Luna the Wonder Dog and the Disney pet merchandise she discovered at Petco.
• Disney fans may soon be able to bid on real theme park props and set pieces through a new Heritage Auctions partnership.
• Jim explains why Disney Archives cannot keep everything, and how auctions can help fund the recovery of historically important items.
• Disney’s new Build-A-Bag line brings mix-and-match customization to park handbags, straps, charms, and wallets.
FEATURE
• Jim revisits how Disney’s moderate resorts led directly to the creation of the All-Star value hotels.
• The episode explores why Pop Century was built near Wide World of Sports, and how cheerleading and youth sports helped shape Disney’s hotel planning.
• Jim explains how 9/11 stalled Pop Century’s expansion and left the Legendary Years section unfinished for years.
• The story wraps with the rise of family suites and how Disney transformed that abandoned hotel space into Art of Animation.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - @JimHillMedia
• Lauren Hersey - @lauren_hersey_
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
Before you book your next Disney or Universal vacation, visit https://unlockedmagic.com/, powered by the trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store. They have helped guests save more than $20 million on theme park tickets, making your next trip just a little more magical.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
58 min
Halloween Shows Up Early, D23 Gets a Merch Glow-Up, and the All-Stars Take the Stage
Episode 107
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick off this week’s I Want That Too with a post-Fourth-of-July check-in, one very late ghost train, and a look ahead to Disney’s fast-arriving Halloween season. They dig into the latest D23: The Ultimate Fan Event merchandise previews, the surprisingly early Walt Disney World Halloween drop, and the return of 1990s-style Disney windbreakers. Then Jim explains how Disney’s moderate and value resorts reshaped Walt Disney World’s future, from Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans to the rise of the All-Star Resorts.
NEWS
• D23: The Ultimate Fan Event merchandise gets a stronger branded push this year, with new collections from Loungefly, Lug, Spirit Jersey, Nike, Lululemon, and more.
• Disney’s WED Enterprises and Walt’s Office collections are drawing early collector buzz, including items inspired by Walt Disney’s everyday satchel and chili recipe.
• Halloween merchandise has arrived at Walt Disney World earlier than ever, including Headless Horseman apparel, Cutie Ghost items, and a curious villains-as-beverages design.
• Lauren compares Disney’s 2025 and 2026 Halloween merch timelines and asks whether August Halloween parties have permanently changed the retail calendar.
• Retro 1990s-style Disney windbreakers are back at Disney Springs, raising a bigger question about which Disney Parks souvenirs from that era became true collectibles.
FEATURE
• Jim traces how Michael Eisner and the Bass brothers changed Walt Disney World’s hotel strategy by keeping more guests and more vacation dollars on property.
• The story begins with Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney World’s first moderate resort, and its strategic location near EPCOT, Disney-MGM Studios, Typhoon Lagoon, and Pleasure Island.
• Port Orleans and Dixie Landings expanded Disney’s moderate resort footprint, giving the company thousands of additional rooms aimed at a different vacation budget.
• The All-Star Resorts were Disney’s answer to Kissimmee and St. Cloud value hotels, bringing oversized icons, lower nightly rates, and a distinctly Eisner-era design language to the property.
• Jim shares a backstage story about spotting Michael Eisner’s All-Star Music test room, complete with the giant maraca that would later define the resort’s look.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2, Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
Before you book your next Disney or Universal vacation, visit https://unlockedmagic.com/. Powered by the same trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store, Unlocked Magic helps guests save on theme park tickets and make their next Central Florida trip a little more magical.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
51 min
Texposition: Disney’s Forgotten Dallas Destination
Episode 106
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick things off with Fourth of July traditions, viral Disney merch, and the growing strategy behind park-specific popcorn buckets and venue-branded souvenirs. Lauren digs into the early arrival of 2027 Walt Disney World merchandise, the mini Mickey ear keychains taking over social media, and why Hollywood Studios suddenly feels like a collectible popcorn bucket hotspot. Then Jim shares the story of Disney Texposition, a proposed Dallas-area regional entertainment concept that could have brought a little bit of Walt Disney World magic to Texas decades before Universal Kids Resort.
NEWS
• Disney’s 2027 dated merchandise has already started appearing at Walt Disney World, beginning with a calendar that may hint at next year’s design direction.
• Lauren breaks down the viral mini Mickey and Minnie headband keychains, including why the plain black Mickey version became the must-find souvenir.
• Hollywood Studios continues to lean into specialty popcorn buckets, from Lightning McQueen to Bullseye, Sam Eagle, Star Wars, and more.
• Jim and Lauren discuss whether Disney is using park-exclusive buckets and merchandise to move guests around Walt Disney World.
• Baseline Tap House gets its moment in the spotlight as Jim explains the Disney MGM Studios history hiding behind that surprisingly specific t-shirt.
FEATURE
• Jim tells the story of Disney Texposition, a planned Dallas-area regional entertainment center developed with the Rouse Company in the late 1980s.
• The project would have blended Pleasure Island, Disney MGM Studios, character dining, themed shopping, live shows, and simulator attractions into a smaller regional Disney experience.
• Disney considered the Texas concept as a possible gateway that could encourage families to book larger trips to Disneyland or Walt Disney World.
• Jim explains how Disneyland Paris financial troubles helped derail Disney Texposition, just before Disney shifted focus to another regional project: Disney’s America.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2, Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
This episode is sponsored by https://unlockedmagic.com/, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a trip down to Florida to visit the parks is on your radar for the summer of 2026, head over to Unlocked Magic and let their team help make your next vacation a little more magical.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
58 min
Toy Story 5, Lorcana Mania, and Disney’s Summer of Smart Merch
Episode 105
Show notes
This week on I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey look at how Toy Story 5 is already reshaping the summer box office, the Disney collector market, and the fast-food promotional landscape. Lauren digs into Lorcana’s sudden surge, Disney Springs’ new merch-drop rules, and the growing trading-card gold rush around Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Magic: The Gathering. Then Jim and Lauren unpack Disney Store’s AI shopping experiment, the new Hakuna Matata Lion King Broadway collection, Cinderella Castle snow globe nostalgia, and why Disney picked Papa John’s, Wendy’s, Subway, and McDonald’s for this summer’s movie tie-ins.
NEWS
• Toy Story 5 opens huge at the box office, with Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and Smarty Pants helping Disney dominate the summer conversation.
• Disney Lorcana enters a new collector frenzy as older cards become harder to find and Pixar characters arrive in the Wild’s Unknown set.
• Disney Springs introduces new merch-drop procedures, including later garage openings, wristbands, and designated waiting areas.
• Topps Chrome Disney and Marvel’s Magic: The Gathering collaboration show how Disney is leaning deeper into trading cards and tabletop fandom.
• Disney Store begins testing a generative AI shopping assistant designed to recommend gifts and products through natural-language prompts.
FEATURE
• Jim explains why Disney chose Papa John’s for Toy Story 5, turning Pizza Planet into a real-world promotional hook.
• Wendy’s answers with a Minions and Monsters drive-thru activation that reportedly drew massive crowds in California.
• Subway gets in early with a live-action Moana meal, collectible cups, and a Fandango ticket-code incentive.
• McDonald’s remains in Disney’s promotional orbit, with Hexed positioned for a Thanksgiving push tied to Happy Meal visibility.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2, Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
I Want That Too is brought to you by https://unlockedmagic.com/, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a trip to the parks is on your radar for summer or fall of 2026, head to https://unlockedmagic.com/ and let their team help make your next vacation a little more magical.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
56 min
Mickey’s Big Birthday Plans Keep Missing Their Cue
Episode 104
Show notes
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey are back with a merch-packed episode that starts at Target, swings through Walt Disney World, and lands deep in Mickey Mouse history. Lauren shares what she spotted on her latest Florida trip, from Muppets merch and Uncle Deadly deep cuts to Disney’s colorful new Logo Mania collections. Then Jim looks back at Disney’s repeated attempts to give Mickey Mouse a milestone birthday celebration big enough for the big screen, and why those plans often arrived late, changed shape, or became something else entirely.
NEWS
• Golden Girls returns to the bookstore with Death on the Lanai, the second mystery novel in Disney’s sitcom-inspired series.
• Target’s Disney Fan Snacks line brings character-shaped chips to the aisle, including Darth Vader corn chips and Grogu-inspired flavors.
• Toy Story 5 merch arrives early with Ginormous, a truly oversized plush pig that may require its own shopping cart.
• Lauren checks out Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets merch, including Kermit keychains, Miss Piggy gear, and Animal-focused designs.
• Walt Disney World’s Logo Mania collections lean into color-coded Disney fan moments, from Last Day of Trip Blues to Popcorn on Main Street.
FEATURE
• Jim revisits how The Sorcerer’s Apprentice began as a Mickey birthday short before growing into Fantasia.
• Disney’s planned Jack and the Beanstalk feature for Mickey’s 15th birthday was derailed by World War II and eventually reshaped into Fun and Fancy Free.
• Mickey’s 60th birthday brought a star-studded NBC special and the temporary Magic Kingdom land that became surprisingly permanent.
• The abandoned Search for Mickey Mouse would have sent Disney characters across the animated canon before evolving into Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
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
This episode is brought to you by https://unlockedmagic.com/, your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal tickets. If a trip to the parks is on your radar for 2026, head over to Unlocked Magic and let their team help make your next vacation just a little bit more magical.
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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
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