Episodes

From early demos using the head of Confucius, to then state-of-the-art animatronics for Abe Lincoln, Jim tells the story of how Walt got the idea for a patriotic show, then iterated through its design to its current form.creditsreleased February 26, 2013 Audio: Len Testa with Jim Hill Edited by: Len Testa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From PBS to ABC to Disney to German conglomerates, Jim tells the story of how Disney and the Muppets came together. It's a four-decade story, and you may be surprised that one of the people that comes out well from it is Michael Eisner! He was, apparently, a big Henson fan from very early on.creditsreleased January 22, 2013 Audio: Len Testa with Jim Hill Edited by: Len Testa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Len Testa trace Disneyland Tomorrowland history through Rocket to the Moon, Space Mountain, Star Tours, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, and decades of unbuilt futuristic attractions.

Referencing everything from Schrodinger's cat, the rise of videotape in the 1980s, the cartoon short in front of Spielberg's Arachnaphobia, to how EuroDisney impacted Toontown's construction budget, Jim tells the tale of how Toontown gets built.creditsreleased December 27, 2012 Audio: Len Testa with Jim Hill Edited by: Len Testa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fantasyland is one of the most frequently updated areas in Disneyland. Jim describes what Fantasyland was like when it opened, the changes made during its fitst big re-do, and Fantasyland's role in today's park environment.creditsreleased December 22, 2012 Audio: Len Testa with Jim Hill Edited by: Len Testa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Len Testa reveal how Breezy Osborne’s Christmas wish, a neighborhood lawsuit, millions of lights, and a misplaced purple Halloween cat created Disney’s Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

When Disneyland's big bet on Country Bear Jamboree falls short of expectations, Disney execs explore how to draw people back into this remote section of the park. Ideas included a stand-up Mark Twain show, a flume ride with shooting, moonshining bears, and a vampire-themed Halloween overlay for Country Bears itself. Recorded live at Disneyland. Presented by AAA.creditsreleased December 17, 2012 Audio: Len Testa with Jim Hill Edited by: Len Testa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

Jim Hill and Len Testa trace Disneyland Frontierland history from Davy Crockett and Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland to Big Thunder Mountain and Disney’s lost expansion plans.

Jim Hill and Len Testa explore the history of Disneyland’s New Orleans Square, including Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, Fantasmic, and the Rivers of America.

Jim Hill and Len Testa explore the history of Disneyland’s Adventureland, including the Jungle Cruise, Enchanted Tiki Room, Swiss Family Treehouse, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Tarzan’s Treehouse.

Jim Hill and Len Testa explore the surprising shops, financing schemes, abandoned expansions, and cinematic design behind Disneyland’s original Main Street U.S.A.

Jim Hill and Len Testa uncover the studio tours, trains, television deals, financial risks, and colorful dealmakers that helped inspire and build Disneyland.

Jim Hill and Len Testa explain how Buena Vista Street, World of Color, The Little Mermaid, and Cars Land transformed Disney California Adventure from a troubled second gate into a destination.

Jim Hill and Len Testa revisit Disney’s California Adventure from 2001 to 2005, tracing its troubled opening, early attractions, and first attempts at reinvention.

Jim Hill and Len Testa trace how Disney’s California Adventure and Downtown Disney grew from canceled concepts into the foundation of a transformed Disneyland Resort.

Jim Hill and Len Testa explore how River Country, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach shaped the history of Walt Disney World’s water parks.

Len Testa and Jim Hill explore the architecture, hidden details, and layered history behind Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and its villas.

Recorded on location, Jim Hill reveals how Fort Wilderness was built, how Hoop-Dee-Doo and River Country took shape, and how the campground inspired Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Jim Hill and Len Testa revisit Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2012, exploring the Sorcerer’s Hat, Lord of the Rings negotiations, and proposed Star Wars expansion plans.

Len Testa and Jim Hill revisit Animal Kingdom’s early Avatar plans, panda negotiations, Kilimanjaro Safaris changes, DinoLand strategy, and the puppetry behind Finding Nemo: The Musical.

Len Testa and Jim Hill explore EPCOT’s abandoned attractions, possible Figment revival, new Soarin’ concepts, World Showcase expansions, and plans for the future of Illuminations.

Jim Hill and Len Testa explore 2012 Magic Kingdom rumors involving Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, RFID personalization, Disney villains, and possible changes to classic attractions.

Episode 14: Urban Design with Sam Gennawey - Tomorrowland

Episode 13: Urban Design with Sam Gennawey - Fantasyland