I Want That Too - Disney History and Merchandise

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack Disney’s latest retail experiment with pop-up stores, explore how movie theaters are turning merch into must-have experiences, and dig into the surprising origins of Disney fandom and collecting. From Pittsburgh store openings to high-fashion popcorn buckets, this episode connects the dots between Disney’s past and its evolving strategy to turn every experience into something you can take home. NEWS • Disney Store “comeback” revealed as limited-time pop-up retail experiences in select cities • First pop-up location announced for Pittsburgh, with another coming to Paramus, New Jersey • Disney partners with Go Retail Group to reduce overhead while testing physical retail demand • Movie theaters lean into merch with The Devil Wears Prada 2 collectible bundles and fashion-themed popcorn containers • Disney introduces “Infinity Vision,” a premium large-format theater experience to compete with IMAX availability FEATURE • How the 1970 MGM auction helped spark the rise of Disney collecting culture • Roy O. Disney’s response: creating the Disney Archives to preserve company history • The role of early guidebooks in shaping the Disneyana marketplace • Celebrity collectors like Carrie Fisher and Michael Jackson driving up prices in the early 1980s • Fan-driven events and communities laying the groundwork for modern Disney fandom HOSTS • Jim Hill (@JimHillMedia) • Lauren Hersey (@laurenhersey2) 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 UnlockedMagic.com – your go-to source for discounted Disney and Universal tickets. If a 2026 trip is on your radar, they’ll help you lock in the best deals with expert support every step of the way. 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

Jim and Lauren dig into a surprisingly packed week of Disney merch and history, from Crocs-inspired Minnie ears to rare Figment throwbacks and a new Little Golden Book celebrating Jim Henson. Along the way, they explore the shrinking footprint of Disney Stores - and the possibility of their return. Then Jim dives deep into the moment Disney stopped trusting outside publishers, revealing how one controversial biography changed the company’s approach to storytelling forever. NEWS • Disney and Crocs expand their partnership with customizable Mickey and Minnie ear headbands, featuring classic Crocs styling and interchangeable charms • A rare Disney Store outlet sighting sparks discussion about the future of retail - including rumors of immersive store experiences returning in select markets • New retro Figment and Dreamfinder shirts celebrate the original Journey Into Imagination attraction with vintage-inspired designs • A Little Golden Book biography of Jim Henson arrives May 5, introducing younger readers to the creator of the Muppets and his legacy FEATURE • How Disney originally relied on outside publishers like Western Publishing to tell its stories • The 1968 release of a controversial Walt Disney biography that damaged trust and reshaped the company’s publishing strategy • Why Disney shifted to in-house publishing under Michael Eisner to control its narrative and protect Walt’s legacy • The ongoing tension between historical accuracy and corporate storytelling, and how it still impacts Disney books today HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 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 This episode is sponsored by Unlock Magic - your go-to source for discounted Disney and Universal tickets. Whether you're planning ahead for 2026 or heading to a major event like D23, Unlock Magic helps you save money and skip the stress. Visit UnlockMagic.com to start planning your next trip. 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 Hill and Lauren Hersey break down Disney’s clever Pixar Merch Madness campaign and debate which franchise will dominate the bracket. They also dive into the overwhelming demand for Bluey in the parks, the rollout of new Bluey merchandise, and how Hannah Montana nostalgia is fueling a fresh wave of Disney consumer products. Then, Jim uncovers the surprising origin story of Disney Pez dispensers and how they became one of the company’s longest-running collectibles. NEWS • Disney launches a Pixar-themed “Merch Madness” bracket on Instagram, letting fans vote daily to determine future limited-release merchandise • Early matchups show strong wins for Cars, Monsters Inc., and Finding Nemo, with Ratatouille narrowly beating Up • Bluey’s Best Day Ever debuts at Disneyland with overwhelming demand, long lines, and immediate operational adjustments • Disney reevaluating Bluey show length after feedback that 40 minutes may be too long for younger audiences • New Bluey merchandise arrives at Disneyland, including apparel and collectible figures designed for both kids and adults • Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary (“Hannah-versary”) sparks new merch across Disney Store, Amazon, and fashion collaborations FEATURE • Pez was invented in 1927 as a breath freshener alternative to smoking, with dispensers modeled after cigarette lighters • Disney characters first appeared on unauthorized Pez dispensers in 1955, leading to a six-year negotiation before official licensing in 1961 • Early Disney Pez prototypes and discontinued designs are now highly valuable collector’s items, with some selling for thousands • The brand shifted from adult breath mints to kid-focused candy after success with character dispensers and novelty designs • Disney park-exclusive Pez items now include Haunted Mansion and Figment dispensers, along with themed display pieces like monorails • Pez collecting remains a passionate hobby, with conventions like Pezamania and rare pieces driving a strong secondary market HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 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 This episode is brought to you by Unlock Magic, your go-to source for discounted Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a Disney or Universal trip is on your radar for 2026, visit UnlockMagic.com to lock in great deals and expert support. 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

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey dive into a mix of new Disney merch, fan experiences, and theme park history. They break down the newly revealed Disney Princess running shoes from Brooks, preview merchandise coming to EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival, and look at a premium new D23 tour that takes fans through Walt Disney’s Los Angeles. Then Jim returns with Part 2 of the story of how a struggling shopping area at Walt Disney World evolved from the Disney Village Marketplace into the sprawling Disney Springs destination we know today. NEWS • Brooks and runDisney unveil the 2026 Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend shoe collection featuring Rapunzel, Belle, and Moana inspired designs - including braided laces, lantern motifs, and ocean themed colorways.• Registration prices for the Disney Princess Half Marathon continue to climb, now landing between $259 and $269, adding to the debate around race merch availability and resellers.• D23 launches the premium Walt’s Los Angeles Tour for Gold Members - a $1,999 guided experience visiting Walt Disney Studios, Imagineering, Walt’s former home, the Carolwood Barn, and ending with dinner at one of Walt’s favorite restaurants.• A preview of EPCOT’s 2026 Flower & Garden Festival merchandise highlights new Orange Bird apparel, a retro inspired button down, Spike the Bee accessories, and Annual Passholder exclusives.• Disney California Adventure prepares for the 2026 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, including new marketplace booths and the Sip and Savor Pass that lets guests prepay for festival items. FEATURE • Part 2 of the Disney Springs story: how Michael Eisner inherited the underperforming Walt Disney World Shopping Village in the 1980s.• The creation of Pleasure Island in 1989 as Disney’s answer to Orlando’s Church Street Station nightlife.• The evolution into Downtown Disney in the 1990s with additions like Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe, LEGO Imagination Center, DisneyQuest, and Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba.• Why Pleasure Island ultimately closed in 2008 - and the short lived Hyperion Wharf concept that almost replaced it.• How a major rethink under Disney Parks leadership led to the massive Disney Springs redevelopment, expanding the complex to more than 150 shops and restaurants across four themed districts. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com• Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 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 GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic. If a Disney or Universal trip is anywhere on your radar for 2026, the team at UnlockedMagic can help you secure great ticket deals with guidance from people who truly know the parks. Learn more and lock in your future 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 Lauren follow the winding path of Labyrinth as it turns 40, exploring how a film that underperformed in 1986 became one of the most beloved cult classics of the home video era - and how its legacy nearly intertwined with Disney in a much bigger way. In this episode of I Want That Too, we connect the dots between Jim Henson’s ambitious fantasy film, its surprising international success, and the long road that led Disney to acquire the Muppets - but not Labyrinth. Along the way, we look at the massive 40th anniversary merch push and what it says about the power of nostalgia-driven consumer products. NEWS • Disney Consumer Products wins big at North America’s Toy Fair, taking home Doll of the Year for the American Girl Moana collection and Plush Toy of the Year for the interactive Stitch • How upcoming theatrical releases - including The Mandalorian and Grogu, Toy Story 5, Moana (live-action), and Spider-Man: Brand New Day - are shaping Disney’s 2026 merchandise strategy • A new Haunted Mansion wedding venue debuts at Disneyland as Disney Fairy Tale Weddings celebrates its 35th anniversary • Disney unveils a 35th anniversary light-up wedding gown featuring 500 embedded lights and 35 programmable lighting effects • Labyrinth kicks off its 40th anniversary celebration with anniversary screenings, a 60-city concert tour, new collectibles, and specialty footwear collaborations FEATURE • Why Labyrinth struggled at the box office in 1986 despite an A-team creative lineup that included George Lucas and David Bowie • The international box office story that softened the blow - and helped build the film’s cult following • How Labyrinth’s disappointing domestic performance factored into Jim Henson’s decision to sell his company • The original 1989 Disney acquisition deal that would have given the Mouse the entire Henson film library - including Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal • Why the Henson family ultimately retained key IP like Labyrinth, Fraggle Rock, and The Dark Crystal when Disney finalized its Muppets purchase in 2004 • The newly announced Labyrinth sequel in development at TriStar Pictures and what it signals about the brand’s enduring power HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 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 This episode is brought to you by Unlock Magic. If a Disney or Universal trip is on your radar for 2026, Unlock Magic helps you secure great ticket prices with expert guidance from people who truly know the parks. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to lock in the best deals and make your next trip a little more magical. 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 Lauren kick off Super Bowl Sunday by diving into the biggest toy expo in the world and what it reveals about the future of Disney licensing. From LEGO’s new screen-free “smart” bricks to Formula One collaborations and a surprising resurgence of theme park trash can merch, this episode blends breaking toy news with classic Disney history - including the Epcot attraction that almost was. NEWS • Highlights from Germany’s massive Spielwarenmesse toy fair - and what it signals for global licensing trends • LEGO unveils new Smart Play sets, including interactive Star Wars builds with light-and-sound “smart brick” technology • A global Mickey and Friends x Formula One collaboration races toward 2026 • Hong Kong Disneyland celebrates 20 years of Push the Talking Trash Can with a talking collectible and shoulder plush • Walt Disney World rolls out a sprawling line of vintage park map merchandise, from tumblers to Skyway-inspired planters FEATURE • The ambitious German River Ride once planned for EPCOT’s Germany pavilion • How the attraction would have blended miniatures, cultural history, and even a surprise Snow White moment • The financial realities of early EPCOT - and why World War II sensitivities may have sealed the ride’s fate • The mural inside Biergarten that quietly marks where the attraction entrance was supposed to be HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 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 This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, your go-to source for discounted Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 trip is on your radar, Unlocked Magic helps you secure great ticket prices without the stress - all handled by experts who know the parks and how to save you money. Start planning your next adventure 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 Hill and Lauren Hersey dig into why collectibles are suddenly everywhere you look, from Disney merch shelves to grocery store cookie aisles and even inside theme parks themselves. This episode connects the dots between blind box culture, viral collectibles, and why companies like Disney and Universal are aggressively courting adult collectors and Gen Z fans. Along the way, the conversation builds toward a genuinely jaw-dropping realization about which media franchise quietly became the most valuable of all time. NEWS • Disney’s Zootopia 2 teams up with Pop Mart for blind box collectibles, tapping directly into the viral Labubu-style collector economy • Why blind boxes, mystery packs, and “completionist” merch are suddenly Disney’s favorite strategy • Disney Lorcana takes over EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts with a free scavenger hunt and highly coveted promo cards • Marvel’s new color-changing Oreos turn cookies into collectibles, complete with QR codes, lore, and villains • Universal Studios Japan confirms plans for a major Pokémon attraction, setting the internet on fire with speculation FEATURE • How Pokémon quietly became the highest-grossing media franchise in history • Why gaming revenue now dwarfs movies and how that shift changed theme parks forever • The real reason Universal wants Pokémon and why everyone else is chasing that level of success • What Pokémon’s 30-year rise tells us about merch, media, and the future of themed entertainment HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 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 This episode of I Want That Too is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, your go-to source for stress-free savings on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 trip is on your radar, Unlocked Magic helps you unlock great prices with expert guidance from people who truly know the parks. Learn more 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

Disney’s live-action strategy, a surprisingly exclusive D23 merch sale, and a 65-year-old animated classic all collide on this episode of I Want That Too. Jim and Lauren break down why a new casting announcement for Tangled matters far beyond the movie itself, how Disney is quietly rewarding its most dedicated fans, and why 101 Dalmatians feels more relevant today than ever. Along the way, they connect the dots between animation history, modern merchandising, and the business decisions still shaping Disney in 2025. NEWS • Why the newly announced Tangled live-action leads are a smart, generation-spanning choice for Disney • How Disney’s live-action remakes reduce risk and supercharge future merchandise lines • The Twice Upon a Year Sale that most fans know - and the D23-only version many do not • Why D23 memberships are suddenly looking more valuable heading into a busy 2025 FEATURE • How Sleeping Beauty’s box office failure nearly sank Disney animation • The technology shift that made 101 Dalmatians possible with a drastically smaller animation staff • Why Cruella de Vil became the template for Disney villains going forward • How a cost-saving experiment ended up saving Walt Disney Animation Studios HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 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 This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic. Planning a future Disney or Universal trip? Lock in great ticket deals without the stress 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

It’s the first episode of the new year, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey ring in 2026 by digging into the annual Disney merch reset. From the surprisingly nostalgic look of next year’s dated park souvenirs to a brand-new Star Wars droid collector program, there’s a lot changing on shelves just as holiday decorations disappear overnight. Plus, Jim takes a deep dive into one of Disney’s most baffling merch success stories and why it still doesn’t quite translate stateside. NEWS • A first look at Disney’s 2026 dated park merchandise, including a color palette that feels straight out of vintage Walt Disney World road signage • Disney confirms Droid Factory Fridays, a new monthly Star Wars collector program kicking off January 2 • How Disney is using timed drops and bonus build incentives to keep Star Wars fans buying all year long • Valentine’s Day arrives overnight, with Sweethearts’ Nite at Disneyland and new couples-focused merch leading the charge FEATURE • Why Stitch dominated 2025 with billions in merch sales following the live-action film • The strange history of Duffy the Disney Bear, from U.S. failure to massive success in Asia • Disney’s new slow-and-steady strategy to finally make Duffy stick with American audiences • How Asian parks are going all-in on Duffy with restaurants, parades, shows, and anniversary celebrations HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 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 This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic, the same trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store and the DVC Resale Market. If a trip to Disney or Universal is in your future, visit UnlockedMagic.com to score great ticket deals from people who truly know Disney travel. 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 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 inside My Disney Experience, the company’s eye-popping $1 billion investment in OpenAI, and why dynamic pricing is suddenly giving everyone Instacart flashbacks. Then Jim takes Lauren (and all of us) on a deep-dive into the origin story of Disney’s Sing-Along VHS line - including how a Max Fleischer Rudolph short ended up inside Disney’s Very Merry Christmas Songs tape. NEWS• Disney is testing a new “Find Merchandise” feature in the My Disney Experience app to help guests search for specific items and check availability at select locations (including World of Disney at Disney Springs). • Disney’s reported $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI sparks a debate about guardrails, character usage, and curation, especially as AI-generated content gets easier to make (and easier to misuse). • The latest Instacart dynamic pricing controversy raises alarms about different customers seeing different prices, prompting the big question: is Disney heading down a similar road with ticket pricing? • Disney’s CFO signals dynamic pricing for domestic parks in 2026, with Jim and Lauren weighing the business upside against the guest-side pain of budgeting and “reading the room.” FEATURE• A surprisingly twisty history lesson on how Disney’s early VHS strategy helped create the Sing-Along Songs phenomenon - and why making kids sing along was (possibly) the point. • The story behind Very Merry Christmas Songs (1988), including how it had to be assembled on a brutal retail timeline to hit shelves in early October. • How Disney licensed (cheaply) a hand-drawn Max Fleischer Rudolph (1948) short originally made for Montgomery Ward store Santa lines - and why it looks better on YouTube than it did on VHS. • Why this tape became a yearly tradition: the “one remaining VHS player” holiday background classic for tree-decorating season. HOSTS• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORTSupport the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSORThis episode of I Want That To is brought to you by our friends at UnlockedMagic.com, the same trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and the DVC Resale Market. If you’re planning a Disney trip, they’ve got the best deals on Walt Disney World tickets - visit UnlockedMagic.com to grab the best ticket deals and make your next Disney trip just a little bit more magical. 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

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 Happy Meal promotion, Disney’s official holiday book guide, and a couple of doorstop tomes that are now living in the Hersey household. In the back half, Jim takes Lauren on a whirlwind tour through nearly 80 years of Disney’s talking-animal history - from Song of the South all the way to Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. NEWS • Zootopia 2’s Thanksgiving opening pulls in a projected 156 million dollars domestically and around 400 million dollars overseas in just five days - more than half a billion total and one of the biggest Thanksgiving hauls ever. • How those numbers stack up against Wicked for Good and last year’s Moana 2, plus why Universal probably is not panicking while it waits for the inevitable Wicked sing-along edition and a newly announced Galinda prequel novel. • The debut of Gary the Snake - a gloriously weird Zootopia 2 sipper at Disneyland - and Jim’s crusade to track down Nog the snow seal pup plush that was gifted to Disney Television Animation staffers. • McDonald’s 70th celebration Happy Meal, featuring 70 different Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and classic character toys with two figures per box - plus online grumbling over who made the cut (hello, Clarabelle) and who suspiciously did not (sorry, Cinderella). • Disney Parks Blog’s holiday book guide, from deep-dive art and history titles like the X Atencio tribute and John Landau’s memoir to Moana’s “What if she stole the heart?” Twisted Tale, kid-friendly atlases, scratch-n-sniff adventures, and the giant Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks and Bring the Magic Home books currently threatening Lauren’s fingernails. FEATURE • A crash course in Disney’s history with anthropomorphized animals - starting with the animated sequences in 1946’s Song of the South and why so many artists remembered that era as their happiest time at the studio after returning from World War II. • The rise and fall of the abandoned Chanticleer project, the “Roy’s Boys” money feud with Walt, and how that detour accidentally sent Mark Davis to Imagineering where he helped create icons like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. • How The Aristocats, Robin Hood, and even The Jungle Book paved the way for modern animal worlds - including the infamous animation recycling in Robin Hood’s “Phony King of England” sequence that sharp-eyed fans still spot today. • The long development path from the shelved spy thriller Savage Seas, starring Jack Savage, to the fully realized animal metropolis of Zootopia - including John Lasseter’s notes, Jared Bush’s CIA family background, and the last-minute decision to swap Nick Wilde out for Judy Hopps as the true lead. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 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 This episode of I Want That Too is brought to you by our friends at UnlockedMagic.com - the same trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market. If you are planning a trip to Central Florida to visit Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, the Unlocked Magic crew has some of the best deals on tickets, so do yourself a favor and use UnlockedMagic.com to make your next vacation just a little more magical. 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

Disney merch meets Disney history this week as Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack the newest releases tied to Zootopia 2 before shifting gears into a deep dive on one of the most pivotal films in studio history. Then, Disney historian and author Todd James Pierce joins the show to share how Mary Poppins reshaped the future of the company — with behind-the-scenes stories you’ve never heard. NEWS The newest Zootopia 2 merch drops at Disney Store and World of Disney, from Judy Hopps Loungefly to new plush and spirit jerseys. Box-office expectations for the Zootopia sequel as it heads into Thanksgiving weekend. A first look at Disneyland’s odd and delightful new souvenir guide. Disney’s unexpected collaboration with Formula One. FEATURE Interview: Todd James Pierce — The Making of Mary Poppins and How It Transformed Disney How the 1964 classic became the studio’s turning point during Walt’s most ambitious era. Julie Andrews, Hayley Mills furniture, and other wonderfully strange details from Todd’s research. Why Mary Poppins helped fund the expansion that made Walt Disney World possible. The years-long archival detective work that went into Todd’s book. Walt’s evolving creative priorities — and how this single film changed everything. Guest Todd James Pierce Website: toddjamespierce.com Podcast: Disney History Institute Books: Three Years in Wonderland, The Life and Times of Ward Kimball, The Making of Mary Poppins and How It Transformed Disney Hosts Jim Hill X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia Instagram: @JimHillMedia Website: jimhillmedia.com Lauren Hersey X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2Instagram: @lauren_hersey_ Patreon Support the show and get exclusive content!https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor UnlockedMagic.com — your trusted source for the best Walt Disney World ticket deals, including savings on special event nights like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Make your next Disney trip a little more magical at UnlockedMagic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices