The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network features weekly shows hosted by Jim Hill and his collaborators. The lineup includes The Disney Dish with Len Testa, Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Epic Universal Podcast with Eric Hersey, I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey, Marvel Us Disney with Dan Graney, The Case For with Chris Cox, and more. Each series offers industry reporting, history, analysis, and insider stories spanning Disney, Universal, animation, film, streaming, and themed entertainment. With over 25 years of online storytelling and thousands of hours of content, the network delivers trusted, in-depth coverage for fans, enthusiasts, and industry professionals.
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The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network features weekly shows hosted by Jim Hill and his collaborators. The lineup includes The Disney Dish with Len Testa, Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Epic Universal Podcast with Eric Hersey, I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey, Marvel Us Disney with Dan Graney, The Case For with Chris Cox, and more. Each series offers industry reporting, history, analysis, and insider stories spanning Disney, Universal, animation, film, streaming, and themed entertainment. With over 25 years of online storytelling and thousands of hours of content, the network delivers trusted, in-depth coverage for fans, enthusiasts, and industry professionals.
Inside IAAPA 2025: Big Rides, Bold Tech, and the Industry’s Next Moves (Ep. 559)
The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
42 minutes
2 weeks ago
Inside IAAPA 2025: Big Rides, Bold Tech, and the Industry’s Next Moves (Ep. 559)
Len Testa, Jim Hill, and veteran Imagineer Jim Shull hit the IAAPA Expo show floor in Orlando, exploring the newest ride systems, vendor innovations, and behind-the-scenes stories fueling the future of themed entertainment.
NEWS
A look at how IAAPA blends professional showcase, industry reunion, and pop-up amusement park—complete with traffic, parking challenges, and surprises at every booth.
Zamperla’s full-size demo of its new interactive “flap-to-fly” ride, where sensors track arm movements to lift riders higher.
The stacked-track, heart-shaped family coaster concept designed to fit high-capacity thrills into a tiny footprint.
Mack Rides’ water-coaster hybrid for Dollywood: a tracked boat that transitions between basins, rapids, and coaster moments.
The debut of brand-new industry tech, including an AI park-operations platform launched just two weeks earlier—so new the vendor couldn’t answer most questions yet.
Why Imagineers were quietly examining faux-fossil rockwork in a small booth—possible clues to future projects.
A vendor’s dramatic countdown-clock presentation that fell apart when no one realized the microphone was dead.
The team’s ongoing quest for pickle-flavored cotton candy and other baffling IAAPA food innovations.
Len’s impromptu pitch to Doppelmayr about Universal’s transportation RFQ—and the unexpectedly enthusiastic response.
Why IAAPA acts as “old home week” for themed entertainment pros, with surprise run-ins, backstage conversations, and stories that won’t be public for years.
Full show notes available here: Show Notes
Hosts
Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.comJim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.comJim Shull (Veteran Imagineer) — X/Twitter: @JimShull | YouTube: @jimhshull | Website: jimhshull.com
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Producer Credits
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agencyhttps://strongmindedagency.com
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team at DVC Rental Store — offering discounted Disney theme park tickets, including special events. Save on your next trip with
Unlocked Magic.
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The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network features weekly shows hosted by Jim Hill and his collaborators. The lineup includes The Disney Dish with Len Testa, Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Epic Universal Podcast with Eric Hersey, I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey, Marvel Us Disney with Dan Graney, The Case For with Chris Cox, and more. Each series offers industry reporting, history, analysis, and insider stories spanning Disney, Universal, animation, film, streaming, and themed entertainment. With over 25 years of online storytelling and thousands of hours of content, the network delivers trusted, in-depth coverage for fans, enthusiasts, and industry professionals.
