I Want That Episode 12: Disney Merchandise & Park News from Late 2020

Remembering Frank Robert Hill

• 💔 Jim Hill begins by paying tribute to his late father, Frank Robert Hill, who passed away on December 19th, 2020, shortly after his 89th birthday.
• 💡 Frank Hill was instrumental in Jim's career path, teaching him to tell stories and inspiring his interest in Disneyland.
• 🎅 He was a beloved principal and kindergarten teacher, and even served as Santa Claus for the town of Maynard, Massachusetts.
• 🛠️ Frank was also a talented woodworker who taught Jim how to build things, including animation stands and Disney collectibles.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway Happy Meal Set

• 🚂 A 10-toy McDonald's Happy Meal set celebrating Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway was launched on November 17th, 2020.
• ⚠️ The promotion was paused due to a forgotten sweepstakes component with expired QR codes, causing frustration among collectors.
• ⏳ The campaign resumed with new QR codes but ended around December 14th, making eBay the primary source for obtaining the toys.
• 🎢 A similar train-themed promotion is planned for the reopening of Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland Park in 2023.

Disney's "Soul" Merchandise & Collectibles

• 🎶 The animated film "Soul" has inspired a range of merchandise, including mugs, t-shirts, iPhone cases, and Funko Pop figures, many featuring the character Soulcat.
• 🧸 This mirrors past Disney merchandising strategies, such as the "Olaf's Frozen Adventure" plush kittens that became highly sought after.
• 🛍️ "Soul" merchandise can be found at Disney stores and retailers like Box Lunch, which also offers a wide variety of other Disney and pop culture items.

Disney Parks Merchandise & Book Recommendations

• 🏷️ Significant discounts are available on 2020 Disneyland merchandise, including sweatshirts and ornaments, as 2021 items begin to appear.
• 📚 Several Disney-related books are recommended, including "The Art of Pixar's Soul," "Holiday Magic of the Disney Parks," and "The Disney Monorail: Imaginary Highway in the Sky."
• 📖 "Mark Davis: In His Own Words, Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks" is highlighted as a significant two-volume set.
• 📰 The "Disney Fan Magazine" from Japan is recommended for its up-to-date coverage of merchandise and attractions.

Theme Park Controversies & Fan Reactions

• 🎢 Discussions touch on fan reactions to changes in Disney attractions, such as the "Small World" redesign and the "Snow White's Scary Adventures" update.
• 🗣️ The podcast notes that some fans react negatively to changes, even when they are well-received by others or are part of a natural evolution of attractions.
• 🎆 The upcoming "Harmonious" nighttime spectacular at Epcot is mentioned, with anticipation for its debut despite initial fan criticism of the barge design.

Podcast Network & Upcoming Content

• 🎙️ Jim Hill promotes various podcasts on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, including "Disney Dish," "Fine-Tuning," "Marvel US Disney," "Looking at Lucasfilm," and "Universal Joint."
• 📣 Listeners are encouraged to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to support the network.
• 🗓️ The episode marks the final "I Want That" for 2020, with new episodes planned for early 2021.