D23 Ticketing Turmoil and the Hidden History of Pressed Pennies (Ep. 93)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 2 April 2026

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim and Lauren dig into the latest updates surrounding the D23 Ultimate Fan Event, including confusing ticket tiers, pin lotteries, and the growing tension between traditional fans and influencer access. From membership strategies to collectible exclusives, they break down what you need to know before tickets go live. Then, in this week’s feature, Jim explores the surprisingly rich history behind pressed pennies—how a simple, low-cost souvenir became a staple of Disney parks and a quiet revenue powerhouse. NEWS • D23 Ultimate Fan Event ticketing rolls out with tiered access, giving paid Gold Members early purchase windows ahead of Disney+ subscribers • Honda Center seating add-ons and limited availability raise concerns for fans trying to secure access to major presentations • Random Selection Process (RSP) pins debut with unclear odds, limited quantities, and eligibility tied to higher-priced ticket packages • Disney+ perk offers 20% off D23 Gold Membership upgrades, prompting fans to weigh whether paid tiers improve ticket chances • Ravensburger announces a Disney Lorcana Championship Qualifier at D23, adding a competitive gaming element to the event FEATURE • Pressed pennies date back to early railroad experiments in the 1800s—but didn’t arrive in Disney parks until 1987 • Introduced during the Michael Eisner era, penny machines were designed as low-cost, high-margin additions to boost in-park spending • Early machines debuted on Main Street, U.S.A., quickly proving successful and expanding across Disney parks worldwide • Modern machines now use pre-made blanks instead of real pennies, reflecting the discontinuation of U.S. penny production 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 tickets. If you’re planning a 2026 trip—or heading to D23—visit UnlockedMagic.com to save on park tickets and simplify your planning. 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

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back to I Want That to the podcast where Disney merch meets Disney history.
0:05.6	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill, and as always, I'm joined by the lovely Lauren Hersey.
0:12.0	And how are you today, Lauren, in the waning days of the month of March?
0:16.9	Yeah, doing good, getting all hyped up for WWE tonight for Miles and his birthday in Pittsburgh.
0:25.6	Oh, that's right. Okay. So how long a drive is that from your place?
0:32.0	Just over an hour, I think. Oh, cool. Okay. All right. Can't wait to hear. I mean, especially, you know, again, when you think about when you enter a WWE event, that gauntlet of merch before you even get into the venue.
0:47.8	Yeah. We were just talking this morning with Miles and, you know, he's our son our son that's nine, and he was telling me all the
0:56.3	things that he was planning to purchase as soon as we walk in.
0:59.5	He's got a list.
1:00.7	Well, there you go.
1:03.5	And hopefully, you know, there'll be room for you guys to sit down with all of the bags.
1:08.8	Yes.
1:09.4	But you were talking about some merch before we hopped on, right?
1:13.3	You have an update?
1:14.3	Oh, I am so weak.
1:17.3	You know, on last week's show, I mentioned how I was at Target,
1:22.2	and I discovered that there was an Easter-themed series of the Pixar Cars Cars.
1:28.8	And, you know, I think I sprang for the Ramon.
1:32.3	And earlier this week, finally caved and went back and bought the other five in the series,
1:38.4	which include the Easter buggy and Lightning McQueen as the Easter buggy.
1:44.8	And, you know, they're now sitting in the Tupperware alongside the Christmas-themed Pixar
1:53.0	character, which, again, I think I recall moaning on an earlier show, Lauren, that I still
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