Epic Universe Merch, Figment’s Flattening, and Duffy’s Cherry Blossom Comeback (Ep. 41)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 3 April 2025

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore the colorful world of theme park merchandise—from Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival to Universal’s Epic Universe rollout—and spotlight a pastel plush lineup that’s taking over Japan (and maybe your shelf next). Figment’s Flattening at Flower & Garden – Lauren shares her thoughts on Disney’s 3D-printed topiaries, the orange spirit jersey, and whether Figment is looking a little… squished this year. Captain Cacao and Universal Merch Madness – Jim breaks down Universal’s plans to “Adopt a Dragon,” upgrade wands with haptic tech, and introduce new mascots, including a butter beer-loving bear. Cherry Blossom Duffy and the Pastel Plush Invasion – From Baymax in bloom to sleepy Marie, Jim and Lauren review Japan’s newest spring merch—and speculate if Duffy’s soft-spoken friends will ever click stateside. Bounding for the Gala – Lauren previews her Disneybound look for the Epcot 40th Anniversary Gala, complete with Cinderella blue and glass slipper energy. Flower & Garden Tips – A rundown of the Egg-stravaganza scavenger hunt, the collectible prize system, and why it’s one of the best festival activities for families on a budget. This episode is filled with plush previews, theme park strategies, and the delightful chaos of spring merch season. Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Ready to launch your business? Get started with the commerce platform made for entrepreneurs.
0:04.8	Shopify is specially designed to help you start, run and grow your business with easy customizable themes that let you build your brand.
0:12.5	Marketing tools that get your products out there. Integrated shipping solutions that actually save you time.
0:17.5	From startups to scaleups, online, in person, and on the go. Shopify is made for
0:22.9	entrepreneurs like you. Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup.
0:30.0	Welcome back to I Want That Too, the podcast where Disney merch meets Disney history. I'm
0:36.5	entertainment writer Jim Hill, and as as always I'm joined by the
0:40.5	lovely Lauren Hersey who I'm not going to lie to you folks looks a little stress tonight.
0:45.1	Lauren what's going on? Well Jim I've been racking my brain about a outfit to wear to a themed
0:54.0	gala that is happening at my children's school and my child, my little one, Miles.
0:59.9	And, I mean, like, it's a very Disney, like, friendly school, like, every year for this gala.
1:05.9	They do a big, like, raffle where they give away, like, a week at Disney World. It's great. And the thing
1:13.5	about it that I personally dread, I'm sorry if, like, you're into this kind of thing, is it is a
1:18.5	dress-up gala. So this year's theme is Alice in Wonderland, and I've been racking my brain on what to dress up as that where I can maybe
1:30.5	like bound a little bit but I don't have to like wear a full-blown costume and everything
1:36.2	I suggest.
1:37.7	Eric is like, oh, that's, that's going to be overdone.
1:40.3	That's going to be overdone.
1:41.0	I was like, well, I could be the queen of hearts and you could be a car.
1:44.3	So I want to run by you the idea that we came up with and see if, like, to get your feeling,
1:51.6	to test the water before we actually go full force and rock this next week. Okay. So are you and Eric
2:00.3	going as a bonded pair? And if so, what sort of costumes are we talking here?
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Jim Hill Media Podcast Network and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.