Looking Ahead to 2026: Why Disney’s Quiet Anniversaries Are About to Flood the Shelves (Ep. 81)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 8 January 2026

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As the calendar flips to a brand-new year, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick things off by looking ahead to what’s shaping up to be a massive 2026 for Disney merch fans. From milestone anniversaries Disney rarely shouts about to a packed slate of films and park changes, this episode breaks down why collectors should start paying attention now. And later in the show, Jim dives deep into a Disney history lesson about a beautifully ambitious animated film that failed spectacularly - and how that misfire accidentally paved the way for one of Disney’s most merch-friendly franchises ever. NEWS • Why 2026 is stacked with Disney anniversaries, including Disneyland’s 70th, DCA’s 25th, and multiple film milestones • Major franchise birthdays like High School Musical (20), Cars (20), Zootopia (10), Moana (10), and 101 Dalmatians (65) • How Pixar’s 40th anniversary and its long partnership with Disney could influence upcoming releases • A look at 2026 movies driving merch, including Toy Story 5, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and live-action Moana • Big park changes ahead, from Galaxy’s Edge updates to Disneyland Paris becoming Disney Adventure World FEATURE • Why Sleeping Beauty was one of Disney’s most expensive animated gambles - and why it failed at the box office • How that failure led Disney to completely rethink animation budgets and storytelling • The surprising connection between Sleeping Beauty’s loss and the creation of One Hundred and One Dalmatians • How that pivot ultimately set the stage for decades of Cruella-driven merch success HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - X: @laurenhersey2 | IG: @lauren_hersey_ 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 SPONSORThis episode of I Want That Too is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, the same trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store and the DVC Resale Market. If Disney or Universal is anywhere on your 2026 radar, Unlocked Magic is a smart place to start. Their experts know the parks, the seasons, and how to help you plan without overpaying. Head to UnlockedMagic.com for great deals on theme park tickets and 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

Transcript

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0:00.0	300 years of expertise in every twining sleep blend.
0:06.0	100 hours of craft in every cup.
0:10.0	Eight natural ingredients in every sip.
0:14.0	One night of winding down in every drop.
0:18.0	Your moment of serenity.
0:23.8	Brought to you by twining sleep.
0:25.1	Twinings.
0:27.8	Alive in every drop.
0:35.2	Welcome back to I Want That Too, the podcast where Disney merch meets Disney history.
0:41.2	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill and as always I'm joined by the lovely Lauren Herssey.
0:48.7	He was feeling a trifle under the weather at the start of this new year.
0:54.8	I think everybody that I know is feeling a trifle under the weather.
0:56.6	Are you seeing that, too?
1:07.3	Well, what's interesting is here, the weather has been, well, we keep getting like these three-inch snowstorms,
1:29.3	which then in our driveway turn into ice, which by the way, yesterday resulted in this poor UPS driver drove up our driveway and then attempted to turn around and got to the point where he literally had one wheel dangling over the hillside. You know, and he had to call a tow truck, you know, to eventually get him out.
1:35.3	Oh, no.
1:36.3	Yeah.
1:37.3	And I felt so bad. I was literally out there with him with a shovel and the only stuff I had in the house that had remotely could have put under
1:45.9	the tire to even grow out there with with cans of kitty litter, you know, just sort of like, you know,
1:51.1	trying to help this poor guy and get at the same time, do you want to come in the house?
1:55.5	Do you want to use the bathroom?
1:56.8	And it's like, no, he would not leave his little brown kingdom of his truck, you know.
	...

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