Sneaking Into Sam’s: Jim Finally Cracks the Grog Grotto Code (Ep. 560)

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Leisure, Society & Culture

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 1 December 2025

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

After a week wandering Walt Disney World with Len and Jim Shull, Jim goes solo this episode to share fresh Orlando observations, big theme park news, and the triumphant tale of finally getting inside Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto after a decade of trying. From Zootopia 2’s massive box office to the latest on dynamic pricing, Magic Kingdom expansion hints, and some curious choices around holiday traditions at the Grand Floridian, this one covers a lot of ground. And yes, there will be tiki mugs. NEWS • Disney officially announces that The World of Frozen opens at Disneyland Paris on March 29, 2026. • CFO Hugh Johnston publicly confirms dynamic pricing expansions at Disney parks after a year of corporate pushback. • Zootopia 2 posts a remarkable $556 million global opening weekend. • Ongoing fan hunt for the hidden Joe Rohde at Zootopia Zoo Better Together—Jim Shull reveals where to look. • Early visuals emerge around the Magic Kingdom expansion, with notable activity near Seven Seas Drive and Floridian Way. FEATURE • The full saga of Jim’s 10-year quest to enter Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. • Why going late - very late - is the key to getting inside this tiny tiki temple. • Comparisons between Trader Sam’s, the new Beacon Barrel in Adventureland, and The Perch at the Grand Floridian. • Updates on this year’s missing Grand Floridian Gingerbread House and what might happen next. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com 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 sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com, the same team behind the DVC Rental Store. If you're planning a trip to Central Florida and want discounted tickets to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando - often 10 to 12 percent less than elsewhere - visit UnlockedMagic.com. 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	Think about cheese.
0:02.0	Make your thoughts cheesier.
0:04.2	Now add 100% chicken breast fillet, Chipopla sauce and Ameta cheese melt.
0:08.3	And it's giving the new cheesy chicken stack at McDonald's.
0:12.0	Did we mention it's cheesy?
0:13.9	Cheese.
0:15.8	Availments at the 4th of Jan, 2026 from 11 a.m.
0:18.1	Plus and participation may vary.
0:19.2	Subjects availability.
0:20.1	Welcome back to another edition of the Disney Dish podcast. It is me, Jim Hill, and this is our show
0:26.1	for the week of Schmer's Day, December 1st, 2025. And just so you know, because Lenz in Palm Springs,
0:34.0	as is Drew Taylor, and Nancy's away in Kansas City. It's just me by my lonesome this week.
0:40.1	That said, I myself just got back for a week down in Orlando, where I then got to see all sorts of interesting things.
0:47.8	As Lentesta, Jim Shul and I wandered around Walt Disney World, the resort, and recorded a brand new set of walk-around shows
0:56.2	in the parks. Some of these recordings, you'll get to hear here. I want to say our IAPA show,
1:04.4	where Mr. Test and Mr. Schull and I explore the Orange County Convention Center, just as the
1:09.6	2025 editions of the Attractions Expo
1:12.9	was getting underway. There were supposedly nine miles of aisles on display there. My feet
1:19.7	certainly felt like it. That show, I believe, got posted here last week as a special edition
1:27.1	of Disney Dish.
1:28.6	A number of those other recordings, well, they'll pop up over on Disney and Pact our Patreon
1:34.1	project.
	...

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