The Surprisingly Complicated Origins of Disney Springs (Ep. 89)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 5 March 2026

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore the latest Disney Springs news, from towering CrazyShakes and a savory new concept from Gideon’s Bakehouse to a possible interactive gaming venue taking over the old NBA Experience building. They also spotlight a subtle new Disney-inspired apparel brand before diving into the surprisingly complicated early history of Disney Springs. In part one of this deep dive, Jim traces the story all the way back to Walt Disney’s original EPCOT city plans and the unlikely beginnings of what eventually became Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district. NEWS • Black Tap CrazyShake pop-up arrives at Disney Springs with over-the-top milkshakes, including a Disney-exclusive Mickey-themed shake available for a limited 90-day run • Six Ravens announced as a new savory concept from Gideon’s Bakehouse founder Steve Lewis, featuring “coffins” (old-school hand pies), smashed potatoes, and local beer • Level 99 interactive challenge venue rumored for the former NBA Experience building, bringing 60 physical and mental challenge rooms plus food and drinks • The Aerophile balloon ride at Disney Springs returns with a brand-new balloon, once again offering aerial views of Walt Disney World FEATURE • Why Disney Springs exists at all - and how its origins trace back to Walt Disney’s original EPCOT city concept in the 1960s • The opening of the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village in 1975 and why Disney initially designed it for residents, not tourists • How the Empress Lily riverboat restaurant helped introduce Disney’s first-ever character dining experience in 1978 • Early resort expansion plans around the shopping village, including a proposed New Orleans Square-themed hotel district that never happened 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, the go-to place for some of the best deals on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. If a 2026 park trip is on your radar, Unlocked Magic helps you lock in great prices and plan ahead with confidence. 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	Welcome back to I Want That to the podcast where Disney merch meets Disney history.
0:05.8	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill and I'm joined as always by the lovely Lauren Hersey,
0:11.3	who you were out running Saturday errands today, right?
0:14.3	Yes, we're getting ready for Disneyland.
0:18.2	We leave on Friday.
0:19.9	So we had to get our outfits.
0:22.1	My teenage daughter would say, like, our outfits are eating for the trip.
0:27.7	She would hate that I was using teenager slang.
0:30.5	But that's what's happening in the Hersey House.
0:34.2	Okay, okay.
0:35.6	Well, I went out and ran some Saturday errands as well and went to the post office and found a box waiting for me from, let's see, Randy H. from Dunkirk, Indiana. And Randy, I guess, was listening to the show when I was talking about the two cats that
0:56.1	Nancy and I recently adopted moose and Rocket, who was named after Rocket J. Squirrel.
1:03.3	And Randy did a really sweet thing. He popped in the mail. This is a bullwinkle moose and Rocket J. Squirrel plush from back in the day.
1:15.1	And what's really cool about it is I found the battery pack in the back.
1:19.1	And all right, let's see if you're going to get this thing to actually talk.
1:22.6	It also kind of sounds like Barney.
1:25.2	Ah, well, you know, that I want to say it's Bill Scott who did Bull Lincoln's voice back in the day.
1:31.9	And, of course, June Foray did Rocket J. Squirrel.
1:36.2	You know, sadly, we lost both of those performers a while back.
1:41.2	But anyway, I thought that was really sweet.
1:43.3	And thank you, Randy.
1:45.7	You know, this will, we'll find. Hey, Jim. Like, I know that you love cats, like you and you have a
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