Todd Martens on Galaxy’s Edge Reimagined - Plus Muppets Take Over Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster (Ep. 585)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 25 May 2026

⏱️ 78 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Len Testa and Jim Hill review Walt Disney World’s latest wave of attraction updates, including the new Soarin’ Across America film, the Muppets’ chaotic takeover of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, and the newly refurbished Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Then, Los Angeles Times columnist Todd Martens joins the show to discuss Disneyland’s evolving version of Galaxy’s Edge, why Disney is pivoting away from strict sequel-era storytelling, and how the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run finally addresses years of guest feedback. NEWS • Len shares first impressions of Soarin’ Across America, including the updated Patrick Warburton pre-show and the new opening rocket launch sequence • Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets debuts with extensive new ride scenes, classic rock parody album covers, and dozens of hidden gags • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens with a smoother ride experience and upgraded effects after its lengthy refurbishment • Disney expands Walt Disney World luggage transfer service to American, United, and Southwest Airlines • Universal announces a Sinners-themed Halloween Horror Nights house for both Orlando and Hollywood FEATURE • Todd Martens discusses Disneyland’s changing approach to Galaxy’s Edge and the return of classic Star Wars characters and locations • Why the original immersive “live your own Star Wars story” concept struggled to fully materialize inside the land • The updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run adds new destinations, including Coruscant, Bespin, Endor, and Tatooine • How Imagineering redesigned the attraction to improve gameplay for pilots, engineers, and gunners alike For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com GUEST • Todd Martens - Bluesky: @toddmartens.bsky.social | Instagram: @toddmartens FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR • UnlockedMagic.com - Save on your next Disney vacation with discounted Walt Disney World tickets: https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=disneydish EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/DISNEYDISH Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:50.3	Visit Medexpress.co.c.uk slash podcast to learn more. Welcome back to another edition of the Disney Dish podcast with Jim Hill. It's me, Len Testa, and this is our show for the week of Shmurs Day, May 25th, 2026. Happy Memorial Day, everyone. On the show today, I ride Soren and Muppets Rock and Roller Coaster, and they're great. Plus an interesting new Magic Kingdom survey that hints about what refurbishments we might see next. Then in our main segment, we're joined by Los Angeles Times writer Todd Martens to talk about changes to Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland. Let's get started by bringing in the man whose grandfather was responsible for 25-downed German aircraft in World War II, making him the worst mechanic the Luftwaffe had ever seen.
1:30.5	It's Mr. Jim Hill. Jim, how's it going?
1:32.4	It's going well then.
1:33.7	Though, speaking of Germany and the war, I want to remind folks that the only Donald Duck cartoon to ever win an Academy Award is one you'll never see on Disney Plus, and that's
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	...

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