When Fans Build the Disney Store Disney Didn’t (Ep. 97)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 30 April 2026

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

im Hill and Lauren Hersey explore how fan-driven Disney markets, unusual Grogu merch, and long-forgotten animation art traditions reveal what the company can’t ignore about its audience. Jim and Lauren kick things off with fresh chatter about a possible Apple-Disney partnership before diving into the rise of fan-created Disney shopping experiences like Orlando’s “Happiest Market.” From there, they explore how fandom is shaping retail trends, react to some delightfully strange new Grogu merchandise, and spotlight a book designed to bring Disney-style design into your home. Jim then continues his deep-dive series on the origins of Disney fandom, sharing incredible stories about animation art, early collectors, and the first grassroots Disney fan organization. NEWS • Rumblings of a potential Apple and Disney partnership or acquisition resurface amid leadership changes • Fan-created Disney “farmers markets” like The Happiest Market gain popularity in Orlando • Disney pop-up retail strategy may reflect grassroots demand from fan communities • New “Bring the Magic Home” book taps into the trend of Disney-inspired interior design FEATURE • Grogu merch gets weird with Furblets, vinyl collectibles, and “Grogu-boo” crossovers • The surprising story of how Disney once had zero Baby Yoda merch at launch • Jim’s personal history collecting original animation cels in the 1970s and 80s • The origin of the Mouse Club fan organization and early Disneyana conventions • How Disney initially resisted nostalgia before embracing fandom-driven events HOSTS • Jim Hill (@JimHillMedia) • Lauren Hersey (@laurenhersey2) 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 This episode is brought to you by ⁠UnlockedMagic.com⁠ – your go-to source for discounted Disney and Universal tickets. If a 2026 trip is on your radar, they’ll help you lock in the best deals with expert support every step of the way. 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

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Head to the coast in Abercrombie's latest summer drop.
0:04.5	It's dress season.
0:05.7	From minis to maxis, there's a dress for every summer plan.
0:09.5	And Abercrombie's new linen blend matching sets are so light and breathable.
0:14.8	Perfect for brunch or rooftop happy hours.
0:18.0	Dress like you're on holiday.
0:19.7	Shop Abercrombie in the app, online, and in stores.
0:28.1	Indeed presents. Hires, you can't afford to get wrong, like payroll manager. Hi, I was just
0:33.9	checking my pay slip and it's all in Japanese yen. Yes, you're welcome. Sorry? Given the exchange rate between the pound and the yen, you're technically a millionaire now. Don't spend it all in one place. I can't really spend it anywhere. This is a job for sponsored jobs. This is what happens when you don't sponsor your job on Indeed. So the next time you need someone to get the job done right, get matched with quality candidates with an Indeed sponsored job.
0:54.5	Visit Indeed.com slash Next Hire and sponsor your job today.
0:57.8	Welcome back to I Want That Too, the podcast where Disney merch meets Disney history.
1:04.1	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill, and as always, I'm joined by the lovely Lauren
1:08.7	Hersey, and this is our show for the last day of April, right?
1:15.0	Yes.
1:15.7	Can you believe that it's the last day of April?
1:19.0	That is wild.
1:19.8	This month went so fast.
1:21.4	Oh, it did.
1:22.1	It did.
1:22.5	I mean, I realized that, you know, 30 days half, but this one feels like they cut 10 days out of that 30.
1:30.2	It just boomed by.
1:31.9	But I was just telling Eric today, I'm like, literally, I feel like things move so fast and furious
	...

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.