Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack Disney’s latest retail experiment with pop-up stores, explore how movie theaters are turning merch into must-have experiences, and dig into the surprising origins of Disney fandom and collecting. From Pittsburgh store openings to high-fashion popcorn buckets, this episode connects the dots between Disney’s past and its evolving strategy to turn every experience into something you can take home.

NEWS
• Disney Store “comeback” revealed as limited-time pop-up retail experiences in select cities
• First pop-up location announced for Pittsburgh, with another coming to Paramus, New Jersey
• Disney partners with Go Retail Group to reduce overhead while testing physical retail demand
• Movie theaters lean into merch with The Devil Wears Prada 2 collectible bundles and fashion-themed popcorn containers
• Disney introduces “Infinity Vision,” a premium large-format theater experience to compete with IMAX availability

FEATURE
• How the 1970 MGM auction helped spark the rise of Disney collecting culture
• Roy O. Disney’s response: creating the Disney Archives to preserve company history
• The role of early guidebooks in shaping the Disneyana marketplace
• Celebrity collectors like Carrie Fisher and Michael Jackson driving up prices in the early 1980s
• Fan-driven events and communities laying the groundwork for modern Disney fandom

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/

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Disney Stores Return… Sort Of (Ep. 96)