Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick off this week’s I Want That Too with a post-Fourth-of-July check-in, one very late ghost train, and a look ahead to Disney’s fast-arriving Halloween season. They dig into the latest D23: The Ultimate Fan Event merchandise previews, the surprisingly early Walt Disney World Halloween drop, and the return of 1990s-style Disney windbreakers. Then Jim explains how Disney’s moderate and value resorts reshaped Walt Disney World’s future, from Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans to the rise of the All-Star Resorts.
NEWS
• D23: The Ultimate Fan Event merchandise gets a stronger branded push this year, with new collections from Loungefly, Lug, Spirit Jersey, Nike, Lululemon, and more.
• Disney’s WED Enterprises and Walt’s Office collections are drawing early collector buzz, including items inspired by Walt Disney’s everyday satchel and chili recipe.
• Halloween merchandise has arrived at Walt Disney World earlier than ever, including Headless Horseman apparel, Cutie Ghost items, and a curious villains-as-beverages design.
• Lauren compares Disney’s 2025 and 2026 Halloween merch timelines and asks whether August Halloween parties have permanently changed the retail calendar.
• Retro 1990s-style Disney windbreakers are back at Disney Springs, raising a bigger question about which Disney Parks souvenirs from that era became true collectibles.
FEATURE
• Jim traces how Michael Eisner and the Bass brothers changed Walt Disney World’s hotel strategy by keeping more guests and more vacation dollars on property.
• The story begins with Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney World’s first moderate resort, and its strategic location near EPCOT, Disney-MGM Studios, Typhoon Lagoon, and Pleasure Island.
• Port Orleans and Dixie Landings expanded Disney’s moderate resort footprint, giving the company thousands of additional rooms aimed at a different vacation budget.
• The All-Star Resorts were Disney’s answer to Kissimmee and St. Cloud value hotels, bringing oversized icons, lower nightly rates, and a distinctly Eisner-era design language to the property.
• Jim shares a backstage story about spotting Michael Eisner’s All-Star Music test room, complete with the giant maraca that would later define the resort’s look.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2, Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
FOLLOW
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SUPPORT
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PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
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