72 Hours Before a Disney Park Opens (featuring Jim Shull) (Ep. 551)

With Len Testa away this week, Jim Hill is joined by Imagineer Jim Shull and Eric Hersey. Shull shares first-hand stories of the frantic 72 hours before Disney parks open - from sod being laid overnight at the Contemporary Resort in 1971 to carloads of flowers on Main Street Paris. Meanwhile, Eric helps cover the latest Universal Studios news, including surprising plans for Scooby-Doo and a deep dive into the popcorn bucket craze.

• Why opening a Disney park always comes down to a last-minute scramble

• Jim Shull’s behind-the-scenes account of preparing Euro Disneyland in 1992

• How media crews and Imagineers clashed during opening-week chaos

• Universal FanFest Nights 2026 and its Scooby-Doo/Monsters mashup

• The future of collectible popcorn buckets and wild new flavors

Theme park history isn’t always polished - sometimes it’s messy, funny, and unforgettable. This episode pulls back the curtain on those final 72 hours.

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