# Halloween Shows Up Early, D23 Gets a Merch Glow-Up, and the All-Stars Take the Stage (Ep. 109)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network-530663/halloween-shows-up-early-d23-gets-a-merch-glow-up-and-the-all-stars-take-the-stage-ep-109
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network-530663/halloween-shows-up-early-d23-gets-a-merch-glow-up-and-the-all-stars-take-the-stage-ep-109.md
Podcast: [The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network-530663)
Published: 2026-07-09T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/JHM6809101501.mp3
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/JHM6809101501.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network-530663/episodes/halloween-shows-up-early-d23-gets-a-merch-glow-up-and-the-all-stars-take-the-stage-ep-109
Duration seconds: 3509

## Resource

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 f…

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## Transcript

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