Anaheim Before Disneyland: From Vineyards to the Packing House (Ep. 597)

Len Testa and Jim Hill are on the ground in Anaheim for D23, where they dig into the week's Disney news before exploring how Anaheim evolved from vineyards and citrus groves into the home of Disneyland. Along the way, they examine a Disney patent that could create the illusion of elevation changes on future attractions, a proposed Spaceship Earth television series, and Bob Chapek's upcoming book. Then Jim traces the fascinating history of the Anaheim Packing House and the agricultural economy that helped make Walt Disney's land purchase possible. NEWS • A newly published Disney patent could make riders feel as though they're climbing or dropping while their ride vehicle remains on a flat surface. • Could the technology be destined for the upcoming Encanto attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom? • Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is already selling out select dates at both ends of the 2026 event calendar. • Another infrastructure problem hits Disney's Wilderness Lodge, this time involving water service at Boulder Ridge. • Disney is developing a Spaceship Earth-inspired television project built around teenagers, time travel, and a threat to Earth's future. • Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek prepares to tell his side of the story in his upcoming book, Behind the Castle Walls. FEATURE • Jim traces Anaheim's beginnings to 50 German families who established a thriving wine-growing community in the 1850s. • Root rot pushed the region from vineyards toward orange groves and walnut farms, helping reshape Anaheim's agricultural economy. • Railroad expansion turned the Anaheim Packing District into a major hub for shipping fresh California produce across the country. • Falling agricultural land values helped Harrison "Buzz" Price identify Anaheim as the ideal location for Walt Disney's new family park. • Disneyland's arrival accelerated Anaheim's transformation from an agricultural community into a tourism destination. • The historic Anaheim Packing House survived redevelopment pressure and reopened in 2014 as a modern food hall that preserves a piece of the city's past. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. (Coming Soon) HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com 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 Disney Dish News is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is underway, and Be Our Guest Vacations can help you plan a Walt Disney World trip filled with Halloween fun, costumes, and plenty of candy. 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