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• Pixar piles on the international intrigue with “Cars 2”

  Jim Hill walks you through the storyline of this Summer 2011 Walt Disney Pictures release. Which sends the Radiator Springs gang overseas and then has Mater being mistaken for a secret agent Read More... Posted Thursday, September 17, 2009 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: Disney, Pixar, John Lasseter, Walt Disney Pictures, Robert Zemeckis, Cars, Pixar Animation Studios, Italy, Japan, Germany, D23, animated feature, animated short, animated features, London, Disney Digital 3D, 2011, 2006, 1989, 1985, Summer, Back to the Future , 1990, D23 EXPO, Radiator Springs, Mater, Cars Toons, Mater's Tall Tales, Cars 2, Universal Pictures

• Lasseter sprinkles Pixar dust over Disney Consumer Products, Imagineering

  Jim Hill talks about the impact that John Lasseter’s personal involvement has had on the Toy Story Definitive project as well as on DCA’s “Radiator Springs Racers” attraction Read More... Posted Friday, August 28, 2009 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: toys, Disney Consumer Products, John Lasseter, Cars, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Feld Entertainment, YouTube, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, Walt Disney Imagineering, DCA, 2009, Radiator Springs Racers, 2006, 2012, 2010, Toy Story 3, Woody , Toy Story characters, DCP , Buzz Lightyear, Radiator Springs, Lightning McQueen, Mater, toy line, Toy Story Definitive, Disney On Ice, Disney On Ice: Worlds of Fantasy, Feld, Ultimate Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody, Disney Living, DisneyLiving, Thinkway Toys

• Monday Mouse Watch: The road ahead for Disney·Pixar ‘s “Cars”

  Jim Hill shares the title for this eagerly anticipated sequel as well as the Company’s plan for maintaining consumer interest in this new key franchise Read More... Posted Monday, August 24, 2009 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Disney, toys, Disney Consumer Products, Disney Channel, John Lasseter, Disney's California Adventure, Cars, Disney Fairies, ABC Family, Toon Disney, diecast cars, Disney Princess, Walt Disney Imagineering, global rental sales, World of Cars Online, 2008, 2009, Disney Online, Disney / Pixar, franchise, Cars Land, 2011, World Grand Prix, 2006, 2012, 2010, Pixie Hollow, clothing line, key franchises, diecast car, MMOG, massively multiplayer online game, Licensing International Expo 2009, parking lot, Licensing International Expo, DCP , key franchise, playset, diecast, Radiator Springs, MMO, Cars Toon, Cars Toons, Mater's Tall Tales, Cars 2, Cars franchise, World of Cars, Disney Interactive Media Group, Rescue Squad Mater, Mater the Greater, El Materdor, DIMG, parking, Test Track, parking area, Carburetor County, online, Cars 2: World Grand Prix, Cars: World Grand Prix

• Why the bloom is never off the rose at Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival

  Jim Hill chats with Eric Darden, horticultural manager for this WDW annual event. Who reveals what goes on after-hours so that Guests will always see beautiful bedding plants whenever they attend this 75-day-long festival Read More... Posted Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Walt Disney World, Epcot, WDW, theme park visitor, 2009, The Walt Disney World Resort, 2006, Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, theme parks

• "Dream Castle Lights" dazzle at night, disappear during the day

  Jim Hill talks with Rob Hamberg, veteran WDW Entertainment show producer. Who discusses the development of this new holiday spectacle for the Magic Kingdom Read More... Posted Tuesday, December 02, 2008 12:00 AM | 3 Comments Filed under: Disney, Walt Disney World, The Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, WDW, Tokyo, Christmas, 2008, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, 2007, December , November, Cinderella Castle , 2006, August, Disney Weddings, Disney theme park, holiday, Walt Disney World Resort

• "Creating Magic" reveals how the modern Magic Kingdom really operates

  Jim Hill reviews Lee Cockerell's new book, which recounts the many lessons that this Disney vet learned while he was the Executive Vice President in charge of Operations at the WDW Resort Read More... Posted Wednesday, October 15, 2008 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: book, Disney, parade, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Tinker Bell, The Walt Disney Company, The Magic Kingdom, Euro Disneyland, Cinderella, 9/11, Walt Disney : The Triumph of the American Imagination, The Animated Man : A Life of Walt Disney, Neal Gabler, Michael Barrier, WDW, cast members, cast member, David Koenig, Realityland: True-Life Adventures of Walt Disney World, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, September, guest, guests, Disney Publicity , publicity, 2006, pins, 1994, Lee Cockerell, Trapper Keeper, Charlie Ridgeway, Spinning Disney's World: Memories of a Magic Kingdom Press Agent, MMO, modern Mouse House, Doubleday, Grant's tomb, Alice Marriott, millennium celebration, Euro Disney, Publicity Department

• "The Alchemy of Animation" takes a look inside the modern Mouse Factory

  Jim Hill reviews Don Hahn's latest book. Which offers an in-depth look at how some of Disney & Pixar's very best films came together Read More... Posted Wednesday, October 08, 2008 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: book, Disney, Pixar, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lion King, Cars, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Editions, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Tim Burton, Bolt, Glen Keane, 2008, The Fox and the Hound, 2006, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Pirates of the Caribbean films, 1984, Don Hahn , paperback, The Princess and the Frog, Snow White, Maleficent, The Alchemy of Animation: Making an Animated Film in the Modern Age, Frankenweenie, 1937, hand-drawn, stop-motion, computer-generated, performance capture, politics, sausage, debate, producer, veteran producer, Nine Old Men

• Universal Studios Hollywood freshens up for the Fall

  During a recent trip to Southern California, Jim dropped by USH and discovered that lots of changes have been made to both the Upper & Lower Lot Read More... Posted Friday, September 12, 2008 12:00 AM | 6 Comments Filed under: movies, musical, Universal Studios, Visual Effects, attraction, Brad Bird, Labor Day, Lucille Ball, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Halloween Horror Nights, Southern California, Audio Animatronics, Steven Spielberg, movie, 1974, Universal, tourists, studio theme park, 1976, 2008, 2009, Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, October, animated feature, attractions, shows, rides, ride, show, 2005, 1975, soundstage , November, 1955, blueprints , 2006, March, June , interactive, 1986, screenplay, Summer, attendance levels, Universal Studios Hollywood , USH, Upper Lot , Lower Lot , The Simpsons Ride, slow season, theme parks, special event, special events, park, newish, guest experience, fire, New York Street, King Kong , tram , ride-thru attraction , Bob Gurr , Tram Tour, remake, original, 1933, Peter Jackson, V-Rex, ride designer, ride designers , battle sequence , Naomi Watts , animatronic , replacement, Collapsing Bridge, studio insiders , Lucy: A Tribute, exhibit, Lucy, walk-through attraction , The Universal Experience, archives , poster , Carl Laemmle, Universal City, 1915 , Robert A Mattey , blockbuster, Jaws, Curious George, 1999, maquette , Imagine Entertainment , Nickelodeon Blast Zone, The Adventures of Curious George, kiddie play area, cartoon series, PBS Kids, full-length animated feature, Creature from the Black Lagoon -- The Musical, press release , storyline , horror film , stagecraft, choreography, source material , Little Shop of Horrors, Spring , Autumn , Fall, Castle Theatre, Fear Factor Live, audience participation, Universal City Plaza, The Simpsons, Simpsons

• Tune Tuesday: Dance your way to NYC to see "Mary Poppins"

  Jim Hill talks up BroadwayWorld's latest contest, which will bring one lucky winner to the Big Apple to check out this Disney Theatrical production Read More... Posted Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:00 AM | 1 Comments Filed under: Disney, music, Broadway, musical, Disney Theatrical, Serena Valentino, Broadway musical, stage version, 2008, Mary Poppins, 2006, stage, dancers

• Eoin Colfer gasses up for Comic-Con

  Jim Hill chats up the author of "Artemis Fowl," who'll be rolling into San Diego today aboard the "Fairies, Fiends and Flatulence" bus as part of his U.S. book tour Read More... Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: book, Disney, Hyperion Studios, Walt Disney Studios, 2008, 2006

• "High School Musical 5 & 6" ?! "Beauty & the Beast" headed back to Broadway ?!

  Jim Hill shares some of the domain names that the Walt Disney Company has recently registered. Including a new year-long promotion for 2009 that looks & sounds an awful lot like 2003's "Magical Gatherings" campaign Read More... Posted Tuesday, June 03, 2008 12:00 AM | 22 Comments Filed under: Disney, Broadway, musical, High School Musical, ABC, Disney Channel, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Theatrical, Beauty and the Beast, Anaheim, Orlando, The Walt Disney Company, High School Musical 3, High School Musical 4, High School Musical franchise, Disneyland Resort, Jay Rasulo, Disney Parks & Resorts, Aida, WDW, Year of a Million Dreams, hotel, Broadway musical, Disney Channel Original, 2008, 2009, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, 2007, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Broadway production, 2003, on property, TV movie, TV movies , hotels, 2006, Disney franchise, theatrical release, 2010, My School Musical, High School Musical: Get in the Picture, High School Musical 5 , High School Musical 6, Wildcats, East High, Matt Prokop, Justin Martin , Jemma McKenzie-Brown, HSM3, domain name , Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - The Musical, St. James Theatre , Paul Kolnik, Big Apple , holiday treat, seasonal run , seasonal production, revival , Old Globe Theatre, Hilton Theatre, national tour, Magical Gatherings, Disney vacation, Disney's Magical Celebration, Disney's Magical Celebrations, Regular Unleaded, gasoline, DP&R, year-long promotion, heads in beds, consumers, theme park tickets, plane reservations, hotel rooms, birthday buttons, pins, plush

• Arrrr you ready for an all-Pirates edition of Why For?

  There's plenty of POTC-related info to be found in this week's column. Including the current status of "Pirates 4," news on Disney's "Legends of the Brethren Court" book series as well as a review of that I-Drive favorite, the Pirate's Dinner Adventure Read More... Posted Friday, May 09, 2008 12:00 AM | 6 Comments Filed under: Disney, Universal Studios, fireworks, Pirates of the Caribbean, Johnny Depp, Gore Verbinski, Walt Disney Pictures, Magic Kingdom, Disney Press, The Walt Disney Company, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, character dining, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney Parks & Resorts, AA figure, hard ticket event, The Walt Disney World Resort, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, 2007, The Lone Ranger, Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Pirates 4, 1996 , 2006, Pirate & Princess Party, Disney's Pirate & Princess Party , Disney franchise, Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade , hard ticket , Mickey's Pirate & Princess Party, Pirates of the Caribbean films, CG version , lagoon show, Halloween hard ticket event , Pirates of the Caribbean franchise , Pirates of the Caribbean Online, MMOG, massively multiplayer online game, Pirates book series , Legends of the Brethren Court, Development , Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio , Prince of Persia, Tortuga restaurant, AA figures, Enchanted Adventures Parade, return on investment, Liberty Square bridge, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort , Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold, 3D helmet, Caribbean, Jolly Roger, I-4 , Gasparilla Extravaganza, Gasparilla season , Tampa Bay, Piratechnics, Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa, Southwest Airlines Gasparilla Pirate Fest , Gasparilla, Southwest Airlines, Gasparilla experience, Pirate's Dinner Adventure, International Drive, acrobats , Freedom Festival, Sebastian the Black, scurvy crew , Princess Anita, audience, Dubai, swordplay, stunts, I-Drive , Magic

• Toon Tuesday : Was John Lasseter stung by that mean caricature of him that appears in "Bee Movie" ?

  Did an awkward conversation between Jerry Seinfeld & John Lasseter at Vanity Fair's 2006 Oscar party actually lead to an unflattering joke being inserted into this DreamWorks Animation release ? Jim Hill shares the story that's making the rounds in Hollywood Read More... Posted Tuesday, April 29, 2008 12:00 AM | 32 Comments Filed under: Disney, John Lasseter, DreamWorks Animation, A Bug's Life, Toy Story, Bee Movie, Jerry Seinfeld, Renee Zellweger, Disney / Pixar, animated feature, 2007, Disney Feature Animation, animated short, Tin Toy, 2006

• Monday Mouse Watch : Has WDI solved all of "Toy Story Mania" 's problems? Not Yeti

  Jim Hill talks about Pixar's on-going frustration with the Imagineers. Who seem far more interested in protecting their own jobs than they do with delivering a quality product for the theme parks Read More... Posted Monday, April 28, 2008 12:00 AM | 26 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Pixar, attraction, Imagineering, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disneyland Paris, Pixar Place, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, DAK, Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, show building, 2008, theme park guest, Disney / Pixar, theme park fans, attractions, shows, rides, ride, show, Imagineers, 2006

• Disney Consumer Products isn't getting its hopes up for "Up"

  Jim Hill takes a close look at the retail side of the Mouse House. In particular why Disney Consumer Products is now taking a much more pragmatic approach toward the licensing of Pixar's next few pictures Read More... Posted Tuesday, April 01, 2008 12:00 AM | 21 Comments Filed under: Disney, Pixar, toys, Disney Consumer Products, John Lasseter, Disney's California Adventure, Cars, Ratatouille, Brad Bird, Disney Store, Pixar Animation Studios, The Walt Disney Company, WDI, DCA, 2008, 2009, Disney / Pixar, animated feature, Cars Land, Pete Docter, 2006, retail chain , 2010, Up