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• NFFC Disney World Holiday Extravaganza places the emphasis on in-park fun

  Jim Hill chats with Anita Schaengold, Special Events Chairperson for the NFFC-Disneyana Fan Club about this year’s programming changes. Which will leave more time to explore & enjoy WDW’s theme parks Read More... Posted Friday, November 27, 2009 12:00 AM | 1 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, convention, attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Anaheim, Orlando, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, The Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain, Disney's Yacht Club Resort, The Haunted Mansion, Disneyana, WDW, Christmas, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, National Fantasy Fan Club, Disneyana Enthusiasts, 2009, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, attractions, shows, rides, ride, show, holiday season , Disneyana community , operational issues, theme parks, The Princess and the Frog, Disneyana fan, holiday, Tomorrowland, Walt Disney World Resort, holidays, Disney's Beach Club Resort, Operational

• Monday Mouse Watch: Meet Alan Bergman, Disney’s leader of the brand

  Jim Hill talks about some of the management changes that Rich Ross made last week. In particular how Disney Studios' new chairman is looking to update the way the Mouse House markets its movies Read More... Posted Monday, November 16, 2009 12:00 AM | 5 Comments Filed under: Disney, Save Disney, Pixar, Pirates of the Caribbean, High School Musical, Disney Channel, Bob Iger, Gore Verbinski, Disney Fairies, Roy E. Disney, marketing, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Disney Parks & Resorts, 2009, Disney / Pixar, franchise, Disney Feature Animation, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Pirates 4, Hannah Montana , 2011, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Disney franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean films, 2010, Disney brand, Pirates of the Caribbean franchise , 2004, brand loyalty, Disney CEO, Universal Pictures, Disney Channels Worldwide

• Monday Mouse Watch: Unconventional promotion really paid off for “Up”

  Jim Hill explains why Wall Street analysts didn’t quite get the marketing campaign that the Mouse put together for Pixar’s latest Read More... Posted Monday, July 13, 2009 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: Disney, Pixar, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Pixar Animation Studios, marketing, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, 2008, 2009, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Disney Digital 3D, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Up

• Licensing International Expo 2009 offers sneak peeks at new films from Fox, Pixar, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Studios

  Jim Hill shares some shots that he took while wandering the aisles at Mandalay Bay's convention center. Which is where many of the major studios promoted their upcoming motion pictures last week Read More... Posted Monday, June 08, 2009 12:00 AM | 15 Comments Filed under: Disney, Pixar, Universal Studios, Pirates of the Caribbean, CG, Jerry Bruckheimer, Johnny Depp, Walt Disney Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Fox, Pixar Animation Studios, Jack Sparrow, Walt Disney Studios, Las Vegas, Walden Media, Disney / Pixar, Shrek, Pete Docter, Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Pirates 4, 3D, 2011, 2012, 2010, Toy Story 3, Up, 3D movie, Capt. Jack Sparrow, Licensing International Expo, convention center , Cars 2

• The Disneyland expansion plan that never happened

  In this week's "Why For" column, Jim Hill talks about the contents of a three ring binder. Which contains WED's plans -- circa 1982 -- to radically expand Disneyland's capacity until this theme park could comfortably handle 17 million Guests every year Read More... Posted Friday, November 14, 2008 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, Michael Eisner, WED, Disneyland, Epcot, America Sings, Country Bear Playhouse, Frank Wells, Walt Disney Productions, Epcot Center, The American Adventure, World Showcase, Tokyo Disneyland, France, WDI, it's a small world, Walt Disney Imagineering, attractions, shows, rides, ride, show, Mary Poppins, 1981, Tron , 1982, Tomorrowland

• "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

• Still can't find Nemo? Then try looking inside of your room the next time you stay at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

  Jim Hill shares some shots of these newly rethemed rooms, which now feature characters from that 2003 Pixar Animation Studios release Read More... Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 12:00 AM | 13 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Pixar, Pirates of the Caribbean, resorts, Walt Disney World, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Pixar Animation Studios, Toy Story, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDW, hotel, resort, 2009, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, Disney / Pixar, 2003, Disney World vacation, WDW guests, WDW vacations, Disney Pixar , Pirates of the Caribbean franchise , Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Shanghai, hotel rooms, WALL-E, Shanghai Disneyland, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, retheming, Nemo, Dory, Buzz Lightyear

• Woo Hoo ! "The Simpsons Ride" officially opens at Universal Studios Florida

  JHM was there yesterday as the bright yellow ribbon was cut and celebrities, dignitaries & guests all surged in experience this brand-new attraction Read More... Posted Friday, May 16, 2008 12:00 AM | 8 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Universal Studios, attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, Imagineering, Orlando, Universal Orlando, WDI, Florida, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Studios Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park River Adventure, theme park attraction, President, Universal Studios Florida , Lisa Simpson, Bart Simpson, Homer Simpson, Marge Simpson, Universal Creative Studio, Universal Creative, Krusty the Clown, Krustyland, Mike West, Buddy Dyer, Joey Fatone, Mayor, Richard Benefield, God's Waiting Room, Bill Davis, Gracie Films, Consumer Electronics, AARP, Universal Orlando guests, opening ceremony, Timex, live orchestra, school children, chief operating officer, confetti, walkaround characters, walkaround character, ribbon, Princess Mononoke

• 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

• Monday Mouse Watch : Will a new name really be enough to boost ticket sales for WDW's "Pirate & Princess Party" ?

  Jim Hill brings you a pile of "Pirates of the Caribbean" -related news. Including the tabling of the "Tortuga" restaurant project Read More... Posted Monday, March 03, 2008 12:00 AM | 39 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Visual Effects, fireworks, Pirates of the Caribbean, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Best Buy, The Magic Kingdom, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Jack Sparrow, Disney Princess, restaurant, WDW, Disney Blu-Ray, Blu-ray, The Crystal Palace, movie, The Walt Disney World Resort, ticket sales, 2007, merch, full service, Saturday , Tuesday , merchandise , WDW management , Captain Jack Sparrow, The Black Pearl, Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Pirates 4, 2006, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Pirate & Princess Party, Disney's Pirate & Princess Party , Disney franchise, Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade , fireworks extravaganza , Music Magic and Mayhem, Walt Disney Creative Entertainment , hard ticket , after-hours event, break even , Rivers of America, Hershey's Treasures , WDW officials , financial success , Monday, Friday, April , Mickey's Pirate & Princess Party, POTC, Tortuga project, Adventureland Veranda, Adventureland , Cinderella's Royal Table, dining experience, Caribbean cuisine , rum , development pipeline, mock-up , test kitchen, Bonfamille's , French Quarter , Disney's Port Orleans Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, test meal , face character , quick service restaurant , full service restaurant, Liberty Tree Tavern , lunch , dinner , dining facility , occupancy rate , 2012, Pirates of the Caribbean films, retail chain , Hi-Def , disc player, flat screen , HDTV , retail world, equation

• Suffering from "Pirates" withdrawal? Then treat yourself to a peek at "The Secret Files of the East India Trading Company"

  Jim Hill reviews this entertaining new interactive volume from brecker&mayer! LLC. Which brings the world of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" to life right in your hands Read More... Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2007 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: book, Disney, Pirates of the Caribbean, Walt Disney Pictures, Disney Press, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, film, movie

• Remembering Bruce Gordon (1951 - 2007)

  Jim Hill pays tribute to this much beloved author & Imagineer, who passed away this past weekend at the far-too-young age of 56 Read More... Posted Wednesday, November 07, 2007 12:00 AM | 21 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, Imagineering, WED, Disneyland, Epcot, The Jungle Cruise, Epcot Center, Tokyo Disneyland, Jeff Kurtti, Bruce Gordon, WDI, Imagineer

• "The Disney Mountains: Imagineering at Its Peak" will be a tiptop addition to any Disneyana fan's library

  Jim Hill checks out Jason Surrell's latest book. Which offers an entertaining & formative look back at how the Imagineers went about creating all of those "mountains" that you now find inside of the various Disney theme parks Read More... Posted Wednesday, September 19, 2007 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: book, Disney, theme park, attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, Imagineering, Disneyland, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Disney's California Adventure, Expedition Everest : Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Splash Mountain, Tokyo DisneySea, The Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disney's Blizzard Beach, Tokyo Disneyland, Disney Editions, Disneyland Paris, The Matterhorn, Mount Prometheus, Big Thunder Mountain, Thunder Mesa, Forbidden Mountain, Jason Surrell, The Disney Mountains: Imagineering at Its Peak, The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies, Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies, Holiday Hill, Bill Evans, American Bridge, Arrow Development, John Hench

• "Walt Disney's Legends of Imagineering" looks to be worth the wait

  Jim Hill interviews Jeff Kurtti, the author of this long-delayed Disney Editions book. Who explains how expanding the scope of "The Genesis of the Disney Theme Park" wound up putting this eagerly-awaited paperback behind schedule Read More... Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:00 AM | 16 Comments Filed under: book, Disney, theme park, Walt Disney, attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, Imagineering, Disneyland, Marty Sklar, Walt Disney Productions, Jeff Kurtti, Bruce Gordon, Claude Coats, Harriet Burns, Fred Joerger, Eddie Sotto, Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, Julie Riehm, Buddy Baker, George Bruns, X Atencio, Plaza Inn Restaurant, Euro Disneyland, Disney Editions, Walt Disney's Legends of Imagineering and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park, Herb Ryman, Disneyland Paris, The Matterhorn

• Monday Mouse Watch : Wanna peek at Bob Iger's vision for the future of the Walt Disney Company? And is "Ratatouille" really starting to fade in the Hollywood rat race?

  Jim Hill has noticed something interesting about the title sequence for ABC's new "Wonderful World of Disney" movie anthology series. He also sees some disturbing trends in the new box office numbers for Brad Bird's latest film Read More... Posted Monday, July 16, 2007 12:00 AM | 59 Comments Filed under: Disney, movies, TV, Pixar, fireworks, Pirates of the Caribbean, ABC, CG, Bob Iger, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, NBC, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Disney-MGM Studios theme park