Browse by Tags

• 1989
• 2008
• 2009
• animation
• attraction
• attractions
• Backlot Theater
• book
• Burbank
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• Camp Rock
• capacity
• Cars
• cast member
• cast members
• Central Florida
• CG
• concert film
• construction
• DAK
• DCA
• DHS
• Disney
• Disney / Pixar
• Disney Channel
• Disney Channel Original
• Disney Editions
• Disney Parks & Resorts
• Disney Pixar
• Disney Princess
• Disney World
• Disneyana fans
• Disneyland
• Disney-MGM Studios
• Disney-MGM Studios theme park
• Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Disney's California Adventure
• Disney's Hollywood
• Epcot
• Expedition Everest
• Expedition Everest : Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• Fantasyland
• Festival of the Lion King
• film
• Finding Nemo -- The Musical
• Fox
• George Lucas
• Glendale
• Imagineer
• Imagineering
• Imagineers
• it's a small world
• January
• JHM
• Magic Kingdom
• Magical Mountain
• MagicalMountain
• Main Street U.S.A.
• Main Street USA
• movie
• movies
• night club
• night clubs
• Operations
• Orlando
• performers
• PI
• Pixar
• Pixar Animation Studios
• Pixar Place
• Pleasure Island
• ride
• rides
• Rivers of Light
• Robert Zemeckis
• September
• show
• show building
• shows
• Steven Spielberg
• studio theme park
• Superstar Television
• The American Idol Experience
• The Magic Kingdom
• The Walt Disney World Resort
• theme park
• theme park attraction
• theme park fans
• theme park guest
• theme park visitor
• Toy Story
• Universal Orlando
• Universal Orlando Resort
• Universal Studios
• Walt Disney
• Walt Disney Imagineering
• Walt Disney Studios
• Walt Disney World
• WDI
• WDW

• "The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World" will give you a renewed appreciation of the WDW Resort

  Jim Hill reviews Susan Veness’ new paperback, which features over 600 seldom-told tales about the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Read More... Posted Wednesday, June 10, 2009 12:00 AM | 1 Comments Filed under: book, Disney, Imagineering, Walt Disney World, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Magic Kingdom, Main Street U.S.A., Central Florida, WDW, Imagineer, The Tree of Life, Liberty Square, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, Main Street USA, entrance area, books, Imagineers, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Walt Disney World Resort

• Just because a behind-the-scenes story is fun to tell doesn't mean that it's actually true

  Jim Hill uses Michael Sragow’s new book, “Victor Fleming: An American Movie Master,” as an excuse to debunk a famous Hollywood myth. Which alleges that – back in 1930 -- MGM passed on the opportunity to distribute Disney’s “Mickey Mouse” cartoons because Louis B. Mayer was afraid of mice Read More... Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: book, Walt Disney, Disney-MGM Studios theme park, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Mickey Mouse, Hollywood, film, movie, Disney-MGM Studios, MGM, cartoons, hardcover, shorts

• WDI panel to be a high point of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ 20th anniversary celebration

  Jim Hill showcases some early DHS construction shots as he talks up next Friday’s festivities at the studio theme park Read More... Posted Thursday, April 23, 2009 12:00 AM | 1 Comments Filed under: Disney, Imagineering, Michael Eisner, Walt Disney World, Disney-MGM Studios theme park, Bob Weis, Orlando, George Lucas, Disney's Hollywood Studios, WDI, WDW, Walt Disney Imagineering, MagicalMountain, panel discussion, Disney-MGM Studios, studio theme park, The Walt Disney World Resort, studio , WDWCelebrations , Magical Mountain, Imagineers, construction, CEO, 1989, 1986, plussing, Superstar Television, 1988, swamp, 20th anniversary, Walt Disney World Resort, Studio 20, The Studios Thing, Bob Hope, Eric Jacobson, Tom Fitzgerald, Disney-MGM Studio Tour, Slapstick Stunt Theater, Disney Film Festival, scrub pine, swampland, Disney-MGM Studio and Studio Tour Attraction, Chinese Theater, movie palace, Premiere Theater, Starring Rolls Cafe

• Seldom-seen concept art a highlight of "The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland"

  Jim Hill checks out the latest volume in Alex Wright's "Imagineering Field Guide" series and finds that this 128-page paperback does an excellent job of summing up the history & the appeal of the Happiest Place on Earth Read More... Posted Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:00 AM | 5 Comments Filed under: book, Disney, Imagineering, Disneyland, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Magic Kingdom, Disney Editions, Herb Ryman, John Hench, Disneyana, WDI, it's a small world, WDW, Imagineer, Fantasyland, 2008, 2009, The Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyana fans, 1955, Imagineers, April , hippo

• WDW's Galaxy Palace Theater to be replaced with ... Cast Member parking ?!

  Jim Hill shares what he knows about this upcoming Magic Kingdom demolition project. Which involves leveling this Tomorrowland performance venue to make room for additional employee parking out behind Main Street U.S.A. Read More... Posted Tuesday, October 28, 2008 12:00 AM | 13 Comments Filed under: Imagineering, Walt Disney World, Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Magic Kingdom, Main Street U.S.A., Backlot Theater, WDW, Imagineer, cast members, cast member, 2009, Disney World, Thanksgiving, Main Street USA, attractions, shows, rides, holiday season , Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress, high school, Imagineers, performances , Mickey's Toontown Fair , performers, January, dancers , 1989, parking lot, Buzz Lightyear, 1988, choir, choirs, dance troupe, dance troupes, cheerleader, cheerleaders, cheerleading, piano, Galaxy Palace Theater, piano crate, piano crates, Tomorrowland, Tomorrowland venue, performance space, Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas, parking, Mickey's Birthdayland, 20th anniversary, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, dancer, employee parking, paved, Paradise, Joni Mitchell, Magic Kingdom stage, demolition project, demolition, start date, Admin Office, Admin Offices, high school band, high school bands, E Ticket, real estate, parking area, Rockettower Plaza, performance

• Tube Thursday: Super Soap hits the road, while the "American Idol Experience" goes into overdrive

  Jim Hill has all sorts of news from Disney's Hollywood Studios. Including why ABC Daytime pulled the plug on its annual promotional event at that theme park as well as why construction is being sped up at Superstar Television Theater Read More... Posted Thursday, October 16, 2008 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: Disney, ABC, Disney's California Adventure, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Star Wars Weekends, Backlot Theater, Central Florida, WDW, DCA, Night of Joy, 2009, The Walt Disney World Resort, ratings, Broadway Cares / Equity Fights Aids , construction, DCA revamp, The American Idol Experience, DHS, American Idol , Jumbotron, ABC Daytime, Brian Frons, All My Children, AMC, One Life to Live, OLTL, General Hospital, GH, Tom Joyner, Tom Joyner Family Reunion, ESPN The Weekend, Rock the Soap, American Idol Experience, Rebecca Budig, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, ABC SOAPnet Super Soap Weekend, Thorsten Kaye, Kelly Monaco, CMA Music Festival, Bobbie Eakes, Kassie De Paiva, overseas tourists

• WDW officials knew that '09 was going to be a real challenge

  Jim Hill talks about the cost containment procedures that Mouse House managers put in place over the past nine months, as they prepared for the current economic downturn Read More... Posted Friday, October 10, 2008 12:00 AM | 8 Comments Filed under: Disney, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Magic Kingdom, character dining, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDW, promotional campaign, 2008, 2009, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, September, Pleasure Island, Rock n Roll Beach Club, reservations , February , WDW officials , Liberty Tree Tavern , January, WDW executives, PI, What Will You Celebrate, Wall Street, economic downturn, Walt Disney: One Man's Dream, bookings, Fantasmic, Garden Grill

• "Disney at Dawn" continues the adventures of the Kingdom Keepers

  Jim Hill reviews the latest installment of this Ridley Pearson series, an adventure book for young adults which is primarily set at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park Read More... Posted Wednesday, September 24, 2008 12:00 AM | 3 Comments Filed under: book, Disney, Walt Disney, Walt Disney World, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Expedition Everest : Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Magic Kingdom, Disney Editions, Sleeping Beauty, WDW, Expedition Everest, 2008, The Walt Disney World Resort, 2005, Cinderella Castle , behind-the-scenes , Maleficent, Ridley Pearson, The Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark, Kingdom Keepers II: Disney At Dawn, Kingdom Keepers, The Kingdom Keepers, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Conservation Station, Wishes, Yeti

• Monday Mouse Watch : The countdown begins for Pleasure Island's final public night

  Jim Hill talks about WDW's crowd control plans for PI. Which may involve allowing Guests to line up the night before in order to then guarantee them entry onto the Island on the 28th Read More... Posted Monday, September 22, 2008 12:00 AM | 9 Comments Filed under: Disney, Walt Disney World, Disney's California Adventure, Disney's Hollywood Studios, WDW, DCA, MGM, The Walt Disney World Resort, WDW guests, Pleasure Island, 2011, WDW Security, Disney executives, PI

• Monday Mouse Watch : The Adventurers Club gets ready for its exit while the American Idol Experience delays its entrance

  Jim Hill talks about all of the changes that have been made at this Pleasure Island institution. He also shares what he knows about Disney's decision to push back the opening of DHS's newest attraction Read More... Posted Monday, September 15, 2008 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: Disney, attraction, Imagineering, Walt Disney World, Fox, Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Walt Disney Company, WDI, Glendale, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, 2008, 2009, Disney World, September, guests, Saturday , library, Pleasure Island, The Adventurers Club, Adventurers Club, night club complex, night club, capacity , Imagineers, Friday, night clubs, grand opening , May, January, DHS, PI, Spring , Walt Disney Company

• Monday Mouse Watch : Get ready for WDW's monstrous new coaster

  WARNING !! There be spoilers ahead as Jim Hill shares what he knows about the family-friendly attraction that will be opening at Disney's Hollywood Studios in the Fall of 2011 Read More... Posted Monday, July 21, 2008 12:00 AM | 31 Comments Filed under: animation, Disney, theme park, Pixar, Jim Henson, attraction, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney's California Adventure, Cars, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville, A Bug's Life, Toy Story, Disneyland Resort, Disney Princess, WDI, Monsters Inc., WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, DCA, Walt Disney Studios, animated character, Pixar campus, Disney World, animated feature, Cars Land, Pete Docter, theme park attraction, soundstage , 2011, coaster, Imagineers, Disney Pixar , thrill ride, DHS

• Monday Mouse Watch : Inside "The American Idol Experience"

  Jim Hill shares what he's heard about this new DHS attraction. In particular how WDW Guests will make their way through the "American Idol" audition process Read More... Posted Monday, June 23, 2008 12:00 AM | 25 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, attraction, Walt Disney World, Disney's Hollywood Studios, FastPass, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, WDW, Operations, theme park guest, 2009, The Walt Disney World Resort, TV show, show, backstage, theme park attraction, WDW guests, December , tourist , high profile project, capacity , once-in-a-lifetime , Festival of the Lion King, performers, Kinks, January, singing, The American Idol Experience, DHS, Disney Guests, interactive entertainment , American Idol , closed-door sessions , Superstar Television, Doug Live ! , crowd-pleaser, onstage, audition, auditions, audition process , recording booth , solo, video screen , initial screening , pre-recorded instrumental track, a cappella, pre-recorded music, live instruments, perform live , talent pool , finalists, preliminary shows , finale, goldfish, judges, Actors' Equity, Simon Cowell, finalist, Dream Ticket , guaranteed reservation, regional audition , Club Penguin, jump the line, hopefuls, round of auditions, age limit , ineligible, Disney Legal , Peter Barsocchini, production company , operational issues, behind-the-scenes , vocal coach , hair , make-up , make the cut , Ops staff , simulcast, Jumbotron, Hollywood Boulevard, High School Musical 2: School's Out! , pep rally , Block Party Bash, working the bugs out , talent-free singer , WDW executives

• Indiana Jones and the ... JHM Podcast ?!

  Mouseketrips presents Jim Hill & Max Schilling , as they discuss perky but annoying Disney theme park hosts, attractions that desperately need updating as well as various other Mouse-related topics Read More... Posted Saturday, May 10, 2008 12:00 AM | 12 Comments Filed under: Disney, Jim Hill Media, podcast, Walt Disney World, Disney-MGM Studios theme park, George Lucas, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Indiana Jones Adventure, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, WDW, cast members, cast member, Steven Spielberg, Nathan Rose, MagicalMountain, Magical Definition, Magical Definition Podcast, JHM, Disney-MGM Studios, 2009, Max Schilling, Magical Mountain, Indiana Jones , Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Stitch's Great Escape, JHM podcast, 1989, perky cast member

• Hard Rock ain't your Daddy's theme park

  JHM just got a sneak peek at Myrtle Beach's newest attraction. Which offered some pretty unique challenges to the Hard Rock's design team Read More... Posted Thursday, May 08, 2008 12:00 AM | 8 Comments Filed under: theme park, Universal Studios, fireworks, attraction, Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Universal Orlando, WDW, Operations, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, show building, JHM, tourists, Universal Studios Orlando, theme park visitor, theme park guest, Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, hard ticket event, The Walt Disney World Resort, Halloween, theme park fans, attractions, rides, ride, show, theme park attraction, concert , SeaWorld Orlando, design team, hard ticket , June , Shamu Rocks , Universal Studios Florida , Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, rock 'n' roll , Hard Rock Park, media , roller soaker, Slippery When Wet, The Kinks, Kinks, Maximum RPM, ferris wheel, Myrtle Beach, Fantasy Lagoon , Fantasy Harbor , South Carolina, Waccamaw Factory Shoppes, hardcore music fans, Hard Rock , height restrictions , flight path , Myrtle Beach International Airport , HRP , FAA , FAA regulations, push the envelope , breaking the rules , Led Zepplin : The Ride , thrill ride, aircraft , looping coaster , inversions, lagoon show, nighttime water pageant, water pageant, Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, dancing fountains, fountains, lasers, laser light, laser, key franchises, lagoon , diecast car, Halloween hard ticket event , horror mazes , horror maze, maze, horror, rock legends , rock legend, Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie , Marilyn Manson, sound check, soft opening, grand opening , concert performance, the Eagles , Eagles , the Moody Blues, Moody Blues, whimsical touches , whimsical touch, stunt director, signature attraction, signature attractions, snuff, queue, Nights in White Satin: The Trip, holographic glasses , black light, black light paint, stone cold sober, drugged, drugs , drugged out of your gourd

• Tween favorites draw huge crowds to the 2008 Disney Channel Games

  Jim Hill looks back on last week's events at Disney's Wide World of Sports. Which culminated in a concert that sent thousands of Central Florida tweens into a Disney Channel-induced frenzy Read More... Posted Wednesday, May 07, 2008 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: Disney, Disney Channel, Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Cory in the House, Miley Cyrus, Mickey Mouse, Central Florida, WDW, Disney Channel Original, JHM, 2008, 2009, Disney World, TV special, tween, concert , TV movie, cable channel, tweens, concert film, Camp Rock , production team, Jonas Brothers, Disney's Wide World of Sports, Rich Ross , squealing , the Jonas Brothers , the Cheetah Girls , Cheetah Girls, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Wizards of Waverly Place, Disney Channel Games , Mitchel Musso , Disney Channel star, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Selena Gomez , Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place , National Lampoon's Animal House, Champion Stadium, James Jensen, favorite performer, TV taping, PA, safety , buffer zone, performers, WDW Security, Sabrina Bryan, Kiely Williams , Adrienne Bailon, See You Again, Cheetah Girls – One World, One World , water , Demi Lovato , stage, Beatles , Beatlemania, 1960s, Jonas Brothers 3-D movie, 3D movie, Disney officials , go project , taping , commemorative poster, Disboards , clothing line, ears ringing