Browse by Tags

• 2001
• 2009
• AA figure
• ABC
• Anaheim
• attractions
• Audio Animatronic
• Audio Animatronics
• Bruce Gordon
• Cars
• Cars Land
• cast member
• cast members
• DAK
• dark ride
• DCA
• Dick Nunis
• digital projection
• Disney
• Disney Editions
• Disney Legend
• Disney Parks & Resorts
• Disney World
• Disneyana
• Disneyana Enthusiasts
• Disneyland Paris
• Disneyland Resort
• Disney-MGM Studios theme park
• Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Disney's Blizzard Beach
• Disney's California Adventure
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge
• Disney's Yacht Club Resort
• Doom Buggy
• DVD / Video
• Epcot
• Epcot Center
• Imagineer
• Imagineering
• Imagineers
• it's a small world
• Jeff Lange
• John Hench
• Liberty Square
• M.C. Escher
• Madame Leota
• Magic Kingdom
• Main Street U.S.A.
• Marc Davis
• Michael Eisner
• movies
• Norway pavilion
• Omnimover
• Operations
• Orlando
• Paul Frees
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Pixar
• Pixar Animation Studios
• redo
• resorts
• ride
• rides
• show
• shows
• Sleeping Beauty
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours
• Star Wars
• stretching room
• The American Adventure
• The Attic
• the boys: the sherman brothers' story
• The Corridor of Doors
• The Grand Staircase
• The Graveyard
• The Haunted Mansion
• The Jungle Cruise
• The Magic Kingdom
• The Portrait Gallery
• The Séance Circle
• The Walt Disney Company
• The Walt Disney World Resort
• theme park
• theme park attraction
• theme park fans
• Tokyo Disneyland
• Tomorrowland
• Walt Disney
• Walt Disney Imagineering
• Walt Disney Productions
• Walt Disney World
• WDI
• WDW
• WED
• Why For

• 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

• Coaster Corner: Tomorrowland favorite gets a warp speed makeover

  Jim Hill talks with Steve Roach, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy's show producer, about how the Imagineers turned this indoor coaster into a Halloween Time-themed attraction in record time Read More... Posted Friday, October 16, 2009 12:00 AM | 5 Comments Filed under: theme park, attraction, Disneyland, Anaheim, Space Mountain, Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Imagineer, 2009, 2007, ride, Imagineers, redo, thrill ride, roller coaster, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park, Halloween Time

• Keep an eagle eye out for The Haunted Mansion’s Hatbox Ghost

  Ever wonder what became of this infamous AA figure? Jim Hill shares what he knows about the alleged final resting place of Ol’ Hatbox Read More... Posted Wednesday, August 12, 2009 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: Disney, attraction, Imagineering, WED, Disneyland, Marc Davis, America Sings, Critter Country, Splash Mountain, Bruce Gordon, Audio Animatronic, The Haunted Mansion, Sleeping Beauty Castle, big fig, Shelly Smith, Sleeping Beauty, WDI, Imagineer, Fantasyland, Walt Disney Imagineering, Madame Leota, The Séance Circle , AA figure, Audio Animatronics, Hatbox Ghost, album, Ed Squair, D23, 1970s , attractions, 1980s, backstage, Security, Haunted Mansion O-Pin House, magazine article, pin, Disney twenty-three magazine , Imagineers, August, magazine , Disneyland the Nickel Tour: A Postcard Journey Through 40 Years of the Happiest Place on Earth, big figure, goons, AA figures, The Story and Song from the Haunted Mansion, pins, O-Pin House, Security Host, 1969, Tony Baxter , Comic-Con , Comic-Con International, poster , Maleficent, posters, Tomorrowland, E Ticket, David Mumford, Disney Photo Library, Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-thru, Disney twenty-three

• 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

• 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

• Mist Direction or How DAK Operations just slipped Joe Rohde a Mickey

  Jim Hill talks about "Expedition Everest" 's faltering effects. More importantly, WDW's long-standing tradition of bamboozling senior Disney officials whenever they come on property Read More... Posted Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:00 AM | 20 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Pixar, Walt Disney, attraction, John Lasseter, Michael Eisner, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Dick Nunis, Joe Rohde, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, The Jungle Cruise, Expedition Everest : Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Disney Legend, The Magic Kingdom, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, the boys: the sherman brothers' story, WDW, Expedition Everest, DAK, Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Operations, Disney World, Disney / Pixar, effects, guests, attractions, shows, rides, ride, show, theme park attraction, Food Service, Chairman, Liberty Tree Tavern

• Monday Mouse Watch : It's lights out for DAK's "Rivers of Light" parade, while Beastly Kingdomme makes a character-based comeback

  Jim Hill brings you the latest news on Disney's Animal Kingdom. Including how WDW has been meeting with DAK curators to see who'd be willing to go take care of the animals that will soon be on display over at Disney's Night Kingdom Read More... Posted Monday, March 24, 2008 12:00 AM | 36 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, parade, attraction, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Dinosaur, The Magic Kingdom, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, it's a small world, the boys: the sherman brothers' story, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Beastly Kingdomme, DAK, Finding Nemo -- The Musical, Rivers of Light, Dan Haskett, theme park visitor, theme park guest, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, theme park fans, attractions, rides, ride, show, theme park attraction, Animal Kingdom , WDWCelebrations , A Wild Decade, Pleasure Island, night club, Disney's Night Kingdom, DNK, Imagineers, Steve Davison, It's Tough to Be a Bug, Japanese Lantern Parade, ROL, Pocahontas and her Forest Friends, Festival of the Lion King, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Camp Minnie-Mickey, character greeting area, Quest for the Unicorn, Dragon's Tower, horticulture, nighttime parade, after-hours extravaganza, character-friendly addition, pathway, night clubs, parades, Disney characters, Disney brand

• Does WDI plan on gagging our next Commander-in-Chief as part of the 2009 redo of WDW's "Hall of Presidents" ?

  Jim Hill shares what he's heard about the upcoming revamp of this Magic Kingdom attraction. To be specific, how the Imagineers are looking to shave a few minutes off of the running time of this 36-year-old Liberty Square show Read More... Posted Tuesday, March 04, 2008 12:00 AM | 50 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, attraction, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Anaheim, The Magic Kingdom, Audio Animatronic, Bill Clinton, The President of the United States, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Liberty Square, wheelchair accessible, AA figure, Audio Animatronics, handicap access, 2009, The Walt Disney World Resort, 2001, show, theme park attraction, WDW guests, Imagineers, July , handicap-accessible, wheelchair-friendly, wheelchair, presidential primaries, presidential primary, primaries, primary, President, Commander-in-Chief, promotional gimmick , Chief Executive , Blaine Gibson , George W Bush, Monica Lewinsky , scandal , Robin Williams, dignity , roll call , speech, THOP, Gettysburg Address, The Gettysburg Address , Great Moments with Mr Lincoln, redo, revamp, recycling , Great Oaks Entertainment, electric convenience vehicle , ECV, ECV - friendly, improvements , doorway , turnstile , The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management, Iago, Uh-Oa, Zzzs , bran muffin

• Disney testing new ways to slow down FastPass counterfeiters

  Jim Hill talks about the plan that Disney Parks & Resorts has in the works to catch folks who are using bogus "Attraction Re-entry" tickets that they've purchased off of eBay. Which will involve scanning each individual FastPass for authenticity before the Mouse then allows that guest to enter a particular ride, show or attraction Read More... Posted Thursday, February 21, 2008 12:00 AM | 34 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, attraction, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, The Jungle Cruise, Anaheim, The Walt Disney Company, FastPass, The Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Resort, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDW, cast members, cast member, Disneyana Enthusiasts, Mouse, theme park visitor, theme park guest, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, ticket sales, theme park fans, attractions, shows, rides, ride, show, theme park attraction, admission , admission fee

• What a doll ! Remembering Joyce Carlson (1923 - 2008)

  Jim Hill pays tribute to this Disney Legend, who passed away this past Tuesday following a long bout with cancer Read More... Posted Friday, January 04, 2008 12:00 AM | 3 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, attraction, Imagineering, WED, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Marc Davis, Anaheim, Peter Pan, Disney Legend, The Walt Disney Company, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, John Hench, Cinderella, Mary Blair, Sleeping Beauty, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, it's a small world, WDW, Imagineer, Fantasyland, Walt Disney Studios, LaughingPlace, The Walt Disney World Resort, animated feature, ride, Walt Disney Feature Animation, Disney Feature Animation, theme park attraction, Joyce Carlson, 1964 New York World Fair, New York World's Fair, retired, compliment, legacy, humble, concept phase, design phase, Disney Netpal, project development, detailed model, dimensional figure, Jim Korkis, 2003, Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress, doll, condolences, Hospice of the Comforter, Altamonte Springs, obituary

• Monday Mouse Watch: Is there really such a thing as putting too much Walt into a Disney theme park?

  Jim Hill offers a different take on the upcoming DCA redo. Where the proposed revamp of this theme park has more to do with appeasing specific market segments than it has to do with making California Adventure better Read More... Posted Monday, November 26, 2007 12:00 AM | 37 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Pixar, Walt Disney, attraction, Imagineering, Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Pixar Animation Studios, The Walt Disney Company, Disneyland Resort, Main Street U.S.A., television, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyana, Hollywood, WDI, Southern California, Imagineer, DCA, dark ride, tourists, theme park fans, nostalgia, 1923, Disneyana fans, tribute, tributes, critic, critics, vocal critics, too much Walt, window dressing, Walt-centric, per-square-foot sales ratio, retail corridor, annual passholders, Main Street USA, 2001, entrance area, girl-friendly, 5-to-8-year-old girls, Golden Dreams, The Indiana Jones Adventure, GM Test Track, Radiator Springs Racers, Cars Land, Jeff Hornaday, E-Ticket, corporate symbol, Colonel Sanders, Frank Finlay, The Disneyland Resort, Generation X, Generation Y, Disneyphiles, Disneyphile, guest, guests, pie-eyed Mickey, The Partners statue, Partners statue, attractions, shows, rides, Ol' Mousetro, ride, show

• 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

• WDI's X-Scream Makeover of WDW's Haunted Mansion: Part 4

  Jim Hill continues his 5-part series on this recently revamped Magic Kingdom classic. This time around, Jim talks about a gag that the Imagineers finally felt was far too gruesome to be added to this attraction's Attic sequence Read More... Posted Thursday, October 25, 2007 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Disney, attraction, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Anaheim, Omnimover, The Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, Audio Animatronic, The Haunted Mansion, Disneyana, Haunted Halloween, WDI, Glendale, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, The Portrait Gallery, The Graveyard, stretching room, Liberty Square, Madame Leota, digital projection, Jeff Lange, Doom Buggy, The Attic, The Grand Staircase, Operations, The Séance Circle , M.C. Escher , AA figure, Audio Animatronics, The Grand Ballroom , Tokyo, dark ride, Lexan, Constance, bird cage, wedding band, ring, Hatbox Ghost, Hitchhiking Ghosts, The Yankee Trader, Leota Toombs, trumpet

• WDI's X-Scream Makeover of WDW's Haunted Mansion: Part 3

  Jim Hill continues his 5-part series on this recently revamped Magic Kingdom classic. This time around, Jim reveals how WDI recycled a creative concept that had originally been proposed for the 1999 redo of Epcot's "Imagination" pavilion. Which now adds a truly surreal touch to this WDW dark ride Read More... Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:00 AM | 5 Comments Filed under: Disney, Walt Disney, attraction, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Marc Davis, Omnimover, Disney Legend, Epcot Center, The Magic Kingdom, Audio Animatronic, The Haunted Mansion, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, Glendale, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Liberty Square, Madame Leota, Jeff Lange, Doom Buggy, The Attic, The Grand Staircase, The Corridor of Doors, The Music Room, The Endless Hallway, 1971, spider, wallpaper, The Séance Circle , Imagination pavilion, Journey into Imagination, Future World , M.C. Escher , Relativity, Kodak , Rochester N.Y., Journey in Your Imagination , Journey into Imagination with Figment , ghosts , spirits , Dreamfinder, Figment, AA figure, The Conservatory , The Grand Ballroom

• WDI's X-Scream Makeover of WDW's Haunted Mansion: Part 2

  Jim Hill continues his 5-part series that takes an in-depth look at this recently revamped Magic Kingdom favorite. This time around, Jim talk about how the changes that the Imagineers made to the Doom Buggies' audio system as well as revealing why Jack Skellington won't be "Making Christmas" in WDW's Haunted Mansion anytime soon Read More... Posted Tuesday, October 23, 2007 12:00 AM | 6 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, attraction, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Omnimover, The Magic Kingdom, The Haunted Mansion, Disneyana, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Disney Parks & Resorts, Tim Burton, WDI, WDW, Paul Frees, The Foyer, The Portrait Gallery, The Entrance Hallway, The Graveyard, Liberty Square, cast members, Jeff Lange, Doom Buggy, The Attic, earbuds, iPod, rPod, RidePod, log, bateaux, intrusion mats, The Grand Staircase, Grad Nite, Night of Joy, teen, teenager, dark duty, intrusion beams, The Corridor of Doors, enhancements, The Portrait Corridor, Operations, Jack Skellington, Hidden Jacks, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Phil Holmes, cast member