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• Disney World soldiers on, looking for new ways to plus the Parks for the holidays

  Jim Hill talks with David R. Hartmann, Art Director for Walt Disney Entertainment Design, about the year-round effort that goes into giving WDW visitors a top quality Christmastime experience Read More... Posted Monday, November 30, 2009 12:00 AM | 3 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, The Magic Kingdom, WDW, Christmas, 2009, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Town Hall , theme parks, holiday, Walt Disney World Resort, holidays, entertainment, Town Square

• 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

• Let George Do It: One-time WDW busboy becomes Disneyland’s newest president

  Jim Hill looks back over this Park & Resorts vet's 38-year-long career with the Company. In particular why George Kalogridis was chosen to help guide the Disneyland Resort through its upcoming transitional period Read More... Posted Tuesday, October 13, 2009 12:00 AM | 1 Comments Filed under: Disney, Downtown Disney, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Disney's California Adventure, The Walt Disney Company, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, Disney Parks & Resorts, Disneyland Hotel, Walt Disney Studios, cast members, cast member, 1971, 1976, 2009, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, pin, 2012, 2010, Rich Ross , pins, 1988, millennium celebration, opportunity, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Park, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, DLP, Ed Grier, regional theme park, Al Weiss, George Kalogridis, busboy, senior management, senior management position, UCF, Contemporary Resort Hotel, Disney Wonder, University of Central Florida, training issues, adversity, Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadershio Strategies from a Life at Disney, transition period, transitional period, Winter Olympics, Nagano, Olympic pins, IBM, Coca-Cola, Happiest Place on Earth, Resort Operations, maintenance, general manager, 15th anniversary, Sunshine Plaza, Anaheim property, Grand Flo, development team, Disney's World of Color, gay

• Gary Vaynerchuk wants you to think outside of the box wine

  Jim Hill reports in from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Where the “King of Social Media” held court this past Friday Read More... Posted Monday, September 28, 2009 12:00 AM | 0 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Orlando, World Showcase, Brazil, Mickey Mouse, Hollywood, 2009, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, international, Variety, November, Food & Beverage , Green, Red, marketplace, Walt Disney World Resort, rock star, Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival, International Food and Wine Festival, Food and Wine Festival, wine seminar, education, entertainment, Gary Vaynerchuk, Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, sheep butt, socks, Odyssey, Odyssey restaurant, vintage, vintages, WDW visitor, King of Social Media, mantra, You gotta try new things, chianti, Chianti Classico, Shiraz, Green Point Reserve, Green Point Reserve Shiraz, Satori Di Verona, wine world, wine, Napa, Washington State, Walla Walla, reds, white, whites, vintner, vintners, authentic experience, Misha, WDW visitors, food, drink, U.S., Pinot, varieties, webcast, The Thunder Show, confidence, box wine, cuisine, international marketplaces, marketplaces, Rio de Janeiro, Bangkok, foodie, 14th annual International Food & Wine Festival

• "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

• "The Art of the Walt Disney World Resort" is worth going out of your way for

  Jim Hill reviews Jeff Kurtti & Bruce Gordon’s latest book. Which features some spectacular sketches & concept paintings for WDW rides and resorts that were never built Read More... Posted Wednesday, May 27, 2009 12:00 AM | 14 Comments Filed under: book, A Christmas Carol, Imagineering, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, The Magic Kingdom, Main Street U.S.A., Jeff Kurtti, Bruce Gordon, Disney Editions, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, hotel, resort, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, attractions, shows, rides, UK, Euro Disney, Charles Dickens, art of book, concept painting, artwork, sketches

• What gloom & doom? It's still "Happy Poly Days" over at Disney's Polynesian Resort

  Tired of all the bad news coming out of Orlando these days? Jim Hill uses Jeff Lange's photographs as an excuse to write about WDW's most popular hotel Read More... Posted Friday, December 05, 2008 12:00 AM | 5 Comments Filed under: Disney, resorts, Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Disney's Polynesian Resort, Seven Seas Lagoon, Central Florida, WDW, Jeff Lange, 1971, hotel, resort, tourists, 2008, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, October, guest, guests, tourist , hotels, Lake Buena Vista , occupancy rate , January, pool, JeffLangeDVD, gingerbread , occupancy rates, retail entertainment complex, ocean, dog, Walt Disney World Resort, wave machine, Santa Paws, DTD, dogs, Disney's Beach Club Resort, carousel, gingerbread carousel, merry go round, merry-go-round

• "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

• Disney World now offering discounted Merchandise Credits to select Guests

  Jim Hill talks about a test that's currently underway at the WDW Resort. Where people who have already bought vacation packages are now being offered the chance to purchase a $500 Walt Disney World Merchandise Credit for just $395 Read More... Posted Thursday, November 13, 2008 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Disney, Downtown Disney, Orlando, Central Florida, WDW, tourists, 2008, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, guest, guests, shops, WDW guests, tourist , retail dining and entertainment complex, WDW officials , consumers, Credit Crunch, Central Florida tourism, retail area, retail entertainment complex, consumer spending, targeted, retail sales

• Monday Mouse Watch: Will Pop Century be rebranded as Disney's Animation Inn and Suites?

  Jim Hill talks about what the future may hold for this troubled WDW Value Resort. Which involves completing construction of the Legendary Years and then turning both sections into a family-friendly suites-based hotel Read More... Posted Monday, November 10, 2008 12:00 AM | 14 Comments Filed under: Disney, Michael Eisner, Walt Disney World, The Walt Disney Company, Shelly Smith, Disney Parks & Resorts, Disney's Pop Century Resort, value resorts, Disney's All Star Music Resort, WDW, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, 2008, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, 2001, 2003, WDW management , WDW officials , 1994, economic downturn, TouringPlans.com, FabRocks.com, Value Resort, model rooms

• Will Disney World's new "Buy 4 Get 3 FREE!" promotion really be enough to get you to book a trip to Orlando in early 2009?

  Jim Hill talks about that new WDW incentive program that Bob Iger revealed as part of yesterday's earnings call. Which includes a free $200 Disney Gift Card for those who buy a vacation package before December 20th Read More... Posted Friday, November 07, 2008 12:00 AM | 13 Comments Filed under: Disney, Bob Iger, Walt Disney World, promotion, The Walt Disney Company, marketing, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDW Entertainment, 9/11, Central Florida, WDW, Christmas, 2008, 2009, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, annual passholders, guest, Disney World vacation, WDW guests, Disney Dining Plan, WDW management , advance reservations, advance reservation, WDW vacations, WDW officials , cost over-runs , WDW executives, bottom line , 911, Walt Disney Company, Disney theme park, business plan, fiscal year, bookings, earnings, earnings call

• Disney hopes that our next Commander-in-Chief can inspire some consumer confidence

  According to Jim Hill, Mickey doesn't really care who the next President is. Just as long as this guy can then convince the American people to once again start planning trips to Anaheim & Orlando Read More... Posted Monday, November 03, 2008 12:00 AM | 20 Comments Filed under: Disney, resorts, Bob Iger, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Anaheim, Orlando, The Walt Disney Company, The Hall of Presidents, Disneyland Resort, Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts, Russia, Disney Parks & Resorts, 9/11, WDI, Burbank, WDW, resort, White House, 2009, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, Disney World vacation, high profile project, niche park , advance reservations, advance reservation, WDW vacations, President, Commander-in-Chief, George W Bush, CEO, 2010, President of the United States , consumers, Thomas Staggs, Jungle Trek, Disney's Jungle Trek, Walt Disney Company, Disney theme park, China, Wall Street, economic downturn, economy, fiscal year, Presidential election, consumer spending, earnings, CFO, quarter, Vice President, Vice Presidents, Joe Biden, Sarah Palin, Congress, intellectual property, The White House, piracy, anti-piracy, Valerie Edwards, Director of Sculpture, Barack Obama, chainmail, fashion magazines, Obama Biden, fashion magazine, consumer confidence, recession, Presidential candidate, Presidential candidates, earnings call, Four Seasons, The Four Seasons

• Have you ever wondered what Central Florida was like before the Mouse moved in? Then go check out the Disney Wilderness Preserve

  Jim Hill shares some photos of this beautiful corner of Kissimmee. Which The Nature Conservancy is working to restore to its original pristine condition Read More... Posted Thursday, October 30, 2008 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Walt Disney World, Kissimmee, WDI, Central Florida, Jeff Lange, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, brush, Disney World vacation, natural environment , wilderness preserve , theme parks, original, The Disney Wilderness Preserve, Disney Wilderness Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, Nature Conservancy, Lake Russell, restoration, sand crane, wildlife, Preserve, undeveloped, wild turkeys, turkeys, trails, trail, visitor center, saw palmetto, palmetto, rental car, eco-friendly, ecology, ecological restoration, ecological, brush clearing, controlled burn, natural plant growth, plant growth, nature, Walker Ranch, original state, pristine condition, pristine

• Is Disney looking to trade its 5th Avenue store in for a brand-new retail location down on Times Square?

  Since the World of Disney's lease is up in 2010, the Mouse is already on the prowl for a new spot to set up shop in NYC. Jim Hill shares what he's heard about these on-going negotiations Read More... Posted Tuesday, October 21, 2008 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: Disney, Broadway, musical, ABC, Walt Disney World, The Lion King, Disney Theatrical, Beauty and the Beast, Lunt-Fontanne Theater, Disney Store, ABC Studios, The Walt Disney Company, New York City, Mickey Mouse, restaurant, New Amsterdam Theatre, Minskoff Theatre, The Legendary Years, Disney's Pop Century Resort, NYC, Times Square, WDW, 5th Avenue, flagship store, World of Disney, Broadway musical, tourists, 2008, 2009, Disney World, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Walt Disney World Resort, Halloween, 2007, Mary Poppins, tourist , retail establishment , stage show , retail dining and entertainment complex, Virgin Megastore, Virgin, 1996 , 2010, stage, 2004, New York, Disney Stores, The Little Mermaid, movie theater, musical theater, 1990s, Wall Street, retail area, negotiations, trick-or-treat, trick or treat, square feet, retail space, commercial retail space, Wart, king, retailer, retailers, foot traffic, exposure, Paul Hoen, HoJos, Howard Johnson, American Eagle, American Eagle Outfitters, Pittsburgh, square foot, lease, Jeff Sutton, SL Green Realty Corp, Vornado, arcade, Alice's Wonderland, Toys R Us, Toys R Us Times Square, Virgin Megastore Times Square, ABC Times Square Studio, ABC Times Square Studios, retail entertainment complex, pre-show, post-show, preshow, posters, The Related Companies, retail presence, negotiating table, Rockefeller Center, Trump Tower, company representatives, real estate opportunity, real estate opportunites, construction project, construction projects

• "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