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• Monday Mouse Watch: Marvel acquisition offers significant challenges, huge potential rewards for The Walt Disney Company

  Jim Hill weighs in on this $4 billion deal. In particular the amount of time that will have to pass before Disney can then take full advantage of Marvel’s stable of superheroes Read More... Posted Monday, August 31, 2009 10:00 AM | 15 Comments Filed under: Disney, TV, Pixar, Universal Studios, Muppets, Jim Henson, John Lasseter, Bob Iger, 20th Century Fox, Fox, Magic Kingdom, Pixar Animation Studios, The Magic Kingdom, television, Fozzie Bear, Universal Orlando, film, Mouse, promotional campaign, Spider-Man, The Hulk, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, 2009, Halloween, Disney / Pixar, film franchise, film franchises, Mickey, Paramount Pictures, Disneyana community , Paramount , Universal Studios Florida , MMOG, Iron Man, television show , Donald Duck, films, MMO, video game, Muppet, Universal Pictures, Universal Pictures classic, Marvel Entertainment, Inc., Marvel, acquisition, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Thor, corporate culture, The Jim Henson Company, licensing agreement, film development, film distribution, television production, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Sony, Universal Studios Japan, Sony Studios, stock, cash transaction, Spidey, pop culture, Howard the Duck, corporate family, shareholders, global reach, X-Men, Bear in the Big Blue House, TV distribution, video gaming, MMORPGs, retail giants, film rights, Marvel Super Hero Island, emerging technology, emerging technologies, retail, superhero, superheroes

• Michael Roddy's ready to take you behind-the-screams at Halloween Horror Nights 19

  Jim Hill talks up today's Q & A session at the HHN Facebook fan page. Where the Show Director for Universal Orlando Entertainment will be answering questions about this annual USF event Read More... Posted Thursday, August 27, 2009 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: Universal Studios, Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Orlando, FaceBook, Universal, 2009, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, Halloween, February , 2010, performers, Universal Studios Florida , horror mazes , horror maze, horror, horror film , Sam Raimi, Michael Roddy, Show Director, Drag Me to Hell, The Wolfman, Joe Johnston, Halloween Horror Nights 19: Ripped From the Screen, Universal Pictures, 1941, Facebook page, Facebook fan page, HHN Facebook fan page, Universal Orlando Entertainment, social media, fan page, entertainers, FX artists, horror genre, USF, Universal Pictures classic, haunted house, haunted houses, HHN

• 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

• 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

• The winter that won't quit really makes me want to split

  Sick of shoveling snow, Jim Hill considers his options. Touching on several Disney-related events that are being held around the country in the coming weeks that could possibly take him away from ice-encrusted New Hampshire Read More... Posted Friday, March 14, 2008 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Disney, Pixar, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Peter Pan, Pixar Animation Studios, Universal Orlando, Where the Magic Begins, WDW, Universal, Universal Orlando Resort

• Steal a glimpse and/or glimpse some steel at the "Harry Potter" construction site

  Jim Hill brings you an update on "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," including news on the role that Dr. Suess' widow played in making this Islands of Adventure addition a reality Read More... Posted Monday, February 11, 2008 12:00 AM | 20 Comments Filed under: attraction, Harry Potter, Orlando, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando, movie, Universal Studios Escape, Universal Studios Orlando, Harry Potter films, Harry Potter books, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, 2009, J K Rowling, Universal Orlando Resort, ride, show, Jurassic Park

• The story that Walt didn't want you to hear

  Before hitting the road for Orlando, Jim Hill shares an excerpt from a long forgotten Reader's Digest feature condensation: Richard Collier's "Wish Upon a Star: The Magical Kingdoms of Walt Disney" Read More... Posted Thursday, February 07, 2008 12:00 AM | 13 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Universal Studios, Walt Disney, Disneyland, Epcot, Orlando, SeaWorld, Tom Sawyer Island, Spaceship Earth, Main Street U.S.A., The Haunted Mansion, Tutto Italia Ristorante, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Universal Orlando, 1971, JHM, Universal Studios Orlando, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando Resort, October, television program, Main Street USA, construction site, New Hampshire, camera, pictures, Tuesday , publishing schedule, website , weekend , Orlando Fun Tickets, webmasters, webmaster, Aquatica, Yak & Yeti , hit-and-run trip, hit-and-run, Richard Collier, Wish Upon a Star: The Magical Kingdoms of Walt Disney, The Breakfast Club, issue, Reader's Digest, 1955, Tennessee, leukemia, ergonomics, landscaping , train, Disneyland Railroad , locomotive , coal car , track, skyline, will-o'-the-wisp, Rainbow Caverns, Tom Sawyer's Island, enchantment, childhood, Van France , train ride, worksite, picture, publicity, celebrities, celebrity, charity , charity event , cameras, private

• Monday Mouse Watch : Changes to Disney Dining Plan infuriate WDW guests

  Jim Hill reports that it's been a really rough week for managers & servers at Disney World restaurants. Who've had to deal with all of the customers who are complaining about the "no more free gratuity" portion of this "Magic Your Way" add-on Read More... Posted Monday, January 07, 2008 12:00 AM | 48 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Guest Relations, restaurant, Universal Orlando, WDW, Mouse, 2008, Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, The Walt Disney World Resort, guest, pre-paid dining, Walt Disney World Resort website, placate, compensation, Mickey By, running tally, complaints, wages, tips, waiters, credit cards, Disney World vacation, frontline staff, panel, implementing policy, Central Reservations, Chris Heatherly, gratuity included, appetizer included, January 1 2008, taking it in the shorts, Food Service, The Moment of Truth, customers, recreational facilities, shops, on property, off property, credits, room key, gratuity, snack, meal, counter service, table service, vacation package, Magic Your Way, 2005, SeaWorld Adventure Park, WDW guests, Disney's Magical Express Transportation, Disney's Magical Express, Disney Dining Plan, Security, patron, parent, camera, Coke, Mickey, server, eatery, full service

• Construction's officially underway on Universal's "Wizarding World of Harry Potter"

  Jim Hill shares some of the photos that Max Schilling recently took at Islands of Adventure. Which show that site prep has begun on this 20-acre addition to the Universal Orlando Resort Read More... Posted Monday, December 03, 2007 12:00 AM | 22 Comments Filed under: theme park, attraction, Harry Potter, Orlando, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando, Central Florida, show building, Universal, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, 2009, IOA, Hogwarts, Universal Orlando Resort, attractions, shows, rides, ride, show, construction wall, The Lost Continent, Harry Potter fans, construction site, Hagrid, construction fences, The Flying Unicorn, photographer, Hogwarts Castle, brush, fill, sinkhole, footings, Netpal, topped off, Max Schilling, Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park River Adventure

• Monday Mouse Watch: Will MGM's upcoming name change really allow the Universal Orlando Resort to nudge Disney out of the spotlight?

  Jim Hill shares what he's heard about Universal's bold new plan to reposition that Central Florida Resort. He also offers up additional information about that after-hours Halloween party that's now in the works for Disney's Hollywood Studios. And would you believe "Holidays at Hogwarts" ? Read More... Posted Monday, November 19, 2007 12:00 AM | 36 Comments Filed under: theme park, Universal Studios, Walt Disney, Walt Disney World, Disney-MGM Studios theme park, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Magic Kingdom, television, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Orlando, Central Florida, Florida, WDW, Walt Disney Studios, Steven Spielberg, California, Christmas, Universal, 1998, Universal Studios Escape, Disney-MGM Studios, studio theme park, Disney's Orlando Studios, Disney-Pixar Studios, 1976, Universal Studios Orlando, 2008, The Blockbuster Capital of the World, The Feature Attraction, theme park visitor, theme park guest, The Hulk, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, 2009, TV commercials, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Great Hall, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Walt Disney World Resort, Halloween, 5th Dimension, The 5th Dimension, The Weasley family, Weasley family, Halloween at Hogwarts, Alfred E Newman, what me worry, Toy Story Mania, Toy Story Midway Mania, What

• Why For did the Mouse really rename MGM "Disney's Hollywood Studios" ?

  Did Disney's desire to finally create an after-hours event that would rival Universal's Halloween Horror Nights actually play a part in the renaming of Disney-MGM Studios? Jim Hill shares what he's heard from Mouse House insiders Read More... Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 12:00 AM | 19 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Why For, Universal Studios, Imagineering, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios theme park, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Hollywood , The Magic Kingdom, Tutto Italia Ristorante, Patina Group, L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante, Disney's Horrorwood Studios, Disney's Hollyday Studios, Google Earth, Henry Selick, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Glow in the Dark Parade, Haunted Halloween, Halloween Horror Nights, Hong Kong Disneyland, Universal Orlando, Al's Toy Barn, Backlot Theater, The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Adventure, Muppet Movie Ride, The Boneyard, Pixar Place, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDW Entertainment, Halloweentown, Generation Gap Bridge, Hourglass Lake, Florida tourism, 9/11, The Legendary Years, The Classic Years, Disney's Pop Century Resort, value resorts, family suites, Disney's All Star Music Resort, Jazz Inn building, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano, Tim Burton, WDI, Glendale, The Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights