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• Universal Orlando shares new concept art, video for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

  Jim Hill compares & contrasts two construction projects that will hopefully compel tourists to return to Central Florida: The Magic Kingdom’s Enchanted Forest as well as Islands of Adventure’s new Harry Potter-themed “land” Read More... Posted Friday, September 18, 2009 12:00 AM | 16 Comments Filed under: Universal Studios, Harry Potter, Beauty and the Beast, The Magic Kingdom, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Orlando, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando Resort, Mickey, Belle, 2012, 2010, 2013, Universal Pictures

• 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

• The John Hughes / ABC / Walt Disney Company connection

  In honor of the passing of this talented filmmaker, Jim Hill shares a few anecdotes that reflect on the times that Hughes worked for the Mouse Read More... Posted Friday, August 07, 2009 12:00 AM | 3 Comments Filed under: Disney, movies, Universal Studios, Walt Disney, ABC, Walt Disney Pictures, Michael Eisner, Hollywood Pictures, Disneyland, 101 Dalmatians, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Walt Disney Productions, The Walt Disney Company, Ron Miller, television, Harold Ramis, Jim Belushi, Walt Disney Studios, Home Alone, film, movie, Vacation '58, Mouse House, Walley World, 1950s, TV show, 1997, Mickey, The Absent-Minded Professor, film title, Spaceballs III: The Search for Spaceballs II, writer , The Breakfast Club, 1996 , Robin Williams, Great Oaks Entertainment, Jackie Chan, Warner Bros. , John Hughes, director , Pretty in Pink, National Lampoon, National Lampoon's Animal House, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, vacation, cross country trip , Michelle Pfieffer, The Bee, Flubber, Faber College, slapstick, family vacation, screenplay, script, Curly Sue, motion picture, Jaws 3 People 0, 1990, television show , Ricardo Mestres, 1990s, 1991, films, producer, 1979, Delta House, National Lampoon's Vacation, TV series, Sixteen Candles, Planes Trains and Automobiles, Disneyland Park, Eddie Bracken

• 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

• What's so significant about that shaving creme can?

  Jim Hill reveals how Universal Creative used a particular prop in one of its USH attractions to help tie up a loose story thread from "Jurassic Park," the movie Read More... Posted Thursday, September 18, 2008 12:00 AM | 11 Comments Filed under: theme park, Universal Studios, attraction, Hollywood, Universal, ride, Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Universal Creative, Universal Studios Hollywood , ride designer

• Universal Studios Hollywood freshens up for the Fall

  During a recent trip to Southern California, Jim dropped by USH and discovered that lots of changes have been made to both the Upper & Lower Lot Read More... Posted Friday, September 12, 2008 12:00 AM | 6 Comments Filed under: movies, musical, Universal Studios, Visual Effects, attraction, Brad Bird, Labor Day, Lucille Ball, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Halloween Horror Nights, Southern California, Audio Animatronics, Steven Spielberg, movie, 1974, Universal, tourists, studio theme park, 1976, 2008, 2009, Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, October, animated feature, attractions, shows, rides, ride, show, 2005, 1975, soundstage , November, 1955, blueprints , 2006, March, June , interactive, 1986, screenplay, Summer, attendance levels, Universal Studios Hollywood , USH, Upper Lot , Lower Lot , The Simpsons Ride, slow season, theme parks, special event, special events, park, newish, guest experience, fire, New York Street, King Kong , tram , ride-thru attraction , Bob Gurr , Tram Tour, remake, original, 1933, Peter Jackson, V-Rex, ride designer, ride designers , battle sequence , Naomi Watts , animatronic , replacement, Collapsing Bridge, studio insiders , Lucy: A Tribute, exhibit, Lucy, walk-through attraction , The Universal Experience, archives , poster , Carl Laemmle, Universal City, 1915 , Robert A Mattey , blockbuster, Jaws, Curious George, 1999, maquette , Imagine Entertainment , Nickelodeon Blast Zone, The Adventures of Curious George, kiddie play area, cartoon series, PBS Kids, full-length animated feature, Creature from the Black Lagoon -- The Musical, press release , storyline , horror film , stagecraft, choreography, source material , Little Shop of Horrors, Spring , Autumn , Fall, Castle Theatre, Fear Factor Live, audience participation, Universal City Plaza, The Simpsons, Simpsons

• 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

• 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 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

• Remembering Suzanne Pleshette (1937 - 2008)

  Jim Hill looks back on the Disney-related portion of this Emmy nominated actress's career as well as commenting on the role that smoking may have played in her untimely demise Read More... Posted Monday, January 21, 2008 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Disney, TV, Universal Studios, Walt Disney, ABC, Disneyland, Walt Disney Productions, television, Burbank, film, movie, TV show, Disneyana fans, condolences, Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette , Emily Hartley, Bob Hartley , The Bob Newhart Show , Dean Jones, 1966 , The Ugly Dachshund, 1968, Blackbeard's Ghost , 1975, The Shaggy DA, Roddy McDowell , 1967, The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin , The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, Noah Cyrus, Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away, Tony Curtis , 40 Pounds of Trouble, 1962 , Norman Jewison , Damon Runyon, Little Miss Marker , St. Joseph's Hospital , studio , Roy O Disney , Peter Ustinov , Disney lot, James Garner, Laura Hennessy , West High Knights, ABC sitcom, sitcom , Virginia Davis, smoker, lung cancer, smoking-related illnesses , Emmy-nominated

• 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

• Monday Mouse Watch : Will the Lone Ranger ride again for Walt Disney Pictures in 2010 ?

  Never mind about this year's summer blockbusters. Jim Hill's already looking three years down the road to when Mickey (with the help of several key members of the "Pirates" creative team) will reportedly be releasing a $100-million-plus Western that will feature the Masked Man and his faithful Indian companion Read More... Posted Monday, May 28, 2007 12:00 AM | 29 Comments Filed under: Disney, movies, theme park, Universal Studios, Imagineering, Disney Consumer Products, Jerry Bruckheimer, Walt Disney Pictures