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• Mickey & Minnie say "Farewell" to Toontown Fair, "Hello" to the Town Square Exhibition Hall

  Jim Hill brings the latest news of the Fantasy Forest project. Which involves the Toontown crew packing up and moving to new digs down on Main Street USA Read More... Posted Tuesday, September 29, 2009 12:00 AM | 18 Comments Filed under: theme park, Imagineering, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Disney Fairies, Dumbo Circus, Mickey Mouse, Dumbo, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Studios, D23, animated feature, Disneyana fans, Main Street USA, 2001, guest, guests, 1401 Flower Street, Town Square Exposition Hall, autographs, Goofy , character , coaster, Imagineers, characters , Disney characters, Mickey's Toontown Fair , D23 EXPO, Disneyana fan, Walt Disney World Resort, 1941, The Barnstormer, Barnstormer, Goofy's Wiseacre Farm, kiddie coaster, Casey Jr., Casey Jr. Circus Train, circus train, Casey Jr. Jr., clearance issues, Wiseacre Farm, smokestack, off the table, pies, seltzer, expansion, Fantasy Forest, Magic Kingdom expansion, country house, country home, Town Square, Minnie, Minnie Mouse, 100 Years of Magic, Toontown Fair, photographs, country mouse, city mouse, Zoo Crew, Big Cheese, friend-of-Mickey, homeless, friends-of-Mickey, air conditioning, Operational, motion picture industry, Duckburg, heat, Duckburg USA, humidity, USA, Operational standpoint, The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm

• Updated “The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies” is well worth adding to your Disney booo-k collection

  Jim Hill reviews the revised edition of this Disney Editions book. He also talks up Jason Surrell’s appearances at the D23 EXPO as well as tonight's 09-09-09 merchandise event Read More... Posted Wednesday, September 09, 2009 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: book, Disney, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Marc Davis, Disney Press, The Magic Kingdom, Disney Editions, Jason Surrell, The Haunted Mansion, The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, Madame Leota, The Attic, The Grand Staircase, Constance, Leota Toombs, West Coast, 2009, 2003, merchandise , 1960s, The Stretching Room, East Coast, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Park

• "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

• "Imagineering Legends" is the ideal gift for the Disneyana fan on your Christmas list

  Still struggling to come up with the perfect present for your family's Disney dweeb? Jim Hill points you toward Jeff Kurtti's latest book, which looks back at "The Genesis of the Disney Theme Park" Read More... Posted Wednesday, December 03, 2008 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: book, Walt Disney, Imagineering, WED, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Marc Davis, Country Bear Jamboree, Marty Sklar, The American Adventure, Jeff Kurtti, Disney Editions, Walt Disney's Legends of Imagineering and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park, John Hench, it's a small world, WDW, Imagineer, Christmas, 2008, holiday season , Imagineers, Snow White's Scary Adventures

• 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

• Disney World postpones Fantasyland's facelift

  Citing concerns over the economy, Mouse House managers have quietly pushed back a project that was to have revitalized the most popular section at WDW's oldest theme park. Jim Hill has the details Read More... Posted Thursday, October 09, 2008 12:00 AM | 17 Comments Filed under: Disney, Imagineering, Disney Vacation Club, Dick Cook, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Beauty and the Beast, Playhouse Disney, The Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain, The Hall of Presidents, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Disney Princess, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Hollywood, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, Glendale, Burbank, Times Square, WDW, Imagineer, Fantasyland, Walt Disney Imagineering, DCA, show building, World of Disney, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, attractions, shows, rides, Hollywood history, Imagineers, 2012, Disney Studios , thrill ride, queue, motion picture, The Princess and the Frog, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, Disney theme park, Wall Street, The Great Depression, Great Depression, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, economic downturn, facelift, revitalization, revitalization plan, queue area, gift shop, hitting the brakes, tough times, spinner, East Coast, stock price, Alice Comedies, Central Florida tourism, 2013, 2014, 2015, economy, rehab, overhaul, fiscal year, retail area, Little Mermaid, Little Mermaid ride, Little Mermaid attraction

• "Marching Along, We're Adventurers. Singing the Song of Adventurers ..."

  Before the lights go out on PI tomorrow night, Jim Hill looks back at his favorite spot on that Island. Which is the Adventurers Club Read More... Posted Friday, September 26, 2008 12:00 AM | 10 Comments Filed under: Disney, Imagineering, Walt Disney World, Dick Nunis, restaurant, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, shops, retail establishment , Pleasure Island, Adventurers Club, night club complex, night club, Imagineers, night clubs, 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

• Say "Nighty-night" to Night Kingdom and "Jambo" to Disney's Jungle Trek

  Jim Hill shares the latest info on WDW's proposed niche park. Which the Imagineers have recently renamed & revamped Read More... Posted Thursday, August 21, 2008 12:00 AM | 29 Comments Filed under: Imagineering, Walt Disney World, Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, WDI, Glendale, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney World, WDW guests, SeaWorld Orlando, Disney's Night Kingdom, SeaWorld's Discovery Cove, niche park , zipline , bats , bat, Imagineers, Jungle Trek, Disney's Jungle Trek, UK, United Kingdom, United Kingdom tourists, ziplines, hippo, hippos, global village

• The Adventurers Club that we almost got

  Jim Hill talks about how WDI's original plans for Pleasure Island were changed to due to cost concerns. He also reminds JHM readers about Peter David's map-mailing campaign to save the Adventurers Club Read More... Posted Thursday, August 07, 2008 12:00 AM | 12 Comments Filed under: Disney, Imagineering, Bob Iger, Michael Eisner, Walt Disney World, Joe Rohde, Marty Sklar, Tokyo DisneySea, The Haunted Mansion, restaurant, Hong Kong Disneyland, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, resort, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, September, Pleasure Island, The Adventurers Club, Adventurers Club, night club complex, night club, Imagineers, night clubs, 1989, 1986, Peter David, Robert Iger, Disney CEO, Save the Adventurers Club, PI

• 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

• Tune Tuesday : "Hello, WALL-E! Well, Hello, WALL-E ..."

  Forget about Pixar's latest production. Jim Hill talks about the many other ways that Jerry Herman's Tony Award-winning musical has popped up at the Mouse House Read More... Posted Tuesday, July 01, 2008 12:00 AM | 20 Comments Filed under: movies, Pixar, musical, Imagineering, CG, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, 20th Century Fox, Magic Kingdom, James Bond, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Productions, The Magic Kingdom, New York City, Main Street U.S.A., Eddie Sotto, Euro Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, television, The Haunted Mansion, Rotten Tomatoes, Tony Award winner, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, film, movie, 2008, 1970s , opening weekend grosses, opening weekend, Disneyana fans, Main Street USA, Tony Award, Andrew Stanton, Tony Award-winner , CG feature, 1970 , Imagineers, Disney Pixar , Kung Fu Panda, WALL-E, New York, domestic release, 1969, Jerry Herman, showtunes , futuristic fable , Put on Your Sunday Clothes, It Only Takes a Moment, CHUD, robot, Elegance , Before the Parade Passes By , area music , E.J. Peaker , Disneyland Showtime , The Wonderful World of Disney , Donny Osmond, Merrill Osmond , introduction, Miss Molloy, dress shop , Minnie Fay , movie star, Love Bug Parade , Condorman, spoof , 1981, Woody Wilkins , Michael Crawford , Barbara Carrera , Cornelius Hackl , original Broadway production, Phantom of the Opera, Dolly Levi , extras , senior Vice President of Creative Development , Tony Baxter , turn-of-the-century , Gene Kelly , Barbara Streisand , price tag , Hello

• Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

  In this week's Why For, Jim Hill talks about the history of Treasure / Discovery Island. More importantly, how WDW Entertainment and Food & Beverage are allegedly thinking of using the "Pirates of the Caribbean" characters to help get this place re-opened Read More... Posted Friday, June 06, 2008 12:00 AM | 14 Comments Filed under: Disney, Why For, Imagineering, ABC, Johnny Depp, WED, Walt Disney World, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Tom Sawyer Island, Lost, The Walt Disney Company, Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Bay Lake, WDW Entertainment, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, cast members, cast member, Leota Toombs, 1974, 1998, 1976, 2008, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, marshmallows, Food Service, Blackbeard's Ghost , 1967, Peter Ustinov , Captain Jack Sparrow, Food & Beverage , Imagineers, April , rum , Pirates of the Caribbean films, 1960s, Disney officials , Pirates of the Caribbean franchise , January, interactive, Capt. Jack Sparrow, Raz Island, boat ride , treasure hunt , marshmallow, marshmallow roast , Treasure Island, Discovery Island, wilderness preserve , Blackbeard's Island , wizards of WED , 1950, Robert Louis Stevenson , Ben Gunn's Cave, Future Attraction, Future Attractions , The Blockhouse , Long John Silver, buccaneer, buccaneers, Spy Glass Hill , Wreck of the Hispaniola, Hispaniola, bird sanctuary , skeleton, aviary, enclosure, buzzard, buzzards , vulture, vultures, treasure map , operational hours , Yo-Ho-Ho , dough-dough-dough, snack bar, honeymoon, honeymoon cottage, honeymoon cottages , interactive gaming , Myst, pirate-themed adventure , O-Pin House, WDW Food Services, corporate groups, rum drinks , Johnny Depp lookalike