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• CTN X brings animation community together to network, help out their fellow artists

  Jim Hill talks up this weekend’s event at the Burbank Marriott. He also spotlights Tony Bancroft & Chad Frye’s efforts to help the Hodges family Read More... Posted Friday, November 20, 2009 12:00 AM | 0 Comments Filed under: animation, Disney, Ron Clements, John Musker, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Cinderella, WDI, Burbank, Walt Disney Imagineering, Eric Goldberg, animation student, 2009, Pete Docter, animators , animation community, animation industry, animation fan, Up, The Princess and the Frog, animation historian

• AquaDuck to bring theme park thrills out onto the high seas

  Jim Hill reports in from last Thursday’s Disney Cruise Line press event. Which talked up some of the more innovative features that will be found on the Disney Dream, the newest ship in the DCL fleet Read More... Posted Monday, November 02, 2009 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: Disney, Bob Iger, New York City, Disney Dreams, Disney Cruise Line, NYC, Walt Disney Imagineering, D23, 2009, tween, tweens, 2011, Typhoon Lagoon , water , creative team , creative process, technology, ocean

• Monday Mouse Watch: What to make of Mickey’s mixed signals

  Jim Hill talks about all of the recent changes at the Mouse House. More importantly, what Bob Iger will be looking for from Rich Ross, the new Chairman of Walt Disney Studios Read More... Posted Monday, October 05, 2009 12:00 AM | 8 Comments Filed under: Disney, music, Pixar, High School Musical, Disney Channel, John Lasseter, Bob Iger, Jerry Bruckheimer, Dick Cook, Magic Kingdom, Disney Theatrical, Robert Zemeckis, Tom Staggs, Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville, The Walt Disney Company, cell phone, High School Musical 3, Tim Burton, WDI, John Carter of Mars, WDW, Fantasyland, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Studios, Steven Spielberg, Blu-ray, DVD, D23, 5th Avenue, flagship store, World of Disney, Pixar campus, 2009, Mouse House, animated feature, TV show, TV shows, Andrew Stanton, taking it in the shorts, animated features, Miramax Films , Hannah Montana , Camp Rock , 2011, Chairman, 2010, virtual world , Rich Ross , Enchanted Adventures Parade, Utah, Shanghai, HSM3, Shanghai Disneyland, Fall, strategy, Disney Music Group, D23 EXPO, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, fiscal year, live action, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, mobile, Marvel Entertainment, Inc., Marvel, acquisition, superhero, superheroes, soundtrack, Disney Double Dare You, Lasseter Family Winery, Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, The Queen, Emeryville campus, corporate headquarters, Nancy Lasseter, Pixar expansion plans, live-action, DVD sales, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, Verizon, Vancouver, production slate, heritage, plan, long term strategy, tradition, long term, cell phone user, stable of characters, quality content, cell phone users, storefront, mobile storefront, Disney Mobile, instant-messaging, widgets, business initiatives, division, widget, business initiative, divisions, content, animated film, animated films, Disney Channels Worldwide, prestige picture, prestige pictures, Miramax

• Monday Mouse Watch: The road ahead for Disney·Pixar ‘s “Cars”

  Jim Hill shares the title for this eagerly anticipated sequel as well as the Company’s plan for maintaining consumer interest in this new key franchise Read More... Posted Monday, August 24, 2009 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Disney, toys, Disney Consumer Products, Disney Channel, John Lasseter, Disney's California Adventure, Cars, Disney Fairies, ABC Family, Toon Disney, diecast cars, Disney Princess, Walt Disney Imagineering, global rental sales, World of Cars Online, 2008, 2009, Disney Online, Disney / Pixar, franchise, Cars Land, 2011, World Grand Prix, 2006, 2012, 2010, Pixie Hollow, clothing line, key franchises, diecast car, MMOG, massively multiplayer online game, Licensing International Expo 2009, parking lot, Licensing International Expo, DCP , key franchise, playset, diecast, Radiator Springs, MMO, Cars Toon, Cars Toons, Mater's Tall Tales, Cars 2, Cars franchise, World of Cars, Disney Interactive Media Group, Rescue Squad Mater, Mater the Greater, El Materdor, DIMG, parking, Test Track, parking area, Carburetor County, online, Cars 2: World Grand Prix, Cars: World Grand Prix

• 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

• WDI panel to be a high point of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ 20th anniversary celebration

  Jim Hill showcases some early DHS construction shots as he talks up next Friday’s festivities at the studio theme park Read More... Posted Thursday, April 23, 2009 12:00 AM | 1 Comments Filed under: Disney, Imagineering, Michael Eisner, Walt Disney World, Disney-MGM Studios theme park, Bob Weis, Orlando, George Lucas, Disney's Hollywood Studios, WDI, WDW, Walt Disney Imagineering, MagicalMountain, panel discussion, Disney-MGM Studios, studio theme park, The Walt Disney World Resort, studio , WDWCelebrations , Magical Mountain, Imagineers, construction, CEO, 1989, 1986, plussing, Superstar Television, 1988, swamp, 20th anniversary, Walt Disney World Resort, Studio 20, The Studios Thing, Bob Hope, Eric Jacobson, Tom Fitzgerald, Disney-MGM Studio Tour, Slapstick Stunt Theater, Disney Film Festival, scrub pine, swampland, Disney-MGM Studio and Studio Tour Attraction, Chinese Theater, movie palace, Premiere Theater, Starring Rolls Cafe

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Monday Mouse Watch : Disney World's new grim grinning gracious ghosts

  Forget about fright. Now it's all about being polite. Or so says Jim Hill as he talks about the new spiel that cast members are expected to recite whenever they work at this Magic Kingdom attraction Read More... Posted Monday, June 02, 2008 12:00 AM | 14 Comments Filed under: Disney, attraction, Imagineering, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, The Haunted Mansion, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, The Foyer, The Portrait Gallery, The Entrance Hallway, Liberty Square, cast members, Jeff Lange, cast member, JHM, guest, guests, butlers, maids, acting classes, Imagineers, CD, script, The Ballroom, wretched bodies, Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen, guest complaints , gruesome gags , PR team , acting coaches , dialogue , spiel , show narration , The Stretching Room, final arrangements, maid, butler, please, Prince Arthur, grim grinning ghosts, grim grinning gracious ghosts, polite, fright, retraining, plussing, fashion, The Story and Song from the Haunted Mansion, fireplace, MouseSteps, JeffLangeDVD, photos, screensaver, Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, disc, Denise Preskitt

• 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

• Monday Mouse Watch : Why WDI is looking for a few good freelancers

  Jim Hill takes a look at why the start of the DCA revamp keeps getting pushed back. Which has a lot to do with how most of the top talent in the themed entertainment industry is now working on Dubailand Read More... Posted Monday, May 12, 2008 12:00 AM | 14 Comments Filed under: Disney, Imagineering, Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Tokyo DisneySea, Disneyland Resort, Jay Rasulo, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, DCA, Walt Disney Studios, WDI R & D, Imagineers, DCA revamp