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• Marty Sklar to pay tribute to Disney Legend at Ryman Arts fund-raiser

  Jim Hill talks up next month’s event at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Where this recently retired Imagineering Ambassador will discuss Herbie Ryman’s creative legacy Read More... Posted Thursday, November 26, 2009 12:00 AM | 3 Comments Filed under: theme park, Walt Disney, Disneyland, Marty Sklar, Disney Legend, Walt Disney Productions, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Herb Ryman, Southern California, Walt Disney Imagineering, 2009, Thanksgiving, Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress, fundraiser, artists , high school, 1955, 1989, student, theme parks, Walt Disney Company, 1991, artistic development, Walt Disney World Resort, Thanksgiving Day, fundraising event, carousel, artwork, Contemporary Resort Hotel

• 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

• Marty Sklar honored with Window on Main Street

  On the occasion of this Disney Legend’s retirement, Jim Hill uses a Newsreel from 1983 to reflect on the Company’s past, present and future Read More... Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Walt Disney, Imagineering, computer animation, CG, John Lasseter, Walt Disney Pictures, Disneyland, Marty Sklar, Disney Legend, Walt Disney Productions, The Walt Disney Company, Main Street U.S.A., WDI, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Studios, computer, Glen Keane, 2009, Golden Horseshoe , Main Street USA, Where the Wild Things Are, The Brave Little Toaster, retired, 1955, Tron , Tron Sequel, choreography, choreographer, Golden Horseshoe Revue

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Monday Mouse Watch : WDI complains about all those complainers

  Whose side are you on? The WDW cast member who finds fault with "Toy Story Mania" 's acoustics? Or the veteran Imagineer who's grown tired of the online Disneyana community continually knocking WDI's efforts? Read More... Posted Monday, May 05, 2008 12:00 AM | 77 Comments Filed under: Disney, Jim Hill Media, theme park, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Toy Story, Spaceship Earth, Orlando International Airport, it's a small world, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, MiceAge, WDWMagic, Disneyana Enthusiasts, theme park visitor, theme park guest, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, theme park fans, Disneyana fans, theme park attraction, Disney World vacation, Disneyana community , Imagineers, Toy Story characters

• Monday Mouse Watch : It's lights out for DAK's "Rivers of Light" parade, while Beastly Kingdomme makes a character-based comeback

  Jim Hill brings you the latest news on Disney's Animal Kingdom. Including how WDW has been meeting with DAK curators to see who'd be willing to go take care of the animals that will soon be on display over at Disney's Night Kingdom Read More... Posted Monday, March 24, 2008 12:00 AM | 36 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, parade, attraction, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Dinosaur, The Magic Kingdom, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, it's a small world, the boys: the sherman brothers' story, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Beastly Kingdomme, DAK, Finding Nemo -- The Musical, Rivers of Light, Dan Haskett, theme park visitor, theme park guest, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, theme park fans, attractions, rides, ride, show, theme park attraction, Animal Kingdom , WDWCelebrations , A Wild Decade, Pleasure Island, night club, Disney's Night Kingdom, DNK, Imagineers, Steve Davison, It's Tough to Be a Bug, Japanese Lantern Parade, ROL, Pocahontas and her Forest Friends, Festival of the Lion King, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Camp Minnie-Mickey, character greeting area, Quest for the Unicorn, Dragon's Tower, horticulture, nighttime parade, after-hours extravaganza, character-friendly addition, pathway, night clubs, parades, Disney characters, Disney brand

• Does WDI plan on gagging our next Commander-in-Chief as part of the 2009 redo of WDW's "Hall of Presidents" ?

  Jim Hill shares what he's heard about the upcoming revamp of this Magic Kingdom attraction. To be specific, how the Imagineers are looking to shave a few minutes off of the running time of this 36-year-old Liberty Square show Read More... Posted Tuesday, March 04, 2008 12:00 AM | 50 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, attraction, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Anaheim, The Magic Kingdom, Audio Animatronic, Bill Clinton, The President of the United States, WDI, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Liberty Square, wheelchair accessible, AA figure, Audio Animatronics, handicap access, 2009, The Walt Disney World Resort, 2001, show, theme park attraction, WDW guests, Imagineers, July , handicap-accessible, wheelchair-friendly, wheelchair, presidential primaries, presidential primary, primaries, primary, President, Commander-in-Chief, promotional gimmick , Chief Executive , Blaine Gibson , George W Bush, Monica Lewinsky , scandal , Robin Williams, dignity , roll call , speech, THOP, Gettysburg Address, The Gettysburg Address , Great Moments with Mr Lincoln, redo, revamp, recycling , Great Oaks Entertainment, electric convenience vehicle , ECV, ECV - friendly, improvements , doorway , turnstile , The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management, Iago, Uh-Oa, Zzzs , bran muffin

• A PC Haunted Mansion ?! Now that's scary

  Jim Hill talks about the new script that the Imagineers have written for this attraction's Foyer area. Which is reportedly being added to the stateside versions of this classic attraction because a handful of guests complained about the macabre remarks that a few Disney cast members have made over the years Read More... Posted Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:00 AM | 43 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Anaheim, Orlando, The Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Resort, The Haunted Mansion, WDI, Glendale, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Paul Frees, Ghost Host, The Foyer, The Portrait Gallery, The Entrance Hallway, stretching room, theme park visitor, theme park guest, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, guest, guests, macabre, ghoulish, butlers, maids, ad-lib lines, staging, blocking, acting classes, official script, 1401 Flower Street, sinister, theme park attraction, squeamish

• WDI's X-Scream Makeover of WDW's Haunted Mansion: Part 4

  Jim Hill continues his 5-part series on this recently revamped Magic Kingdom classic. This time around, Jim talks about a gag that the Imagineers finally felt was far too gruesome to be added to this attraction's Attic sequence Read More... Posted Thursday, October 25, 2007 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Disney, attraction, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Anaheim, Omnimover, The Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, Audio Animatronic, The Haunted Mansion, Disneyana, Haunted Halloween, WDI, Glendale, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, The Portrait Gallery, The Graveyard, stretching room, Liberty Square, Madame Leota, digital projection, Jeff Lange, Doom Buggy, The Attic, The Grand Staircase, Operations, The Séance Circle , M.C. Escher , AA figure, Audio Animatronics, The Grand Ballroom , Tokyo, dark ride, Lexan, Constance, bird cage, wedding band, ring, Hatbox Ghost, Hitchhiking Ghosts, The Yankee Trader, Leota Toombs, trumpet

• WDI's X-Scream Makeover of WDW's Haunted Mansion: Part 3

  Jim Hill continues his 5-part series on this recently revamped Magic Kingdom classic. This time around, Jim reveals how WDI recycled a creative concept that had originally been proposed for the 1999 redo of Epcot's "Imagination" pavilion. Which now adds a truly surreal touch to this WDW dark ride Read More... Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:00 AM | 5 Comments Filed under: Disney, Walt Disney, attraction, Imagineering, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Marc Davis, Omnimover, Disney Legend, Epcot Center, The Magic Kingdom, Audio Animatronic, The Haunted Mansion, Disney Parks & Resorts, WDI, Glendale, WDW, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Liberty Square, Madame Leota, Jeff Lange, Doom Buggy, The Attic, The Grand Staircase, The Corridor of Doors, The Music Room, The Endless Hallway, 1971, spider, wallpaper, The Séance Circle , Imagination pavilion, Journey into Imagination, Future World , M.C. Escher , Relativity, Kodak , Rochester N.Y., Journey in Your Imagination , Journey into Imagination with Figment , ghosts , spirits , Dreamfinder, Figment, AA figure, The Conservatory , The Grand Ballroom