May, 2003

From 30,000 feet up, Jim Hill returns with even more answers to your Disney-related questions. This time around, Jim talks about the history of Epcot's "Wonders of Life" pavilion, why Disney isn't shooting any TV shows at Disney-MGM, whether Latin America is going to get its very own Magic Kingdom anytime soon, an update on last week's "Rhine River" questions, what's the deal with Disneyland's Astro-Orbiter as well as Disney's Platinum Edition DVD release schedule....

Weird. Unique. Highly entertaining. That's what Jim Hill thought of Cory Doctorow's innovative new sci-fi novel, a smart take on friendship and death set inside a futuristic Magic Kingdom. Seriously....

As Jim gets ready for his next trip west, he talks a bit about Walt Disney Productions' Mineral King project. That state-of-the-art ski area that Disney dreamed of building right next door to California's Sequoia National Park....

Jim Hill's back with ... well, an apology, then some info on the upcoming "Alien Encounter" change-out, a Glen Keane quote, why certain pavilions in Epcot's World Showcase got rides and others didn't as well as an update on the next set of JHM Disneyland tours. Also ... a somewhat embarrassing plea for contributions....

With so many great new rides and shows coming to the Disney and Universal theme parks this year, Jim decided to take a look back at one of the parks' newer offerings, revealing many secrets behind -- and inside -- Universal Studios Florida's "Men in Black: Alien Attack" attraction....

As WDFA vets continue to grumble about how cruel and clueless Disney Company management has become during this time of extreme upheaval in the animation industry, Jim Hill wonders: Is it time for another Don Bluth?...

In the long-delayed return of this popular JHM feature, Jim Hill answers your questions about Disneyland's "Partners" statue, "Dumbo 2" as well as what's going on with the Pixar negotiations....

Wanna know when you'll be able to buy a copy of "Finding Nemo" on video? (And we don't mean on a street corner.) Or better yet, when you'll finally be able to get your hands on that long-delayed special edition DVD of "Lilo & Stitch?" Jim reveals all in another JimHillMedia exclusive ......

With just one more day 'til Mr. Hill finally gets back to New Hampshire (and starts cranking out lots of new stories for JHM), here's another favorite from the archives: the REAL reason that "Splash Mountain" ended up being built at the Disney theme parks....

Want to ride the hippest, funniest theme park ride that Jim Hill has been on in years? Then forget about heading to Disney and instead make plans now to visit Universal Studios Florida and check out this recently revamped attraction ......

Jim Hill returns with even more answers to your Disney related questions. This time around, Jim explains the math behind Disney's decision to axe "Lizzie McGuire" after only 65 episodes as well as debunks rumors about the Walt Disney Company building a theme park in Texas. ...

Okay. So the books that Jim's reviewing today aren't exactly Disney-related. But "My Anecdotal Life: A Memoir" and "Ron Howard: From Mayberry to the Moon ... and Beyond" are still worth a look-see....