February, 2004

Jim Hill suggests that Shamrock Holdings' 1988 attempt to take over the Polaroid Corporation may hold some clues as to what Roy and Stanley's ultimate goal may be with the Walt Disney Company....

After far too long a delay, Jim Hill's back with even more answers to your Disney-related questions. This time around, Jim talks about his plans for Philly, the next set of JHM Disneyland tours as well as answering questions about why he includes negative comments in his articles, what he thinks Roy Disney will say at the Academy Awards this weekend and what's going on with Epcot's "The Land" pavilion....

At the risk of using one too many sports metaphors, Jim Hill warns: Don't expect a slam dunk next Wednesday morning at Philadelphia's Convention Center. Given that the staff at Shamrock now is radically revising the numbers of proxys that they expect Disney shareholders to vote in their favor, their "Oust Eisner" effort could heading into extra innings....

With less than a week 'til Roy meets with the Disney faithful in Philly (and Eisner faces down a roomful of Disney dissidents), Jim Hill spills what he's learned (so far) about next week's events....

Mystery writer "R" shares with JHM readers an essay that illustrates the very important role that Roy Disney played in Disney's corporate culture. More importantly, why the Mouse Factory needs Roy back on the job ASAP....

Only JimHillMedia.com takes you behind-the-scenes at Disney-MGM, where all the artists and technicians who made "Mulan," "Lilo and Stitch" and "Brother Bear" gathered for one final blow-out this past Saturday night....

Did you think that WDW employees would really be sympathetic to the plight of the DAK drivers that was described in yesterday's "Kilimanjaro Safari" article? Well, think again ......

Yep. We're raiding the JHM archives again. This time around, it's a story from April 2000 that details all the trouble Disney Feature Animation had when it was casting Victor, Hugo, and Laverne ... or should I say Chaney, Laughton, and Quinn?...

In this April 2000 piece from the archives, Jim Hill exposes what really happened with comic genius Robin Williams and the Walt Disney Company's handling of the film "Aladdin" and looks at the tense relationship since. ...

At the end of a pretty amazing week of Disney-related news, Jim Hill shares the latest Roy/Stanley/Michael/Pixar/Comcast theories ... then wonders why he's suddenly feeling sorry for Disney's embattled CEO....

Jim Hill shares yet another story from a Disney World vet. Who goes to explain that -- in spite of all the looming thunderheads and those infamous Brazilian tour groups -- there are also these little moments that make the job all worthwhile....

Jim Hill digs down deep into LaughingPlace.com's archives and unearths a chunk of one of his earlier articles. Which details what WDW guests might get to see -- provided that the Mouse actually builds "The Muppet Movie Ride" and the "Great Gonzo's Pandemonium Pizza Parlor."...

The "Kilimanjaro Safari" controversy continues. Though -- this time around -- WDW cast members write in to say that maybe things aren't quite as bad as we'd heard....

Jim Hill wants to feel happy about yesterday's announcement. But -- at the same time -- he wonders: How can Henson's kids actually sell the Muppets off to a man who clearly doesn't view these beloved characters as an asset. But -- rather -- as a quick way to cover his ass....

WDW cast members continue to share their war stories about their on-the-job experiences at the Disney World Resort....

Finally, here's your chance to read -- in full -- the teleconference where Pixar's CEO Steve Jobs finally spoke his mind about Michael Eisner and the Walt Disney Company ... which set all these wheels in motion....

At the end of a pretty amazing week of Disney-related news, Jim Hill shares the latest Roy/Stanley/Michael/Pixar/Comcast theories ... then wonders why he's suddenly feeling sorry for Disney's embattled CEO....

Well, given that these folks could turn out to be the new bosses of the Walt Disney Company, Jim Hill thinks that we should all learn a bit more about Brian Roberts and Steve Burke. Which is why he prepped this transcript....

Jim Hill is really kicking himself this morning. Why for? Because -- for weeks now -- he's been circling the Disney/Comcast story, but never actually got around to writing the thing. The sad details follow ......

Following up on yesterday's "Got Proxy" story, Jim Hill wonders: Why is it that the letter that praised Disney's CEO went whizzing across the country ... while many shareholders still have yet to receive the info packet that would allow them to vote Michael Eisner out? ...

Ever dream about becoming a cast member at a Disney theme park? Well, you may think twice after you read this letter Jim just received from an Animal Kingdom insider....

Did you think that WDW employees would really be sympathetic to the plight of the DAK drivers that was described in yesterday's "Kilimanjaro Safari" article? Well, think again ......

So what's the deal with today's Disney/Microsoft announcement? Is this really supposed to be the piece of news that Disney CEO Michael Eisner hopes will make Wall Street investment analysts go easy on him during Wednesday's conference call? Or is this actually just Eisner's way of getting even with what he views as Pixar's betrayal? ...

How Jim Hill longs to be in Glendale tomorrow night. To hobnob with Toontown's top talents ... well as hear what Roy Disney has to say, should "Destino" win for best animated short....

Jim Hill looks back on the life and times of a real Disney legend: John Hench, who passed away early yesterday morning at the age of 95....