April, 2004

Wanna know when the Disney Cruise Line will be setting up shop on the West Coast in 2005? Then take a gander at this story that a Mouse House insider just threw to JimHillMedia.com....

In the first installment of a new JHM series (which highlights stories that Hill got to hear while attending various VES festivals), Jim reveals all the struggles that ILM's visual effects guys went through in order to make Yoda and Count Dooku's light saber battle in "Attack of the Clones" work....

Jim Hill reports on some very interesting rumors that are currently circulating about the Disney Store retail chain, particularly the fate of the NYC-based flagship store....

If you're a fan of improv, then you've really got to try and catch Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood as they tour various venues around the U.S. and Canada over the next few weeks....

Jim Hill's back with even more answers to your Disney related questions. This time around, Jim talks about why "Dinosaur" isn't usually considered WDFA's first CG feature, why he doubts that Sony's pending purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. will have any impact on Disney-MGM's name, apologizes to the nice folks at wdwinfo.com, then closes the column out by talking about all the other rides that ALMOST got added to Epcot's World Showcase. ...

Disney Publishing Worldwide is hoping to turn this international phenomenon into a U.S. success. How? By introducing American tweens to the "W.I.T.C.H." characters through a new series of chapter books. Are the "W.I.T.C.H." books any good? Jim Hill reveals all....

In a late breaking story, folks all over the entertainment industry are buzzing about how they should interpret today's surprise announcement. Jim Hill points to one possible way this story could break....

With the press not as eager to bite at the stories that Roy Disney and Stanley Gold are putting out there as well as that unflattering "Vanity Fair" article, these are tough times for the folks over at SaveDisney.com. So Jim Hill is wondering what it's going to take to turn this situation around....

It's that time of year again, folks. Jim's beating the drum for the Visual Effects Society's annual "Festival of Visual Effects" event. Which -- this time around -- is being held in San Rafael, CA....

Okay. So admittedly this Eddie Murphy movie was a bit of a botch. But Jim Hill still thinks that Buena Vista Home Entertainment's latest release is still worth owning ... if only for the extras. ...

As you might expect, there's more to this story than meets the eye. Jim Hill shares what he's learned over the past couple of days....

Once again, Jim Hill provides answers to your Disney-related questions. This time around, Jim provides an update on DCA's "Superstar Limo" attraction, what's been going on this week with the Disney/Muppet deal as well as offering a defense for some recent controversial JHM articles....

Anxious to learn everything you can about "The Happiest Place on Earth"? Then Jim Hill suggests that you pick up a copy of Kendra Trahan's new book, which reveals many of the Anaheim theme park's secrets....

What do the Imagineers do when a brand new Future World attraction is ruining World Showcase's sightlines? According to Jim Hill, they reportedly consider building a brand new thrill ride directly behind Epcot's Canada pavilion that would keep "Soarin'"'s show building out of sight....

Despite all the rumors that are currently flying around the Web about this film, it would appear that Disney's "Chicken Little" is still right on track for its July 2005 release date....

Jim Hill reports that there are still a few folks within Disney's traditional animation department who are refusing to work on the company's upcoming CG films. Will they really be enough to make a difference?...

Jim Hill comes forward with a scary new story that's currently making the rounds in animation circles. Could Disney actually be moving with its plans to establish a satellite studio just to produce sequels to Pixar's pictures?...

Just what Michael Eisner DIDN'T need right now: More bad news. Jim Hill talks about what "The Alamo"'s extremely disappointing performance this past weekend could mean to Disney's embattled CEO....

Butch Hartman's new animated series may not be a "Oddparents"-sized hit right of the box. But -- that said -- this new animated series from Nickelodeon shows some real potential....

Jim Hill tries to bring us all up to speed about what's gone on over the past week of so with the whole Roy / Stanley / Michael situation. As you might expect, things have gotten even more confusing and convoluted ......

Jim Hill's back with even more answers to your Disney-related questions. This time around, Jim talks about the stuff that you almost saw in "Fantasia 2006," why Michael Eisner is supposedly obsessed with the Muppets and why some Disneyana fans need to give "Lion King 1½" another chance....

Thinking of designing and building your own theme park someday? Then go and pick up a copy of Buzz Price's new book right now. You can thank me with lifetime passes to your park....

Jim Hill finally weighs in on the whole "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas" controversy. Is seeing the Fab 5 translated into computer animated characters really something that's worth getting steamed up over?...

Well, it ain't exactly "Citizen Kane." But Jim Hill still enjoyed watching Mark Hamill's affectionate and amusing take on the comic book crowd....

Perhaps the most ridiculed and reviled theme park attraction in Disney Company history is supposedly being put back into service next month. Jim Hill explains why this particular DCA ride is getting back on the road right now? ...