December, 2004

Jim Hill raves about this charming new Epcot attraction -- thanks to cutting edge technology -- really puts the magic back into the Disney theme park experience. ...

Jim Hill returns with the latest stories and rumors that continue to swirl Disney's recent acquisition. Jim talks about why various department heads at Disney are reluctant to get in the Muppet business. He also reveals some long-forgotten images from the never-built "The Great Muppet Movie Ride." ...

Jim Hill offers up a tribute to the late great Broadway vet who so memorably performed in several Disney projects. ...

Jim Hill explains how "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin" will be providing the template for this new California Adventure attraction. Which is really more of a "Superstar Limo" rehab than it is a brand new ride. ...

In case you missed it yesterday! Jim Hill points out how the oh-so-careful timing of "Save Disney" 's no-alternate-slate announcement this past Friday revealed Roy Disney & Stanley Gold's latest attempt to shield their "Oust Eisner" effort from yet another PR disaster. ...

Disney World, that is. In honor of next week's Mega-Mouse Meet at WDW, Jim Hill answers your questions about Central Florida's vacation kingdom. Revealing what the Costa Rica pavilion that was proposed for World Showcase was supposed to have been like as well as talking about all the problems that Disney had with constructing the Contemporary & Polynesian hotels. Plus the winner of this week's JHM readers contest! ...

Jim Hill's down in Orlando this week, knee-deep in MouseFest 2004. But even so, he still found time to chime in about the "Cars" / "Chicken Little" controversy....

Want to help a busy Disney executive during the holiday season? Then help Michael Eisner by taking part in this unique JHM contest. ...

In a column that's sure to offend "King of the Wild Frontier" fans, Jim Hill asks: How do two characters from a 1955 TV show rate a window at the Anaheim theme park, when there are so many flesh-and-blood people who actually worked on Disneyland who have yet to recognized? ...

In the first installment of a four-part series, Jim Hill talks about the significant impact that author P.L. Travers had on the production of the "Mary Poppins" motion picture....

As the staff at JHM gets ready for Christmas Eve, Jim Hill answers a few of your Disney-related questions, reveals the winner of the "What Does a Yeti Smell Like?" contest as well as thanks the people who actually keep this website up & running....

In Part II of this four part series, Jim Hill talks about a "Poppins" follow-up project that was to have starred Julie Andrews and *** Van ***: "The Poet and the Nightingale." ...

Are you wondering why Roy Disney has suddenly come out against Frank Wierenga's proposal? Jim Hill explains it all to you. ...

One lucky JHM reader got a sneak peek at this work-in-progress at the Presidio last month. They filed this report about like it was like to attend the event as well as the Disney family's future plans for the facility. ...