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Seven years ago, Dale Mason - the Vice President and Executive Art Director at Universal Creative - had an idea. He wanted to do a water theme park. Not a water park, mind you. A water theme park. Something that would then move the whole water park experience to an entirely different level. "So...

When Universal Studios Florida first opened its doors in June of 1990, the way they wowed theme park goers was with an animatronic E.T. Who -- thanks to the 5800 names this mechanical alien had in his data base -- could greet most people by name. Not to mention that 39 foot-tall animatronic King Kong...

For nearly 30 years now -- ever since King Kong Encounter was first added to Universal Studios Hollywood 's tram tour back in June of 1986 and that 7 ton, 30 foot-tall animatronic figure began blasting tourists with his banana breath -- theme park goers have been going ape for this massive movie...

Just a bit of advice to all your Green Bay Packers fans out there: On the heels of yesterday's season opener (when the Packers traveled to Chicago's historic Soldier Field (and then beat the Bears 31 to 23), you're probably feeling pretty proud right about now. Which is why -- most likely...

All day long, I've been getting e-mails from JHM readers about "Frozen Summer Fun: Live at Disney's Hollywood Studios," which kicks off on July 5th and then runs straight through September 1st. What people most seem to want to know is this really Disney's response to The Wizarding...

Let's cut to the chase here: " Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts " (i.e. the feature attraction for Diagon Alley , that new Harry Potter-themed land which will be opening at Universal Studios Florida later this summer) isn't just a thrill ride. It's really " Harry...

Don't expect to find a lot of moderation when you visit the Cabana Bay Beach Resort , Universal Orlando 's first-ever moderate resort. Photo by Jim Hill The folks at Universal really went all out to make their newest on-site hotel a celebration of the family vacation circa 1958 - 1962. That time...

It seems kind of counte-rintuitive to use a plane to promote a train. But that's exactly what the Universal Orlando Resort did earlier this week. They jetted James & Oliver Phelps (AKA the two talented Brits who played Fred & George Weasley in the "Harry Potter" film series ) all...

Tonight The Simpsons officially kicks off its 25th season on Fox . Normally on an auspicious occasion like this, you're supposed to raise a glass. But since we're looking to pay tribute to the longest running prime time series in US television history , shouldn't that glass be filled with...

Next month (September 20th, to be exact) will mark the two year anniversary of the announcement that " ... Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide is joining forces with visionary filmmaker James Cameron and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the world of AVATAR to life at Disney parks." Copyright...

I wanted to share a few photos (as well a quick, cute story) from last week's grand opening media event for " Transformers: The Ride - 3D ." Photo by Nancy Stadler The Universal Orlando Resort invited myself, Nancy and Angela to the pre-opening party. Where -- no matter what direction you...

So who here misses the Jersey Shore? And no, I'm not talking about that horrible reality television show with The Situation & Snooki . I'm talking about the REAL Jersey Shore . Places like Wildwood, NJ which -- thanks to some very smart doo wop preservationists -- still have that authentic...

I swear to God this story is true. Let me set the scene first: It's Friday, June 7th. And thanks to Tropical Storm Andrea , it's a cold, very wet day out here in the woods of New Hampshire. Photo by Nancy Stadler Anyway, via Skype, I'm doing a podcast with the guys who run Dis After Dark...

Ever since The Wizarding World of Harry Potter first opened at Universal's Islands of Adventure back in June of 2010, thousands of people have entered Hogsmeade and -- after spotting that stationary version of the Hogwarts Express (which was parked at the entrance of this theme park land as a photo...

The Internet is really a wondrous place. Especially if you're a young person who's considering a career in animation. If you've ever considered becoming a character designer someday, you can always swing by Tom Bancroft 's Character Mentor Studio or Stephen Silver's blog and then...

Paul G writes in to ask: Why on earth are so many Disney fan websites so negative? There are a good number of them that I don't even look at anymore because they spend so much time complaining about every last little thing. They are so negative! (thank you Jim for being one of the few who, while...

Francis T. sent me this e-mail yesterday: I know that you mostly write about Disney. But my eight year old has recently discovered the Dreamworks animation movies and is now completely obsessed with Shrek . We're headed to Orlando next month. So I was wondering if you had any recommendations about...

Earlier this month when I was down at Universal Studios Florida for the " Transformers The Ride - 3D " press event, a longtime Universal cast member pulled me aside and suggested that -- as part of that trip -- I make an effort to swing by that theme park's International Food & Film...

It was a quiet, grey November day yesterday at Universal Studios Florida ... Photo by Jim Hill Which was kind of impressive unto itself. Given that the night before had been October 31st, Halloween, the very last night of operation for this year's edition of Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights...

Make-up master Greg Nicotero helps make AMC's "The Walking Dead" a gory must-see Let's face it: Nobody likes going through security at the airport. But for Greg Nicotero, the Emmy-winning makeup effects artist and co-executive producer of AMC 's hit series The Walking Dead , that...