Jim Hill

Ever wonder about the nightclubs that DIDN'T get built as part of Disney World's original nightclub district, Pleasure Island? Jim Hill reveals details about the club that Michael Eisner most wanted to build at the edge of Lake Buena Vista, Madison's Dive.

Believe it or not, this Tomorrowland thrill ride supposedly has a storyline. Sort of. Jim Hill provides the details.

As the media's attention once again turns to Epcot's troubled "Mission: Space" attraction, Jim Hill reveals that -- as far back as three years ago -- Imagineering insiders knew that this Future World attraction was going to have problems. But -- despite repeated warnings from WDI about the "MS" ride system -- Disney Theme Parks and Resorts managers still insisted that this "Mission" go forward.

JHM contributor David Michael drops by Disneyland to check out this week's decidedly different press event.

Universal Studios’ theme parks are full of strange & wondrous things. State-of-the-art rides, shows & attractions based on super-popular film & television franchises like “Fast & The Furious” and “The Simpsons.” Not to mention fun things to eat & drink like Krusty Burgers, Butterbeer and Voodoo Doughnuts. But will visitors who journey to the Universal […]

Brent SD writes in to ask about JHM's 40th-anniversary-of-Walt-Disney-World coverage. Or lack thereof. I can't help but notice that while many of the other Disney news sites have been doing article after article this week about Disney World's 40th birthday, JimHillMedia has been posting stories about Knott's Berry Farm, The Chew and the Disney Channel. […]

It’s the one-two punch that’s been dazzling visitors to the Universal Parks & Resorts ever since The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade first opened back in June of 2010. Combining immersive theming with a top quality dining experience that’s set in a specific world. And what with all the people who now line […]

When most Disney fans think of Halloween in the parks, they immediately picture Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World or the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland Resort. But before those events took over as the must-attend spooky celebrations, there was a little-known event at Disneyland called Little Monsters on Main Street. And its […]

The spooky season is already in full swing at Disney parks on both coasts. On August 9th, the first of 38 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) nights for 2024 kicked off at Florida’s Magic Kingdom. Meanwhile, over at Disney California Adventure, the Oogie Boogie Bash began on August 23rd and is completely sold out across […]

Jim Hill is an entertainment writer who has specialized in covering The Walt Disney Company for nearly 40 years now. Over that time, he has interviewed hundreds of animators, actors, and Imagineers -- many of whom have shared behind-the-scenes stories with Mr. Hill about how the Mouse House really works. In addition to the 4000+ articles Jim has written for the Web, he also co-hosts a trio of popular podcasts: “Disney Dish with Len Testa,” “Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor” and “Marvel US Disney wi…

  “ZEKE AND LUTHER”   PRO SKATEBOARDER TONY HAWK GUEST STARS IN AN EPIC NEW EPISODE OF “ZEKE AND LUTHER,” MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 ON DISNEY XD When Luther reveals that his family is moving out of town, he and Zeke set out to accomplish everything on their “bro list” before Luther has to leave.  As they […]

Pixar Place Hotel, the newly unveiled 15-story tower at the Disneyland Resort, has been making waves in the Disney community. With its unique Pixar-themed design, it promises to be a favorite among visitors. However, before we delve into this exciting addition to the Disneyland Resort, let’s take a look at the fascinating history of this […]

Listen to the Article A few months back, when Len Testa & I recorded a Bandcamp exclusive podcast – the one where we attempted to walk from the Ticket & Transportation Center at Walt Disney World all the way over to the Magic Kingdom, only to then be stymied by all of the construction at […]

Listen to the Article Not so long ago, we got a query from a “Disney Dish” listener about some of those concrete slabs that Guests can see over at the Theater of the Stars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These are the ones that feature the handprints, footprints & signatures of various celebrities. I believe the […]

Listen to the Article Okay. By now, you have to have seen all of the videos from Saturday night, April 22nd. That’s when – as the 10:30 p.m. performance of “Fantasmic!” was drawing to a close at Disneyland Park – Murphy the Dragon (That’s the nickname which this piece of show equipment has been stuck […]

Listen to the Article On April 10, 2001, a fleet of armored cars rolled through the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And no, they weren’t hauling away all of those $35 Lightning Lane fees that WDW visitors had been charged during Easter Week (That’s surge pricing gone crazy). But – rather – those armored cars […]

Listen to the Article Happy Presidents Day. Which is when we – as Americans – are supposed to honor the memory of two of our country’s commanders-in-chief: George Washington (born on February 22, 1732) and Abraham Lincoln (born February 12, 1809). Walt Disney and Abraham Lincoln Walt Disney was a life-long admirer of Honest Abe. […]

This article is part of a series documenting the story of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” and Disney Science-Based movies. Be sure to check out our additional research on the RCID. “Honey, I Made a Science Movie”: Disney Science (1961-1989) When Michael Eisner came on board as Disney’s new CEO in the mid…

In honor of the recent re-opening of this DCA dark ride, Jim Hill points out some unique recycling that the Imagineers did with this Hollywood Pictures Backlot attraction. Not to mention an internet-based in-joke that's really pretty "Cool"

Jim Hill is an entertainment writer who has specialized in covering The Walt Disney Company for nearly 40 years now. Over that time, he has interviewed hundreds of animators, actors, and Imagineers -- many of whom have shared behind-the-scenes stories with Mr. Hill about how the Mouse House really works. In addition to the 4000+ articles Jim has written for the Web, he also co-hosts a trio of popular podcasts: “Disney Dish with Len Testa,” “Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor” and “Marvel US Disney wi…