Updated February 20, 2009
Disney World Launches 'American Idol Experience' With Star Studded Party
- FOXNews
Its already known as the place where dreams come true. Now Disney World is giving the nickname a whole new meaning with its launch of The American Idol Experience.
It’s already known as the place where dreams come true. Now Disney World is giving the nickname a whole new meaning with its launch of The American Idol Experience.
The new attraction at Hollywood Studios gives park visitors a unique opportunity to experience the different stages of the American Idol journey, from auditioning for casting directors and producers, to getting help from hair, makeup and voice coaches, to performing live in front of three judges and massive audience with the power to take them to the top.
“There are a couple of layers to it,” Director of Creative Development Reed Jones told FOXNews.com. “Some of our guests will get the opportunity to be on stage and perform for thousands of guests a day, and then there’s the point of view of the audience who gets to watch and vote for their favorite singer.”
Those audience members vote by hitting a number on a keypad located on the right arm of every seat in the theater.
“We have our preliminary shows throughout the day and then at the end of the day we take everyone through the day who got the most votes in their preliminary shows,” Jones explained. “All seven of those people compete in our final show, and then the person who wins the finale show wins a dream ticket and gets to go the Idol auditions of the Idol show and cut to the front of the line.”
The prize is no dud. That ability to head straight to the judges and skip the preliminary rounds of the hit show’s audition process significantly increases a competitor’s chances at making it through to Hollywood.
“Something like this is awesome,” American Idol Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood said. “They get to come and live their own Idol experience and feel what it’s like, and hopefully you get a fast track to the actual real deal Idol auditions.”
And Underwood suggested the benefits go beyond just skipping a few rounds. “They may even have a leg up, because they’ve kind of been on the stage and stuff before,” she said.
But what might be even more impressive than the opportunity the attraction gives Idol wannabes is just how much the American Idol Experience theater resembles the real thing.
“It’s amazing how real the set looks on the inside, we were all blown away,” Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard told FOXNews.com.
Season 7 winner David Cook said it all brought back some interesting memories:
“It’s eerie, you know I’ll walk on stage and feel completely transplanted,” Cook said. “I keep waiting on Simon to tell me it’s a karaoke performance … it’s about as close to Idol as your going to get without actually being on Idol.”
And Season 1 Runner-Up Justin Guarini thought the attraction showed just how much the show has grown … in more ways than one.
“It brought back a lot of memories — mostly of the fact that my stage looked nothing like that. It was about the size of a postage stamp compared to the stage they have nowadays,” Guarini joked.
As for the judges panel, they too bare a striking resemblance to the shows veterans Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.
“We have the hip industry insider and nurturing soul, and then we have the one that’s a little more frank,” Jones said.
Staying true to that nurturing persona, Abdul had nothing but rave reviews for the American Idol Experience.
“It’s an exciting collaboration,” she said on the red carpet. “It shows you how big American Idol is and it’s stood the test of time.”
To audition for the American Idol Experience you can sign up in person or online at www.disneyworld.com/Idol. The attraction opens to the public Saturday, while the real American Idol opens its voting to the people Tuesday night.
Latest Entertainment Video
-
-
Marvin's Minute: 11/23
-
Nov 23, 2009
J-Lo takes a tumble, Taylor Swift wins all
-
-
-
End of an Era
-
Nov 20, 2009
Oprah announces end of talk show
-
-
-
'Dynasty'
-
Nov 17, 2009
Two Olympic skiers featured in film
-
-
-
Paula Deen
-
Nov 16, 2009
Thanksgiving cooking tips
-
-
-
'Georgia on My Mind'
-
Nov 16, 2009
The Little Rockers perform a classic
-
-
-
Marvin's Minute: 11/16
-
Nov 16, 2009
Your daily entertainment news hit
-
MOST ACTIVE IN ENTERTAINMENT
Most Read
Most Commented
-
Larry David Blasted for 'Curb' Episode Where He Urinates on Jesus Painting
October 28, 2009 1,371 comments
-
Lou Dobbs Quits CNN in Surprise Announcement
November 11, 2009 229 comments
-
From 'Rogue' Politician to Best-Selling Author: Defining Sarah Palin's 'It Factor'
November 24, 2009 191 comments
-
Oprah Winfrey Tells Audience Her Show's 'Yellow Brick Road' Is Coming to an End
November 20, 2009 96 comments
-
'Sesame Street' Ombudsman Says Fox News Parody 'Should Have Been Resisted'
November 06, 2009 83 comments
-
New Moon Stars Tweet Thanks to Fans
November 25, 2009
-
Brad and Angelina Are $7 Million Givers
November 25, 2009
-
Obama Girls Spare Life of Thanksgiving Turkey
November 25, 2009
-
Rihanna Shows Up Fashionable - and Fashionably Late - for Album Party
November 25, 2009
-
PHOTO: George Lopez Gives Sandra Bullock a Makeover
November 25, 2009
-
New Moon Stars Tweet Thanks to Fans
November 25, 2009
-
Brad and Angelina Are $7 Million Givers
November 25, 2009
-
Obama Girls Spare Life of Thanksgiving Turkey
November 25, 2009
-
Rihanna Shows Up Fashionable - and Fashionably Late - for Album Party
November 25, 2009
-
PHOTO: George Lopez Gives Sandra Bullock a Makeover
November 25, 2009
-
TMZ Live -- Your Questions Answered!
November 25, 2009
-
CBS on Lambert Decision: Cluck, Cluck, Cluck
November 25, 2009
-
Interscope Record Mogul -- Swingin' Single
November 25, 2009
-
TMZ Muffin Man -- No Maria Shriver
November 25, 2009
-
'Early Show' Censors Gay Kiss ... When It's Men
November 25, 2009
-
Victoria Beckham Soars To New Heights
November 25, 2009
-
Adam Lambert Admits He "Got Carried Away" At The AMAs
November 25, 2009
-
Lady Gaga Gives Her Fans The Royal Treatment
November 24, 2009
-
Kelly Osbourne Stumbles On Dancing With The Stars Finale
November 24, 2009



recommend


Subscribe to Comments






