‘American Idol’ is “Going to Disney World!”

[Guest]

According to Jim Hill Media... The guys from WDI quietly put out the word late last week that the opening date for Disney's Hollywood Studios' newest attraction -- the "American Idol Experience" -- has been pushed back from January of 2009 to the Spring of next year.

Why For the delay? Well ... As I understand it, the retooling of the interior of the old "Superstar Television" Theater is taking far longer than Disney originally expected. Which -- given how large & lavish the sets for the "American Idol Experience" are supposed to be -- isn't really all that much of a surprise.

I also hear that Disney Parks -- working with 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia, the co-producers of the "American Idol" television series -- has hatched this elaborate promotional plan for the "American Idol Experience." Which involves this new DHS attraction being prominently displayed and/or mentioned as part of each episode of AI that airs on Fox in the coming season.

This promotional effort will culminate in late May of 2009 when the winner of next season's "American Idol" is named. The very next day (or thereabouts), this individual will then be flown down to Walt Disney World so that they can then take part in the grand opening of the "American Idol Experience." Which will (in theory, anyway) garner lots of free publicity for Disney's Hollywood Studios' newest attraction.

Mind you, this doesn't mean WDW Entertainment still won't be holding AIE soft opening sometime in the last winter / early spring of 2009. The way I hear it, those folks want six to eight weeks of daily performances under their belt before they then invite the press in to check out DHS's newest attraction.

[Guest]

Good news is you have to be over 14 to enter so no little kids trying to sing. Found some interesting info about it on doingflorida (I've copied it as i can't do a link, hope that's OK )

Oct 21 – New American Idol Experience news …

Disney has released new images and details of how the new American idol Experience will look and work when it opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It is due to open January 2009 but some Disney sources are saying it will be early 2009. The new pictures can be seen on DoingFlorida forums. The rumoured name for the new theater is "Superstar Television Theater" and here is some official information about the attraction:

As audience members, guests will have the opportunity to experience live singing performances and use the keypads at each seat to vote once for the singer who they believe gave the best performance. Guests can also audition to be selected as a singer in one of the preliminary shows that day. Only a few singers will be chosen for each show and selections will be made early in the day.

The singer voted best by the audience of each preliminary show will be given the opportunity to sing live onstage in the finale show that night. The winner of that show will then be given a Dream Ticket to participate in one audition for the initial public round of auditions for American Idol television program (although only legal U.S.citizens or permanent U.S.residents can enter).

Only guests who are 14 years of age or older on the date of their visit are eligible to audition. Any guests who are 14-17 must have a parent or legal guardian with them through all the auditions.

A limited number of assigned audition times may be available in advance from time to time. At the first audition any song can be used but after that only songs from an approved list can be chosen. In the finale those selected to sing will have to be at the theater an hour before show time to prepare when there will be some limited vocal, hair and make-up support. The theater will hold up to 1,000 audience members where there will be some reserved seating for friends and family of the performers. They will also be allowed to vote. The winner will be announced at the end of the show although numbers of votes will not be revealed.

See more...

[Guest]

So does that rule out the Brits entering and winning ?

as you must be a US citizen it says somewhere

[Guest]

Anyone can enter but the pass to the real American Idol Tv programe won't be valid to use.

[Guest]

So very little chance of a Brit winning on the day...

[Guest]

Wow! Sounds good! Better get practising!

[DIBBadmin]

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