American Idol Experience Closing?

[rteetz]

It is being rumored right now that American Idol Experience CMs were told that that attraction would be closing as of january 1st. Several people on the wdwmagic thread that this was posted on seemed to be hearing the same thing. No word on if anything will come after it closes or if it will sit empty. This seems to mean something may be coming to DHS. I myself never liked the experience but I think its had a nice run and its time for something new.

 

[disneydennis]

Agreed. I enjoyed it when it first opened. But haven't been in there in a few years. The only thing it was good for was a nice cool place to be inside when it got super HOT.
I'm hoping its used as something Star Wars given the aproximity to Star Tours.

 

[Disneyfreak44]

I guarantee this is true it just costs a lot for the judges, production, and vocal coaches it is just too expensive and it is very under used

 

[rteetz]

I guarantee this is true it just costs a lot for the judges, production, and vocal coaches it is just too expensive and it is very under used

I can imagine I just hope it doesn't sit empty like some things at disney have.

 

[rteetz]

Seems it official now statement from disney

Walt Disney World Resort, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment have released this joint statement: “After more than five successful years, The American Idol Experience will be coming to a close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in January 2015. Our partnership with FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment has been a great addition to the park and we are very appreciative of the amazing cast and guests who have devoted their time and talent to make this experience special and memorable. We are incredibly proud of the more than 2,000 Dream Tickets that have given guests a chance to live their very own Cinderella story and audition for ‘American Idol’. This past season alone, three of the Top 13 contestants were originally discovered through The American Idol Experience and we expect the attraction to continue providing top contestants for ‘American Idol’ XIV in the coming year.”

 

[101disneyfan]

This is what I'd like to see happen.
(I do not know the building itself.)
Make it a transition from Hollywood Blvd into the Star Wars Land by having the entrance angled on Hollywood Blvd, and make it a version of Superstar Television, where it puts you into scenes from Star Wars, and then have the exit of the building put you into the Star Wars Land.

 

[PulsarIII]

I can imagine I just hope it doesn't sit empty like some things at disney have.

Unfortunately this attraction tends to go dark for quite a while when the current show ends. Even Dug Live was better than nothing, but the ABC New Season thing probably wasn’t. The venue opened with my favorite, Superstar Television (Got a pie in the face the first time I went to this one). The American Idol Experience is good but seems to be overlooked by many guests. Hope Disney has something great ready to quickly follow up when AIE ends its run.
G’day,
I I I

 

[jimmytammy]

Seeing this go is not a big surprise. The few times we ever attended the show, even in its infancy, it was never really a crowd. I hope they will replace with a bigger draw.

 

[SeanWM48]

not disappointed. i'm sure the show is still a big deal for some but it definitely lost a lot of hype/luster over the years. time to move on and bring in something more relevant

 

[kathyk671]

I lost interest in the American Idol TV show a few years ago. I think the ratings are hanging in there, but it's nowhere near the phenomenon it was. I can only imagine that the attraction is reflecting the same drop in interest as the show. Def time to go.

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

Seems it official now statement from disney

Walt Disney World Resort, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment have released this joint statement: “After more than five successful years, The American Idol Experience will be coming to a close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in January 2015. Our partnership with FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment has been a great addition to the park and we are very appreciative of the amazing cast and guests who have devoted their time and talent to make this experience special and memorable. We are incredibly proud of the more than 2,000 Dream Tickets that have given guests a chance to live their very own Cinderella story and audition for ‘American Idol’. This past season alone, three of the Top 13 contestants were originally discovered through The American Idol Experience and we expect the attraction to continue providing top contestants for ‘American Idol’ XIV in the coming year.”

Do you have a link for this official statement? It's being mentioned everywhere, but I can't find a source (not surprising with Disney press releases).

 

[tentaguasu]

Very sad to see it go. I haven't watched the show in ages but really enjoyed the attraction. I understand why, but that doesn't mean I like it.

I hope this is inked to a Star Wars related change...

 

[rteetz]

Do you have a link for this official statement? It's being mentioned everywhere, but I can't find a source (not surprising with Disney press releases).

I found it posted on wdwmagic I do not have an official Disney source.

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

I found it posted on wdwmagic I do not have an official Disney source.

Yeah, that's what's odd....all kinds of sites are saying it's an official statement from the three parties involved, but no one is citing or linking to an actual release.

 

[rteetz]

Yeah, that's what's odd....all kinds of sites are saying it's an official statement from the three parties involved, but no one is citing or linking to an actual release.

Maybe it was released from the entertainment company that runs it not disney its a joint closure.

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

Maybe it was released from the entertainment company that runs it not disney its a joint closure.

I tried a Google and Google News search focusing on both FreemantleMedia and 19 Entertainment. Got nothing. Now it's a mystery I have to solve!

 

[rteetz]

I tried a Google and Google News search focusing on both FreemantleMedia and 19 Entertainment. Got nothing. Now it's a mystery I have to solve!

Well I saw the statement so I just thought I'd post it multiply places have posted it I don't know where it was specifically from but it's supposed to me from those three places. To me it's not a problem if it closes doesn't interest me much and American idol the show is not as good as it used to be.

 

[Figmentforever24]

Well I saw the statement so I just thought I'd post it multiply places have posted it I don't know where it was specifically from but it's supposed to me from those three places. To me it's not a problem if it closes doesn't interest me much and American idol the show is not as good as it used to be.

Its weird show is not popular yet it fits the true MGM Studios theme more then anything in the past few years.

 

[rteetz]

Its weird show is not popular yet it fits the true MGM Studios theme more then anything in the past few years.

I agree but it's based off a tv show and those don't last for ever so it's going to end at some point. I also think DHS is going to start going in a new direction away from that Hollywood theme to more of universal type park. We may even see another name change to just disney studios.

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

Well I saw the statement so I just thought I'd post it multiply places have posted it I don't know where it was specifically from but it's supposed to me from those three places. To me it's not a problem if it closes doesn't interest me much and American idol the show is not as good as it used to be.

I agree; I thought it was an odd decision at the time. The ratings were already dropping when it opened in 2009.