'Idol' Attraction Coming to Disney World

[crazy4wdw]

'Idol' Attraction Coming to Disney World

By DERRIK J. LANG,AP
Posted: 2008-02-07 16:14:50

NEW YORK (AP) - Disney World is about to get a little pitchy, dawg.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced plans Thursday to create a live performance attraction based on "American Idol" at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park - formerly called Disney-MGM Studios - in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

"Our goal is to try to recreate the excitement of those 24 people who show up on that 'American Idol' stage," Disney Parks chairman Jay Rasulo told The Associated Press. "We believe many, many viewers want to know exactly how that feels, and we're going to try to reproduce that feeling for them."

Much like the hugely popular Fox singing competition, the as-yet-unnamed attraction - scheduled to open in late 2008 - will allow theme park guests to audition then perform before a live studio audience inside the Hollywood Studios' theater space formerly occupied by the "Doug Live!" and "Superstar Television" attractions.

Disney licensed the rights to create the attraction from "Idol" co-producers 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia, despite the fact "American Idol" airs on Fox and Disney owns broadcast competitor ABC .

"It is owned by us, so we can extend the brand in the off-air space in the ways that we want to," said Keith Hindle, FremantleMedia's licensing vice president. "We don't see this in any way as a NewsCorp. vs. Disney debate. That's never been part of the discussion, and it's not something that's relevant to us. It's just part of 'American Idol."'

The attraction's details are still being worked out, but it will probably operate something like this: Theme park guests ages 14 and up will be able to audition for a Disney casting producer. Those who pass the test will be selected to appear in one of the park's "Idol" stage shows. Rasulo anticipates six to eight such shows a day.

Backstage, the performers will receive hair and makeup touchups from a stylist and singing tips from a vocal coach. Then, the guests will perform on an "Idol"-like set in front of a live audience and three judges. No, not Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. Instead, Rasulo says it's likely three audience members will be selected to evaluate the performers while a live host will keep the show moving.

Top audience vote-getters will compete in a grand finale show at the end of each day. Overall daily champs will win a special front-of-the-line pass at a regional audition for the actual "American Idol" show. Hindle says Disney winners won't be given any special treatment during the real audition, just the ability to skip ahead.

Because of eligibility differences - namely, the TV show's 16- to 28-year-old age limit - winners may be offered the option of transferring their pass to a friend or family member, but they won't be allowed to sell it. Daily champs too young to audition for the real deal could save the pass until they're old enough to compete, according to Hindle.

But will there be enough Fantasias and Sanyayas to keep theme park audiences captivated?

"I know that there's enough talent on any given day in our theme parks to keep people entertained," said Rasulo.

Beyond the attraction, Hindle says actual "Idol" stars may make appearances throughout the year and merchandise designed by both FremantleMedia and Disney's product divisions especially for the attraction would be available for sale.

"It's a very collaborative process," Hindle said. "Disney knows more about live stage productions that we ever will. We know more about our TV show that Disney ever will. Exactly how this will manifest it is something that will be mutually approved by all parties. We're looking to Disney to see how their guests like to be entertained."

 

[DancingBear]

Not that exciting, but at least they'll get that building operational again.

 

[Another Voice]

So why not a show based on an ABC series. Honestly, what's wrong with a theme park version of Am I Hot or Not with everyone being given laser pointers to highlight the flaws in each other's bodies?

 

[disneydopey]

How disapointing....I thought Disney was better than that. Wouldn't even bother going in to sit in the airconditioning in the middle of July!

 

[diznycrazed]

"laser pointer" Oh boy would my teenage sons love that!

Terry

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

NO!!!!!!!!!!! I hate that show.... Oh well, guess I will give it a shot and then judge from there...

 

[diz8297]

It sounds like a hoot! I'm not a big fan of the show, but I'ld love to try to do it!!!!

 

[schmitty]

Rock Band would have been way cooler.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Even *I* think this is a horrible idea.

(snicker)

I give it 18 months. MAX.

On the other hand, nobody ever went broke underestimating the public.

Knox

 

[DisneyFanGuy]

I think it's a great idea! It won't appeal to everyone, but so what? Good for you, Disney, for trying something different!

 

[Metro West]

So why not a show based on an ABC series. Honestly, what's wrong with a theme park version of Am I Hot or Not with everyone being given laser pointers to highlight the flaws in each other's bodies?

I remember that show and watched several episodes. The fact that Lorenzo Lamas was a "judge" was laughable at best.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well-looks like something else I'll have to miss.

 

[Jason71]

Even *I* think this is a horrible idea.

(snicker)

I give it 18 months. MAX.

On the other hand, nobody ever went broke underestimating the public.

Knox

18 months seems a bit low to me, but agreed, it's not a long-term attraction. That said, it will have a crowd of regulars (never seen a karaoke bar that didn't), and the first year or two it will probably pull in a chunk of the tens of thousands of people who camp out every year to audition--and their parents/friends. Briefly tapping a new market, albeit not the golf-playing/fine dining/$300-a-night botique-park crowd WDW might have hoped for.

If contestants are playing for an audition, does that mean that only guests age 16-28 or whatever the current cut-off ages are can sing?

I still think the real purpose of this annoucement is to steal the thunder from Sea World, who are previewing the Aquatica water park to the media today.

 

[DancingBear]

From the announcement it looks like anyone 14 or over can participate, they just won't be able to use the front-of-the-line Idol audition prize unless they are within the 16-28 group.

 

[CanadianGuy]

According to one of the press releases if they are too young they can hold on to their 'FOL' pass till they are the right age.. and if they are too old they can 'gift it' to a close friend or family member. It cannot be sold according to them.

*sigh*

Just ..

*sigh*

 

[MJMcBride]

I don't know about this one. Seems to me bloom will be off this rose in the near future

http://www.mouseextra.com/2008/02/07/american-idol-is-coming-to-disneys-hollywood-studios/#comments

 

[DC7800]

I still think the real purpose of this annoucement is to steal the thunder from Sea World, who are previewing the Aquatica water park to the media today.

If this is Disney's idea of stealing Sea World's thunder, then that is a sad fact indeed.

Now, what's so bad about being over age 28, anyway?

 

[rebecca06261]

AI is currently in it's 7th season and who knows for how many more seasons the show will remain popular. As long as there are thousands of wanna-be pop stars, the attraction at DHS is likely to remain popular. Besides, it could be kind of amusing for a little while. I'm with some of the other posters, I give it longer than 18 months, but not more than 30 months.

 

[Cleveland Hercules]

For the week of Jan. 28-Feb. 3, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: Super Bowl: N.Y. Giants vs. New England, Fox, 97.45 million; "Super Bowl Post Game Show," Fox, 63.93 million; "House" special, 29.05 million; "American Idol" (Tuesday), Fox, 28.22 million; "American Idol" (Wednesday), Fox, 25.57 million; "House," Fox, 22.56 million; "The Moment of Truth," Fox, 17.64 million; "Lost," ABC, 16.14 million; "Lost" (Thursday, 8 p.m.), ABC, 13.16 million; "NCIS," CBS, 11.77 million.

http://television.aol.com/news/nielsen-ratings


I'm not gonna make a trip down just to see the show, but America really loves American Idol so I think this will be a huge deal.

 

[Another Voice]

TV ratings don't matter.

The only important issue is how many people, currently sitting in their living rooms, are going to suddenly say - "WOW! An American Idol Show! I'm going to book a trip to Disney World that I hadn't planned on!".

My guess, not too many.