'Idol' Attraction Coming to Disney World

[annie1995]

Definately not something we are interested in. Oh well, we don't spend too much time at Hollywood Studios anyways

 

[rebecca06261]

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.

I don't think any of us book Disney World vacations based on a single attraction??? I mean, I was really looking forward to Soarin' and Mission Space when they came out, but I certainly didn't plan my next Disney Vacation around the new attraction. Then again, maybe some people do.

 

[GrumpyFan]

I had heard this rumored for a couple of months on other rumor boards, but I didn't believe it because I just couldn't see Disney "hooking up" with Fox to do this, but I guess I wrong. Even though they're not technically hooking up with Fox. This just harkens of the new Disney that Bob Iger has created. A new company that is willing to cross the lines of "the company" and go outside their own walls to bring in other media company's ideas and talent. While some may not like this from a creative and entertainment standpoint, from a business standpoint, it makes a lot of sense, and might actually help spur some other new studio shows.

This also leads to a few other questions:
1) How will the Disney contestants be handled in the future shows? Will there be a special category for them?
2) Will they have a special show, just for the Disney contestants?
3) Will they make a special stop/appearance at WDW?
4) How big is the theatre this is going in?
5) Is Disney working on other future entertainment offerings/deals with Simon Fuller and 19 Entertainment?

 

[remain seated please]

My understanding is that besides the name, there will be no other connection to the TV show. Park guests will not be given any chances to audition for the real show. It's just a theme park attraction. The problem with comparing this to any karaoke bar is that this attraction lacks the "bar'. To do karoake in public, most people need to be liquored up.

I'm surprised that peole are surprised that Disney is "hooking up" with other media companies to create this attraction. Isn't that what DHS was all about when it was Disney/MGM. That was a major hook-up. What about the Star Wars connection that started with Star Tours in Disneyland or the Indiana Jones connection. Disney hooks up with other companies all the time.

I personally believe that this attraction will be equally as lame as WWTBAMPI.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Based on the info on the WDWNEWS.COM press release

This also leads to a few other questions:
1) How will the Disney contestants be handled in the future shows? Will there be a special category for them?

No, they will merely get a front of line pass for their regional auditions for future seasons.

2) Will they have a special show, just for the Disney contestants?

Again no. See # 1 answer.

3) Will they make a special stop/appearance at WDW?

That seems possible/plausible ... if the Fox vs. ABC issues can be sorted. That's a pretty big "IF".

4) How big is the theatre this is going in?

In previous incarnations this theater was reported to have a 1000 person capacity. That seems high to me.. but let's say between 500 and 750 as a low figure and 1,000 if the posted info is accurate.

5) Is Disney working on other future entertainment offerings/deals with Simon Fuller and 19 Entertainment?

That's an interesting question indeed.

 

[Another Voice]

While some may not like this from a creative and entertainment standpoint, from a business standpoint,...

But is a faux 'American Idol' show really the reason people have been going to WDW for all these decades. Is the spirit of the show the same as the attractions and shows that have brought people thousands of miles to a forsaken Florida swamp. How many people have a desperate yearning to sit in an audience and watch a 45 year old housewife from Dayton butcher the lyrics to 'One Hot Mama'?

Or is this simply just part of the mallification of WDW. Disney finds is easier to buy brand recognicition then create any of their own. It's cheaper to ride the coat tails of excitment generated by someone else than it is to create new excitment on your own. WDW is nothing but a place to sell you stuff - it's a living breathing infomerical for other products.

If WDW just offers you rehashes of the same shows you can watch at home, if it offers nothing but the same resturants, the same merchandise...why should I go to Orlando when I can get all that at my local mall? Why drop three grand on a vacation to sit in a theater to watch 'American Idol' when I don't even bother to watch it from my own living room?

 

[ChrisFL]

I had heard this rumored for a couple of months on other rumor boards, but I didn't believe it because I just couldn't see Disney "hooking up" with Fox to do this, but I guess I wrong. Even though they're not technically hooking up with Fox. This just harkens of the new Disney that Bob Iger has created. A new company that is willing to cross the lines of "the company" and go outside their own walls to bring in other media company's ideas and talent. While some may not like this from a creative and entertainment standpoint, from a business standpoint, it makes a lot of sense, and might actually help spur some other new studio shows.

This also leads to a few other questions:
1) How will the Disney contestants be handled in the future shows? Will there be a special category for them?
2) Will they have a special show, just for the Disney contestants?
3) Will they make a special stop/appearance at WDW?
4) How big is the theatre this is going in?
5) Is Disney working on other future entertainment offerings/deals with Simon Fuller and 19 Entertainment?

Like you said, it's not actually with Fox, and Disney has gone to outside entertainment since at least the 80's with George Lucas

 

[Diznejen1]

I think it's a neat idea....not to mention the William Hungs ("She bang, she bang)we will get to see on stage.
I think AI is a successful show beacuse it shows that people with real talent can make it big. And sometimes even those without real talent. People from all over the world visit Disney World and this might be the opportunity a performer needs to be discovered.
I'll go to see how it all turns out! Jennifer

 

[schmitty]

People from all over the world visit Disney World and this might be the opportunity a performer needs to be discovered.
I'll go to see how it all turns out! Jennifer

I agree I think far more people will do this to try to get on the show then camp out for acouple nights to try to make it on to the show and besides that they will be at Disney World and most likely if you are going to go down to DIsney to attempt to audition for American Idol you might as well plan a vacation around it. Don't underestimate peoples drive to do something especially with something as popular as American Idol.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'm rethinking my opinion now.
When I was 4-5 years old, I used to sing "Buckle Down Winsocki, Buckle Down" at the the dinner table all the time. My parents loved it!!!
Now I can reprise those wonderful moments--even tho I guess I'll be on stage and won't be at a table--
But heck, what difference will that make??
Look for me at the new show!!!!!
It can't come soon enough!!!!

 

[dkostel]

Wow, I picture every grade school talent show everywhere, complete with stage moms and dads, brought to you by Disney. What a spectacularly mediocre idea. I guess the "Heads or Tails" gameshow idea was just too complex.
For those who want to cool off in July without the auditory assault, there is still the latest Narnia commercial. The AC in that building is fantastic.