Why American Idol is a VERY bad idea...

[PrincessTiffany]

Again ... I think you're taking the whole "Grand Prize" thing way too seriously. This isn't the Oscars; it's a theme park show that offers a prize. The only thing you've "achieved" is that more people in a theme park audience of 1000 -- made up of people with who knows what level of musicality -- liked you best. If I were to audition and win, I KNOW that I'm not good enough to get on American Idol, regardless of what a thousand people thought of my performance last Thursday. My cousin, the singer, however, is. So if I give it to her, I'm actually making the prize worth more than it would be if I used it myself.

You're comparing the Idol Dream Ticket to an Academy Award. I think that's kind of proof positive that you're taking it too seriously.

No, I see what he's saying. Disney is promoting this as an amazing, incredible, maybe even once in a lifetime experience for some, when in reality it's a really big let down and a whole lot of nothing.

 

[SuperTink]

The whole thing is very weird to me.

I, too, wish they had come up with another attraction.

Call me crazy; but a another RIDE perhaps??

But the rejection thing is, IMO, overblown (and I'm usually very sensitive to that kind of thing). I'm rejected every time my kids make fun of me for being too chicken to ride EE. That kind of thing you have to get over and move on.

 

[WDSearcher]

No, I see what he's saying. Disney is promoting this as an amazing, incredible, maybe even once in a lifetime experience for some, when in reality it's a really big let down and a whole lot of nothing.

OK then ... what SHOULD Disney do? Say to the 14-year-old who won a Dream Ticket, "Hey! You wona Dream Ticket! Of course, you can't use it now ... you have to hang onto that ticket until you're 16. That is, if American Idol is still on the air in two years and if you really still want to even pursue a singing career two years from now. But hey! You won!" Or should they tell the 45 YO who wins, "Hey! You won a Dream Ticket! You can't use it, because you're too old for the TV show, but hey! You won! Won't that ticket look spiffy in your scrapbook?"

"Here's a prize, but you can't use it." THAT would make it a "whole lot of nothing."

What Disney is saying is that "Hey! You won! And if you want to audition for American Idol on TV, GO FOR IT! And if you don't and you want to pass this along to your best friend who does, then that's your right, because it's YOUR prize."

Seriously ... I don't see how any of this is a letdown.

 

[WDSearcher]

Comparisons can be tricky.

Sarcasm, too.

 

[Dmcuth]

There are also a lot of opportunities for hurt guest feelings by kids not chosen for Jedi Training, or Capt Jack's Tutorial. There are opportunities for hurt guest feelings if you get to the character line too late and they tell you that you cannot now get in the line because the Character has to leave soon. You might get your feelings hurt by not being chosen to talk to Crush or to have your joke told at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. You might feel badly if you don't get chosen to dance during Block Party Bash or for a show stop in the Celebrate You! parade. There are opportunities for hurt guest feelings by families not chosen for "Opening Family" or grand marshall or by people wearing Birthday Buttons who spend the entire day without anyone giving them anything special. Last year, there were hurt guest feelings because people didn't win a prize for YOMD.


Point taken, however, those things you listed are pretty much chance, right place right time, only some many spots,and so on. My point was that ones not chosen for AI are because they are not good enough, or plain bad, and you're told by a Disney CM as much.

I love all the comments and have changed my original opinion from AI being "a very bad idea" to and idea that raises concerns. And of course that could be applied to almost anything Disney does.

What I did like about auditioning was that when the audition shows from the real AI were on last month I would continually say during the show, "Well, as someone who has auditioned for the show, I can tell you how they feel!!"

 

[demonskrye]

I'm thinking exactly the opposite.

That the GRAND PRIZE awarded to the daily winner of this thing... is virtually worthless.

If it had any WORTH as far as giving the winner a stepping stone to the auditions... it would not be "transferable."

"Congratulations on your Academy Award.
Feel free to scratch off your name and substitute anyone else you prefer."

I tend to agree with WDSearcher that you're taking this prize to be more meaningful than it is. Getting the Dream Ticket is not Proof of Talent or even Proof of "American Idol" Contestant Viability. All it means is that the person who won the ticket was able to convince the cast member try-out judges and two audiences (the initial show audience and the finalist show audience, if I understand correctly) that were there on that day. These audiences, on any given day, could include one person's entire expended family visiting the park for their family reunion, a large number of young teens who will automatically respond much more favorably to anything from "High School Musical," a bunch of families who want to hear some Disney songs, or any number of other types of people. There is no real guarantee that the winners of this competition will be any better or worse than any of the other hopefuls who show up to audition for the TV show. Again, correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that the initial auditions for getting on the TV show are open to the public. So the show's producers are not using the Disney attraction to try to find amazing singing talents and screen out the bad singers. It's just additional publicity for both "American Idol" and Disney. Yes, the prizes are, at the end of the day, pretty worthless. Someone who had never been to WDW could just as easily get the same "prize" - being at the front of a line for an "Idol" audition - by showing up really early, so long as no one with a Dream Ticket shows up for the same audition. Disney could just as easily hand the tickets out at random or throw them up in the air, but this method lets park guests get to try out the American Idol experience at WDW, even if they never actually make it to the show. I'm sure some winners will use their tickets themselves. Some may give them to friends they feel are more talented or more interested in being on "Idol." Some may hand them off to a really bad singer, just for a laugh. Some may try to sell them, even though Disney forbids it. And some may just keep the ticket as a reminder of the fun they had at Disney. If you feel like Disney is making you jump through hoops and waste as much as a whole day at DHS for a worthless prize, then by all means don't audition. If you're someone who really wants to be on "American Idol," then don't let not winning the WDW version stop you. Disney isn't giving away a chance at anything exclusive. It's just cutsies.

 

[Nyghtewynd]

No, I see what he's saying. Disney is promoting this as an amazing, incredible, maybe even once in a lifetime experience for some, when in reality it's a really big let down and a whole lot of nothing.

I disagree completely. It *is* a amazing, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience for most. Most people have jobs and lives, and therefore aren't going to spend days trying to get onto a television show. Still, there's always that thought in the back of the mind..."Can I sing? I wonder if I could do what they do." AI gives you this chance to see what it's like.

If *you* don't want to find out, then don't. There's plenty of stuff in each park that I won't visit because I couldn't care less about it. There aren't going to be a line of jackbooted thugs in Mickey ears at the front gate using Tasers to herd you into the theater. Be happy that the crowds will be elsewhere.

 

[bytheblood]

I personally feel that the TV show has run its course. For that reason, I think it is a bad idea. Had they placed this in DS 4 or 5 years ago it would have been great. AI is old news now. Time for something fresh.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I personally feel that the TV show has run its course. For that reason, I think it is a bad idea. Had they placed this in DS 4 or 5 years ago it would have been great. AI is old news now. Time for something fresh.

Exactly!

Couldn't they have spent those millions of dollars on an attraction that would still be liked in 10 or 15 years? Not some passing fad, that will certainly be some kind of joke a few years from now.

 

[goofy4prez]

I personally feel that the TV show has run its course. For that reason, I think it is a bad idea. Had they placed this in DS 4 or 5 years ago it would have been great. AI is old news now. Time for something fresh.

Exactly!

Couldn't they have spent those millions of dollars on an attraction that would still be liked in 10 or 15 years? Not some passing fad, that will certainly be some kind of joke a few years from now.

While my DW had fun with the whole experience and the actual event of just watching was a lot of fun I have to agree with you that it is nearing an end to it's popularity.

Perhaps WDW is only doing this to pass the time for now before they move on to something else in this location?

 

[Nyghtewynd]

AI is down 10% in the ratings, yet it is still the #1 show in the nation. 30 million people watched the first episode this year. There are a lot of people still watching for this to be considered a dead fad.

 

[Shelton123]

A 14 year old will get to try out in 2 years. American Idol will DEFINITLEY still be on in 2 years. It is the number one show on television, and I'll give it maybe 5 more years before they retire it. I hope I can find a songlist somewhere!

 

[Robo]

I hope I can find a songlist somewhere!

Disney Songs

* Best of Both Worlds
* Bet On It
* Breaking Free
* Circle of Life
* Colors of the Wind
* Ever Ever After
* Go The Distance
* Part of Your World
* Play My Music
* Reflection
* Rock Star
* This Is Me
* You'll Be In My Heart

Country

* Achy Breaky Heart
* All-American Girl
* Amazed
* Boot Scootin' Boogie
* Breathe
* Do You Believe Me Now
* How Do I Live (Without You)
* I Hope You Dance
* I Like It, I Love It
* I Told You So
* Independence Day
* It's Good to be Us
* Life is a Highway
* Lost
* Man, I Feel Like A Woman
* My Wish
* Our Song
* Sweet Home Alabama
* This Kiss
* Walkin' After Midnight
* What Hurts The Most

Disco

* Dance Best of My Love
* Fame
* Hot Stuff
* I Will Survive
* Knock On Wood
* Last Dance
* Never Can Say Goodbye
* Turn Your Love Around
* You're The First, The Last, My Everything

Latin

* 1-2-3
* Bailamos
* Just Another Day
* La Bamba
* Smooth
* Turn The Beat Around
* Waiting for Tonight


Rock/Pop Up Tempo

* Big Girls Don't Cry
* Black Horse and a Cherry Tree
* Bohemian Rhapsody
* Breakaway
* Don't Stop The Music
* Express Yourself
* Face Down
* Footloose
* Hit Me With Your Best Shot
* I Can See Clearly Now
* I Feel The Earth Move
* I Wanna Dance With Somebody
* If Everyone Cared
* No One
* Old Time Rock and Roll
* Over You
* Rock With You
* Since U Been Gone
* Somebody to Love
* Suspicious Minds
* Sway
* The Great Escape
* Walk Away
* Walking On Sunshine
* You Really Got Me Now
* You're My Best Friend

Rock/Pop Ballad

* A Moment Like This
* Alone
* Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
* Drops of Jupiter
* Home
* If It Makes You Happy
* Iris
* Just Once
* Kiss From a Rose
* Looks Like We Made It
* Stand By Me
* Unchained Melody
* Walkin' In Memphis
* What a Wonderful World
* Your Song

Motown

* 100 Ways
* Ain't No Mountain High Enough
* Ain't Too Proud To Beg
* For Once In My Life Meduim
* Get Ready
* I Heard It Through the Grapevine
* I Want You Back
* I Wish
* I'll Be There
* Midnight Train to Georgia
* New Attitude
* Reach Out, I'll Be There
* RESPECT
* Signed, Sealed, Delivered
* Stop In The Name of Love
* Superstition
* Then Came You
* Vision of Love
* You Are The Sunshine of My Life
* You Keep Me Hangin' On
* (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
* You're All I Need To Get By

 

[Shelton123]

Disney Songs

* Best of Both Worlds
* Bet On It
* Breaking Free
* Circle of Life
* Colors of the Wind
* Ever Ever After
* Go The Distance
* Part of Your World
* Play My Music
* Reflection
* Rock Star
* This Is Me
* You'll Be In My Heart

Country

* Achy Breaky Heart
* All-American Girl
* Amazed
* Boot Scootin' Boogie
* Breathe
* Do You Believe Me Now
* How Do I Live (Without You)
* I Hope You Dance
* I Like It, I Love It
* I Told You So
* Independence Day
* It's Good to be Us
* Life is a Highway
* Lost
* Man, I Feel Like A Woman
* My Wish
* Our Song
* Sweet Home Alabama
* This Kiss
* Walkin' After Midnight
* What Hurts The Most

Disco

* Dance Best of My Love
* Fame
* Hot Stuff
* I Will Survive
* Knock On Wood
* Last Dance
* Never Can Say Goodbye
* Turn Your Love Around
* You're The First, The Last, My Everything

Latin

* 1-2-3
* Bailamos
* Just Another Day
* La Bamba
* Smooth
* Turn The Beat Around
* Waiting for Tonight


Rock/Pop Up Tempo

* Big Girls Don't Cry
* Black Horse and a Cherry Tree
* Bohemian Rhapsody
* Breakaway
* Don't Stop The Music
* Express Yourself
* Face Down
* Footloose
* Hit Me With Your Best Shot
* I Can See Clearly Now
* I Feel The Earth Move
* I Wanna Dance With Somebody
* If Everyone Cared
* No One
* Old Time Rock and Roll
* Over You
* Rock With You
* Since U Been Gone
* Somebody to Love
* Suspicious Minds
* Sway
* The Great Escape
* Walk Away
* Walking On Sunshine
* You Really Got Me Now
* You're My Best Friend

Rock/Pop Ballad

* A Moment Like This
* Alone
* Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
* Drops of Jupiter
* Home
* If It Makes You Happy
* Iris
* Just Once
* Kiss From a Rose
* Looks Like We Made It
* Stand By Me
* Unchained Melody
* Walkin' In Memphis
* What a Wonderful World
* Your Song

Motown

* 100 Ways
* Ain't No Mountain High Enough
* Ain't Too Proud To Beg
* For Once In My Life Meduim
* Get Ready
* I Heard It Through the Grapevine
* I Want You Back
* I Wish
* I'll Be There
* Midnight Train to Georgia
* New Attitude
* Reach Out, I'll Be There
* RESPECT
* Signed, Sealed, Delivered
* Stop In The Name of Love
* Superstition
* Then Came You
* Vision of Love
* You Are The Sunshine of My Life
* You Keep Me Hangin' On
* (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
* You're All I Need To Get By

Thanks! There are too many girls' songs -_- so I'll probs do Signed, Sealed, Delivered or Drops of Jupiter

 

[WDSearcher]

Point taken, however, those things you listed are pretty much chance, right place right time, only some many spots,and so on. My point was that ones not chosen for AI are because they are not good enough, or plain bad, and you're told by a Disney CM as much.

I love all the comments and have changed my original opinion from AI being "a very bad idea" to and idea that raises concerns. And of course that could be applied to almost anything Disney does.

What I did like about auditioning was that when the audition shows from the real AI were on last month I would continually say during the show, "Well, as someone who has auditioned for the show, I can tell you how they feel!!"

Of course you'll be bummed. But hopefully you didn't build your entire trip around the American Idol Experience. Nor will your entire opinion of yourself as a person be wrapped around this one audition. I can understand someone feeling badly that "the Disney judge said I can't sing." But I would also hope that, a half-hour later, as you're in line for TOT or about to take off on RNR, you're thinking, "Boy ... if I had gotten into Idol, I'd have to be rehearsing right now!"

 

[Uncleromulus]

Robo:
They seem to have left out the Ave Maria.
That one's been butchered at many hundreds of thousands of weddings. I'm sure they could find a talented contestant to do the same at Idol...

 

[WDSearcher]

There aren't going to be a line of jackbooted thugs in Mickey ears at the front gate using Tasers to herd you into the theater.

Now THERE's an idea! I wonder if we could use that at Epcot to get people into Imagination or Energy??

 

[Nyghtewynd]

Now THERE's an idea! I wonder if we could use that at Epcot to get people into Imagination or Energy??

Pleasure Island would probably still be open if I'd written that a year ago.

 

[Robo]

Robo:
They seem to have left out the Ave Maria.
That one's been butchered at many hundreds of thousands of weddings. I'm sure they could find a talented contestant to do the same at Idol...

If they add a drum machine and a Casio keyboard track, it might make the next list.

Would that make it a "Hail Mary" choice for those trying to win?

 

[demonskrye]

AAAH! The pun! It burns!!