Disney Parks to create attraction based on
the television and pop culture phenomenon
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt
Disney Parks and Resorts will create an "American Idol"
attraction that will bring the television and pop culture
phenomenon to life at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida,
according to Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts;
Simon Fuller, CEO of 19 Entertainment; and Keith Hindle,
executive vice president of FremantleMedia Licensing.
The attraction, slated to debut
in late 2008, will be located at Disney's Hollywood Studios
theme park and will follow the model of the high-energy show.
Disney guests will be able to experience the challenge of
auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition, or
the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive
entertainment setting with all the glitz and glamour of the
distinctive "American Idol" set.
That experience will include an
audition process, open to all eligible to register, where guests
perform “live” in front of a Disney’s Hollywood Studios producer
for the chance to be cast in a theme park show. If shown to have
that star quality during the screening process and after
backstage preparation -- working with a vocal coach, hair and
make-up -- it’s lights up and showtime for the lucky guest in
front of a “live” audience and a panel of judges.
Guest performers with the
highest votes will compete in an end-of-day Grand Finale show at
Walt Disney World, and the winner of the Grand Finale show will
receive a guaranteed reservation for a future regional stadium
audition -- to ensure no waiting in long lines -- for the
"American Idol" TV show. But when it comes down to the
television show auditions, everyone is treated equal.
"Millions of people have
imagined themselves standing on the 'American Idol' stage," said
Rasulo. "We're excited that we will be bringing this dream to
life every day at Walt Disney World."
Added Fuller, "One of the most
remarkable elements about 'American Idol' is that for a brief
moment each week, we can provide TV viewers the opportunity to
imagine life as America's next superstar. Disney's new
attraction perfectly captures what we at 'American Idol' feel is
the heart and soul of this brand, real people getting a shot to
make their dream a reality."
"This partnership," noted Hindle,
"brings the number one show on television, watched in over 100
countries, to the number one theme park destination in the
world. It's a perfect combination and opportunity to offer
everyone a taste of the 'American Idol' experience.
The coming "American Idol"
attraction will reflect the best and brightest of the TV show,
giving starry-eyed park guests a chance to become a star on the
attraction's stage. It joins an all-star lineup at Disney's
Hollywood Studios, a celebration of today's Hollywood in movies,
television, music and theater. Among the new adventures debuting
in 2008 is the just-opened "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!"
plus coming attractions "Block Party Bash," an interactive and
moving Disney-Pixar spectacle filling the theme park streets;
and Toy Story Mania! immersing guests in a 3-D interactive
ride-through video game starring popular Disney-Pixar "Toy
Story" characters. |
