Goofy Won't Be the Only Dawg at Disney World
Friday February 8, 2008
Two cultural juggernauts will join forces when Walt Disney World introduces a new attraction based on the hit show, "American Idol." To be housed in the now-vacant ABC Theater (which is ironic, considering Disney owns ABC, and "Idol" is on the rival FOX network) at Disney's Hollywood Studios (previously known as Disney-MGM Studios), the show is scheduled to kick off in late 2008. Park guests will have the opportunity to audition for the chance to strut their stuff before a live audience on a mockup of the "Idol" set. Judges will winnow the contestants, and the park will stage a finale at the end of each day to crown a winner. According to info released by Disney and "Idol's" producers, the park's daily winners who want to pursue the real "American Idol" will receive a guaranteed reservation to bypass the lines at a regional competition. The attraction could be a hit as long as "Idol" maintains its cachet. The "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World didn't have much of a shelf life as the TV show's popularity faded. I wonder whether the park will able to pluck enough decent warblers from its crowds to sustain the attraction, especially during lower attendance periods. Then again, half the fun of "Idol" is hearing contestants mangle a tune. What are your thoughts about "American Idol" coming to Disney World? Click on Comments below, dawg.
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Comments
This is a great idea! I wish that Disney was doing this at Disneyland’s California Adventure in Anaheim as well. Also, I hope that they will not restrict this to 16 to 28 year olds only, as American Idol does. That would significantly limit participants and interest from guests at the park. Who knows, if those outside this age bracket start winning on a regular basis, this may encourage American Idol to reconsider their own age restrictions. Even for folks who may be too intimidated to audition, there will be plenty of interest from folks who will want to go and hear the finalists at the end of day compete for the top prize.
Agreed that this would seem to be a natural for Disney’s California Adventure.
-Arthur