American Idol Attraction Heads to Disney World

LAKE BUENA VISTA, February
8: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will roll out a new attraction at the Walt
Disney World Resort in Florida based on American Idol, the hit FOX series from 19 Entertainment and
FremantleMedia.

Slated to debut in late
2008, the new attraction 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 audition process, open to
all who register, where guests perform “live” in video kiosks in full view of a
panel of screeners. Singers who pass this screening test will move on to the
next stage before a Disney’s Hollywood Studios producer to be cast in a theme
park show. After backstage preparation—working with a vocal coach, hair
and make-up—the singer will perform 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.

“Millions of people have
imagined themselves standing on the American Idol stage,” said Jay Rasulo, the chairman of Disney
Parks and Resorts. “We’re excited that we will be bringing this dream to life
every day at Walt Disney World.”

Added Keith Hindle, the
executive VP of FremantleMedia Licensing, “This partnership 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.”

—By
Irene Lew