American Idol Attraction Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

[TinkiTime1989]

This is really disappointing! What a waste of space and money. There are so many good movies that they could have easily turned into a great dark ride in this area. Is Disney really that desperate for ideas?!

[phillydan]

OK - so on my next visit, I'll by-pass that building as I always have done. What a lame-brain idea.

[wdwnomad]

I normally like to give something Disney does a chance and experience it first hand myself. Then I decide whether I like it or not. However, this seems like a terrible idea. Who wants to go on vacation to listen to a bunch of people sing for no reason?

[PirateLover]

Wow. I am actually shocked that ALL of the responses thus far are so negative. Is Idol losing ratings? Yes. But it is still CRUSHING the competition. The truth of the matter is TV ratings on the whole have been down substantially (and this started way before the writers strike).

I actually think it could be interesting. I love hearing people sing, and I love to sing myself. I would definitely check it out. I mean do I think that Disney could do better? Of course. But I'm sure I'll enjoy more than Sounds Dangerous, LMA, Playhouse Disney (I have no kids), Backlot Tour... actually maybe it's just that my standards have become so low that I am happy about anything that SLIGHTLY interests me. Oh well, we shall see.

[John]

I too think many are certainly over reacting... yes that means you Ian and JPL

This is much better than dead space, has the potential for some fun, and could be interesting. Not everything needs to be a ride and lets not forget, Toy Story Mania - a NEW INTERACTIVE DARK RIDE - should be open about this time as well right around the corner.

IDOL is HUGE. While I would have liked to have seen this done 2 years ago, I'll take it now and enjoy the attraction while it's there.

Sit back and relax. There are other opportunities for Disney to hit home runs. This has the potential to be a double - and I'm ok with that.

A nice place to sit out of the heat, you get to try out for IDOL, the audience gets to see some raw talent or comedy... and a theatre that has sat empty is being used.

And for those who are complaining about Millionaire... HUH???? Again, it was entertaining, topical and had it's run. It also was fun to participate in.

Remember, this is DISNEY STUDIOS - the TV tie in to the biggest show on television is only natural and a good deal for Disney as well as Simon Fuller.

A Chill Pill is in order here. If you want to attack something, write Disney about the lousy rehab of Spaceship Earth, not for filling dead space with a hit show that will no doubt entertain most who come to the park if well done...

< / rant >

[Crow]

Thanks Ian I concur

Funny, that's exactly what I was thinking.

This is pathetic.

And before everyone asks me why I say that ... here's why:

• #1, this is clearly something that's going to be done for next to no money. Another example of Disney filling empty space that used to be occupied by a great attraction (i.e. Superstar Studio) with cheap-o filler.
• It continues the trend of too many new attractions being shows or movies. I've said it before and I'll say it again ... WHERE ARE THE DARK RIDES??
• It's not their own idea. They once again went out and drew in someone else's intellectual property when so many of their own successful properties are still underexposed in the theme parks. I don't go to Disney World to see American Idol ... I go to see Disney characters, Disney properties, or at a very minimum ideas and concepts that feel Disney (i.e. Indy, Star Wars, etc.).
• It's going to be exclusionary. Only people who can sing or have a desire to make fools of themselves (of which I am neither) will be able to enjoy the attraction.

Maybe I'm overreacting and I'll feel better about it after I have time to digest it, but right now I hate it.

To me this represents the lowest Disney World has sunk to date in terms of new attractions. And that includes all the recent disasters like Stitch, Imagination, and Spaceship Earth. At least those pretended to be original!

[Flower]

I too will be bypassing this one ( John!)

If I want to see little kids singing on stage, I will go to a school musical/play.

If I want to hear teenagers/adults belting it out, I will go to a karaoke bar.

If I want air conditioning there are other attractions at DHS that I can sit through, or shops I can walk into.

This does not interest me at all.

[Lightning McQueen]

Wow. I am actually shocked that ALL of the responses thus far are so negative. Is Idol losing ratings? Yes. But it is still CRUSHING the competition. The truth of the matter is TV ratings on the whole have been down substantially (and this started way before the writers strike).

I actually think it could be interesting. I love hearing people sing, and I love to sing myself. I would definitely check it out. I mean do I think that Disney could do better? Of course. But I'm sure I'll enjoy more than Sounds Dangerous, LMA, Playhouse Disney (I have no kids), Backlot Tour... actually maybe it's just that my standards have become so low that I am happy about anything that SLIGHTLY interests me. Oh well, we shall see.

THANK YOU!!!!

[Jeff G]

I'm wanting MGM to get more attractions but this? Sounds like karaoke Disney style to me. We're big AI fans who watch weekly but I can't picture it having any staying power as an attraction, just look at Millionaire. I hope I'm wrong.

[SurferStitch]

Sounds interesting to me. I think I'll give it half a chance before I decide if it warrants being torn to shreds.

Idol is huge, like it or not. I watched a couple seasons religiously, others not so much. I'm enjoying this season so far, but I always love the first round auditions.

Lighten up, and give it a chance. It's Disney Hollywood Studios, not Disney Hollywood Dark Rides....let them actually put some "studio" stuff in there.

[Disney Doll]

It's sad when we have to say that something is better than dead space and a good place to get some AC. The standards at Disney used to be so much better. I'll pass on this new attraction.

[pogo]

Welcome to the world of negativity !

I think if given a chance, this could be really good ! American Idol still pulls a lot in the ratings and a lot of people like to sing. Some good and some bad.

I'd rather watch a show of people singing than watching cars run in circles for 30 minutes !

What I like about this is it includes guest's into the experience.

Give it a chance.... you might be surprised !

[Ian]

My informal count shows negative responses = 20, positive responses = 6.

I feel like I'm in a pretty solid majority here.

[JerseyMouse]

No thank you. If Disney wants to add a show from Fox, why not the Moment of Truth, Disney-style!

Park Guests could be strapped to a lie detector and asked such questions as..

Have you ever taken flash pictures after being told no flash photography??

Have you used the same refillable mug for more than one visit??

Did you ever try to sneak into Extra Magic Hours, and weren't a resort guest??

I'd actually sit through something like that first.

[JPL]

[QUOTE=John;1541512]I too think many are certainly over reacting... yes that means you Ian and JPL

Us over react Never!!

[cvzdesign]

Wow, this sounds like something that is PERFECT for the studios!

It's a show! You know, like everyone complains the studios don't DO anymore...

You may not like the American Idol show, but it doesn't mean it's not a good idea for a studio show.

And Millionaire was a great thing to have at the studios as well.
Another 'live show' even if it was fake.

The only thing that would be better is if they started taping Regis or some other big daily show there, so that you could REALLY participate in a show.

[Mufasa]

I can see several challenges with developing an American Idol based show that have to be addressed:

1.) Music licensing- securing the performance rights. There will be some artists/composers where the rights are either too expensive, or difficult to secure (the artist doesn't want their song butchered by a performer).

Generally, the more recent (current- radio airplay) musical selections (it can be argued about their musicality or lack of) can be difficult to secure often because of cost. Also, producers are reluctant to go with a current song for overuse by people auditioning so preference is often given to selecting older pieces of music which might also appeal to a wider demographic base.

However, this being Disney, don't be surprised if there's going to be a flood of related property tie-ins (I wouldn't be surprised if you have to prepare to have to sit through lots of renditions of Hannah Montana or High School Musical related songs).

2.) Let's face it, but part of the appeal of American Idol is watching to see what acerbic putdown and insults Simon will dish out to the latest hopeful that has their dreams dashed.

Is it inevitable that some Idol hopeful will have a painful reality check even though it will be stressed repeatedly that this isn't really an American Idol audition and the audience will have to witness a near breakdown on stage as entertainment?

And even though it's a theme park show meant just for fun for the audience (no actual prizes awarded, etc)- could it be considered exploitative if they put someone on stage who can't sing but truly believes they can?

3.) Brand confusion- how does Disney promote American Idol in the parks without wanting to promote the show airing on a competitor's TV network while keeping Fremantle/19 happy? Be sure to watch American Idol at 8pm on *mumble, mumble* but then tune over to ABC at 9 to catch the latest episode of Extreme Bowling Home Videos, Cousin Swap Edition.

4.) I'm also certain there will be some restrictions on the show- a no video-taping rule in effect. The producers of the TV show while stating this does not serve as an audition to the actual TV show will likely still want participants to sign a release and reserve the right to record the audition performances should someone make it onto the program or for other marketing purposes.

Will there be any legitimate concerns about what sort of release participants will be required to sign (parent/guardian signatures for minors). And let's say junior makes it to appear in the in-park show- as excited as you may be about their performance, you probably won't be allowed to take pictures or video to show everyone at home of their AI-lite triumph which will be frustrating to many park guests if such policy is put in place.

[poeticeclipse]

Oh my! This is going to be heated!

I was just telling my husband about this new endeavour for Disney and he asked me "You're doing it right?!" My response... "Um, no."

I'll be honest. I really like American Idol and now days, people who DON'T win seem to get really good careers out of the show. I've been a long time follower of the show and our whole family is just sucked in to this television drug.

As for an American Idol attraction... i'm a little nervous. It could be wonderful and it could crash and burn. I'm leary about the fact that the "panel" are audience members. If someone is particularly cruel, it could get ugly and uncomfortable to watch. Disney really needs to be careful with how they execute this project.

It has great potential in the sense that American Idol is huge and probably will be for a few more years - at least if the AI producers keep the show in tip top shape. I don't think that Disney is risking the bank on this attraction since they don't have to put a lot of money into it and if AI goes belly up they can always change the format of the show into "Don't Forget The Lyrics" or something. Which, to me... is a more interesting concept but it's definitely not as big as Idol.

I'm excited to see how this turns out. I'll remain positive.

[Ian]

No thank you. If Disney wants to add a show from Fox, why not the Moment of Truth, Disney-style!

Park Guests could be strapped to a lie detector and asked such questions as..

Have you ever taken flash pictures after being told no flash photography??

Have you used the same refillable mug for more than one visit??

Did you ever try to sneak into Extra Magic Hours, and weren't a resort guest??

I'd actually sit through something like that first.

Now this is an idea I could get behind!

Here's some more potential questions:

• Have you ever used a wheelchair or scooter in the parks when you didn't need one, just so you could get to the head of the lines?
• Have you ever let friends or family cut in line with you when you were in line ahead of them?
• Have you ever intentionally run into the back of someone's legs with your stroller?
• Do you actually like It's a Small World, even though you pretend to others that you don't?
• Have you ever used parking at the Contemporary to access the Magic Kingdom?

Great idea!

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

Millionaire at least required some bit of intellect to play, not torturing Guests with people who think they can sing. If you wanted to listen to people sing, sit at Fantasmic before it starts and listen to all the different national anthems being presented to you by the tour groups.

Also, what kind of songs will it be? Only Disney songs? Not everyone knows all the words (unless they are from Intercot). Popular songs? I wouldn't let my kids sing or listen to the majority of the music they play these days. Oldies? Most people around my age don't know them unless they were used for a movie.

I don't think it needs to be a dark ride, but there are other things they could have put there. Maybe even a virtual reality system where you can create and star in your own movie would be better than American Idol. They could have made a ride based on Kingdom Hearts (personal bias there) or they could have out a Nightmare before Christmas ride. There are many untouched Disney films that could have has something there or even, making an actual Narnia ride and converting the exhibit into an extensive prop and costume exhibit (because there isn't enough in Backlot). Make a museum for the props used in old Disney rides instead of letting them all rot in the MK cast parking.

There are about a million more ideas that would have been better than this. I would have preferred another Pixar ride before American Idol. And no, I'm not all that excited about the stupid Toy Story Mania ride since to me, it's nothing more than an upgraded version of Buzz (showing that again, Disney has no originality and is just copying other rides).

I love Disney, but they need something new and fresh. Heck, buy the rights to like...Lord of the Rings and make an attraction out of that! Make Middle Earth Land!