While I plan to let Matt do the majority of the American Idol coverage in his Wednesday Studios Weekly article, I thought in this week’s What in the World? I’d go over some of the basics of this huge announcement.

On February 7, 2008 Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts; Simon Fuller, CEO of 19 Entertainment; and Keith Hindle, executive vice president of FremantleMedia Licensing jointly announced that 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.”

The attraction, slated to debut in late 2008, will be located at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park and will follow the model of television show.  The premise of the attraction will be that Disney guests will be able to experience the challenge of auditioning, performing on stage in competition, or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive entertainment setting.

That experience will include an audition process, open to all who register, where guests perform "live" in front of 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 – there will a performance 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 for American Idol -- to ensure no waiting in long lines. But when it comes down to the television show auditions, everyone is treated equal.

            If you have been reading our boards since this was announced, there is a pretty big divide between people.  Some believe that this is an embarrassment to the Studios, that the American Idol license is a joke and this is nothing but an adoption of a fad.  The other side believes that this is an excellent move on Disney’s part.  The absence of an ABC Theater attraction has really hurt the full potential of the Studios, and the addition of this attraction only goes to show that Disney is providing some much needed tender loving care to a park that has seen better days. 

            In this writer’s humble opinion, the American Idol announcement is more good news in what appears to be a great year for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  This planned attraction follows in a long line of attractions, like Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? Play It!, where a guest can participate in his/her favorite and  be the star.  For serious American idol competitors, the likes of Jordan Sparks or Carrie Underwood, or Kelly Clarkson, it will give them the advantage (if fortunate enough to win) a free pass to the first round of American Idol auditions as well.  And even though the auditions will not treat anyone differently, not having to wait amongst hordes of people is a huge leg-up.

This announcement also made me think of that first day way back in 1989.  When the park first opened, then-CEO Michael Eisner said: “The world you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood--not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine; a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was--and always will be.”  In my opinion, nothing better represents the “state of mind” or spirit of Hollywood then coming a star.  The fascinating thing about this attraction is that people who enter it will have a true chance to be on television and make it big on the Hollywood.  That’s what truly is amazing.

Of course, not everything about this will be perfect.  There is a reason why American Idol shows five weeks of nothing but bad auditions – people enjoy watching bad singers and “different” personalities like some sort of talentless freak show.  As an audience, will people go to these live shoes more to support their fellow guest or in hopes of seeing a trainwreck?  Its hard to say now, without knowing more about how the attraction will be structured…but let’s hope the guests that are brave enough and who are serious in their conviction aren’t made a complete laughing stock in front of guests.

Lastly, for those of you with suspicions of this attraction; the bottom line is Disney is simply capitalizing on a brand that sells and is convinced that it can translate that success into more money for the Walt Disney Company.  It is not unprecedented for Disney to go outside the realm of Disney, ABC and ESPN television for ideas on shows and attractions.  Take the Lucasfilm properties for example:  Indiana Jones is distributed by Paramount Pictures and Star Wars is distributed by 20^th Century Fox.  Both properties are outside the Disney realm, but have found success in the Studios for a very long time.  It is true that the shows that have called the ABC Theater (which I suppose now will no longer be called that) home have had short life spans; but that is the nature of the theme park business.  Walt Disney himself believed that his parks would never truly be finished; they would grow and evolve as society changed.  As such, American Idol is currently a sensation in the United States.  The thinking is that Idol’s sensation will translate into higher park attendance. 

So before we criticize and denounce Disney’s plans for late 2008, let’s see what happens.  Only then can be make like Randy, Paula, or Simon and judge Disney for this move. 

Until next time!