Walt Disney World Hacks

American Idol Live Opens at Disney Hollywood Studios on 2/14/09

The much anticipated American Idol Live attraction will finally have its grand opening at Disney Hollywood Studios on February 14, 2009. The American Idol Live attraction will have one serious advantage for serious American Idol potential contestants. Taken from the official press release:

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.

Since I am not a big Idol fan and have never been to an audition, I’m not sure exactly if this will be as great as it sounds, but it should at least guarantee against getting turned away without an audition. Which seems like a pretty big deal to me.

Also, I imagine that lines for this attraction will be fairly long for spectators, not to mention those who wish to try out, so make sure if this is on your “must-do” list for WDW, you get to the park early and get your name in the pot quickly. First thing.

Good luck!

Walt Disney World's American Idol Attraction

It appears that Walt Disney World has Idol fever. Taking up residence in the old Superstar Television theatre in Disney's Hollywood Studios, guests will be allowed to live out their Idol dreams at Disney's movie-based theme park.

According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, Walt Disney World visitors will be allowed to try out for the show during the day. Then, they will be allowed to compete before a real studio audience in the new American Idol theater. Winners of the competition will then be allowed to try out for the American Idol tv show.

Alright, so I admit to being a little disappointed by this announcement. But that's because I'm not an American Idol fan. However, no doubt Idol fans will be eating this up and I daresay it will bring even more business into the park. So, on that front, it's a VERY smart move on Disney's part.

Here's the artist's conceptual rendering of the new theater:

Obviously, unless they move Echo Lake, there's not going to be nearly that much room in front of the theater.

Of course, WDWHacks is going to do everything it can to find out the best ways for you to enjoy and to compete in the upcoming attraction, so if you haven't subscribed yet, DO!

No word yet on who the judges will be, but there WILL be judges.