The American Idol Experience is Now Open – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

As Simon Cowell and his fellow judges were announcing the Season 8 final 36, Walt Disney World was having an American Idol celebration of it’s own; as the wrappers were finally taken off the all new The American Idol Experience attraction over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

With the largest ever gathering of American Idol finalists coming together to join in the celebrations Disney raised the curtain on February 12, 2009 with a star studded blue carpet event.

More than two dozen “Idol” stars, winners and finalists from the first seven seasons — plus show creator and executive producer Simon Fuller, judge Paula Abdul and TV show host Ryan Seacrest — joined Mickey Mouse for a “class photo” to commemorate the occasion.

Thursday’s grand premiere, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, was attended by all seven winners of the series, from season-one winner Kelly Clarkson to season-seven champion David Cook. Joining Cook and Clarkson were Jordin Sparks (season six), Taylor Hicks (five), Carrie Underwood (four), Fantasia Barrino (three) and Ruben Studdard (two).

Idol Winners - The American Idol Experience

More than two dozen Idol stars – winners and finalists from the first seven seasons – plus judge Paula Abdul and TV show host Ryan Seacrest arrived by celebrity motorcade, rolling down Hollywood Boulevard to the cheers, applause and snapping cameras of Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests. Thursday’s gala had all the glamour of a Hollywood opening. Cook treated the supercharged audience with a performance of his popular hit, “Light On,” and after Underwood performed her hit, “All-American Girl,” the pair brought down the house by teaming up for a first-ever duet, singing “Go Your Own Way,” the Fleetwood Mac hit. The premiere even had a “red carpet” — except the carpet was appropriately blue in celebration of the “American Idol” color scheme.

American Idol Finalists - The American Idol Experience

That color scheme and, in fact, the look of the attraction is similar to the actual TV show set. “The American Idol Experience” was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and 19 TV Ltd. and is based on the smash-hit television show “American Idol.” The 1,000-seat indoor theater features twirling neon signs and a multi-layered backdrop inspired by the actual “American Idol” set in California.

The attraction is designed to immerse park guests in the authentic feel of a live television production, with some guests 14 or older auditioning to take the spotlight onstage, while fellow guests cheer them on from the audience and vote for their favorite singer with instant results. Audition slots are limited and interested guests are encouraged to arrive early.

The American Idol Experience Stage and Set

Since the television show’s debut, the distinctive look of the “American Idol” stage and set has provided an energetic and exciting backdrop for the show’s singing performances.To recreate the iconic designs, Walt Disney Entertainment worked with Andy Walmsley, the Emmy Award-nominated production designer who has created the “American Idol” sets since the TV show’s inception.

To re-create the signature look inside the theme park theater, Walmsley took an original cardboard model he used to design the television show set and replicated it as a three-dimensional computer model. Using this, he rescaled and resized the set to not only fit inside the Disney’s Hollywood Studios theater, but to provide up to 1,000 audience members the best view possible from every seat.

Live the Dream - The American Idol Experience

The 3,000-square-foot theme park stage is similar to the one utilized in Season 7 of the television show, Walmsley said, with only slight modifications made to enhance the guests’ live viewing experience – such as the Judges’ Table featured onstage at the Disney’s Hollywood Studios set so the judges face the live audience.

Working on a Disney theme park project was the realization of a lifelong dream for Walmsley, who began his career in the United Kingdom before moving to the United States shortly after “American Idol” debuted in 2002.

“Originally I wanted to be a Disney Imagineer because I’d walk around the Disney parks and look at the quality and design everywhere,” said Walmsley, who visited Walt Disney World Resort regularly for 17 years to enjoy the parks and admire the designs he saw. “I would shoot literally hundreds of rolls of film of the theming and attention to detail. I’d literally photograph every square inch of the park. I was in awe of the design and craftsmanship.”

Walmsley said he takes pride that one of his set designs now has a home in a Disney theme park.

“What’s really nice is that it is now captured in time at Walt Disney World,” he said. “If you think of this theater as a trophy box, one of the best sets I’ve done is now placed inside this wonderful trophy box for everyone to enjoy.”

Not only a visual marvel, the theater housing “The American Idol Experience” is one of the most technologically advanced theaters ever created inside Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to being cutting-edge, each high-tech feature was designed and installed to enhance the guests’ experience – whether they are backstage, onstage or seated in the audience.

Providing all the tools for each onstage singer to belt out their best performance, Disney equipped the theater with one of the largest HD teleprompters found anywhere. Hanging at the back of the theater, the teleprompter provides onstage performers with lyrics for their chosen tune. And, as the performers sing for the audience, they do so in front of a 35-foot by 7-foot LED video wall, with digital graphics morphing to fit the mood of each song. Keeping each performer in the spotlight – literally – works like magic with an automated system that allows specific lights to track individual performers in real-time.

But the eye candy isn’t limited to the stage.

In the audience, all 1,000 theater seats are equipped with armrest keypads, allowing each guest to vote for their favorite musical performance with instant results. Outside the theater, a stadium-sized LED screen will provide a live simulcast of the day’s finale show. It marks the first time any Disney theme park attraction has been simulcast, and will add to the gala atmosphere that surrounds the theater for the final show of the day.

The American Idol Experience Facts and Figures

Carrie Underwood and Mickey Mouse - The American Idol Experience

BORN TO BE WIRED: The high-tech theater is wired with more than 76 miles of cable and 25 miles of conduit.

LIGHT ON: Lighting gives TV’s “American Idol” logo and signage its iconic look. Without sacrificing dazzle, Disney’s lighting team gave “The American Idol Experience” set a low-voltage treatment, installing energy-efficient LED (light emitting diodes) fixtures.

SPACE JAM: The attraction has 25,000 square feet of indoor space, which includes the giant replica stage/set and 1,000 seats for audience members. “The American Idol Experience” stage alone measures more than 3,000 square feet.

YOU BETTER SHOP AROUND: The opening of “The American Idol Experience” also brings a star-studded premiere of attraction-exclusive merchandise. Mickey Mouse takes center stage on a T-shirt where he is simply proclaimed the “American Idol” while Minnie Mouse offers an enthusiastic encouragement of “Good For You!” on another. Donald Duck is his typical grumpy self as he proclaims a performance as dreadful. Goofy, forever the hip pup, gives a shout-out with “What’s up dog?” Other popular items include a light-up dog tag emblazoned with the new attraction’s logo, screen-printed drumsticks, T-shirts that proclaim “Vote for Me!”, luggage tags, electronic games, ball caps, collectible pins and more. One signature item is a small statuette that features Mickey Mouse’s hand holding a microphone, which can be 5
personalized with a message for a special occasion during Disney Parks’ “What Will You Celebrate?”

David Cook and Minnie Mouse - The American Idol Experience

HERE COMES THE JUDGE: The judges in “The American Idol Experience” are all industry professionals who bring an expertise of music, showmanship and what it takes to have that “star quality.” Coast-to-coast auditions were held to find individuals who possess a deep knowledge of show business and can share that knowledge with attraction guests. Past showbiz experience among the team of judges includes: professional choreographers and dancers; actors and actresses from stage, screen and television projects; professional musicians; professional improvisation actors and actresses; television show hosts; and, even a former Rockette.

PICTURE PERFECT: The live show features a wide array of cameras including: one
Steadicam operator shooting the action onstage and in the audience; a robotic camera mounted on the theater wall for audience shots; a camera at the back of the house for wide shots and one roaming, handheld camera.

GO WITH THE FLOW: Complementing the shots and angles captured live by the camera crews, a complete crew of video editors and producers works inside the HD production studio to make each show flow.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?: There are 113 video screens and 105 audio speakers installed throughout the theater’s show and audition spaces.

THE WALL: “The American Idol Experience” features the largest curved video wall at Walt Disney World Resort, measuring 35 feet wide and more than seven feet tall.

SEEING STARS: Fans will recognize many famous faces throughout “The American Idol Experience.” “American Idol”-related stars making exclusive video appearances in the attraction include Ryan Seacrest,David Cook, David Archuleta, Jordin Sparks, Justin Guarini, Brooke White, Syesha Mercado and Jason Castro.

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