The American Idol Experience* captures the
energy and excitement of the TV series,
with some Guests at Disney’s Hollywood
Studios auditioning to take the spotlight
onstage, while fellow Guests cheer them on
from the audience and vote for their favorite
singer with instant results.

The attraction, which opened on Feb. 14, 2009,
was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering
in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises
(FME) and 19 TV Ltd. It is based on the smash
-hit television show “American Idol” – produced
by 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) – and is designed to immerse park Guests into the authentic feel of a live television production.

Each show takes place in a 1,000 seat, indoor theater that features the neon signs and a multi-layered backdrop inspired by the actual “American Idol” set in California. Building on its hallmark of attention to detail, Walt Disney Imagineering worked with the Hollywood set designer who designed the actual TV show set for “American Idol.”

The newly designed venue is the most technologically advanced theater found at Walt Disney World Resort.

Designed to reflect the best and brightest elements of the TV show, The American Idol Experience includes an audition process open to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Guests 14 and older (audition slots are limited and interested Guests are encouraged to arrive early). These Guests perform live in front of a Disney’s Hollywood Studios casting director for the opportunity to be cast in one of the preliminary Theme Park shows that same day.

If a Guest shows that special “star quality” during the multi-step audition process, they move on to performance training with a vocal coach, hair and make-up. Then, it’s showtime for the singers in front of an audience comprised of Theme Park Guests, plus a panel of three expert judges.

Performers with the highest votes during the preliminary shows will return for a high-energy, grand finale show that same evening. After their encore performances, the big moment arrives. It’s a super-charged, eye-popping scene as the audience votes are tallied, the other performers drop off, music builds and the spotlight shines down, amid a blizzard of confetti, on the day’s top singer.

In addition to their new-found Theme Park fame, the top vote-getter will receive The American Idol Experience Dream Ticket, which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition to a future regional audition for the “American Idol” television show.

The American Idol Experience is the newest attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The showbiz-inspired Theme Park immerses Guests in the glamour of show business with thrilling attractions, Broadway-style shows, world-class atmosphere entertainment and interactive film, music, television and radio production facilities.