Walt Disney World Resort - Confirmed News
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Country Bear Jamboree Refurbishment - October 2008 - Screamscape has pointed out that Walt Disney World’s website now lists the Country Bear Jamboree as scheduled for refurbishment from September 28th until October 31st. This is nothing but good news for fans of the bears, as the show has been a little - how shall we say it - rough around the edges lately? Threadbare? Decrepit? Unintelligible? To put it mildly, the show is in need of a massive audiovisual upgrade if only to render the lyrics of the songs discernible. Look for some upgrades to the animatronics as well. Screamscape claims that the rehab will not be used to install the formerly annual Christmas show; this has been discontinued in recent years for cost-cutting reasons (and while you’re at it, why not send a note to WDW Guest Communications asking that they get their act together). Read our coverage
Hall of Presidents Refurbishment - November 2008 - On the first of November the Hall of Presidents will go down for a lengthy rehab in order to add an animatronic of America’s newly elected commander-in-chief. Further details are available on the rumor page. Read our coverage
EPCOT Center
Hollywood Studios
American Idol Show - Opening late 2008 - In February of 2008, Disney announced plans to fill the empty ABC Theater (formerly SuperStar Television) with a new interactive show based on American Idol. Guests will audition for spots in daily shows, and after some time with a voice coach will perform for park guests. At the end of the day, the winners from that day’s shows will compete for a daily grand prize - a guaranteed spot at the front of the line for upcoming American Idol auditions.
Click to enlargeLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Feb. 7, 2008 – 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, it was jointly announced today by Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts; Simon Fuller, CEO of 19 Entertainment; and Keith Hindle, executive vice president of FremantleMedia Licensing.
The attraction, slated to debut in late 2008, will be located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park and will follow the model of the high-energy show. Disney guests will be able to experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition, or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive entertainment setting with all the glitz and glamour of the distinctive “American Idol” set.
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 — it’s lights up and showtime in 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 — to ensure no waiting in long lines. But when it comes down to the television show auditions, everyone is treated equal.
“Millions of people have imagined themselves standing on the ‘American Idol’ stage,” said Rasulo. “We’re excited that we will be bringing this dream to life every day at Walt Disney World.”
Added Fuller, “One of the most remarkable elements about ‘American Idol’ is that for a brief moment each week, we can provide TV viewers the opportunity to imagine life as America’s next superstar. Disney’s new attraction perfectly captures what we at ‘American Idol’ feel is the heart and soul of this brand, real people getting a shot to make their dream a reality.”
“This partnership,” noted Hindle, “brings the number one show on television, watched in over 100 countries, to the number one theme park destination in the world. It’s a perfect combination and opportunity to offer everyone a taste of the ‘American Idol’ experience.”
The coming “American Idol” attraction will reflect the best and brightest of the TV show, giving starry-eyed park guests a chance to become a star on the attraction’s stage. It joins an all-star lineup at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a celebration of today’s Hollywood in movies, television, music and theater. Among the new adventures debuting in 2008 is the just-opened “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” plus coming attractions “Block Party Bash,” an interactive and moving Disney•Pixar spectacle filling the theme park streets; and Toy Story Mania! immersing guests in a 3-D interactive ride-through video game starring popular Disney•Pixar “Toy Story” characters.
