American Idol Experience To Close

CTXRover

CTXRover

Well-Known Member
Apparently, this closure is now official, via @Attractions :

Walt Disney World Resort, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment have released this joint statement: “After more than five successful years, The American Idol Experience will be coming to a close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in January 2015. Our partnership with FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment has been a great addition to the park and we are very appreciative of the amazing cast and guests who have devoted their time and talent to make this experience special and memorable. We are incredibly proud of the more than 2,000 Dream Tickets that have given guests a chance to live their very own Cinderella story and audition for ‘American Idol’. This past season alone, three of the Top 13 contestants were originally discovered through The American Idol Experience and we expect the attraction to continue providing top contestants for ‘American Idol’ XIV in the coming year.”
 
tirian

tirian

Well-Known Member
Ignohippo said:
I've been told by some friends that AIE cast members were told yesterday that the attraction would close after the first of the year. Anyone else have any info?
Click to expand...
About a year ago, that was the planned site for the entrance to an expanded Star Wars universe. It was expected to shut down during 2014; the hat would've been disassembled around the same time.

Since all expansion is on hold right now, I'm wondering if it's a short-term money-saving move. Plans still pinpoint that location for Star Wars.
 
CTXRover

CTXRover

Well-Known Member
Just hoping with its closure is a plan beyond just shuttering another entertainment option. Within a year we will have seen the loss of Countdown to Fun Parade, Disney Rocks, and AI experience. While each were arguably not the best in entertainment, their collective loss provides much less for the guests to enjoy.

I hope that either new entertainment is on the way and/or this closure is part of something bigger coming. DHS is up for it's "largest expansion in park history" following the announcements of the 'biggest expansions in their history' for MK, DTD and AK.....
 
WDW1974

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
tirian said:
About a year ago, that was the planned site for the entrance to an expanded Star Wars universe. It was expected to shut down during 2014; the hat would've been disassembled around the same time.

Since all expansion is on hold right now, I'm wondering if it's a short-term money-saving move. Plans still pinpoint that location for Star Wars.
Click to expand...

Just dropping in to sorta back you up.

That site is still earmarked for SW expansion. But I don't believe this has anything to do with that right now. I believe the original contract was for three years (would have to check with folks on the left coast and I really don't care enough to do so), so it would make sense that the last three year deal is ending in early 2015.

The attraction, which was very well done (and I hate the whole song contest/reality TV genre), was never close to being as popular as Disney hoped. And now the TV show is on its last legs (I still think it likely has 2-3 seasons left barring a miraculous uptick in popularity). The land was going to be used for SW anyway, so (much like the subs at DL) WDW can save a pretty penny by adding more dead space to a park full of it. Maybe they'll put some temporary SW attraction in there for next spring ... who knows?

But I wouldn't take this as any sign that SW expansion is imminent. Wish it was, but it isn't.
 
DocMcHulk

DocMcHulk

Well-Known Member
tirian said:
About a year ago, that was the planned site for the entrance to an expanded Star Wars universe. It was expected to shut down during 2014; the hat would've been disassembled around the same time.

Since all expansion is on hold right now, I'm wondering if it's a short-term money-saving move. Plans still pinpoint that location for Star Wars.
Click to expand...
I'd love to see a mockup of what the areas would have been like. building locations, etc...
 
I

Ignohippo

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
WDW1974 said:
Just dropping in to sorta back you up.

That site is still earmarked for SW expansion. But I don't believe this has anything to do with that right now. I believe the original contract was for three years (would have to check with folks on the left coast and I really don't care enough to do so), so it would make sense that the last three year deal is ending in early 2015.

The attraction, which was very well done (and I hate the whole song contest/reality TV genre), was never close to being as popular as Disney hoped. And now the TV show is on its last legs (I still think it likely has 2-3 seasons left barring a miraculous uptick in popularity). The land was going to be used for SW anyway, so (much like the subs at DL) WDW can save a pretty penny by adding more dead space to a park full of it. Maybe they'll put some temporary SW attraction in there for next spring ... who knows?

But I wouldn't take this as any sign that SW expansion is imminent. Wish it was, but it isn't.
Click to expand...


I'm hearing Jedi Training will move in so that it doesn't appear the building will be "empty". Sounds Dangerous will continue to be used for signup.

A Star Wars land won't happen until at least 2019, but don't be surprised if Backlot Express becomes the Cantina at the same time Jedi Training takes over AIE.

That folks is your Phase One, and it's the most your gonna get while Pandora is under construction.
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
Ignohippo said:
I'm hearing Jedi Training will move in so that it doesn't appear the building will be "empty". Sounds Dangerous will continue to be used for signup.

A Star Wars land won't happen until at least 2019, but don't be surprised if Backlot Express becomes the Cantina at the same time Jedi Training takes over AIE.

That folks is your Phase One, and it's the most your gonna get while Pandora is under construction.
Click to expand...

Even with a new CEO?
 
Mike S

Mike S

Well-Known Member
Ignohippo said:
I'm hearing Jedi Training will move in so that it doesn't appear the building will be "empty". Sounds Dangerous will continue to be used for signup.

A Star Wars land won't happen until at least 2019, but don't be surprised if Backlot Express becomes the Cantina at the same time Jedi Training takes over AIE.

That folks is your Phase One, and it's the most your gonna get while Pandora is under construction.
Click to expand...
I'll take it as long as the Cantina is done great with an animatronic band.
 
tirian

tirian

Well-Known Member
Correct: it's not going to be anything substantial any time soon.


WDW1974 said:
Just dropping in to sorta back you up.

That site is still earmarked for SW expansion. But I don't believe this has anything to do with that right now. I believe the original contract was for three years (would have to check with folks on the left coast and I really don't care enough to do so), so it would make sense that the last three year deal is ending in early 2015.

The attraction, which was very well done (and I hate the whole song contest/reality TV genre), was never close to being as popular as Disney hoped. And now the TV show is on its last legs (I still think it likely has 2-3 seasons left barring a miraculous uptick in popularity). The land was going to be used for SW anyway, so (much like the subs at DL) WDW can save a pretty penny by adding more dead space to a park full of it. Maybe they'll put some temporary SW attraction in there for next spring ... who knows?

But I wouldn't take this as any sign that SW expansion is imminent. Wish it was, but it isn't.
Click to expand...
 

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