Some Hillish Details on the Idol Experience

[EPCOT Explorer]

Long story short... Jim Hill was doing a "history and secrets" tour of Disneyland inside the park. The mouse frowned upon an "outsider" doing a tour inside their parks, especially a tour that may or may not have been quite so favorable. So they threw him out of the park. I don't think he was "banned"... just not allowed to do that tour anymore. He posted the story on his site... dig and I'm sure you can find it.

Oh, it's public knowledge. I refuse to give his site a hit by going there, but I'm sure his version of events is still there somewhere.

In a nutshell (how apropos a term LOL), Hilly thought it was okay to charge people to let him lead them around Disneyland. Understandably, Disney did not approve of a blow-hard like him spouting his negativity while standing in their park and having the audacity to charge people for it.

They threw him out. Not sure if he has been allowed to return, I don't follow his drama.

Interesting side note, though, this also led to his supposed Park Tour CDs that he was trying to bilk people into sending him money for pre-orders. From my understanding, like every single project the man has ever attempted, it was left unfinished and his promises and "updates" ended up as lies.

AEfx

Interesting....Thanks quys!

 

[nibblesandbits]

That's good to know, Lee. Thanks.

How many of you have actually READ the article?

Guess what, people. The people who Disney let's through to compete are not going to be terrible. They are going to want good performances so that the "concert" feel of the actual performances is accurate. It's only three people a show. They don't have time for a bad performance.

The bad performer will be a Disney plant. No hard feelings.

The "harsh" Simon comments are coming from a Disney approved script. DISNEY-APPROVED people.

This attraction is for the people who will never see a taping of Idol live who want to.

This is for the people who would love to audition for Idol, but are ineligible or don't want to fight the lines.

This attraction is about making dreams come true, and it's far more Disney than "Millionaire: Play It" ever was.

Some Disney-philes need to pull the "Idolz Suxlol!!" blinders off and look at what this attraction is going to do to the Studios.

Personally (and I may be the only one on this board who feels like this), I can't wait for the attraction.

I'm a tad surprised to hear you like this idea...

But you do bring up some very valid points...things that I tend to agree with myself. It's refreshing to see someone giving the attraction a chance...and is not basing criticisms off the info that we have.

 

[Legacy]

I'm a tad surprised to hear you like this idea...

But you do bring up some very valid points...things that I tend to agree with myself. It's refreshing to see someone giving the attraction a chance...and is not basing criticisms off the info that we have.

Is it really that surprising that I like it?

Just because I think Idol consist of a politics-ridden production staff, severely broken voting system, and money-not-music oriented focus doesn't mean I disagree with the concept of letting people live out a dream at Disney. I think it's more accessible and inviting than Millionaire and it's the most "Dreams Come True" concept from Disney since Cinderella's Royal Table. I'm all for it.

Chances are extremely good that I'll audition for it.

Now, if "professionals" start going in there and dominating every show... I'll be a tad disappointed.

 

[RSoxNo1]

It's definitely smart that the judges are going to be Disney employees, and not guests. I also think that the bad singer "plant" is going to quickly be added to every show. Many people watch the first few rounds of American Idol simply to see the bad performers, this is a huge part of that shows success.

 

[MousDad]

It's definitely smart that the judges are going to be Disney employees, and not guests. I also think that the bad singer "plant" is going to quickly be added to every show. Many people watch the first few rounds of American Idol simply to see the bad performers, this is a huge part of that shows success.

Just like the bad singers on the TV show are plants by the Idol production staff.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Just like the bad singers on the TV show are plants by the Idol production staff.

Exactly. But Disney does have an obligation to not humiliate their guests, whereas the producers of American Idol don't have that obligation, as the bad singers on the show are people that were legitimately trying out, and in many cases were doing whatever it took to get on TV.

I think a better question is, will each judge be represented by a caricature of their personalities? I know it was said that there will be a critic like Simon, but will there also be the incredibly happy, often aloof/drunk Paula Abdul that will always find a way to compliment someone, or a Randy Jackson robot that spouts off 3-5 catch phrases like "You're a little pitchy Dog.", "I'm not feeling it.", "You 'da bomb Yo!", etc.

I think playfully mocking the judges will also do wonders to keep the show fresh in the eyes of the people that have little to no interest in the singing.

 

[dox]

If this attraction is going to function the way JH describes...then I foresee a huge failure and a logistical nightmare. First off, who will want to see a show during the day where only 3 people perform? With so much to see and do in the park I'm just not going to bother standing in line to watch 3 amateur singers who I know nothing about get up on stage and "oversing" a pop song. Next, I'm sure most people who are interested in the attraction are going to want to see the final show of the day that decides the winner. The theater is quite large from what I remember back when Superstar television was there, but I don't believe it is large enough to handle that many people. The most I can say is that at least the theater is air conditioned on a hot day.

 

[marksniles]

:hurl: , on so many levels.

AEfx

TOTALLY AGREE! A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!

 

[MousDad]

If this attraction is going to function the way JH describes...then I foresee a huge failure and a logistical nightmare. First off, who will want to see a show during the day where only 3 people perform? With so much to see and do in the park I'm just not going to bother standing in line to watch 3 amateur singers who I know nothing about get up on stage and "oversing" a pop song. Next, I'm sure most people who are interested in the attraction are going to want to see the final show of the day that decides the winner. The theater is quite large from what I remember back when Superstar television was there, but I don't believe it is large enough to handle that many people. The most I can say is that at least the theater is air conditioned on a hot day.

I could see a 3 singer show taking up 15-20 minutes easily. That's an acceptable timeframe for a DHS show.

You're right about the last show being more sought after. That might be the reason for the jumbotron.

 

[Legacy]

TOTALLY AGREE! A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!

Thank you for your insightful contribution to the discussion.

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

I could see a 3 singer show taking up 15-20 minutes easily. That's an acceptable timeframe for a DHS show.

You're right about the last show being more sought after. That might be the reason for the jumbotron.

They could easily use the Jumbo-tron for the last show. It will be dark and no other shows will be going on except for Fantasmic, which is fairly far away.

 

[hauntdmansion79]

First a side note. If I have to hear one more person tell me to take Jim Hill with a grain of salt, I'm gonna flip. We all know that by now, thanks. It still makes for an interesting read and has interesting projections.

Now back to the topic. I watch Idol at home but am not interested in this attraction. For one, I think it's lifespan will be along the lines of Millionaire and will fade as Idol's popularity fades (which is bound to happen sooner or later, especially when Simon leaves the show). I feel this attraction would be a waste of time in regards to the entertainment you get for the time you give up to experience the show. I think it will be neat to see the theater and how well they replicate it though. I wonder on it's opening day if Ryan, Randy, Paula, or Simon will be there.

 

[imagineer boy]

I don't think I'll see it either. Maybe once, but I really have no interest and I love AI. It would be too painful to watch someone's trip to WDW be ruined if they crash and burn on stage. And it will happen, mark my words. Its inevitable. There's nothing Disney can do to prevent it, it WILL happen.

 

[Yankeeplex]

I don't think there would be a chance in hell that I would ever do the American Idol experience. Not really sure, other than be a cross promotion product, what the purpose is. Unless they are going to be using the challenge to legitimately try to find new talent, I don't know what else they have to offer, other than probably every sick sounding karaoke wanna be trying to out bad the next person.

 

[Testtrack321]

I think this will be *far worse* than Millionaire in terms of re-ride ability and actual value to the park. At least everyone played along during Millionaire, here they're all just watching another show...

 

[T-1MILLION]

First a side note. If I have to hear one more person tell me to take Jim Hill with a grain of salt, I'm gonna flip. We all know that by now, thanks. It still makes for an interesting read and has interesting projections.

Now back to the topic. I watch Idol at home but am not interested in this attraction. For one, I think it's lifespan will be along the lines of Millionaire and will fade as Idol's popularity fades (which is bound to happen sooner or later, especially when Simon leaves the show). I feel this attraction would be a waste of time in regards to the entertainment you get for the time you give up to experience the show. I think it will be neat to see the theater and how well they replicate it though. I wonder on it's opening day if Ryan, Randy, Paula, or Simon will be there.

I don't think any of the three main judges will be there. I think they will be busy by then doing the next season of the show, however I could easily see one of the show's previous winners doing a little concert/opening ceremony. The previous winners do not exactly get hit concerts anymore.

I don't see this show lasting as long as Millionare did either. The idea of giving someone their dream to sing in front of a large audience is cute, but for the most part I could see the same thing with a Karoke Party, and that is all this will really be.

 

[Mufasa's Pride]

Here is a snippet from the Sentinel and some pics of newly-crowned Idol David Cook filming clips for the attraction.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2008/06/david-cook-does.html