American Idol Experience to Close?

[DizneyFreak2002]

Some sites are reporting CMs were told American Idol Experience will close around 6 months from now, more likely after the first of the year... Anyone else hearing any truth to this?

[Fangorn]

Not heard that, but...

please, please, let it be so.

Steve

[PirateLover]

With the show at an all time low, (even though it has yet to be cancelled) this wouldn't surprise me. I don't mind it being closed. I liked it at first, went twice, haven't felt the need to go back. Maybe it will clear up space for a potential expansion of Lucas properties??? Wishful thinking.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Sounds like it is officially closing January 4, 2015...

With the show at an all time low, (even though it has yet to be cancelled) this wouldn't surprise me. I don't mind it being closed. I liked it at first, went twice, haven't felt the need to go back. Maybe it will clear up space for a potential expansion of Lucas properties??? Wishful thinking.

I'm sure you remember when tikiman and I mentioned the rumored Star Wars plans? AIE was one area where Star Wars was rumored to expand into... No idea if those plans are still on the table or been tossed into the shredder for better plans...

[yankeesfan123]

I heard they were replacing it with X Factor.

[Ian]

I'll bet dollars to donuts they close it and leave it empty. From all that I've heard there's no real money being spent in WDW until MyMagicYourWayFastpass+ proves its ROI.

[yankeesfan123]

Buuuuut they're gonna be showing an extended preview for Guardians of Galaxy!

[Strmchsr]

Yes, it is closing early January. One of my friends is one of the producers of the show and confirmed.

[LittleDreamer]

I'm not surprised, it will be closing. They always had trouble finding contestants for the shows. Watching the show was not that engaging more of a break from the heat. And paying for the AI property just takes money.

I was thinking about during Star Wars weekend how easy it would be to dress the stage up and do the shows in there. Granted it would limit the audience, but would get rid of the traffic jam in front of the hat and be easier on the cast members in costume.

[big blue and hairy]

I won't miss it. It was a one shot thing for us. It was pretty well done, but not a repeat attraction for me.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Join statement by Disney, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment:

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.”

This area is still believed to be included in the Star Wars land plans...

[yankeesfan123]

Join statement by Disney, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment:



This area is still believed to be included in the Star Wars land plans...

Bingo!

[DizneyFreak2002]

...That exist in fans' imaginary worlds.

They haven't even closed it yet, put away the blueprints.
The fact that they're closing it on January sounds more like a licensing issue that wasn't renewed for an attraction whose days were already numbered, but what they come up with to replace it--IF anything by the end of the year--is strictly their own business until they tell us.
Soundsl ike it's not so much to praise Lucas, as to bury Simon.

Actually, Eric, those plans DO exist within the halls of Imagineering... MANY legit and trustworthy insiders have all stated AIE area was and is included in ANY Star Wars expansion at DHS... And the Indiana Jones Stunt show area is part of the plans as well...

So, there is no putting away any blue prints... There is no arm chair imagineering going on here... The FACTS are this area was and is included in the Star Wars expansion... No matter that we won't see the Star Wars area until 2019/2020... Until and unless things change drastically, this area is earmarked for Star Wars expansion when the time comes...

[JRocker]

I'll be standing in the crowd with the party favors cheering its exit.

But, count me with the skeptics. This park feels like a shell of what it was when it found itself on the top of my list of the four. I really haven't done the count, but when I was at that park a few weeks ago, it seemed like there have been more minuses than pluses since my first visit in late '95.

And now we have another minus.

Sure, there is a plus sitting on a drafting table somewhere, but how long will this building remain vacant (or used as a movie trailer theater )?

For the MGM Studios skeleton they dubbed Disney Hollywood Studios; two weeks of another empty building is too long.

[LittleDreamer]

Sure, there is a plus sitting on a drafting table somewhere, but how long will this building remain vacant (or used as a movie trailer theater )?

For the MGM Studios skeleton they dubbed Disney Hollywood Studios; two weeks of another empty building is too long.

They could always dust off SuperStar Television (better choice then Doug Live!). Do some dramatic scenes from Revenge, a little comedy with Modern Family, or get the kids with involved on some Marvel action.

[big blue and hairy]

I would love to see the Monster Sound Show come back. I participated in that show once when it was Martin Short and Chevy Chase. Unbeknownst to the staff they stuck me, the former DJ, behind the mic. It was a blast!

[Ian]

I'd love to see Superstar TV come back. That was a classic.

[big blue and hairy]

I'd love to see Superstar TV come back. That was a classic.

Me too, there was only one problem, when you are in it (DW and I were), you can't see it. I would have loved a tape or cd or something. It was still really cool, though.

[LittleDreamer]

Me too, there was only one problem, when you are in it (DW and I were), you can't see it. I would have loved a tape or cd or something.

With todays technology and the photopass they could easily work out something like that.

[1DisneyNut]

Can't say that we will miss it.......we never cared enough to step foot in it and see the show. Not even once. So long American Idol, don't let the door hit you on the way out.