Over the weekend news broke that the caste of the American Idol Experience had been informed their show would be canceled early next year. Lower ratings on the TV show have resulted in low guest interest in the park attraction. However, managers are considering promotions like bringing back the popular American Idol Experience Junior Edition where kids 9-14 get their chance to perform before the January bow.
Walt Disney World and American Idol producers released this 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.”
The cast and crew of American Idol Experience worked hard to produce what I considered a great show. But its time was always going to be limited.
Follow me below the jump for a few more juicy rumors:
In related news, a rumor grew of the weekend that the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Show is also on the chopping block. It takes up a lot of prime real estate close to the front of the park. When you add in the Sounds Dangerous stage and American Idol Experience and you have a giant area there perfect for a new themed land. Can anyone say Star Wars?
If American Idol Experience closing is the first domino to fall in the eventual coming of a Star Wars themed land, then closing Indiana Jones seems likely. But there are other options for a Star Wars presence in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Indiana Jones is still popular unlike American Idol, so I just don’t see this happening.
Jumping to EPCOT briefly, it looks like the plans to switch the Norway attraction Maelstrom to a Frozen theme are moving ahead full speed. Disney wants to make sure they open something while the movie is still fresh, possibly before the Broadway version of the movie opens. I would much rather they build a classic style grand attraction in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, but they’re going to shoehorn it into Norway. Something is better than nothing, I guess.
While at DHS yesterday, my family discussed how DHS has no themed areas or flow to it whatsoever. Toy Story Mania is located on the opposite end of the park from Pizza Planet. There’s the “appearance” of a Muppet area but only contains a movie and 1/3 of a store for merch. Then there’s the outdated Honey I Shrunk The Kids area and Catastrophy Canyon. There’s the under utilized Sounds Dangerous, (currently) Jack Sparrow attraction, and vacant sound stage (used for Darths Mall). And then there’s the city street facade that’s only purpose is to set up the Osbourne Light Show.
This park REALLY needs a major overhaul. They need a clear vision and direction. Right now, it’s a hot mess.
I really hope that they expand the park to the south where the alternate entrance is to the park. Looking on Google Maps there is a lot of space that they could build a new Star Wars area. The live television experience is still a great idea to have, but probably needs to change twice a decade to stay relavent.
I’m thinking maybe a Marvel area and attractions could be in the works.They have started selling Marvel in the Disney stores, why not have a themed area for this in one of the parks? There are tons of Huge Marvel fans that would be willing to come and check out a ride or show based on these comics and movies. Why not give people what they want? I also wish pizza planet was near Toy Story Mania. not sure why they are not.
Unfortunately, we will not get a Marvel area in the Orlando area unless Disney buys the rights from Universal
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