My American Idol Experience - Part 1

I've never been a big fan of "American Idol"

Sure, I've tuned in at the beginning of most seasons to watch the crazy people audition.

I'll also watch at the end of the season to see what type of talent has made it to the top four or five.

But I'm probably not the target audience Disney was envisioning when they created "The American Idol Experience" at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando.

The idea is that a live studio audience gets to watch three ordinary park guests perform pop songs just as contestants do on American Idol. At the end of the performances (and the judges critiques), the audience chooses one winner. At the end of the night, the winner of each preliminary show competes in a grand finale.

The winner of that final show receives a "Dream Ticket" that lets the singer jump to the front of the line at a real American Idol audition.

And if you think it's all for show, you're wrong.

Aaron Kelly, who was in the Top 5 of the 2010 American Idol competition, got his start (and a Golden Ticket) on the stage at The American Idol Experience.

According to Walt Disney World, the attraction "features all the glitz and glamour of the hit television series' stunning set, and gives you an opportunity to experience the thrill as if really at the show."

I first blogged about this when the show was announced a few years ago. I said that I didn't think an attraction that was essentially a glorified Karaoke bar would work.

But I changed my mind when I visited the AIE last October. I was amazed that the stage show, with all of its lighting and music and HD television cameras really did recreate the experience of seeing the actual show in Hollywood.

It was fun, but I had pretty much forgotten about seeing the show until one night last winter.

I was thinking about the CoasterRadio.com podcast and trying to come up with some interesting content to put on the show during the long winter off-season. That's when it hit me!

I'd audition for the American Idol Experience! And I'd put the whole preparation process on the show for everyone to hear!

The first thing I decided to do was to study the American Idol Experience Song List that Disney graciously put online.

That's when I figured out I was in some trouble.

Most of the songs were out of my vocal range. I'm a bass, so there's no chance I could hit the high notes that most pop acts do today. To make matters worse, most of the songs were out of my league too.

I had done some singing before in high school and I've even been in some good community theater productions.

But my vocal style isn't really pop or R&B.... and that seemed to be what made up the majority of the AIE song list.

However, after eliminating the songs that were out of my voice range and getting rid of anything from High School Musical, Hannah Montana or the Jonas Brothers, I did find two songs that I could pull off convincingly.

The songs were "Sway" by Michael Buble and "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn.

I felt could pull off "Sway" because my voice sounds a little like Dean Martin, who sang the song originally. I felt I could pull off "Walking in Memphis" because I can make it sound like I'm belting it out, without straining for high notes.

So, I went on the podcast and announced to the audience that I would be auditioning for the AIE when I visited Orlando in May. To my surprise, the audience was really into the idea.

Over the next few months, the audience listened in as I rehearsed the songs. They heard me get critiqued by a professional West End musician from London, England. They heard us interview Stacey Lantz, who was a contestant on the AIE a few months before and who gave me some valuable advice on how to audition (more on that later).

They even got to watch as I did a "test drive" of "Walking in Memphis" at a shady karaoke bar in front of a bunch of drunks.

If I could sing there, I could sing anywhere!



Ultimately, after months of on-air prep on the podcast, it was time to head to Orlando and audition for the AIE.

Strangely enough, I was nervous!

Even though I knew it was just a theme park attraction, there was something about having to walk into a room full of strangers and sing that made me feel uneasy.

What was weird is that I have been on stage before in front of thousands of people. But I guess there was added pressure because the whole CoasterRadio.com audience would be waiting on the results of my audition.

If I didn't get in, thousands of people would know.... and it would be embarrassing.

In part two, you'll hear about the whole audition process! I'll tell you everything that went down from the time I walked into the American Idol building until the time I left!

Would I make Ryan Seacrest proud?

By the way, if you don't want to wait for Part 2, you can listen to the podcast episode where I tell the whole story!

CoasterRadio.com #423 - The "Complainey" Show

We're all guaranteed the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

But it's a lesser known fact that every theme park fan is guaranteed the right to complain.

On this week's show, we hand over the microphone to our listeners and let the complain about anything and everything related to theme parks.

We were surprised at some of the things that annoy you guys!

We also talk about the recent announcement that Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom has closed for good. What does this mean for the people of Louisville, Kentucky and what will happen to all of the rides? There might be some behind the scenes maneuvering that will surprise you.

Plus, EB will go "Off-Topic" to discuss how he might have been charged with breaking and entering, while Mike talks about who he'd like to see replace Simon Cowell on American Idol.

We'll also have news on The David Arquette Project and Mike's quest to make it on stage for The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios!

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Or you can listen online by using the podcast player on the right hand side of this page.

Talk about this episode in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

CoasterRadio.com #422 - The American Idol Experience

The Original Theme Park Podcast is back with a brand new episode!

This week, we talk with Stacey Lantz who was a winner at The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.

She'll tell us what it was behind-the-scenes at the attraction and give Mike some advice on what he should do during his audition.

You can check out Stacey's Blog about the experience and also watch some of her videos on YouTube too!

EB and Mike have also tabulated the hundreds of e-mails that came in last week and have the official Top Five (non-Disney) Theme Parks.

Who will make the cut? Who will be #1?

The guys also go Off-Topic to discuss two very different experiences for the Wii video game system. Plus, there's potentially interesting news on The David Arquette Project!

Direct Podcast Link
Click here to subscribe through iTunes.
Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.
Click here for our iPhone App.

Or you can listen online by using the podcast player on the right hand side of this page.

Talk about this episode in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

CoasterRadio.com #421 - 3-D(oomed)?

James Cameron's new blockbuster 3-D film Avatar is on pace to become the most profitable movie of all time.

(Actually, that doesn't count for inflation. Gone With The Wind is still the number one grossing movie in history.)

But anyone who has seen Avatar is blown away by the 3-D imagery.

On this week's show, we talk about if films like these constantly in the movie theater will eventually lead to 3-D films becoming less popular in the theme parks.

We'll also reveal your ideas on how Disney and other park operators should use the new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies that are sweeping the industry. The listeners came up with some very interesting and entertaining ways to make our park experience interactive.

Plus, we'll go "Off Topic" to hear about EB's plans to introduce his son to the legend of the "Tooth Fairy." Mike also admits to his strange reaction after watching the teenage vampire flick "Twilight."

In addition, Mike announces his on-air training marathon for the American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios and we'll unveil a brand new contest!

Direct Podcast Link
Click here to subscribe through iTunes.
Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.
Click here for our iPhone App.

Or you can listen online by using the podcast player on the right hand side of this page.

Talk about this episode in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

CoasterRadio.com #417 - Best Attraction of the Decade

On this week's show, EB and Mike reveal your picks for the top attractions of the decade!

We'll go in-depth about what makes these attractions special and why some rides don't deserve to make it on the list.

The guys also talk about the strange marketing campaign behind Alton Tower's new roller coaster Thirteen. How effective will it be to tell people they have to sign a waiver to ride because of "emotional stresses?"

Mike also starts his preparation to audition for The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. He's looking for help from people "in the know," including Disney Cast members.

Plus, EB and Mike go Off-Topic to talk about spritestitch.com and the rebirth of "Dragon's Lair" for the iPhone.

There's also an update on the David Arquette project Santa Challenge!

Direct Podcast Link
Click here to subscribe through iTunes.
Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.

Or you can listen online by using the podcast player on the right hand side of this page.

Talk about this episode in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

The American Idol Concept Might Be Winning Me Over

When Walt Disney World first announced "The American Idol Experience" last year, I wasn't entirely sold on the concept.

The idea sounded like a "Karaoke Bar on Steroids" and a place where teenage guests could gather to scream.

But this week, the people over at MouseSteps posted pictures and details about the new attraction while it is in soft-opening.

Admittedly, I haven't seen the attraction with my own eyes. But the pictures make it look like it's the same type of fun as in the old "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire - PLAY IT!" attraction.

To me, the whole fun of Millionaire was that you were actually experiencing what it would be like to go to New York and attend a taping of the mega-popular show. It was really getting back to what the whole purpose of the Disney-MGM studios was all about in the first place.... to let people experience the magic of television and movie production.

Since most of us will never be in the audience for one of the American Idol live broadcasts (thankfully), this attraction gives us the chance to see what it would be like. We get to experience the drama of the competition while watching the interesting nature of the television production process.

The early reviews seem to all agree that the attraction needs a little tweaking. Supposedly there are a lot of video segments to watch during the actual show and not enough emphasis on the live performances. But I'm sure it's getting worked out during the soft-open process.

If any of you guys out there have a chance to see the show either during the soft-open or after the grand opening, let us know what you think in the CoasterRadio.com forums.

Walt Disney World should get "Lost"

I just finished watching a new episode of "Lost" on ABC and it got me thinking....

If Disney can shell out the big bucks to create an "American Idol" attraction (which airs on a rival network), why not take one of the biggest hits from its own network and turn it into something HUGE for their theme parks.

Then it hit me... the perfect idea!

Years ago, Disney was talking with the creators of the MYST video game series about creating an immersive and interactive environment for guests to explore. They even had a location picked out.

They were planning to create this MYST universe on Discovery Island, which is an 11½-acre island in Bay Lake at Walt Disney World. It originally opened as "Treasure Island" in 1974, and was a place where guests could observe different kids of animals. It was closed in 1999, when all of the wildlife were moved to Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Today, this island sits unused just waiting for an idea to bring it back to life. How awesome would it be to take the myth, storyline and legend of "Lost" and set it loose on Discovery Island?

Guests could be brought onto the island in groups of 10 to 15. They could start off on the beach, where the wreckage of Oceanic 815 would still be sitting there. Clues would lead the group to The Hatch, where they might find a cast member frantically entering the code 4 8 15 16 23 42 into a 1980's computer.

The adventure might take a dangerous turn, when the group comes across the camp of "The Others". The ideas could go on and on.

Technically, this would be more of a show than a traditional attraction... so the capacity would have to be capped at a certain number each day. That would mean the admission fee would be close to what you'd pay to enter the Magic Kingdom.

A good model to go by would be The Tomb at 5-Wits. Check out the FAQ for this attraction to get an idea of how the Lost Island could work.

I know that there are a lot of problems with this idea... especially the fact that the show ends in three years. But I really like the idea of an "adventure island" where a group of strangers need to work as a team to solve a mystery.

Do you think an idea like this could work? Join the discussion in the CoasterRadio.com forums!

Idol-Mania comes to Disney World

Since we're more of a commentary blog and less of a news blog, I waited a few days to gather my thoughts on the new "American Idol" attraction coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios later this year.

The story has already hit the mainstream press, so you know there is gonna be a lot of buzz about this one.

I should start off by saying that I'm not a fan of American Idol. I hate the fact that horrible singers, clueless to the fact that they can't sing, are paraded in front of the world to be ridiculed. With the exception of William Hung, who at least stretched his humiliation into 15-minutes of fame, I don't see anything good that comes from it. Sure, it can be funny sometimes, but a lot of times it is just sad.

But I'm clearly in the minority. That damn show is #1 anytime it is on and it blows away the competition. So I suppose it makes perfect sense to turn it into a theme park attraction. I guess the only question is why it wasn't done sooner.

This sounds to me like a theme park attraction that is essentially a karaoke bar... without the soothing effects of alcohol. Anyone who has even been to a K-Bar will tell you that after 15-minutes of hearing some soccer mom from Trenton sing "Love Shack", you'll need hard liquor....fast.

When I see a show at a park, I want to be entertained by professionals, not some dude who was standing next to me in line for Tower of Terror three hours before. But I realize I could be totally wrong about this one. I just wonder if it will have more staying power than "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Play it!"

At least they're designing an attraction for Disney's Hollywood Studios that actually simulates a Hollywood experience. Which reminds me, I really miss the old "Superstar Television" that used to be in the same theater.

There is already talk in the CoasterRadio.com Forum about this idea. Head there to join in the conversation!

The next American (Coaster Enthusiast) Idol

I wonder if this guy ever listened to our podcast. Or does he read this blog?

Probably not.... he seems like a "CoasterBuzz" or "In The Loop" guy to me.