THE AMERICAN IDOL EXPERIENCE

If you enjoy watching American Idol on the television and yearn to be famous, albeit for only a day, then Disney’s latest attraction could be right up your street. Even if you don’t fancy performing yourself, this new attraction will be fascinating to watch, and will give you an insight into what goes on at the real American Idol.

The American Idol Experience officially opened on February 14th, 2009 at Hollywood Studios, Orlando, Florida, and is set to be a hot favourite with fans of the programme. Of course the first thing you have to do is choose your song – and as we all know from watching the hopefuls on TV, your choice of song can make or break you.

There are 113 songs to choose from, with, of course, a few Disney favourites thrown in – 13 to be exact. These include songs from High School Musical and Hannah Montana, as well as songs from the animated classics like ‘Circle Of Life. ’ Performers have to sing for 90 seconds, which isn’t very long – especially if you have chosen Bohemian Rhapsody as your song.

Apart from the 13 Disney songs there are Country Songs (Achy Breaky Heart), 9 Disco songs with ‘Fame’ included, 7 Latin numbers including ‘La Bamba, ’ 26 Rock/Pop Up Tempo songs which include ‘I Can See Clearly Now, ’’ I Wanna Dance With Somebody, ’ and ‘Walking on Sunshine, ’ to name but a few. If Motown is more your style then there are plenty to choose from, including ‘Aint No Mountain High Enough, ’ ‘I Heard it Through the Grapevine, ’ and ‘I’ll Be There. ’ Finally, there are Rock/Pop Ballads including ‘Unchained Melody, ’ ‘Walking in Memphis’ and ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, ’ so if any of those appeal to you then you need to start practising, ready for your performance to a live audience.

The backstage audition area is silver and blue, with memorabilia on the walls from previous American Idol winners, like Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia. From here, contestants are taken to a small audition room where they will perform before a casting director. If you pass this test then you move on to the Coke Lounge, whose decor is very red, and here you can rehearse for the next audition with another producer.

If you get through that you are given a lanyard to wear round the park, so people can see that you will be performing, and if you are brave enough, you can drum up support by recruiting other guests to come and see you, and hopefully add their votes. Contestants have to wear their own clothes, but are given brief hair and make-up sessions.

The stage is, apparently, the same width as the real one, although it is not as tall. There are even ‘Hidden Mickeys’ to be found. After the singing, the audience have just 10 seconds to vote for their favourite contestant, using a device which is built into the arm rests.

Whilst I would run a mile before considering entering the competition, I am sure there will be many people who will be delighted to have their short moment of fame. Knowing Disney it will be slick, fast and well produced.