Is there a thread somewhere where people have discussed their experiences in the American Idol attraction? I auditioned and made it into a show 2 weeks ago, so I was interested to see what others thought of it. Thanks!

I don't recall one. This looks like a good place to me!:)

I'm really interested in your experience.

Congratulations - how did you do?

I haven't seen the show yet, but DS16's chorus was there in April and 4 members of the group made it into a show. I think a couple of them went on for a bit, but did not make it into the finale. The only thing DS said about it was that when we go this trip he is not interested in seeing it at all. I guess they spent the whole day at American Idol!

We'll go in a few weeks, but I had a friend who went on a whim--just to get out of the heat for a while and enjoyed it so much that they went back to see more shows!

Looking forward to it!

My friend and I saw a show last time we were there in March. I thought it was fun to watch, but I don't think it would be fun to audition so much. You pretty much have to devote a whole day for it, I think! But the show itself was well done, entertaining and nice and cool! And you vote for which contestant you like best to go on to the finals in the evening.

It will be awesome to see it in person!

Does the daily winner just win the pleasure of winning or is there a different prize? Fast passes maybe? We love X Factor here (the root of American Idol), but we like the auditions rounds the best ;)

Thanks for the info! I can't wait to see American Idol Experience!

Here's my experience.

I was walking up to the park entrance before the park opened and there was a man outside asking if anyone wanted to audition for American Idol. I said I did and he immediately pulled me aside for my first audition. A man introduced me to a camera and I sang a 30 secong acapella song into the camera.

I passed the first audition right there and sign off on some paperwork. I guess normally, people stand in line to audition and then audition in a small room. Mine was outside near the crowd. It was a bit unnerving because it all happened so fast. Then before the park opened, I and a few others that had passed the auditions were escorted into the park, back to the AI building. We were taken back to a room that was called the coke room and given ipods that had the song selections on them. I had to choose 2 songs that I would sing in my 2nd audition. On the ipod, I could listen to the songs with or without vocals, and the words scrolled on the screen, so I did not have to memorize anything. Once I was comfortable with the songs, I went in for my 2nd audition. The producer talked to me for a few minutes and then had me sing both songs. The words were projected on the wall in the back of the room. He then played a video that was Ryan Seacrest telling me I had made it into a show! I was put into the 1st show of the day, so I had to report back pretty quickly. I had to be back 1 hour and 10 min before the show started.

When I came back at that time, I had 10 minutes in the green room, 10 minutes where they did my hair and makeup, and 10 minutes with a vocal coach. Then we were taken on stage for rehearsal. We had people around the whole time, guiding us through everything and always reminding us what was next. There were screens backstage so we could watch everything that was going on. Then the show started. The whole thing went really well and was so much fun. One of the other contestants won, but I kep running into people the rest of the day who told me they voted for me, so that was fun.

THe park opened at 9am. My show was at 11am. Since I didn't win, when the show ended, I was done for the day, which was at about 11:30. They gave me a set of fastpasses that was good for any ride for my whole group and my parents got me fastpasses for other rides while they were waiting for me. So when we were done with AI, we got on midway mania, the aerosmith coaster, and tower of terror really quickly.

My only complaint was that my parents, who I admit are very biased and would think that of coarse I am the best, said that the people who ran the show were really promoting one of the other contestants without even mentioning the other two. And then, that person happened to win. So it was a bit fishy. I mean, she could have easily gotten the most votes, but the producers made it clear to the audience that she was their favorite.

The whole thing didn't take the whole day, but that was mainly because I made it into the first show of the day, so that really helped. If I had been in a later show, it would have been difficult to ride anything or see other shows. But I had a great experience and my friends were so impressed that I did this.

What a cool experience, belle02. :)

What songs did you sing?

I saw the show once, and enjoyed it. But I don't think it has a lot of repeatability to it. It's mostly a karaoke show, with not one of the 3 singers in my show having any real talent. Perhaps seeing the last show of the day, with the winners of the other shows, might be better.

The winner of each day gets a front of the line pass to a real AI audition. Of course, this would do me, a 52 year old, no good at all. So even though I (humbly blushing) think I could smoke most of the competition, it's just not worth it to spend most of a day with this and then get something that I couldn't use as my prize. Now, if they were giving away Disney vacations, or a night in the Castle Suite, or something that would be of value to me, it might be different.

Glad you had a good time though, belle!

Very cool, belle!

My family and I were very impressed with the American Idol Experience. We saw the final show of the day on the day we saw it. This was back in May of this year, by the way.

Now I must add that we're not really fans of the American Idol TV show itself. But we've seen enough of it to appreciate the similarities and the differences.

Only downside to the attraction is that it's going to make me have to watch the show itself to see if the girl we all voted for(who happened to win the Dream Pass) will end up on TV.

belle02 sounds like you had a fab time, do you remember anything in the paperwork about having to be from the usa? my boyfriend would love to do it but we are british so wouldnt be able to go onto the US program if he won (not that he would):)

I don't think you'd have any problem appearing. They also don't have any age restriction on the park show, although they definitely do on the TV show. If you're an old fogie like me you can still participate, still win the day, but you don't get the front of line pass. I think you have the right to pass it on to one of the runners up if you want (or that may be automatic if you don't qualify to win).

I don't remember any nationality restrictions, but I would read through the FAQs they have on the website. They detail everything important there. I did not encounter any unpleasant surprises because I researched it ahead of time. I encourage trying out. It was so fun!

I tried to post the link to the website but mousepad told me I can't do that yet. Sorry! Its on the Disney site under Hollywood Studios.