I think I missed my calling in life! I saw this article in the paper today, about a local mom chosen by Disney to be one of 12 Disney park experts nationwide. After reading the article, I think I’m more of a Disney expert than she is! Beatrice Rose didn’t even start going to the parks until 1991. I started in 1979. She didn’t know the original name Walt Disney had picked out for Mickey! And she thought that Cinderella’s castle was made of stone.

I demand a recount!

For those of you wondering what Hollywood Studios is, that’s the name of the theme park formerly known as Disney’s MGM Studios. You’re probably also wondering how Disney / ABC got a Fox show into their theme park? Let’s begin at the beginning…

The attraction will be a live performance show. Instead of listening to people who can’t sing on your television, you’ll be able to enjoy it in person at the theme park. The attraction, which will open later this year, will give people the feeling of really appearing on American Idol. Performers go through hair and makeup, get tips from a voice coach, and then they’re off to perform. I can picture it now - three lookalikes standing in as Simon, Paula, and Randy insulting and raving about singers, calling them “dawg”, and acting drunk. (You guess who gets to do which bit!)

Winners of the daily shows go to the grand finale at day’s end, and those champs get a special pass to the front of the line for a real American Idol audition.

Disney got the rights to do the show attraction from the Idol co-producers, so Fox wasn’t involved at all. Disney is also working on the real Idol stars making special appearances through out the year.