| TheAmerican Idol Experience | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Attraction entrance | |
| Disney's Hollywood Studios | |
| Area | Echo Lake |
| Coordinates | 28°21′23.45″N81°33′34.59″W / 28.3565139°N 81.5596083°W /28.3565139; -81.5596083 |
| Status | Removed |
| Opening date | February 14, 2009 (2009-02-14) |
| Closing date | August 30, 2014 (2014-08-30) |
| Replaced | Doug Live! (1999–2001) Theater vacant from 2001–2008 |
| Replaced by | For the First Time in Forever: AFrozen Sing-Along Celebration (2015-present)[1] |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Live singing auditions |
| Designer | Walt Disney Imagineering (attraction design) Fremantle/Thames Television 19 Entertainment (show format) |
| Theme | American Idol |
| Hosted by | Ryan Seacrest (pre-show) |
 FastPass+ available again | |
 Wheelchair accessible | |
TheAmerican Idol Experience was a theme park attraction atDisney's Hollywood Studios at theWalt Disney World Resort.[2] Inspired by the popular Americantelevision seriesAmerican Idol, the attraction invited park guests to audition in front of live audiences who would vote for their favorite singers.
The attraction's grand opening took place on February 14, 2009, with occasional preview performances in the weeks leading up to the official opening. A press event just prior to the official opening featured many "Idol" celebrities, including all seven winners, numerous finalists, hostRyan Seacrest, judgePaula Abdul and "American Idol" creatorSimon Fuller.[3]
The attraction was promoted by winners of theAmerican Idol from the seventh season onwards by appearing in commercials and announcing "I'm going to Disney World!".[4][5][6]
In June 2014, Disney announced that the show would close in January 2015,[7] then two months later they pushed forward the closure to the end of August 2014.[8]
The last show of each operating day featured the winners of that day's preliminary shows. Again, the live audience voted for the performer they liked the best. During the show, the audience was prompted to encourage the contestants and heckle the judges.[9]
Fourteenth season semi-finalistAdam Ezegelian was a two-time Dream Ticket winner (2009 and 2014).[10]
28°21′23.45″N81°33′34.59″W / 28.3565139°N 81.5596083°W /28.3565139; -81.5596083