American Idol Experience Soft-Open 1/14/2009

Hi everyone!

The American Idol Experience was in soft-open today, and only prohibited flash photography, video and audio.  I went to 2 shows, and have photos from the 4:00 show here.   Update 2/14, I now have 350 American Idol Press Event photos here!

Before the photos, I wanted to mention that I have Contemporary Resort Bay Lake Tower video here and photos here!   (from a pontoon boat)

Also, JeffLangeDVD.com just released a 3 disc Horizons set for the 10th anniversary of it's closing.  You can support this site if you buy through my link!    Thanks also to Lance at Screamscape for all the mentions!

On to the show photos and review!

I had no real interest in the show personally, and thought that the American Idol franchise was a bit long in the tooth to be made into an attraction.   But I actually really enjoyed it –  except for a few things that I think need tweaking.  And the American Idol Experience will be different with each show – depending on the host, judges, audience, etc.  The two shows I attended had a very different vibe to them.

 

Outside the theater:

 

 

The queue (I arrived just in time for the doors to open during this show – there is a pre-show in the queue that I missed this time around).    The pre-show includes a cast member who precedes the main host.   I would love to see some of this particular segment shortened, with more time for the actual show.

 

 

Entering the auditorium:

 

 

The judges desk:

 

 

 

The stage and decor looks really great:

 

 

The show hosts and judges were different between the two shows I visited.  This was the second preshow host.  He was a bit more into pointing out guests who weren't as enthusiastic, I was just happy not to be mentioned!  (I enjoyed the show, but don't tend to overenthuse about much :))