Idol Chatter & Voice Views

By MARK FRANKLIN

Want a chance to audition for American Idol?

Well, there’s a new way.

It’s a long shot, and there are plenty of hurdles to overcome.

But, hey, it’s a new way to stand out among the thousands who show up for Idol auditions.

Thursday was Idol’s big day at Disney World. The day Disney unveiled its new attraction, The American Idol Experience.

And while the world was still reeling from the news that Joanna Pacitti had gotten the boot from season eight (OK, maybe not reeling), all seven previous Idols gathered on stage for the first time ever.

They got statuettes. Carrie Underwood and David Cook sang a duet. Lots of other former contestants were on hand. And a good time was had by all (just check out the rest of the photos below).

Now, back to what you care about — what you can do to get a shot to audition for the show.

First, you need to travel to Florida, visit Walt Disney World, and you’d better arrive early in the day.

To get an opportunity to sing during a preliminary show at the new attraction, you’ll have to pass two rounds of auditions.

To get an opportunity to sing during that day’s Idol Experience finale, you’ll have to get the most votes from the audience during the preliminary show.

And to get what Disney is calling a Dream Ticket, you’ll have to perform in that day’s grand finale. And, again, win the competition.

Dream Ticket in hand, you’ll be able “to schedule, in advance and subject to availability of particular times and (American Idol) audition locations, a time during which (you) will be escorted to the front, or near the front, of the line of prospective American Idol television show contestants and have the opportunity to audition for the producers of American Idol (or such producer’s designees).”

And there’s no guarantee you’ll ever get in front of the judges.

And there’s certainly no guarantee you’ll appear on an audition show.

And you still have to meet all the normal American Idol criteria, like being the right age (16 to 28).

Whew!

But, hey, it’s a shot.

Those rules and lots, lots more are available on the Disney World Web site.

Now on to the fun part, photos of Idol’s posing with Micky and Minnie Mouse.

Ruben Studdard, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, David Cook, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks and Jordin Sparks at Disney’s grand opening of The American Idol Experience.

Back: Fantasia, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Ruben Studdard; Front: Taylor Hicks, David Cook and Jordin Sparks.

Jordin Sparks meets with fans at the grand opening of The American Idol Experience.

David Cook hams it up at the opening of The American Idol Experience.

Ruben Studdard visits Disney World Thursday.

David Cook and Carrie Underwood sing “Go Your Own Way.”

David Cook poses for a photo.