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Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
ParkHoppin’
by Paul Ruben
Grand Pier rises
Park Idol
Redevelopment plans approved
American Idol is the most-watched TV show in America. It's The owners of the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, south west England,
modelled after the original British talent show, which I think have had plans approved for a new pavilion to replace the one
was called Anglo-Saxon Idol. Something like that. Now, at Walt destroyed by fire last July.
Disney World in Florida, visitors can enjoy their own “Idol” The application was passed by North Somerset Council on March 12
encounter. and clears the way for a number of new structures, including an 85-metre
The American Idol Experience places guests at Disney’s panorama/observation tower. Work is expected to be commence very
Hollywood Studios in the spotlight, as they audition for a place soon, in anticipation of a summer 2010 opening.
in the park’s daily musical showcase, or they can judge the The new pavilion will be approximately 60% larger than the one lost in
performance of others. the fire, which housed the pier’s rides, games machines and attractions
Although not a big fan of the TV show, I was blown away across the first two floors and a conference facility and offices on the third.
by this new Disney attraction. The talent level far exceeded Owners Kerry and Michelle Michael are keen to ensure the new pier
my expectations, and being there in person was riveting. provides a world class visitor attraction for Weston-super-Mare while
Maybe it was the giant replica stage/set and 1,000 audience reflecting the tradition of a Victorian seafront pier, and appointed architects
seats. Or the 113 video screens and 105 audio speakers Angus Meek to produce the new design.
installed throughout the theatre’s show and audition spaces. The plans show a white building that echoes its predecessor on bright
Maybe the 35ft-wide and 7ft-tall curved video wall. And sunny summer days while incorporating specialist lighting effects for the
unlike the American Idol on TV, with perhaps two shows per evening and winter months. There will also be illumination under the pier
week, Disney has up to eight shows per day. itself so that the structure becomes a stunning backdrop for holidaymakers
But I was puzzled. People pay enjoying the resort’s facilities in the evening.
good money to get in the park, and A canopy will provide a weatherproof connection from the shore to the
I would expect them to ride their Pavilion, where the rides will be incorporated on the roof. The
brains out on Tower of Terror or aforementioned observation tower will be located at the sea end of the
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. But if they pier and enable visitors to get a panoramic view of the whole Severn
are successful as contestants they estuary. The four towers at each corner of the pavilion will feature low
may spend several hours of their voltage LED lighting to provide a thrilling light show. The central canopy
visit auditioning, performing and will include a surf board ride that will take up to 20 people at a time on a
then practising and performing fun ride along the roof. Other rides being considered include a twin-chute
again to entertain other guests, helter skelter slide in the north west tower, a Sidewinder swinging pendulum
apparently for the opportunity to get ride and an electric go-kart track to replace the track destroyed by fire less
a “Dream Ticket”, a front-of-the-line than a year after it opened.
audition for the TV show. A 250-seater conference and banqueting facility is also promised,
But an audition for the TV show together with an Edwardian tea room at the end of the pier, doubling as a
is free. Why would they audition at wedding venue with spectacular views across the bay.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios “We have a unique opportunity to create something special to be
instead? enjoyed by both our visitors and locals alike,” says Kerry Michael. “We
Disney’s Jason Dobbins explained: “If you are one of the have travelled extensively looking at options and believe these rides and
few who do make it, the most amount of time that you will attractions will bring something new to Weston. The panorama tower will
spend going through the entire process is approximately two be a new focal point and will quickly become a landmark for the town.”
hours and 15 minutes, including the actual show itself. That
leaves plenty of time to enjoy the rest of Disney's Hollywood
Studios. However, we have found that most of our guests are
not doing it for the ‘Dream Ticket’ but rather for the chance to
be a part of something that very few have ever had the
opportunity previously. This is what makes The American Idol
Experience such a perfect fit at Walt Disney World.”
Dobbins convinced me. Just this one time I would abandon
multiple visits to Tower or Terror, pass on Toy Story Mania!, not
climb aboard Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, but rather reach for that
star, that American Idol star.
But then I remembered. A few years ago I visited a karaoke
bar and quickly learned I'm not a good singer. You know what
karaoke means when translated from Japanese? Tone deaf. So
rather than sing, my revised, more realistic goal was to be the
perfect non-participatory contestant in The American Idol
Experience. In other words, the Ideal Idle Idol. The new pavilion, by architects Angus Meek,
will be 60% bigger than the old one
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APRIL 2009
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