Disney World's specialty is fantasy, but a new attraction opening Feb. 14 will deal in real-life dreams. The American Idol Experience, a near-exact replica of the theater the American Idol TV show uses, will give singers a chance to audition, perform and maybe even get a spot to try out for the real Idol. It is located in Diney World's Hollywood Studios park, formerly known as MGM.

If the singing is as polished as the set, it should be another Mickey triumph. If the singing is bad, no Disney magic will be able to fix it.

Here's how it will work: Up to about 400 people a day will be able to sign up for auditions online (at www.disneyworld.com/idol) or in person. Each singer will do a short a cappela song of his or her choice, in front of a casting director in a private room. That casting director will give the singer tips and determine whether he or she goes on to the next stage or, like most, gets the boot.

Those who make it through will go to a VIP room to choose songs from 113 choices, get vocal tips, then sing in front of a producer, using a microphone and taped music.

Every day, producers will choose 21 people from the VIP level to sing in front of the Disney audience -- three singers at each of seven performances.

That's no small thing. The huge audience will have armchair electronic voting pads to vote for their favorite performer -- and determine who wins. The final seven favorites (one from each performance) will sing in a finale at each day's end, and the ultimate winner gets a prize -- a ''head-of-the-line'' pass to audition for the real Idol.

Restrictions? You must be 14 or older. You must be available to come back for shows later that day if selected. And hopefully, you must be able to sing.

Info: www.disneyworld.com/idol.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@