New 'American Idol' Kris Allen Celebrates His Crowning Achievement with His Fans at Walt Disney World Resort

New 'American Idol' Kris Allen Celebrates His Crowning Achievement with His Fans at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Dreams keep coming true for new "American Idol" Kris Allen.

Last week, the 23-year-old singer from Conway, Ark., became the newest "American Idol" by garnering the most fan votes in the television series' thrilling Season Eight finale. Moments after his victory, Allen did what dozens of sports celebrities and heroes have done for more than two decades: He looked into a television camera and shouted, "I'm going to Disney World!"

This week, America's newest star lived out his post-finale show pronouncement when he basked in the glow of a victory parade and gala celebration at "The American Idol Experience," the new Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park attraction based on the "American Idol" television show.

Celebrating with Allen Friday at Walt Disney World was his new bride, Katy. The longtime sweethearts were married eight months ago.

Thousands of fans turned out May 29 for Allen's day in the Disney sun, which included a party-filled procession through the theme park and a chance for fans to see the newest "American Idol" amidst the celebratory setting.

In the iconic commercial shot on the Nokia Theater stage in Los Angeles following the May 20 season finale show, Allen not only shouts the famous "I'm Going to Disney World!" line, but his voice also is featured throughout the ad as he performs the famous song, "When You Wish Upon A Star." And with the same immediacy that has made the Disney spot one of the most beloved commercials of all-time, the newest "I'm Going to Disney World!" commercial debuted on television within hours of the "American Idol" finale.

By starring in the Disney commercial, Allen joins a line-up of superstar professional athletes and heroes who have shouted the famous "I'm Going to Disney World" line. He is the second singer ever to star in the Disney commercial in its 23-year history (2008 "American Idol" champion, David Cook, was the first).

Fittingly, Allen made his visit to Walt Disney World as Disney Parks asks guests "What Will You Celebrate?"

Allen's victory on "American Idol" took the country by storm and highlighted Season Eight of the show.

His journey on "Idol" began when he and his brother drove more than eight hours from Arkansas to Louisville, Ky., and then waited another 14 hours to audition. All of Allen's long hours and hard work were rewarded May 20 in the star-studded season finale when he was crowned the newest "American Idol."

"The American Idol Experience" at Walt Disney World Resort - which had a February 2009 grand opening - is the first major theme park attraction in the world based on the popular television series. Walt Disney Imagineering developed the interactive attraction in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises and 19 TV Ltd.

"The American Idol Experience" lets Disney guests experience the glitz and glamour of the "American Idol" television show, whether they are auditioning for a Disney producer, performing on-stage in front of a packed theater or voting for their favorite singer from their audience seats. Attraction performers who receive the most audience votes in the preliminary shows return to star in that evening's grand finale show. In addition to their new-found theme park fame, the top vote-getting guest in the finale show receives "The American Idol Experience" Dream Ticket - which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition at a future regional audition for the "American Idol" television show.

ABOUT "THE AMERICAN IDOL EXPERIENCE" DREAM TICKET:

Dream Ticket recipients must satisfy AMERICAN IDOL* TV program requirements in effect at time of use, such as age and residency (Season 8 requirements were - only ages 16-28 and U.S. citizens or legal permanent U.S. residents eligible to work full-time in U.S.). Dream Ticket does not include travel, meals, lodging or other expenses.

ABOUT "THE AMERICAN IDOL EXPERIENCE" AUDITION:

Guests 14 or older inside Disney's Hollywood Studios may audition to sing onstage that day at the attraction, subject to requirements in FAQs at Disneyworld.com/idol. Only a few singers will be chosen to sing onstage for each show. FAQs subject to change.

ABOUT "AMERICAN IDOL"

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America. AMERICAN IDOL(R) is a registered trademark of 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

ABOUT 19 ENTERTAINMENT LTD

Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment Ltd. is recognized as a lead creator, provider and promoter of globally successful entertainment and music brands of today. The company has attracted a unique team of exceptionally creative executives, who work together to integrate and leverage activity across television, sports, film, touring, merchandising, music publishing, recording and artist management. 19 Founder/CEO Simon Fuller has developed and managed some of the biggest entertainment properties of our time, with credits that include the creation of TV phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, and the HBO series "Little Britain USA." 19's unique talent includes legendary musical icon Annie Lennox, country music sensation Carrie Underwood, the pop group sensation Spice Girls, and IDOL alumni Chris Daughtry, David Cook, supermodel Claudia Schiffer and soccer icon David Beckham.

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA

FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment. It is a division of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is a subsidiary of RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is 90% owned by Bertelsmann AG, an integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading positions in the world's media markets. For further information, visit http://www.fremantlemedia.com/.

Source: Walt Disney World Resort

CONTACT: Walt Disney World Public Relations, +1-407-566-6397

Web Site: http://www.disneyworld.com/idol

NOTE TO EDITORS: For photographs and more information about Walt Disney World Resort, access the Walt Disney World Public Relations media-only Web site at www.wdwnews.com; user name: Disney; password: magic. Look for High-resolution downloadable photos to be posted from today's event.

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