Disney World to create "American Idol" attraction

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney World will host its own version of the hit TV show "American Idol" starring park visitors at a new attraction set to open later this year, the Walt Disney Co said on Thursday.

Disney licensed rights to reproduce the Fox TV show, which features a singing competition, in one-day contests in which visitors audition in video kiosks and are selected to perform in shows at the Hollywood Studios theme park in Florida.

As in the TV show, the selected singers prepare with vocal coaches and hair and makeup artists before performing before an audience and judges who vote on the best performances.

The winners of each show compete in an end-of-day grand finale show for a spot in a regional audition for the "Idol" TV show, which is owned by 19 Entertainment, a part of CKX Inc, and FremantleMedia.

(Reporting by Gina Keating; editing by Carol Bishopric)