Scotty McCreery Celebrates 'American Idol' Win at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 30, 2011 -- To celebrate his May 25 win on the popular "American Idol" television show, country music singer Scotty McCreery today was honored in a celebratory parade at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.

Excited fans lined the streets, cheering on the 17-year-old singer from Garner N.C., as he joined Mickey Mouse in a convertible sports car and greeted fans before taking the microphone to sing his new hit single, "I Love You This Big" in front of "The American Idol Experience" attraction in the Disney theme park.

On Wednesday, McCreery was crowned the "American Idol" in a star-studded 10th anniversary season finale that was viewed by an estimated 29.3 million people.

In addition to the parade, McCreery later surprised guests by making an unannounced appearance on-stage at "The American Idol Experience" attraction inside the theme park.

McCreery's visit to Walt Disney World Resort also celebrated "The American Idol Experience," the popular "American Idol"-themed attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.

"The American Idol Experience" – the first major theme park attraction in the world based on the popular television series phenomenon – was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with 19 TV Ltd and FremantleMedia Enterprises. In the attraction, Disney guests are able to 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 performance from their audience seats.

Performers who receive the most audience votes in 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" TV show.

SOURCE Walt Disney World Resort

RELATED LINKS
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com

Notes to Editors

About the Dream Ticket

Dream Ticket recipients must satisfy AMERICAN IDOL* TV program requirements in effect at time of use, such as age and residency. 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.

*AMERICAN IDOL® is a registered trademark of CKX, Inc. and FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

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.

About CKX, Inc.

CKX, Inc. is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of globally recognized entertainment content. The Company's current properties include the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali and the operations of Graceland. Through its wholly-owned division 19 Entertainment Ltd., CKX owns proprietary rights to the "Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" television brands, including the "American Idol" series in the United States and local adaptations of the "Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" television show formats, which collectively, air in more than 100 countries, as well as other television properties. Also through 19, CKX has relationships and partnerships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Adam Lambert and David Cook. For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at www.ckx.com http://www.ckx.com

About FremantleMedia Enterprises & FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia's worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, talkbackTHAMES, FremantleMedia Australia and Original Productions amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating nearly 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours.