Journey into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

Aronda visited this attraction on Thursday, Jan. 26. The inside is set up as a snow covered forest with a large movie screen to show clips from the film. Interestingly, there is a small live-action sequence, where one of the characters from the film comes out on an elevated area of the set and gives some lines. Beyond this area is a very short walk-through with some props, costumes, etc. on display. This is a "short" attraction, lasting only a few minutes once inside. Serious fans of "Narnia" should consider visiting it, but others may elect to bump this one down on the priority list, as there's not a whole lot here to see. 

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The sign at the entrance to the attraction, adjacent to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: Play It! on Mickey Avenue in the Disney-MGM Studios. Aronda was unable to take any inside photos as photography was prohibited inside the building.

November 20, 2005

WDW Press Release
(Photos included below)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- In the great tradition of Disney attractions which put guests in the middle of movies and stories, Disney-MGM Studios will host an exciting walk-through experience based on the upcoming Disney Pictures and Walden Media motion picture release, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe."

For fans of C.S. Lewis' timeless adventure, and for the worldwide audience who will be entranced by the new movie, Disney-MGM Studios transforms a soundstage into the frozen world of Narnia and takes guests behind the scenes of the movie-making magic of the epic film. The attraction, "Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," is scheduled to open Dec. 9, the same day the film premieres around the world.

Guests will enter the frozen world of Narnia through a giant wardrobe and be surrounded by a wintry landscape, enormous trees, and a replica of the lamppost as seen in the movie. In the distance, they will see the house of Mr. Tumnus, one of the central characters, beneath a rock bluff outcropping and the White Witch's Castle. All in all, Walt Disney World guests will feel as though they have really entered the magical world of C.S. Lewis' story.

Guests will exit through a gallery that showcases elaborate creatures, costumes, armor, maquettes, storyboards, props and set pieces used in the making of the film.

"We are very excited to showcase this spectacular film in such a grand fashion," said Michael O'Grattan, vice president for Disney-MGM Studios. "Immersing guests in the magic of show business is what the Disney-MGM Studios is all about. This experience is the perfect addition to our lineup of thrilling movie, TV and music-themed attractions."

Oren Aviv, president of Buena Vista Pictures Marketing, added, "The land of Narnia is such a magical place in the C.S. Lewis books and in Disney's exciting motion picture adaptation. This walk-through experience is a great way for fans of the story to climb through the wardrobe, let their imaginations run wild, and enter this world for themselves. Director Andrew Adamson has done a brilliant job visualizing this fantasy world on film in 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,' and this very special experience adds an exciting and unique new dimension."

"Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" is included with regular admission to Disney-MGM Studios. Disney-MGM Studios immerses guests in the glamour of show business 365 days a year with thrilling attractions, incredible Broadway-style shows, world-class atmosphere entertainment and interactive film, television and radio production facilities. The theme park is part of the 30,500-acre Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.

NARNIA EXHIBIT TO OPEN -- Past a welcoming entrance, Disney-MGM Studios guests will be transported to a winter wonderland as the theme park hosts the props and other set pieces used in the making of the film “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.” Opening Dec. 9 (the same date as the film's worldwide debut) "Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" immerses guests in the magical world of C.S. Lewis' timeless story. Walt Disney World Resort is in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The child and teen stars from the upcoming film "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" made their first appearance together in the United States Oct. 27, 2005 at the Disney-MGM Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The four British actors read excerpts of the C.S. Lewis book of the same name to Orlando-area school children and helped Florida Education Commissioner John L. Winn announce details of "Just Read, Florida!" -- a statewide reading initiative for schools. Pictured: Inside the theme park amidst a snow-covered set, Fla. Education Commissioner John L. Winn reads excerpts from "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" to students from Orlando's Highlands Elementary School along with "The Chronicles of Narnia" stars Georgie Henley, age 10, who portrays Lucy; Skandar Keynes, age 14, who portrays Edmund; Anna Popplewell, age 16, who portrays Susan; and William Moseley, age 18, who portrays Peter. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" opens in theaters Dec. 9, 2005. (Photo:Diana Zalucky/Disney)

The four stars of the upcoming film "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" made their first appearance together in the United States Oct. 27, 2005 at the Disney-MGM Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The British actors read excerpts of the C.S. Lewis book of the same name to Orlando-area school children from Highlands Elementary School and helped Florida Education Commissioner John L. Winn announce details of "Just Read, Florida!" -- a statewide reading initiative for schools. Pictured: Signing the movie’s poster, which will be hung in the school’s library, is actress Anna Popplewell, age 16, who portrays Susan. Looking on are stars Skandar Keynes (back), age 14, who portrays Edmund; and (L-R): Georgie Henley (partially hidden), age 10, who portrays Lucy; and William Moseley, age 18, who portrays Peter. Holding the movie poster are Highlands Elementary School fifth-grade students Mariangie Mercado (left), age 10; and Liriangel Rodriguez, age 10. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" opens in theaters Dec. 9, 2005. (Photo:Diana Zalucky/Disney)

The child and teen stars from the upcoming film "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" made their first appearance together in the United States Oct. 27, 2005 at the Disney-MGM Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The British actors read excerpts of the C.S. Lewis book of the same name to Orlando-area school children from Highlands Elementary and helped Florida Education Commissioner John L. Winn announce details of "Just Read, Florida!" -- a statewide reading initiative for schools. Pictured: Inside the theme park amidst a snow-covered set, Fla. Education Commissioner John L. Winn (left) talks with "The Chronicles of Narnia" stars (L-R): Skandar Keynes, age 14, who portrays Edmund; Anna Popplewell, age 16, who portrays Susan; and William Moseley, age 18, who portrays Peter. "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" opens in theaters Dec. 9, 2005. (Photo:Diana Zalucky/Disney)

This article and all photos above are from a Walt Disney World press release, and are copyright Disney.

September 9, 2006

Aronda observed a construction wall around the streetside Narnia exhibit on Saturday, September 9, 2006. The attraction still appeared to be open, however. See photo directly below.

Note: Above wall has since been removed and everything here is back to normal.