Narnia attraction takes visitors on a journey

**Kellie19891992** · 10-27-2005, 04:03 PM

Narnia attraction takes visitors on a journey

Disney-MGM offers a peek behind the movie magic.

Jerry W. Jackson
Sentinel Staff Writer

October 27, 2005

Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando will open a new attraction in December called Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

The walk-through attraction will offer visitors a peek at the props and some of the story line from the Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media's film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The movie, based on the C.S. Lewis book, premieres nationwide in theaters on Dec. 9 and the attraction will open the same day, Disney spokesman Charles Stovall said.

Fans of the seven-book Narnia series are eagerly awaiting the movie, and a Narnia attraction probably will be popular as well, said Vivian Bush, 27, of Houston, who describes herself as a "serious Narnia fan" since she read all seven Narnia books at the age of 7.

"I would go [to the new attraction] if I were going to Disney World, but I probably wouldn't make a special trip," Bush said.

She said fans are eagerly awaiting the $100 million live-action and computer-animated film with special effects. "I'm really looking forward to that," she said.

Paul Martin, 24, who runs a Narnia Web site from his home in Grand Rapids, Mich., said he's going to see the attraction as well as the movie, and will gladly make a special trip.

"It sounds really cool," said Martin, a lifelong fan of the Chronicles of Narnia.

Journey Into Narnia is the first new attraction at Disney-MGM Studios since the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show debuted in May as part of the Happiest Celebration on Earth marketing campaign at Disney parks worldwide.

In the new attraction, which will take 10 to 15 minutes to walk through, guests will enter the frozen world of Narnia, Stovall said, and see behind-the-scenes moviemaking magic in the epic film.

Visitors will enter through a giant wardrobe, just as the children do in the movie version of Lewis' classic, and will exit through a gallery of elaborate creatures, costumes and props from the movie.

The attraction is going into the former Haunted Mansion movie set on Soundstage 4 on Mickey Avenue. That attraction, based on the 2003 Eddie Murphy movie, closed in 2004 and was recently used for special events, including the Happiest Celebration media gathering this year.

Florida Education Commissioner John Winn is scheduled to be at Disney-MGM Studios today, along with four young actors from the film and a group of elementary school students, to help announce plans for the attraction and to promote a statewide children's literacy program.

**JEDIPRINCESS** · 10-27-2005, 04:05 PM

I'm def. going to check this out on my trip.

**iwannabeminnie** · 10-27-2005, 04:13 PM

I have already informed the family. When we all get together for Christmas we are loading one and all, old and young into the car and heading to the movie theater to see the movie. My sister (who loves Disney almost as much as myself) is excited, as is my neice. Mr. iwannabeminnie is always in the mood for a good movie. Everybody else just rolls their eyes. I can't wait to see the movie and I can't wait to see this exhibit!

**the7thAve** · 10-27-2005, 04:22 PM

I am SO excited about this movie and this attraction definitely gives me yet one more thing to be excited about in May! I read the 7 books probably more times than I've read any other books (LOTR may top it but barely). I know I must have read the series at least 15 times. what a great series, and the movie could definitely be great, if it's well done and not too cheesy.

**GaRain** · 10-28-2005, 09:30 AM

I have determined that I will read all the books again before the movie comes out. I am now on book #5.

Wish I could see the exhibit....

**JEDIPRINCESS** · 10-28-2005, 10:03 AM

I will take pictures of the attraction when I go down.

**Princess** · 10-29-2005, 03:28 AM

Cant wait, the books were one of my childhood fav's. I hope we can see the film while on holiday there yippee

**20K** · 10-29-2005, 02:30 PM

Hey, this sounds cool... yeah, right.
This is just the older Haunted Mansion version, just slightly colder.

**Minnie_Mouse007** · 10-29-2005, 04:12 PM

awesome! With so many other things happening, I HAVE to go!!

**WDW Donna** · 10-29-2005, 07:28 PM

I loved the Narnia books when I was about 9years old. I now have my 9yr old DD into them. We can't wait until the movie, I know Taylor would love the attraction, hope it is still there when we plan to go next November.

**disneydreamer98** · 10-29-2005, 09:30 PM

CANNOT wait for this movie to come out!

**pearlnecklace71** · 10-30-2005, 12:17 PM

I never read the books, but the previews/trailers are awesome. Let's just say that WDW's Jadis is awesome! Can't wait!!!

**shadesofgreen** · 10-30-2005, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by 20K

Hey, this sounds cool... yeah, right.
This is just the older Haunted Mansion version, just slightly colder.

You mean where they have some sets and costumes and then you get to stand and watch the same DVD extras documentary you can watch at home. . . .but colder?

The movie looks great, though!