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.

Paul Martin, 24, who runs [NarniaFans.com] 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.

Our previous story on the attraction

0 people like this post.

Like 

Walt Disney World’s Night of Joy is a yearly event that’s been running for more than 20 years. I had never heard of it until this year, when music from the Chronicles of Narnia’s Inspirational Soundtrack was to be featured. I was given an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World, a place that I had never been. Having eight tickets, four for each of two days, and three friends in tow, we set up the trip in about three days time.

We flew down on Thursday, out of Detroit, and found our way to the Coronado Springs Resort Hotel. While in Detroit, we went to a TCBY at the airport. One of my friends went up to the counter and asked the guy there if they had any flurries, as he did not see it on the menu. The guy behind the counter was mock-upset at that question and said “We call them shivers here” and really went after my friend about that question. After he got his “shiver,” I said “Mike, let a pro show you how it’s done..” walked up to the counter and said, “So, do you have any flurries here?”

The following morning, we left for the Magic Kingdom, and would up deciding to go to Epcot Center, we went on some rides, including the one in that giant golf ball “Spaceship Earth.”

I only had one ticket for each Night of Joy, so I worked with some incredible people and managed to get ahold of two more tickets for that Friday (Thanks Peggy and Christine and all others that helped out!) and as my friends were talking to Christine, and another gentleman, he had the third ticket they needed to get into the Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom. He also told them that the movie is just the beginning and they Disney is planning some huge features to be added to the parks next summer. He wasn’t specific about them, but I believe he was talking about the MGM Studios Narnia Exhibit we mentioned earlier.

At this time, I went to a reception where I met Leigh Ann, from EMI CMG, and Scott from EMI and David from Narniaweb, and many other people involved in many parts of the Music that is on the Narnia Inspired soundtrack, including promoters from Family Christian Stores and others that helped put the weekend together…if I could remember everyone’s names, I’d list them all, but since I’m terrible with names, I’ll just tell you that everyone was extremely nice and fun to talk to. I even did some entertaining with my impressions of Donald Duck, Gollum and Kermit the Frog.

After that, it was time to hit the shows.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th

Castle Forecourt Stage:
Audio Adrenaline – 7:30 p.m.
Steven Curtis Chapman – 9:25 p.m.
Mercy Me – 11:20 p.m.

Galaxy Palace Theater:
Marc Schultz – 7:30 p.m.
Vicky Beeching – 9:15 p.m.
Nicole C. Mullen – 10:35 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.

Splash Stage:
Matthew West – 7:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
Casting Crowns – 10:20 p.m. & 11:35 p.m.

Cosmic Ray’s:
Witherspoon – 8:30 p.m.
Big Daddy Weave – 9:45 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.

If you know the artists, you can see how hard it would be to choose where to go and what artists to check out. I’ve seen Audio Adrenaline more than a few times, but I’d never seen Mark Schultz. My friends all went to check that show out, so I went there, and found them towards the end of the incredible performance.

We then found our way to the Castle Stage, for Steven Curtis Chapman. He always puts on a great show. One big thing to point out, is that they performed the Narnia-inspired song “Remembering You” for the first time with the band, on stage, without so much as a rehearsal. They performed it very well, despite that fact. There were cheers all around when he mentioned that it was for the Chronicles of Narnia.

Next we went over to the Splash Stage to check out some Casting Crowns. We passed by the Narnia booth that featured Buena Vista’s Narnia game on 4 playable Xbox consoles. An excellent looking game.

The next day, we went straight to MGM Studios, where we saw many shows and rode many rides, including the Indiana Jones Stunt show, Star Wars’ Star Tours, Muppets 3D, and a Vehicle Stunt show.

We were walking down an area and there happened to be Donald Duck, taking pictures with people, so I handed my camera off to a friend, and got in the short line.. walking up to him, I did an impression and said “How you doin’?” and I heard a voice come from out of nowhere, saying “So, you can do the voice, huh?” That sure took me by surprise. I was under the impression that they weren’t allowed to talk, but there weren’t any kids around, so I guess it was okay at that time.

After a few other things, we went over the the Magic Kingdom for the second night, which I bought the extra three tickets to, for my friends.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th

Castle Forecourt Stage:
tobyMac – 7:30 p.m
Donnie McClurkin – 9:25 p.m.
Newsboys – 11:20 p.m.

Galaxy Palace Theater:
Stellar Kart – 7:30 p.m.
Superchick – 8:40 p.m.
CeCe Winans – 10:35 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.

Splash Stage:
Kutless – 7:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
Tree63 – 10:20 p.m. & 11:35 p.m.

Cosmic Ray’s:
Kellogg’s Choir & Kierra “Kiki” Sheard – 8:30 p.m.
Further Seems Forever – 9:45 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.

This night, we started with Kutless, went on the Pirates of the Caribbean, and then watched Tree63. Kutless didn’t play their Narnia track “More Than It Seems,” but they rocked. The performance of the evening though, belongs to the Newsboys. They take the stage with such confidence and so relaxed, that they just put on a great show. It seems so effortless, and rightly so, as they’ve been around for many years and have so many great songs.

The next morning, we flew back to Detroit, and I drove us all back to Grand Rapids, and then a few of us left for Muskegon to get to Mass before our retreat planning meeting. It was a pretty great weekend, and very tiring, but well worth it.

0 people like this post.

Like 

Coming in 2006, Disney-MGM Studios Guests Can Step Behind the Scenes of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ Motion Picture.

For fans of C.S. Lewis’ timeless adventure The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Disney-MGM Studios is transforming a soundstage into the frozen world of Narnia and taking guests behind-the-scenes of the movie-making magic in the film based on the book. Guests will enter the frozen world of Narnia through a giant wardrobe.

In addition to props and set pieces, guests will see elaborate creatures, costumes, and armor used in making the film.

The walk-through experience is located in Soundstage 4 on Mickey Avenue.

0 people like this post.

Like 

As originally reported on their Mouse|Tunes podcast, DisneyWorldTrivia.com has learned of unconfirmed rumors about what is to happen to the Theater in the Wild in Disney’s Animal Kingdom after Tarzan Rocks! closes for good!

Tarzan Rocks!, the popular show located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Theater in the Wild, is set to close in January 2006. Elements from Tarzan Rocks! will be moved to Tokyo Disneyland for a similar show.

Rumors of the replacement show have gone from a Jungle Book theme to a Finding Nemo show. Well, while these rumors continue to circulate, I have learned of completely different.

Hoping to capitalize on the expected success of the upcoming feature film, I have heard that the Theater in the Wild will instead be home to a show based on the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

This story might be the perfect tie-in for Disney’s Animal Kingdom “Dinoland, USA”, as well as paying slight homage to “Beastly Kingdom.” Beastly Kingdom, as you may recall, was a proposed land to be built as part of DAK’s”third phase” of development, and dealt with mythical creatures, dragons and other animals, yet was never built and allegedly shelved for good. It was supposed to occupy the land currently helpby Camp Minnie-Mickey, which was only intended to be a “temporary” land (much like Mickey’s Birthdayland in the Magic Kingdom, which evolved into Mickey’s Toontown Fair).

The film is set to be released on December 9, 2005, just in time for the holidays. Coincidentally, the Tarzan Rocks! show is supposed to close less than a month later, right after the busy holiday season at Walt Disney World. During the Theater’s refurbishment, the 1500-seat theater will also be fully enclosed and air conditioned.

Again, these rumors are unconfirmed, but be sure to keep an eye on developments (and if it does happen, remember you heard it here first!… Then again, if it doesn’t… remember it’s just a rumor).

0 people like this post.

Like 

Christian music’s reigning artist of the year, its hottest act and its most-often honored performer will join together with more than a dozen other Christian recording artists — plus the winners of two Christian music talent searches — at the 23rd annual Night of Joy, Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

During two evenings of music and theme park fun, a total of 21 acts will present concerts at stages throughout the Magic Kingdom. Night of Joy begins at 7:30 p.m. (after regular park hours) and continues until 12:30 a.m.

MercyMe, the 2004 GMA Music Awards’ Dove-Award Artist of the Year, tops a talent-laden lineup that also features Mark Hall and Casting Crowns, who are individually and collectively nominated for more than a dozen Dove Awards, including “Artist of the Year,” in 2005. Completing the triumvirate is Steven Curtis Chapman, a five-time Grammy Award winner whose 47 Doves make him Christian music’s most decorated performer.

But the artists with award-winning resumes don’t stop there. The lineup also features tobyMac, Cece Winans, newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, Nicole C. Mullen and Donnie McClurkin. Among them, they’ve earned 11 Grammy Awards and more than 60 Dove Awards.

Six other acts are among the nominees for Gospel Music Awards in 2005: Mark Schultz, Tree 63, Matthew West, Big Daddy Weave, Kutless and Further Seems Forever. This year’s GMA Music Awards will be presented by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) on April 13 in Nashville.

Rounding out the lineup of recording artists will be Superchic[k], stellar kart and Vicky Beeching.

Exciting News

Night of Joy 2005 will feature exciting new elements as part of the event:

As an exclusive for Night of Joy guests, some of the top Christian Music artists performing at the event will debut live performances of music inspired from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media’s upcoming blockbuster release of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.”

Walt Disney World and the GMA will collaborate on two events this year. Walt Disney World Entertainment will provide judges for the GMA’s 31st Annual “Music in the Rockies” event (July 31 – Aug. 6, 2005); and one of the over-all winners from the Rockies event’s annual Spotlight talent competition will come to perform at Night of Joy.

Night of Joy 2005 will also be a stage for the winner of another national Christian music talent search. Kellogg’s Gospel Sing Off 2005 is a competition for youth church Gospel choirs — groups with members’ ages 10 to 20 — from selected cities. Groups will perform during the Sing Off 2005 tour during July, with the winners being announced in August. Teen Gospel sensation Kierra “KiKi” Sheard, national spokewoman for the Gospel Sing Off, will also perform with the winner at Night of Joy.

Something for everyone

As in previous years, the Night of Joy lineup for 2005 is musically diverse, with pop, rock, urban, Gospel and praise and worship. Ten acts will perform each evening.

Tickets go on sale March 25. Single-night tickets are $37.95 plus tax (in advance) and $42.95 plus tax (at the gate, if available). Two-night tickets are $61.95.

Walt Disney World Resort has presented Night of Joy annually since 1983. More than 100 Christian music artists have performed before a combined audience of more than 800,000 people in the Magic Kingdom.

For more information or to purchase tickets for Night of Joy at Walt Disney World, guests can call 407-W-DISNEY or go online to check out http://www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy .

Just the Facts

* What: Night of Joy at Walt Disney World

* Dates: Friday, Sept. 9, and Saturday, Sept 10.

* Times: 7:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

* Details: 21 Contemporary Christian music acts at the Magic Kingdom.

Sept. 9: Steven Curtis Chapman, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Audio Adrenaline, Mark Schultz, Nicole C. Mullen, Big Daddy Weave, Matthew West, Vicky Beeching and a contest winner from the Gospel Music Association’s “Music in the Rockies” event.

Sept. 10: newsboys, tobyMac, Donnie McClurkin, Cece Winans, Kutless, Tree 63, Superchic[k], Further Seems Forever, stellar kart, Kierra “KiKi” Sheard and a contest winner from the Kellogg’s Gospel Sing Off 2005.

* Ticket Prices: Single-night tickets are $37.95 plus tax (in advance) and $42.95 plus tax (at the gate, if available). Two-night tickets are $61.95.

* On Sale Date: Tickets go on sale March 25.

* For More Information: For more information or to purchase tickets for Night of Joy at Walt Disney World, guests can call 407-W-DISNEY or go online to check out http://www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy

0 people like this post.

Like