S4 E2: The Magical Realm of Narnia | Building a Land Beyond the Wardrobe

What if you could truly step into Narnia?

This week, we imagine what it would look like if Disney brought The Chronicles of Narnia to life as a fully immersive themed land. Stephen takes on the role of Project Manager to explore how Imagineers might translate C.S. Lewis’s world into a physical place guests can walk through, feel, and emotionally connect with.

We break down the real history between Disney and Narnia, including the film trilogy, the forgotten Journey into Narnia walkthrough at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and why the franchise ultimately stalled. From there, we use Narnia as a case study to explore one of the most important Imagineering concepts of all: world-building.

This episode dives into how atmosphere, pacing, and environmental storytelling can be just as powerful as big spectacle. From choosing the right entry point into a land, to deciding where the land belongs, to designing a ride that uses quiet moments and sensory detail to drive emotion, this project shows how Imagineers think beyond rides and build entire universes.

Even if you’ve never read the books or seen the films, this episode is about understanding how themed entertainment creates connection, immersion, and meaning through intentional design.

Step through the wardrobe, explore the Golden Age of Narnia, and learn how Imagineering turns stories into places.

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