This exhibition has now closed – two weeks ahead of schedule.
Where: The Pavilion at Docklands, Docklands Drive, Docklands, click here for the map.
When: 22 November 2012 – 2 February 2013, Weekdays: 12 noon – Last entry 4pm, Weekends: 10am – Last entry 4pm Check the website for additional times
Cost: Family $59.90 (4 tickets), adult $19.90, child (3-10 yrs.) $14.90, 2 years and under free
Entering through the closet
Review
That magical moment in C. S. Lewis’ The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe when the children first climb through the coats and step out the other side into the fantastical world of Narnia is one of those images that is imprinted on you when you first read it… I have since explored many a wardrobe in the hope it led to a world of fawns and snow.
The Pavilion is not a huge space – so don’t expect a massive exhibition, however there are layers of detail to explore, so more serious fans can watch a number of small documentaries and read all the exhibit descriptions for a more thorough experience.
I visited with children aged four, seven, nine and 11 – all with varying Narnia knowledge. Immi and Charlie (seven and four) know nothing of Narnia or The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe, on the other hand Lucas and Emmie (11 and nine) came to the exhibition having read some of the books and watched the movie/s.
All of the children enjoyed exploring the space and seeing all the elements of the exhibition. There were some interactive elements to each area of the exhibition but they were not hugely engaging – so we had really seen the whole exhibition (including a second lap) within 30 minutes. I think the two older children could have definitely enjoyed some added challenges – while my two enjoyed building an arch with large padded blocks the older kids were left wanting more.
In conclusion I should probably note that I doubt my young children really have much idea about what it was they visited – they had a lovely time, but I suspect if anyone asks they will possibly recall playing in the pretend snow, seeing our friends and eating fish and chips for dinner. However I am sure one day, when we do watch the movie or read the books (which I am keen to do), we’ll be able to recall our visit and reflect on what we saw… so I definitely don’t see the experience as wasted on them. And personally, as a fan, I enjoyed our visit; the fact I could take the kids along and they had fun made it a nice family excursion. Even if they came home and emptied their pretend snow filled shoes all through the house…..
My daughter and I travelled for 2 1/2 hours from the country to the Docklands to see the Narnia exhibition on Tuesday afternoon.
Although advertised as being open until 8.30, we were dismayed to see that the exhibition actually closes at 5.30 on weekdays. We arrived at 6.30.
What a massive disappointment!
It’s not so easy to come back another time, when you have to travel so far … And it’s still advertised on-line as being on until 8.30!!
We were so crushed!!!
Leigh that is awful and extremely disappointing – thank you for sharing this with our readers and I will investigate more.. don’t want to be publishing the wrong information either. Kate
Hi Leigh – I contacted the PR people and they sent me the reply below. I’ve also noticed since your message that the ‘last entry’ time seems to have been revised to 4pm. Hopefully this won’t happen again, little comfort to you I am afraid. Thanks for the feedback, Kate
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“Thanks very much for passing that on Kate, that is a real shame! I had no idea that was happening
It appears on really slow nights, the exhibition has closed early which is not nice for anyone travelling like in this case!!”
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I took my son to visit the Narnia exhibition.
The costumes were beautiful and my son who is an avid Narnia fan enjoyed it. There were intricate details on the props.Taking your own photographs is not allowed but they can be purchsed from the official photographer. It was very hot inside and there appeared to be no air con. We were glad that Nana did not come too, as there would have been no seats for her to sit on to rest. Since the venue did not have toilets, I was disgusted that a pass out for a child to go to the toilet was not allowed, not very child friendly!
Hi Jennifer – thank you so much for posting your comment. I wasn’t aware of the pass out for the toilets situation so thank you for highlighting that… it might work for older children who’ve been to the bathroom before they entered the exhibition – but I am not sure how a recently toilet trained pre-schooler would go with planning ahead and holding on!! Clearly event management haven’t recently spent time with a three year old! :-/ Not ideal for anyone really.
Well we went along today only to find the whole thing has packed up and gone (closed on Jan 13th….2+ weeks earlier than the advertising material states!! My girls were quite upset as we’d been saving it up for this last 2 weeks of school hols as a treat and got all the way to the pavillion before finding out
i would love details for the PR company. Off to google.
Oh dear, Susannah – this is dreadful. I thought about deleting my post a little while ago – but I felt that it was worth leaving it up as the comments from others are really helpful in painting an accurate picture for possible visitors. I am definitely removing my review now as that’s just rubbish!!! I have forwarded your note onto the PR who initially sent me the tickets to the opening night – but I suspect she has little to do with the client once the exhibition was launched. You might get further with Docklands Centre Management PR?
I am really sorry to hear of your families disappointment. Very poor