People love Disney World because they can enjoy all the rides inspired by their favorite Disney movies and animations. If you are a diehard fan of Indiana Jones movies, you obviously want to experience the adventures yourself. So, you may wonder, “Is there an Indiana Jones ride at Disney World?”
Unfortunately, there are no Indiana Jones rides in Disney World. However, guests can enjoy an amazing show called Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. If you want to enjoy the Indiana Jones Ride, visit Disneyland in California.
In this article, I will talk about the Indiana Jones-inspired show at Disney World and the Indiana Jones Adventure ride at Disneyland. Both attractions can give you thrills of Indiana Jones movies.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney World
You might have already planned your visit to Disney World. So, you may wonder what you may see there as a fan of Indiana Jones movies. You will not be disappointed.
Even if there are no Indiana Jones-based rides, you can watch the exciting Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This show is based on the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). The live show is full of stunts. Above all, the showrunners recruit guests from the audience to be a part of the show.
Brief History
After the immense success of the first two Indiana Jones movies, Disney decided to introduce a show inspired by the franchise. The show first took place on 25th August 1989. Since then, the show went on short hiatus only two times. In 2000, the show took a break for some modifications. The second break took place in 2020 when Disney temporarily suspended all live shows and entertainment for the Covid-19 situation.
After the reopening of Disney World, Hollywood Studios restarted a new version of the show on 19th December 2021 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disney World.
The Show
Since the beginning of the show, it has always been a fan favorite of Hollywood Studios. Both adults and children have great fun. When the audience takes their place, the casting director enters the grand stage of the show. He talks about how the movies have inspired the show and what you can expect from it.
Then he makes the casting call. Guests from the audience will raise their hands, and the director will choose volunteer actors for the show. You can get the chance to be an extra in the show. Moreover, you get your own costume!
After that, the show starts with the dramatic entrance of Indiana Jones, the adventurous archeologist who is in search of the golden idol. Throughout the show, Jones and his companion, Marion, fight against the villains, perform stunts, and dodge dangerous traps. From start to finish, the entire show is full of excitement.
The audience also learns about behind the scene activities. They get to see how stunt doubles and actors work together, how the fight scenes are created, and how the technicians make things happen.
Although the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney World is not a ride, you will not be less thrilled. The show is presented in such a way that every person watching the show feels like they are on an adventure with Indiana Jones himself.
Indiana Jones Adventure Ride at Disneyland
If you want to enjoy an Indiana Jones movie-inspired ride, visit Disneyland in California. Disneyland, also known as the Disney Park, is one of the theme parks constructed at Disney Resort in California. It was opened on 17th July, 1955. Walt Disney himself supervised the design of the theme park.
Disneyland occupies a very small space compared to Disney World. Thus, it has fewer rides and attractions. Even so, you will find many exciting rides. Among them, the Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye is undoubtedly the best.
A Brief Overview of the Ride
The Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye is an advanced motion vehicle dark ride inspired by the popular Indiana Jones movie franchise. It is located in Adventureland of Disneyland. Guests get the chance to have an exciting ride with the brave archeologist Indiana Jones to the Temple of the Forbidden Eye.
You will get on military troop transport with other riders and experience a high-speed ride full of stimulating attractions, stunts, and props.
History of the Ride
As you know, the show Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney World became really successful. Hence, Disney opened an Indiana Jones ride for the fans in Disneyland. The Indiana Jones Adventure ride premiered first on 3rd March 1995 for special celebrity guests. The next day, it became available for the general visitors of the park.
The ride was the third collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and George Locos. Over 400 imagineers planned, designed, and built the ride. To accommodate the queue and main show building of the ride, the theme park had to go through some changes. Gradually, the Indiana Jones Adventure became one of the most popular rides in Disneyland.
Ride Experience
Before the adventurous ride begins, the riders are provided with a background story set in 1935 India through letters and telegrams scattered throughout the queue. The riders become part of Indiana Jones’s expeditions in the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. You will also learn about the gifts and curses of the temple deity, Mara.
People of all ages are allowed to take the ride. Your adventure begins when you walk through the long queue of cambers and mysterious passageways. Be careful, as you will face some booby traps along the way. Guests also see various props and attractions that resemble scenes from the Indiana Jones films.
You will see petroglyphs in ‘Marabic’ on the walls of the passageways that warn visitors against Mara’s curses and rewards. In the past, visitors were given special decoder cards to read cryptic messages. But now, they are no longer provided except on special occasions. Besides, the petroglyphs are easy to decode, as they resemble English alphabets and signs.
As you pass through the queue, you will face many interactive features. You will arrive in a spike room where the ceiling seems to be held back by bamboo. There is a switch that can cause an illusion showing the ceiling dropping and spikes falling on guests.
Next, you will find the Rotunda Calendar. Pull the rope to trigger the sarcophagus stones and get a response from Dr. Dunfor Pullit, an archeologist. Interesting details can also be seen all over the queue. For example, you will see a crate written: “Deliver to Club Obi Wan ”. It is a reference to the fictional club mentioned in the movie Temple of the Doom.
Eventually, Sallah will guide you and the other guests to the main ride. You will board an enhanced motion vehicle (EMU) that looks like a military troop transport.
The transport is designed to make riders feel all the turns and twists of the dark and mysterious path. You will meet Indiana Jones from time to time, performing various tasks.
The ride will come to three grand size gates which are the Fountain of Eternal Youth, Chamber of Earthly Riches, and Observatory of the Future. However, all three are actually the same gate. The high visual effects of the ride create illusions that make the riding course even more thrilling.
The vehicles move at a fast speed, encountering many surprising features and attractions. It only takes 4 to 5 minutes to complete the ride. In the end, both Sallah and Indiana Jones congratulate the riders for completing the adventurous ride.
Conclusion
Is there an Indiana Jones ride at Disney World? No, you will not find an Indiana Jones Ride in Disney World. The ride, in fact, is located in Disneyland. But the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney World is also quite remarkable to watch.
Besides, you can visit Disneyland to enjoy The Indiana Jones Adventure and other exciting rides.
