New details were revealed during Horizons: A Carousel of Progress this weekend at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event about the upcoming Indiana Jones attraction that is being built in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Imagineers Michael Hundgen and Chris Beatty came to the stage during the evening that was hosted by Neil Patrick Harris to share what is coming in this new adventure for Indy.
During the portion of the evening, it was revealed that the attraction will “live” in the vibrant, lush new land of Tropical Americas. It will also have revolutionary Audio-Animatronics figures. Featuring an original storyline, this will be a fantastical escapade that transports guests into the world of the ancient Maya as they go on an adventure with Indiana Jones. And because it is Indiana Jones… well, expect some things to get exciting and perhaps go wrong!
A New Name for a New Attraction
Along with revealing details about what guests will experience in this attraction, the official name was also revealed. The name of the attraction will be Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent (yup, snakes… why’d it have to be snakes…).
Indiana Jones Himself
It was also revealed that for the first time, Indiana Jones will be appearing in an Audio-Animatronic form that is based on Harrison Ford. A video of Ford was shared that added to the excitement of the moment.
This video had Ford revealing that this will be the first time guests see his face when they go on an Indiana Jones adventure in a Disney theme park. He is actually the model for the new Audio-Animatronics figures of his likeness. It is unknown if current versions of the figure will be updated to reflect his likeness as well.
Inspiration
The inspiration for this new adventure comes from a desire to blend the excitement of a classic Indiana Jones adventure with the rich cultural details that are quintessential to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is a park that was dedicated to creatures both real and imagined. It will also take riders on a journey with Indy beneath an ancient temple ruin. Along the way, they will see Maya culture and how it connects with nature. This will fit in with this park quite naturally.
The temple entrance is currently being built; a video was shown of what the facade will look like. It was also revealed that the project team continues to be dedicated to authentic storytelling and is working closely with archaeologists, anthropologists, and Maya experts to ensure that every element is accurate for the region. When people experience this attraction, they will get to see incredibly detailed and original Maya artwork throughout the attraction.
A New Adventure
When guests experience Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, they will be experiencing an all-new storyline for this attraction. Guests will meet up with Dr. Jones as he is exploring this mysterious temple near a once water-filled underground cave, called a cenote. A local legend says that the passage leads to the Maya Underworld. It also says that it is protected by a serpentine creature called the Tsukán. Scenes were shown that gave a first look at some of the scenes from the attraction. The surprise is that riders will be unwittingly sucked through a portal to the Underworld. There, they will have to escape perilous dangers including monstrous bats, larger-than-life scorpions, fire and flame, and…. snakes.
Riders will be encountering the Tsukán as they make their way through this adventure. This will also include the final confrontation. A first look at the gigantic Audio-Animatronics figure was shown. There also was a model added to the Imagineering Horizons pavilion that really showcased the scale. This figure has been sculpted by hand to make it more life-like and snake-fear-inducing for guests.
More on the Horizon
There were many other details revealed about the surrounding Tropical Americas and beyond during Horizons: A Carousel of Progress. The full Disney Experiences Showcase can be found here:
What do you think of this next Indiana Jones adventure? What do you think of the Tsukán? How about Harrison Ford modeling for Indiana Jones? Are you looking forward to what is coming? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
