On yesterday’s DIS Unlimited podcast, a familiar topic resurfaced: Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and its long-term future at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The show has been a park staple since 1989, but let’s be honest, whenever Disney announces anything Indiana Jones–related elsewhere (like the planned Indy–themed attraction replacing DINOSAUR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom), the clock starts ticking on questions about redundancy. Toss in the recent “Boulder Gone Wild” incident, and it’s hard not to feel like we’re inching closer to the inevitable conversation: not if Indiana Jones leaves this stage, but what should take its place.
Nothing has been announced. Nothing is officially closing. But Disney history tells us that when overlap happens, change usually follows… And that got us thinking less about what closes and more about what’s missing at the parks today.
Disney can always use more live entertainment; the kind that gives a park texture, movement, and life beyond ride queues. Characters are great. Pop-up acts help. But Walt Disney World used to excel at atmospheric performance:
- The Citizens of Main Street
- The Citizens of Hollywood
- The World Showcase Players and more individual pavilion acts (Remember Miyuki the candy artist in Japan who could stop an entire pavilion cold with sugar, skill, and charm?)
Or how about the Town Square Theater expansion teased at a D23 Expo years ago? Big announcement. Big applause. Quiet disappearance.
It’s also worth pointing out that most of Walt Disney World’s current live shows have been around for a long time – especially at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, and even the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (which was clearly assembled quickly to meet demand) are all showing their age and could benefit from refreshes or full reimaginings.
In fact, one of the biggest draws for Jollywood Nights are the event-exclusive shows including the Holidays in Hollywood hosted by Kermit and Miss Piggy, and the Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along. While both are limited-time and locked behind a hard-ticket paywall, their popularity proves there’s real demand for fresh, show-driven entertainment, and that guests will absolutely make time for it.
Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond remain strong crowd-pleasers, though Nemo returned in a shortened format post-2020. The common thread here is that these shows still pull crowds; and that’s exactly the point. Walt Disney World needs more high-capacity, repeatable, long-running live entertainment. It absorbs guests, eases wait times, and adds depth to the day, all while supporting live musicians, performers, and the art of music and acting that once felt more centric to the Disney Parks experience.
So, if Disney does eventually move on from Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular or even open a new theater at the parks, here’s what we’d love to see inspire the next era of shows.
Shows We’d Love to See at Walt Disney World
A Goofy Movie — Live
This one feels overdue. A Goofy Movie has become a generational favorite, and Hollywood Studios is the perfect home for a high-energy, concert-style stage show built around Powerline, Max, and Goofy. Think colorful live performers, projected animation, and a soundtrack that does the heavy lifting.
It fits the Hollywood Studios’ DNA, fills the live-entertainment gap, and to be quite honest… people would lose their minds.
Coco
EPCOT already has the backdrop, even if a full reimagining into a boat ride just isn’t realistic. Queue space alone would make that a tough sell. A live stage show, though? That’s the sweet spot, and it could fit into Disney’s Hollywood Studios if EPCOT doesn’t have the space. Coco is practically built for it. The film’s character designs have already translated beautifully into live environments, from Disney California Adventure’s Oogie Boogie Bash to Plaza de Coco aboard the Disney Treasure.
Add in a soundtrack packed with instantly recognizable songs, and it’s hard to argue against Coco having a permanent live presence at Walt Disney World. A stage production would bring the heart, music, culture, and visuals of the film to life.
Disney knows how to do live entertainment. They’ve proven it time and time again. When they actually invest in it, the parks feel fuller, more alive, and more memorable. The question isn’t if Walt Disney World could use more shows; it’s which ones deserve the stage. So, what live show would you like to see come to the parks?
