Do you have certain attractions that you used to experience but no longer put on your must-do list when you visit the Walt Disney World theme parks?
As a local, one of those attractions would be the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, which is in the Echo Lake area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We decided it was time to experience this show after several years.
It is a great place to take a break, out of the sun in the summer. It isn’t air-conditioned, but the area is covered and provides some much-needed shade. The show is about 25 minutes. Because the stage is open-air, it is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.
Did you know that this is the oldest attraction that is still operating at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? On opening day, May 1, 1989, George Lucas and Michael Eisner felt it wasn’t ready for guests, so it ran as a dress rehearsal until August 1989 and has been performed daily ever since then.
This show has more moving parts than any other live show at Walt Disney World. Because of that, they have many possible contingencies, so the performers have a backup plan for any scenario. The rolling ball wasn’t working the day we visited.
One of the things I love about Disney is the little touches that they include in the attraction area. As you go to enter the amphitheater, look for the well with a sign reading, “Warning: Do Not Pull Rope.” Be sure that you DO pull the rope, you’ll hear a man’s voice stuck at the bottom of the well. He says several different things if you pull repeatedly.
The show is based on the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Some trivia from the show: the rolling rubber ball is 12 feet in diameter and weighs more than 400 pounds. Did you know that the Golden Idol is an exact replica of the one in the movie?
One of the fun parts of the show was that they used to take volunteers from the audience up on stage. It was fun watching them as they performed. They no longer do this, and haven’t since the pandemic.
I had forgotten how exciting and intense the show could be. It was interesting watching the different stunts in the show.
I hope this show lasts for a while. It seems the old favorite attractions are fading away at Walt Disney World. If you haven’t seen the show, I highly recommend it.
‘Til next time, see you in the parks!
