A Legacy Begins in Adventureland
Thirty years ago, Disneyland guests entered one of the most immersive and technically advanced attractions ever built: Indiana Jones Adventure – Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Set in 1935, between the events of Temple of Doom and Raiders of the Lost Ark, the ride took guests deep inside a crumbling temple filled with booby traps, fire effects, and a vengeful deity named Mara.
Built into a tight space between Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise, the show building was a marvel of engineering. The queue alone used 1,300 props (including real film-used vehicles), 14 types of stamped concrete, and 27 mature trees relocated from Jungle Cruise to feel like a real expedition site.
And the tech? Game-changing. Enhanced Motion Vehicles were explicitly developed for the attraction—programmable, bumpy, and unpredictable. Over eight months of testing ensured the perfect ride experience, all synchronized to a newly recorded 90-piece orchestra version of John Williams’ iconic Indy score.
The final result was more than a ride—it was a cinematic adventure.
Watch the 1995 TV Special – The Making of Indiana Jones Adventure
To promote the attraction’s debut, Disney released a TV special: “The Making of Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure.” Hosted by Michael Eisner, the show featured appearances by Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies, George Lucas, and Imagineering legend Tony Baxter. Celebrity guests included Dan Aykroyd, Fran Drescher, and Jodie Sweetin—capturing the pop culture buzz surrounding the attraction’s launch.
The special offered a behind-the-scenes look at the scale of the project, from the set design and soundtrack recording to vehicle testing and queue detail. It’s a nostalgic time capsule from the golden age of Disney Imagineering.
Indy’s Next Destination: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
We look back at 30 years of thrills at Disneyland. Disney just announced what’s next for Indy—a big one. Indiana Jones Adventure will arrive at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2027 as part of the new Tropical Americas land. This new area will replace DinoLand U.S.A. and include an original Indy storyline. A storyline set in a recently discovered Maya temple said to contain a mythical creature. The attraction will reimagine the DINOSAUR ride using similar ride systems and layouts.
But it’s more than just a retheme. Imagineers promise a brand-new story, and a look at concept art shows a richly detailed temple surrounded by jungle. Construction on the Tropical Americas area begins in late 2024, with DINOSAUR expected to remain open until early 2026.
The land also includes an Encanto-themed attraction inside the magical Casita, a wood-carved animal carousel, a massive new quick-service restaurant, and a storytelling fountain centerpiece—all inspired by the culture and biodiversity of Central and South America.
One Adventure Ends, Another Begins
Whether you first braved the Temple of the Forbidden Eye in 1995 or you’re preparing to discover Indy’s next journey in Animal Kingdom, there’s no denying the impact this ride has had on Disney storytelling.
With a rich history, timeless thrills, and a new chapter set to open in 2027. Indiana Jones Adventure proves that great stories and adventures never go out of style.
Some facts presented in this article originated from a D23 post-source link.
