Walt Disney Imagineering unveiled the official name, storyline, and technical details for the flagship thrill ride coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom as part of the new Tropical Americas land. Titled Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, the attraction replaces the former Dinoland U.S.A. area.
In a surprise video address during the announcement, Disney Legend Harrison Ford confirmed that he actively participated in the project, serving as the direct digital scan and model for the ride’s Audio-Animatronics figure. This marks the first time in history that Ford’s exact facial likeness will feature on a Disney theme park animatronic anywhere in the world.
An Original Maya Underworld Narrative
Set within a 1950s timeline prior to the events of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the attraction features an original narrative crafted by Imagineering in collaboration with Lucasfilm:
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The Setting: Guests join Dr. Indiana Jones on an expedition inside an ancient Maya temple ruin adjacent to a flooded cenote.
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The Legend: Local lore establishes the cenote as a direct portal into the Maya Underworld, guarded by a terrifying mythical serpentine creature known as the Tsukán.
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The Hazards: As the expedition goes awry, vehicle units navigate practical environmental hazards including giant scorpions, swarms of monstrous bats, floor-to-ceiling flames, and pits of snakes.
Practical Effects & Cultural Authenticity
To anchor the ride’s physical sets, Imagineers are hand-sculpting a massive, life-sized physical Tsukán Audio-Animatronic to serve as the ride’s primary antagonist rather than relying predominantly on screen-based media.
Furthermore, Imagineering worked alongside professional archaeologists, anthropologists, and Maya cultural experts to ensure the architecture, glyphs, and historical references within the temple queue and show buildings remain respectful and authentic to Mesoamerican history.
Construction on the main temple facade is currently underway, with the attraction scheduled to open alongside the rest of the Tropical Americas land in 2027.