Indiana Jones Is Coming Back to Walt Disney World

I guess it's nice to see Disney further bolster their attraction lineup as crowds return, but the Indy Stunt show has been in a desperate need of a refresh for years, and it sounds like will still be running off the same antiquated script. The pandemic pause should have brought either a re-envisioned show or refreshed experience for guests instead of brining back an old show that had started growing out of favor over a decade ago.

I disagree RM, I always go to see the stunt show when I visit. It's nice that they've stuck with the practical effects, and haven't "upgraded" it with new technology.

@cooper-

New tech isn’t always a bad thing. The Bourne Stuntacular proves that screens and other newer technology can be blended really well into a stunt show. Granted, that is a show building and can make better use of newer technology but I think my point still stands. @Russell was more referring to different scenes and a more refreshed story with a different kind of guest interaction experience. The show has been running for over 20 years and is kinda dated. It’s the oldest on-going casted stage show at WDW and it definitely feels like it.

I'm not suggesting that they move away from the practical effects if they want to keep running a stunt show here, but this show could use some tweaks and improvements to make it more interesting for returning guests. If Indy was half as good and not 6 years older than Waterworld, I would say it could continue to run with little change to its script. However, that's simply not the case, and the shrinking crowds and sagging demand for the show should hint at its waning popularity. If running the show didn't necessitate such a commitment to full-time skilled labor, Disney would probably operate this as a seasonal attraction only.

The bottom line is that it's cheaper for Disney to let this show limp along in its current format right now than devote resources to updating/improving it or committing to replacing it, which has been rumored years before the pandemic altered park operations.

For goodness sake, all three main set pieces of the show are based on Raiders, yet there have been three Indy movies since (with another coming next year). At the very least, they could have included one new scene from Temple of Doom or Last Crusade (which was released the year the Indy show debuted) integrated into the show over the past 30+ years of operation at DHS.

Would this show just die already. Between this, Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast, this parks show lineup is stuck in the 90's.

The show began in 1989 - so it's been running for 32 years!

OUTSTANDING NEWS! A Disney classic is back!

@Russell: Maybe Disney will revamp the show after Indy 5 and make the show based on that movie. That will really make the crowd that thinks Galaxy’s Edge should be based on the original trilogy happy!

Or maybe Disney will make its decisions without giving any consideration to cynical, cliche Disney bashing comments tacked on to the end of a theme park blog entry.

Hooray for Hollywood (Studios)!

Me, I like the show for how familiar it is and love seeing it so great having it back.

Long-time reader, first-time commenter here!

I saw the Indy stunt show the last time I went to WDW, which was my first trip to the parks in almost two decades. I had a great time, but I have to agree that it was hard to get around how dated the script is getting. Hollywood Studios has long abandoned the pretense that the park is an actual functioning movie studio, and the framing device for the show (that we're watching the production of an Indiana Jones movie) feels increasingly hokey.

I feel like ditching the movie production angle could revitalize the show without even having to come up with new major set-pieces. You'd lose some of the unique qualities that the show has now, like the audience participation, but it would be a great opportunity to put on an Indiana Jones *story* in a way that meshes with the direction the rest of the park is taking.

An Indiana Jones stunt show is still such a killer idea, just one that I think could benefit from a new structure than it has right now!

The Indiana Jones Stunt Show should get the Waterworld treatment: create a unique story taking place anytime during the franchise instead of “we’re filming the next Indiana Jones with Harrison Ford’s stunt double.”

If there was a reason to revamp the show, it is because the current show doesn't fit into what Hollywood Studios has become. Originally it was a working studio where movies were made. There was the backlot studio tour that included some special effects presentations, Catastrophe Canyon, and places to view Disney animators working on their craft. Today, however, HS isn't place where movie are made, but a place that puts guests INSIDE the movies, and the current INDY doesn't fit.

While my previous comment was made jokingly, there is a little truth to it, and if there was ever any plans to redo the show, I wouldn't expect it until after Indy 5.

Disney could use a LOT of "re-do's"... The haunted mansion is a great ride, but isn't it getting OLD? Carousel of Progress is fantastic, and it gets a lot of guests through quickly, but like many other rides/shows... it needs something new.

@George:

Not sure if you are trolling us all or not, but the suggestion that the Haunted Mansion has lost its charm or popularity is borderline quackery good sir. I say this respectfully of course. But yeah, don’t ‘eff with the Haunted Mansion.

As for Indy, its high time they replace it with a Food Rocks! Stunt Spectacular…

On the positive side, the Indy show is and always has been better than that crappy Sinbad stunt show that was thankfully closed over at Universal!

Sorry Fatty - but George is correct, the haunted mansion comes off old, dated and not scary - ask anyone younger than 25 if they are impressed ?? much less any non Disney fanatic

@tiptop: I don’t think the goal of the attraction was ever to be “scary” per se, just spooky fun. Disney has consistently made subtle enhancements and updates to the ride over the years. My point is that the ride, no matter how old, has not waned in popularity. Every time I visit WDW or Disneyland, this attraction has a constant line filled with guests of all ages. I was trying to convey, albeit with poorly constructed humor, that if Disney were to try and drastically alter or revamp this flagship attraction, there would be pitchforks and broomsticks at the gate.

I also love the Indiana Jones show. But i agree that making it more dynamic, perhaps a couple of new set action sequences referencing the other movies would make wonders to renew attention and love for the show. They have the space for it as well as the talent. This would reduce downtime between scenes and keep people interested.

Tip: "Sorry Fatty - but George is correct, the haunted mansion comes off old, dated ..."

Me: Yeah, and how about that carousel? It's still round. BORING!!! Why haven't they made it into a triangle with practical sets and effects ... NO SCREENS!

i'm just glad that when someone politely suggests a 30-year-old stunt show could use a refresh, someone is still willing to throw on the cape for a billion-dollar corporation. super heroes are real.

The show is great and one of my favorites, but, I though they were already pulling out the "Movie", film shooting and stunt directors along with the guest inter-action and make it a "straight out story" and stunt show with narration.