Disney has pulled back the curtain on the Indiana Jones attraction heading to the new Tropical Americas land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. During the D23 Horizons showcase, Imagineers shared the ride’s name, its storyline, and a few surprises that give fans a clear picture of what to expect. Here is a breakdown of the announcement and what it means for guests.
A Name and a Home
The attraction will be called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, and it will sit within Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The land is a natural fit for the ride, since the park has always leaned into stories about the connection between people and the natural world. Placing an Indiana Jones adventure in this setting lets Disney pair the thrill of the franchise with the cultural richness the park is known for.
Harrison Ford Steps Into a First
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One of the standout reveals came from Harrison Ford himself, who addressed the audience during the presentation. Ford confirmed that he served as the physical model for the new Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronic figure.
This marks the first time Ford has been the face of a Disney attraction anywhere in the world. For a character he has played across decades, having his own likeness built into the ride adds a personal touch that longtime fans are likely to appreciate.
The Team Behind the Reveal
Imagineers Michael Hundgen and Chris Beatty led the presentation at the D23 Horizons showcase. The pair walked through the attraction’s story, its cultural roots, and a look at the work already underway.
They also displayed the digital model being used to build the Indiana Jones figure, giving the audience a sense of how the animatronic is coming together behind the scenes.
Inside the Storyline
The ride begins with guests meeting up with Dr. Jones as he explores an ancient Maya temple set beside a cenote, an underground cave that once held water. According to local legend, the passageway near the temple leads directly to the Maya Underworld, and it is guarded by a serpentine creature known as the Tsukan.
Things take a turn when riders are pulled through a portal into the Underworld. From there, the adventure centers on escaping a series of dangers, including bats, oversized scorpions, fire, and snakes. It is a setup that leans into the classic Indiana Jones formula while giving the ride its own identity.
Meeting the Tsukan
The Tsukan is more than a one-scene threat. Beatty shared that guests will encounter the creature throughout the attraction, building tension as the story unfolds. The experience is set to end with a final confrontation involving the Tsukan.
Disney also gave the crowd a first look at the animatronic figure for the creature, which towers over the Imagineers working on it. The team is sculpting the figure by hand, a choice meant to give it a more lifelike presence for guests.
A Focus on Cultural Authenticity
A key theme of the presentation was the effort to get the details right. The Imagineering team has been working with archaeologists, anthropologists, and Maya experts to make sure the attraction reflects the region accurately.
That collaboration extends to the visual design as well. Riders can expect original, hand-sculpted Maya artwork throughout the attraction, reinforcing the sense that this is a grounded, research-informed setting rather than a generic backdrop.
Construction Is Already Moving
Hundgen and Beatty noted that the temple facade is already under construction, and they offered a behind-the-scenes look at the structure that fans had previously only seen in renderings.
Seeing the facade take shape is a helpful sign of progress for anyone tracking the transformation of this part of Animal Kingdom into Tropical Americas.
Final Thoughts
The reveal of Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent gives Disney fans plenty to look forward to, from Harrison Ford’s likeness in the lead animatronic to a story rooted in Maya legend and a menacing Tsukan encounter. With cultural experts guiding the details, original artwork in the works, and the temple facade already rising, the attraction is steadily coming into focus. Keep an eye on Disney’s Animal Kingdom as Tropical Americas continues to take shape.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
