When Indiana Jones squares off against a giant snake at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, most guests will assume it is a nod to Indy’s well-known fear of serpents. According to Imagineer Joe Rohde, there is a lot more to the story. The jade serpent at the heart of the upcoming attraction draws from a living Maya myth, and its presence ties into a storytelling philosophy that has shaped Animal Kingdom from the start. Here is a closer look at what Rohde shared about the creature and the culture behind it.
Meet Tsukan, the Jade Serpent
The new attraction, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, is currently under construction as part of Tropical Americas, the new land replacing DinoLand U.S.A. During the adventure, guests will come face to face with Tsukan, pronounced tsoo-KAHN, a giant jade serpent that will eventually appear as a large Audio-Animatronic figure.
The creature made an early appearance at D23, where visitors to the Imagineering booth could get a first look at the jade-colored, serpent-like form. That preview prompted Rohde to explain what the myth actually is and where it comes from.
A Living Maya Myth, Not an Invention
One of the key points Rohde made is that Tsukan was not created by the design team. It is a real, contemporary Maya myth that people still tell today.
Back at D23 a week ago, I’m sure visitors to the Imagineering booth would’ve noticed the big jade-colored, serpent-like creature who will be featured in the new attraction, Indiana Jones and the myth of the Jade Serpent.
But what exactly is the myth of the Jade Serpent? Well, much like the myth of the yeti at Expedition Everest, it is not something the team made up. Like all Disney’s Animal Kingdom teams, Joan Hartwig’s team has done their homework. This “Jade Serpent” called Tsukan, is a real living, contemporary Maya myth, in exactly the same way that the yeti is a living Himalayan oral tradition. And like the yeti, this creature is another kind of environmental protector, defending the sanctity, purity, and fertility of the cenote, and the water contained within.
Joe RhodeThe Language Behind the Serpent
The story becomes richer when you look at the Maya language. Rohde explained that the ideas of serpents and heavenly things are closely linked, because the spoken words for snake and heavens sound almost identical. Both connect to the word Kaan.
In the Mayan language, the idea of serpents, and the idea of heavenly things is sort of conflated because when spoken out loud, the original word for snake and heavens sounds almost identical. Kaan. So you will often see stylized snakes represented in Maya art, where no snake is intended. Instead the snake is supposed to represent the sky or the heavens in some way. The last image included here of the woman encircled by a snake is more or less symbolically the moon in the sky. As a matter of fact, if you look straight at the head of Tsukan you can see one of these heavenly serpents across its brow.
Joe RhodeHeavenly Details in the Design
That symbolism is built directly into Tsukan. Rohde noted that if you look straight at the head of the creature, you can see one of these heavenly serpents stretched across its brow. It is a small design choice, but it carries the cultural meaning forward into the attraction itself.
Details like this reflect the way Animal Kingdom tends to work. There is the surface-level fun of Indiana Jones versus a giant snake, and then there is a deeper, more culturally grounded story waiting for guests who take the time to notice it.
Why You Should Slow Down on Opening Day
Rohde offered a piece of advice for when the attraction eventually opens. Do not rush to be first in line. Instead, walk slowly and look closely at every detail along the way.
That guidance is worth keeping in mind. Taking the time to notice the smaller touches can change how you experience an attraction. By the time you strap into the ride vehicle, the adventure has already begun, and much of the story has been told through the environment around you.
Final Thoughts
The myth of the Jade Serpent shows how Animal Kingdom approaches its attractions, blending entertainment with real cultural and environmental storytelling. Tsukan is not just an obstacle for Indiana Jones. It is a protector drawn from a living Maya tradition, complete with symbolic ties to the sky and the water it guards. When Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent opens, the reward will go to guests who slow down and pay attention. As Rohde suggests, the details are where the real story lives.
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.
