Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent Details Revealed
Why did it have to be snakes?
Indiana Jones and Animal Kingdom guests are about to go through some things.
During last night’s Disney Experiences Showcase, Imagineers Michael Hundgen and Chris Beatty revealed plenty of details about Indy’s ride coming to Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom, including its name: Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent.
That jade serpent is a Tsukán, a mythical Mayan creature that guards cenotes and underground rivers. Imagineers just revealed a model of the snake at the Imagineering pavilion at the D23 Expo. And it’s enormous. Check out the scale by comparing it to the model of the person standing beside it.
While the attraction is built around the serpent, plenty of other dangers await riders. They’ll be sucked through a portal into the Underworld, where they’ll have to deal with monstrous bats, larger-than-life scorpions, fire, and, of course, the Tsukán. The Audio-Animatronic snake confronts riders throughout the ride, including during the climactic scene.
It sounds like Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent is going to channel some of the intensity of DINOSAUR, the attraction it’s replacing. The climax of that ride brought guests face to face with a Carnotaurus, a terrifying moment for plenty of riders.
Unlike Tropical Americas’ other E-ticket attraction, this one will have a minimum height requirement. Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto will be accessible to guests of all heights.
Harrison Ford is part of the ride
The Tsukán won’t be the only Audio-Animatronic character guests encounter. Indiana Jones himself will also appear in the attraction. And for the first time, Harrison Ford has lent his likeness to a Disney theme park attraction.
Authentic to Maya culture
It might sound silly that a ride with a giant serpent and an archaeologist who’s encountered aliens would need to be authentic, but in this case, it is.
Imagineers have been working with archaeologists, anthropologists, and Maya experts to make sure the attraction’s cultural details are accurate. Some of those elements include “highly detailed and original Maya artwork.”
Between a giant animatronic snake, authentic artwork, and Harrison Ford’s Indy, this sounds like Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent could be a worthy successor to DINOSAUR.
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