Indiana Jones will be making a cultural comeback in 2021. With Steven Spielberg at the helm for the fifth installment. Is Walt Disney World exploring the possibility to expand on Indiana Jones. Although Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home of the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. Recent rumors have pointed to a different park getting some Indiana Jones love.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has long been rumored to be the park to receive new attractions based on this property. So what will the animal-focused theme park cut? One of their most popular areas that involves prehistoric creatures. Yes, a blue sky rumor has emerged that would get rid of Disney’s beloved DINOSAUR attraction. Months ago I wrote a column dismissing the fluff rumors. Yet this rumor has been popping up since 2017 (some may even say earlier, depending on who you ask). Like most Walt Disney World rumors it eventually comes to fruition (Tron at Walt Disney World).
So it is time to make sense of these rumors. Instead of dismissing them maybe it is time to really dive into it. Could Disney be using this strategy throughout its parks? Similar to a Hollywood backlot- reskinning old attractions for new experiences- like using a soundstage for multiple uses.
So in 2017, the first big swirl of the rumor starts. That Disney is going to replace DINOSAUR with Indiana Jones Adventure. Then they would move to replace Primeval Whirl and Triceratop Spin with a E-Ticket attraction. The initial rumor suggested a water ride. In 2018, a new WDWMagic.com user started speculation saying that Disney’s Hollywood Studios would need another E-Ticket attraction because Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway wouldn’t be enough for the park. Although this was reported the Animal Kingdom rumor has stayed consistent.
Usually like I have before I would dismiss this as fans doing blue sky concepts. We all love to make ideas for future Disney attractions but most of us don’t report it as facts. What is weird and somewhat nerve-wracking about this is the frequency it is brought up. It reminds me similar to TRON which I mentioned earlier. We all knew TRON was coming to Walt Disney World at some point it either being the Magic Kingdom or Epcot. Then it finally happened or this rumor can turn out like the Monsters Inc. “Door Coaster” for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Where nothing happened at all.
The Indiana Jones rumor consists of many variations. One of the rumors suggests a roller coaster also being added to the new themed land. New dining and bars in the land. Then some rumors even suggest a updated Dinoland U.S.A with DINOSAUR remaining unchanged. Some variations include that it would be a completely new Indiana Jones attraction, and not a clone. Along with the possibility of having dinosaurs added to the story within a Indiana Jones attraction. All of this is still considered blue sky.
Given Disney’s current trajectory, Indiana Jones will likely be in a new Disney Park soon. Whether that be Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Yet sacrificing DINOSAUR may not be worth having Indiana Jones. Disney may pull a fast one. Quickly changing Dinoland U.S.A into a Indy-themed land will reek similarities from Paradise Pier to Pixar Pier.
In my honest opinion the park that would benefit the most from a Indiana Jones boost is obviously Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The park would then be centered around Toy Story, Star Wars, Mickey Mouse, and Indiana Jones. Four powerful and iconic franchises will be carrying that park.
DINOSAUR still to this day holds up as a thrilling attraction. If something isn’t broke there is no point in updating it. If Disney updated DINOSAUR it would only increase its popularity. If Disney does go the rebuild Dinoland U.S.A route, they will be eliminating an entertaining attraction and a distinct theme of Animal Kingdom.
Disney already sacrificed mythical creatures in terms of Beastly Kingdom. It would be a shame to see the loss of prehistoric creatures. Although Indiana Jones may seem like the easy play especially post-Pandora. Disney is creative enough to figure something out without sacrificing a already popular E-Ticket attraction.
I guess we will have to wait and see. Blue Sky is a funny thing.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
