Disney World Unveils Exciting Indiana Jones Ride with a Brand-New Story at Animal Kingdom

Disney World Unveils Exciting Indiana Jones Ride with a Brand-New Story at Animal Kingdom

Disney World is gearing up for an adventurous new addition, as a thrilling Indiana Jones ride is set to replace the beloved Dinosaur attraction at Animal Kingdom. The announcement was made during Disney’s D23 convention in Anaheim, California, where Indiana Jones star Ke Huy Quan, known for his role as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, made a surprise appearance.

Quan, who won an Oscar for his recent work, received a warm ovation from the crowd as he conducted a live orchestra playing John Williams’ iconic Indiana Jones theme. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro then took the stage to reveal that the 26-year-old Dinosaur ride would soon be closing to make way for the new Indiana Jones attraction. This new ride will be part of the upcoming Tropical Americas section at Animal Kingdom, with DinoLand U.S.A. set to close permanently in preparation for the 2027 opening.

“Construction on this 11-acre section of the park will begin this fall,” D’Amaro confirmed, encouraging fans to experience Dinosaur “one last time” before it goes extinct. Disney’s head of Imagineering, Bruce Vaughn, joined D’Amaro on stage to share more details about the Indiana Jones ride, emphasizing that it will feature a “completely new story” different from any other Indiana Jones attraction worldwide.

The new ride, the fourth Indiana Jones-themed ride in Disney parks, will follow the adventurous archaeologist as he discovers a preserved Mayan temple inhabited by a mythical creature—and, possibly, snakes.

In addition to the Indiana Jones ride, the Tropical Americas land will introduce Disney’s first-ever Encanto-themed ride. This attraction will take guests on a journey through the magical Casita, where Antonio’s special ability to talk to animals plays a crucial role as his room transforms into a lush rainforest.

The Dinosaur ride, originally titled Countdown to Extinction, debuted alongside Animal Kingdom when the park opened on April 22, 1998. It was later renamed to promote Disney’s animated Dinosaur movie in 2000 and has remained a fan favorite ever since. The ride system used for Dinosaur is the same as the one used for Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure, which first opened in 1995. Disney’s relationship with the Indiana Jones franchise dates back even further, with the opening of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! live show at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) in 1989.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly at the launch of Hong Kong Disneyland’s new World of Frozen-themed land, D’Amaro hinted at the possibility of expanding Indiana Jones’ presence at Disney World. “We’ve got so many stories to tell, and we want to continue enhancing the theme parks,” D’Amaro said, referencing concept art revealed at a previous D23 event that depicted an Indiana Jones-inspired temple replacing the current Dinosaur ride.

D’Amaro also addressed concerns about integrating new intellectual properties into Animal Kingdom, a park known for its focus on wildlife and preservation. “Animal Kingdom is about exploration and adventure,” he explained. “We believe there are many stories that align with the park’s core themes, and we’re excited to introduce new experiences that stay true to its spirit.”

As Disney commits to investing $60 billion in its global properties over the next decade, fans can expect even more exciting developments and stories in the years to come. D’Amaro assured guests that they would be part of this journey, with more announcements and updates on the horizon.

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