Disney’s Hollywood Studios – If Indiana Jones Must Go

Scenery from Indiana Jones Epic Stunt SpectacularI am unusually acceptant of change – I mean, more than the average person.  I tend to be a change advocate, if you will, both in my personal and professional life.  Most of the time, I am perfectly fine with and in favor of change – I like new and different things.  Even learning to use new technology is pretty fun.  Let’s talk for a minute about changes at Walt Disney World specifically.  I was totally happy with losing Snow White’s Scary Adventure in favor of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.  I might have been a tad less accepting of replacing Mr. Toad with Winnie the Pooh, but I got over it.  Let’s not mention the Snow White/Aurora/Fairytale Hall thing, okay?  (That’s the one time I can think of that I was completely opposed to change…best not get going on that again.)  The update to the hub in Magic Kingdom?  Bring it on!  Avatarland, ooops, sorry…Pandora over in Animal Kingdom?  Can’t WAIT!  If the Star Wars expansion in Disney’s Hollywood Studios takes place, I’ll be super excited for that, too.  I like Star Wars a lot.Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular / Golden Idol

What I might be sad over, though, is the rumored plan to close the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.  Now, I don’t know if I really believe that will happen – Disney did purchase the Indiana Jones franchise, right?  Maybe they’ll keep Indy around now, at least in some form or fashion.  I would be all in favor of an update to the stunt show since little, if anything, has changed about the it since its debute in 1989.  The premise of the show is great – it recreates iconic scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark and explains how the stunts and special effects are created.  There’s action, humor, thrills, and explosions!  What more could you Indiana Jones and Golden Idolask for in a 30 minute show?  Plus, there’s that great theme song….it’s the best.

I was 16 In 1981 when Raiders of the Lost Ark opened in theaters.  Indiana Jones was part nerd (hello, college professor) and part superhero.  He was lovably imperfect while clever and strong enough to defeat the villainous Nazis and save both the girl and the treasure.  Hands down, Raiders was one of the best movies I’d ever seen in my short 16 years and I still count it among my all time favorite movies.  Our dog’s name is Henry Jones, Jr. in honor of Indy and his amazing feats of daring do.  I sure will be a little sad at Walt Disney WorlIndiana Jones in Disney's Hollywood Studiosd if Indiana Jones must go, but if that happens, I have faith it will be okay.  Afterall, I understand that Raiders doesn’t mean nearly as much to most folks as it does to me.

But what if….

What if Disney, now that they own the Indiana Jones franchise, reintroduced Indiana Jones in a new way?  What if, like Disney did with Marvel superheros, Indy gets reinvented into an updated, but equally lovable incarnation and haIndiana Jones' Whip / Studios' Back Lot Tours new adventures with awesome story lines?  Like a phoenix from the ashes, the Indiana Jones franchise under Disney’s guidance, could become epic once more (let’s face it, that crystal skull thing was an abomination) – appealing to an entire new generation of fans, thus securing at least some sort of presence in the Studios for many years to come?  Maybe there’s hope for Indy yet!!!

What do you think?  Could there be a future at Walt Disney World for Indiana Jones?

4 thoughts on “Disney’s Hollywood Studios – If Indiana Jones Must Go

  1. Pingback: The Rumors Swirling around Disney's Hollywood Studios - Living a Disney Life

  2. Its fate will be bittersweet for sure. I’m a fan of it, but for the last few years I just kept thinking this may be the last time I ever get to see it. If the rumors are true about Star Wars land I can’t see it surviving, space-wise. I would wet myself if they brought the Indiana Jones ride from Disneyland over, but I just can’t see them spending any money on Indy (even updating the stage show) because it would be in Star Wars’ shadow. Kind of like if Universal opened Diagon Alley and built the Mummy ride at the same time. Its an awesome idea but I just don’t see any kind of positive Indy advancement in the parks in the next 5 years. I hope I am wrong though!

    • Hi Adam – So glad you stopped by! I’m with you – Indy’s show has had the feeling of impending doom (pun intended) for the last several years. I’m so hoping there will be room for both Indy and Star Wars, but I believe you’re right – probably not. A girl’s gotta have dreams though, so I’m holding onto hope for Indy until the very end. Thanks for reading and commenting.

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