Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Show at Hollywood Studios

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! is a live amusement show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Based on the popular and successful Indiana Jones film franchise and it includes various stunts and live reenacted scenes from the series’s first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The show opened on August 25, 1989, as the first Indiana Jones attraction at a Disney park.  The show is about 30 minutes in length and appeals to both children, senior citizens and most especially fans of the Raiders film series.  I have been to this show many times and have always loved the action and explanation of how the many stunts from the movies are accomplished.

The action starts with Indy braving dangers in a recreation of the Peruvian temple scene from the beginning of the movie. Dangerous spikes, false floors and ancient booby traps test the archaeologist’s skills before he attempts to make a getaway with the golden idol. The stunt show then moves on to the busy and audience-participant filled streets of Cairo. Indy and Marion watch street acrobats before events take a turn for the worse and a massive fight scene breaks out. The Cairo street scene concludes with Indy shooting at a Jeep loaded with explosives, producing a fiery conclusion. The final scene of the stunt show recreates the action-packed sequence in which Indy and Marion try to stop the Nazis from flying the Ark to Berlin. The reenactment is complete with a scaled-down version of a German Luftwaffe aircraft with symbols imitating the swastika (actual swastikas were used in the show up until the 2000s). Indy fights a large German mechanic while Marion operates the aircraft’s machine gun, blowing away enemies in sight. Indy and Marion are able to make a narrow escape as the airfield is engulfed in flames.

Along with the former Superstar Television and Monster Sound Show, The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! is a show that relies on audience participation as part of the show’s entertainment. Volunteers are chosen from the crowd to perform in the Cairo street scene though they safely stay away from the real stunt work. Along with the audience, one real stunt actor plant is chosen from the audience to do real work, a fact that has become common knowledge after the many years that the attraction has been open (the plant is usually a man in a loud Hawaiian shirt).

The Stunt Theater holds 2,000 people; capacity audiences are common. The first performance is always the easiest to see. If the first show is at 10 a.m. or earlier, you can usually walk in, even if you arrive 5 minutes late. For the second performance, show up about 15-20 minutes ahead of time. For the third and subsequent shows, arrive 20-30 minutes early. If you plan to tour during late afternoon and evening, attend the last scheduled performance. If you want to beat the crowd out of the stadium, sit on the far right (as you face the staging area) and near the top.

Be sure to check the Times Guide at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the schedule and show times. Since this is an outdoor show, it is also subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Show times are subject to change.

This show is a “must see” to those guests visiting Disney for the first time.  It is also one that can be seen over and over again — don’t miss it!

If you ever want to chat about Disney, come over to Goldwiser in Old Town Spring.  We are open from 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday and located at 1122 Spring Cypress Rd., Spring, TX 77373.  Let’s talk some Disney World! While you’re at it, bring your old gold, silver and platinum jewelry and old coins and gift cards. Maybe you can get some extra cash for a Disney trip!

(Some information from Wikipedia.com)