Overview
- Disney confirmed at D23 on Saturday that Harrison Ford served as the physical model for an Indiana Jones audio‑animatronic in a new attraction called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- The ride’s story places guests alongside Indy as he explores a Maya temple and cenote, is pulled into the Maya Underworld, and must escape hazards including bats, scorpions, fire, snakes, and a giant serpentine guardian called the Tsukán.
- Imagineering showed a digital 3D model of the Ford‑based Indy figure and a full‑scale, hand‑sculpted Tsukán animatronic at D23, emphasizing practical effects and on‑site research rather than purely digital scenes.
- Key details remain unresolved: Disney has not announced an opening date, it says the Tropical Americas land is planned for a phased rollout in 2027 that could extend into spring 2028, and Ford’s role as the animatronic’s speaking voice has not been confirmed.
- The project followed research trips to Maya sites and consultations with archaeologists and anthropologists, and it reflects Disney’s strategy to extend legacy franchises through theme‑park experiences after recent Indiana Jones films lost momentum at the box office.