This ride certainly doesn’t belong in a museum
It’s crazy how small but subtle differences make a world of difference when it comes to theme park rides.
Indiana Jones Adventure is very similar to Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World, sharing basically the same vehicle, mechanics, and even track layout. Dinosaur is often seen as a very mediocre ride, set mostly in the dark, and is remembered for being bumpy above anything else. Indiana Jones, though? This ride often gets great reviews from guests, and it’s not only thanks to Harrison Ford’s charisma or John Williams’ epic soundtrack.
Indiana Jones does everything right that Dinosaur manages to do wrong, including giving us good lighting so we can actually see what’s going on around us, awesome setpieces, and a lead hero that we actually care about.
What we like about Indiana Jones Adventure
This ride debuted way back in 1995, and is still regarded as one of the best rides at Disneyland. In fact, this ride is so good that there are big rumours that it’s going to replace Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom. Good job, Indy.
This is a dark ride with sudden movements and thrilling setpieces that might remind you a bit of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure or even the start section of Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios. You board a vehicle for multiple guests and then it’s time to do what Indy does best: nope, we are not talking about going on adventures when you are 80 years old, but exploring ancient tombs, of course!
The atmosphere is great, and the main thing it does (way) better than Dinosaur is that you can actually see what’s happening around you! The indoor scenery is filled with golden idols, walls with snake statues, and a lot of cool details that scream, “Please don’t come inside, this place is dangerous.”
I really like the visual effects. They range from smoke simulating smoldering magma to lightning and a lot of cool tricks that make it look like you’re stepping inside the Temple of Doom. There are a lot of nods to the Indiana Jones movies as well, especially when it comes to his fear of snakes. Yes, there are a lot of snakes on this ride. Thankfully, they are all animatronics. Phew!
This is mostly a very fun adventure for fans of the movies who want more thrill in their dark rides. If you want to imagine how it works, try to visualize something like Peter Pan’s Flight or Journey of the Little Mermaid. Got it? Now replace all the pixie dust and cute fish with skulls and smoke effects. Speed up the vehicle a bit, make it bumpier with sudden movements, and add the Indy theme song - you’re basically there!
What we don’t like about Indiana Jones Adventure
The main downside of this ride is the same one that plagues Dinosaur: it can get bumpy. This isn’t great for those with back problems or anyone who doesn’t like being jostled around. However, the overall sensation is less intense than on Dinosaur, as you can actually see what’s happening around you here. Disneyland has also worked in the past few years to make this ride a little less bumpy and more family friendly for guests to enjoy it.
This ride can also be a little scary for children, since it has a lot of sections in the dark and has a lot of smoke effects, fire and giant snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes? I’d recommend it for kids that are at least 8 years old. I mean, it can be scary exploring ancient tombs filled with traps and magma.
Indiana Jones Adventure FAQ
Where is Indiana Jones Adventure located?
Indiana Jones Adventure is located in Disneyland.
What is the height requirement to ride Indiana Jones Adventure?
You must be at least 46″ to ride Indiana Jones Adventure.
Is Indiana Jones Adventure too scary for children?
It can be, yes. It has a lot of scary visual effects, like smoke, fire and a few giant snake-animatronics.
Do we recommend Indiana Jones Adventure?
Yes! This is a fan favorite at Disneyland, and an adventure that really fits a theme park like Disneyland.
