There’s a lot of changes going on at Disney World.
The parks are constantly evolving, but these next few years especially are going to be one wild ride. With all these changes, there’s no shortage of opinions—and trust me, I’ve got a few of my own. And when it comes to one particular change, I’m definitely not holding back…
Animal Kingdom is getting a MAJOR upgrade with not only new restaurants and attractions but a brand new land as well! Pueblo Esperanza will be taking over the DinoLand U.S.A. area and will be themed after the Tropical Americas.
This new land will be home to the first-ever Encanto attraction, a giant carousel featuring wood-carved animals, and an Indiana Jones attraction that will be taking over the current building for Dinosaur.
And there it is, folks — the one attraction I personally think is a huge mistake. And if you’re wondering why, trust me, I’ve given this a lot of thought.
Indiana Jones is a classic, with attractions at both Disney World and Disneyland. Disney World is home to the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and Disneyland has an attraction called Indiana Jones Adventure.
Though the planned attraction for Animal Kingdom will be a unique journey of its own and not a replica of the Disneyland attraction, it is disappointing to me that we won’t be getting an attraction based on an entirely new IP with a fresh story to tell that could excite guests of all ages.
Which brings me to my next point: The Indiana Jones franchise is sadly not as popular as it once was.
Though Indiana Jones will forever be an iconic action hero, the last film of the franchise, Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny, hit theaters on June 30, 2023 and underperformed at the box office, losing an estimated total of $143 million. As much as I, along with many others, enjoy the Indiana Jones films, the franchise’s appeal is not as it once was.
And with a new land being built, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce a fresh story. It’s a chance to highlight new narratives that deserve a place in the spotlight and that can embrace the land’s theming as well.
And if you’re thinking, “Well, Angie, if you had the choice to add a different attraction to Pueblo Esperanza, what would it be?”— I’m glad you asked! Let me introduce you to a little movie called The Emperor’s New Groove.
Released in 2000, The Emperor’s New Groove had a similar rough journey at the box office, but its popularity has only grown over the years—so much so that Disney continues to release new merchandise for the film.
The movie takes place in South America, which fits perfectly into Pueblo Esperanza. The ride could take place inside Kuzco’s palace, which fits perfectly with the original vision of featuring a grand temple inside of the land (except in this case, it would be an Inca-inspired temple instead of a Mayan temple).
Though I have big feelings about a new Indiana Jones attraction coming to the land, I still have an open mind and hope that the attraction will have me eating my words once it officially opens sometime in 2027.
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What are your thoughts on the new Indiana Jones attraction? I would love to read your thoughts in the comments!
Indy not as popular anymore? The recent video game blows that opinion right out of the water. Not to mention, you don’t have to even know who he is to enjoy the environment. Everyone loves adventure and exploration, and Indy is the biggest name in it.
As Emperor’s new Groove is one of my favorites I am 100% for an attraction based on this one! Remember the crazy roller coaster ride to Yzmas lab?? Perfect start!! Love Kronk too !
I love the Indy ride at Disneyland so I’m happy about one opening in Florida so I can go to Parks closer to my home in New Orleans
100% on board with an Emperor’s New Groove attraction!!
Actually an Indiana Jones ride could work, they should keep the dinosaur animatronics and put Indiana Jones having him use a dial gadget and accidentally go back in time to the Jurassic period as he and the rider guests have to help Indiana Jones get back in time. I would be sad if the Disney imagineers removed the dinosaurs. Or another idea is retheme it into a DuckTales ride where scrooge McDuck, hewy, duey, Louie, Wendy go back in time to the Jurassic period and try to get back in time. Which I feel are better retheme ideas.
Disney, specially at the Studios, is already woke enough. It’s actually a good thing they have some good old hero attraction in the parks.
I respectfully disagree Indiana Jones fits the jungle aesthetic really well. To the point of popularity well I had forgotten about emperors new groove entirely until you mentioned it. No one will ever forget Indiana Jones.finally I think this is a great step a new land with some new and old that all can enjoy.
If Disney didn’t trash The Great Movie Ride maybe Indiana Jones would have a cinematic history that connects the theme park to the interest of Indiana Jones…eventually Star Wars attractions might suffer a similar fate….and whatever happened to that Star War themed hotel at Hollywood Studios that crashed and burned ?