Why not an Indiana Jones Land at the Magic Kingdom since Disney owns Lucasfilm (Plus Walkthrough)!

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Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hello all,

Considering the fact that Disney a few months ago spent over 4 billion dollars acquiring Lucasfilms' "Star Wars" franchise, would it not make sense for them to capitalize (or maximize) on their investment by developing further its attractions based on the "Indiana Jones" franchise. Seeing that Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland have both had the Indiana Jones ride Temple of the Forbidden Eye for over ten years, would it not make sense to bring a similar attraction and related attractions to the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. Given the fact that there isn't much room to expand in Adventureland, perhaps they could create an Indiana Jones themed land behind Fantasyland, basically wedged between the aforementioned land, the railroad track, and the Rivers of America. This land is considered by the Reedy Creek Improvement District to be usable, so developing it would not likely be prohibitive in terms of cost. After all, new themed lands based on movies is not new. In fact, there is much speculation about an "Avatar" land at Animal Kingdom and a "Star Wars" land at Disneyland that would take up part of the existing Tomorrowland. If both come to fruition, as well as the rumors about a "Cars Land" and "Star Wars" land at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, then my suggested addition to the Magic Kingdom would be in keeping with the need to attract new visitors to Disney World given the increasing competition offered by Universal Studios and its "Harry Potter" attractions.

While my idea about an Indiana Jones themed land at the Magic Kingdom is by no means comprehensive, there are quite a few off the shelf rides that could be incorporated in such a land. For instance, while the Dinosaur ride at Animal Kingdom uses the same ride technology as its Temple of the Forbidden Eye counterpart in California, to provide greater differentiation between the existing rides, the track could be reversed (i.e. a mirror version of the other rides) if a Magic Kingdom version is built. Hopefully, the ride could have further modifications, but the aforementioned alteration would be relatively easy to achieve. To fill out the land, other rides could be built, such as a "minecoaster" ride set in the Temple of Doom that utilizes the technology they just developed for the "Seven Dwarves Mine Coaster." Beyond the rides, which I would welcome input and suggestions, they could also create a restaurant based on the Club Obi Wan in Temple of Doom, a cantina set in a Mexican town/pueblo (given the Young Indiana Jones' brief time with Pancho Villa), a gift store and outdoor café based on the Venetian library/church in Last Crusade, and maybe even a 50's diner as depicted in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. They could also build dioramas (if not attractions) based on the different movies. One could envision the Incan pyramids seen in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (perhaps overtop the Temple of the Forbidden Eye ride), the Treasury building at Petra, Jordan (since it was depicted as the location of the Grail), Pankot Palace as seen in the Temple of Doom (possibly over the Temple of Doom Minecoaster to save space), or perhaps the Egyptian city of Tanis depicted in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Further suggestions would be welcomed.

Finally, an Indiana Jones themed land set in the part of the Magic Kingdom I suggested would not be quite as accessible as the other lands because of its location. Nevertheless, that could add to its mystery. Guests would only be able to access it by the Magic Kingdom Railroad or by boat. Nevertheless, that could allow for the Imagineers to provide further theming. The Circus Train seen in The Last Crusade (with terrariums for the snakes and other reptiles, as well as, possible animatronic animals) could be permanently located on a parallel track next to a new train station built for the Indiana Jones themed land. Now, as for the boat ride on the Rivers of America, it could end at a dock near the village of the South American tribe seen at the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark. These are just some suggestions, feel free to elaborate. Unfortunately, given the cost of such a project, it probably will never happen, but it could bring in a whole new demographic to the Magic Kingdom that probably would otherwise be drawn to Universal Studios.
 
C

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks Lexxweb! It seems like a no-brainer to reinvigorate the "Indiana Jones" franchise and at the same time inspire a whole new generation. What better way to do it than provide guests with a tangible, real life experience, wherein they encounter the exciting locations that Jones visited in the 1930s and 1950s. It is in a way rather nostalgic. Kind of a cross between the history of Main Street U.S.A. and the allure of Adventureland. Yet, unique in its own way.
 
Gonzo79

Gonzo79

Well-Known Member
I would love to see a ride based on Indiana Jones at WDW. I dont care where it goes.Adventureland,Hollywood Studios,or Animal Kingdom are all great places where Indy can fit into. You got some great ideas.
 
litaljohn

litaljohn

Well-Known Member
I think Indy theming would be cool, if not for entire area or ride to have some smaller tie ins. I mean animal kingdom would be perfect for a new building filled with...... SNAKES!!!!!! ( or even some bugs a la temple of doom scene with the bugs all around that hallway) and speaking a of that movie lets just rename soarin to "Soarin' and the incredibly long stand by line of doom"
 
C

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
litaljohn said:
I think Indy theming would be cool, if not for entire area or ride to have some smaller tie ins. I mean animal kingdom would be perfect for a new building filled with...... SNAKES!!!!!! ( or even some bugs a la temple of doom scene with the bugs all around that hallway) and speaking a of that movie lets just rename soarin to "Soarin' and the incredibly long stand by line of doom"
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Hello litaljohn,

Thanks for the response. I liked your ideas as well. Your idea of hallways full of bugs, snakes, and you could certainly add spiders (given the scence in the temple cave at the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark) would certainly fit in well at Animal Kingdom. The park certainly could use an injection of new ideas to get people to spend a day at each of the four gates at Disney World. My only concern would be that if the Indiana Jones themed land I envisioned was set in Animal Kingdom, the proximity of a Temple of the Forbidden Eye ride and the Dinosaur ride might prove problematic if there is not sufficient differentiation between the two rides. However, this is not impossible. For quite some time, both Star Tours and Body Wars were found at Disney World despite sharing some similar ride characteristics. Nevertheless, they were at least in different parks (MGM/Hollywood Studios and Epcot respectively).
 
C

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
FettFan said:
Hollywood Studios. That is all.
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Hello FettFan,

I generally agree with you that Hollywood Studios would be a good location for the land I envisioned, but went with the Magic Kingdom partly because of the relative lack of space at Hollywood Studios for expansion purposes. Much of what is slated to be converted in the park would be taken up by the "Cars Land" and "Star Wars Land" expansions, assuming one or both of those projects actually takes place. The "Cars Land" expansion would essentially replace the Backstage Tour and the Light, Motors, Action show; whereas, the "Star Wars Land" expansion would generally replace several of the buildings in the vicinity of the Star Tours Attraction. That would not leave much space to expand around the existing Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show. I suppose they could expand outside the existing park boundaries into the adjacent parking lot, but they would probably have to offset the lost parking spaces by building a parking structure. Such a prospect seems feasible because of the structures planned for Disney Springs. Getting back to the location issue, Magic Kingdom might simply be easier since it is unused and available land, therefore the cost might be less, as well as, the fact that no existing rides and attractions need be lost. Good point though about Hollywood Studios, since it certainly could use some additional rides, etc., to encourage people to spend a whole day at the park.
 
C

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
openendedsky said:
lol.




IMO, Star Wars Land would bring in a lot more people than "Indiana Jones Land".
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Hello openendedsky,

I would pretty much agree with you. Consequently, it would make more sense to have the big draw ("Star Wars") at the park that needs it the most (Hollywood Studios). On the otherhand, a land themed around Indiana Jones would not require the same level of other worldly trappings like Star Wars or Avatar for that matter. It could probably be done much less expensively, since they already have similar rides at other locations to the one's proposed. My thought was for them to maximize their investment in Lucasfilm. Only time will tell if some of these other films (Avatar, Cars, etc.) will have multigenerational appeal as Star Wars and Indiana Jones have had.
 
openendedsky

openendedsky

Well-Known Member
Corey said:
Hello openendedsky,

I would pretty much agree with you. Consequently, it would make more sense to have the big draw ("Star Wars") at the park that needs it the most (Hollywood Studios). On the otherhand, a land themed around Indiana Jones would not require the same level of other worldly trappings like Star Wars or Avatar for that matter. It could probably be done much less expensively, since they already have similar rides at other locations to the one's proposed. My thought was for them to maximize their investment in Lucasfilm. Only time will tell if some of these other films (Avatar, Cars, etc.) will have multigenerational appeal as Star Wars and Indiana Jones have had.
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This was the longest paragraph that I have ever read that ultimately said nothing new or informative at all.
 
FettFan

FettFan

Well-Known Member
Corey said:
Hello FettFan,

I generally agree with you that Hollywood Studios would be a good location for the land I envisioned, but went with the Magic Kingdom partly because of the relative lack of space at Hollywood Studios for expansion purposes. Much of what is slated to be converted in the park would be taken up by the "Cars Land" and "Star Wars Land" expansions, assuming one or both of those projects actually takes place. The "Cars Land" expansion would essentially replace the Backstage Tour and the Light, Motors, Action show; whereas, the "Star Wars Land" expansion would generally replace several of the buildings in the vicinity of the Star Tours Attraction. That would not leave much space to expand around the existing Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show. I suppose they could expand outside the existing park boundaries into the adjacent parking lot, but they would probably have to offset the lost parking spaces by building a parking structure. Such a prospect seems feasible because of the structures planned for Disney Springs. Getting back to the location issue, Magic Kingdom might simply be easier since it is unused and available land, therefore the cost might be less, as well as, the fact that no existing rides and attractions need be lost. Good point though about Hollywood Studios, since it certainly could use some additional rides, etc., to encourage people to spend a whole day at the park.
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That's why I've been a major proponent of turning the entire Echo Lake area into Lucasfilm, to deal with both Star Wars and Indiana Jones. The 50s Prime Time Cafe, for instance, would be re-themed to be the cafe from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
 
T

thomas998

Well-Known Member
Corey said:
Hello all,

Considering the fact that Disney a few months ago spent over 4 billion dollars acquiring Lucasfilms' "Star Wars" franchise, would it not make sense for them to capitalize (or maximize) on their investment by developing further its attractions based on the "Indiana Jones" franchise....
Click to expand...

I would think the best fit wouldn't be Magic Kingdom, the best place would be to put integrate more Indiana Jones in Animal Kingdom... if they did that families like my own might actually go to Animal Kingdom when we were at Disneyworld.
 
C

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
thomas998 said:
I would think the best fit wouldn't be Magic Kingdom, the best place would be to put integrate more Indiana Jones in Animal Kingdom... if they did that families like my own might actually go to Animal Kingdom when we were at Disneyworld.
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Hi thomas998,

You make some very good points. I would have thought of placing an Indiana Jones themed land in Animal Kingdom if it weren't for all the talk about an Avatar land there as well. Putting yet another land there might imply that Avatar may not do the trick of boosting attendance at that park. Perhaps Indy would still work there. My one concern would have been the similarity between the ride vehicles and track for the Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom and a possible Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye ride. Perhaps, beyond just reversing the direction of the track, they could also retheme the jeep vehicles to look more like the Russian offroad vehicles that were depicted in the Brazilian Amazonian Rainforest in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. They could make the various ride vehicles look like the convoy in the film, with different versions. Perhaps the different theme would allow for a reuse of the basic ride vehicle and track from Temple of the Forbidden Eye, in addition to all of the other ideas I mentioned earlier in other posts. I'll spare the readers of this from reiterating all that.
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
Solve for 'X' ....

DAK

Embed IJ in a South America Land or Adventuers' Land. Plot next to Asia.

Then remove Indy from DHS.

Then build "Toon Village" where the current Indy show is. Expand into parking lot if necessary.

Perfect.
 

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