Menu

When Walt Disney World Entertainment Goes South Midshow

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Credit: Disney

Sometimes, things don’t always go as planned during a live performance at Walt Disney World Resort. There will inevitably be hiccups now and then. So how does Disney handle embarrassing situations like this?

Every performance is different, but we’ve got answers regarding one popular entertainment offering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is the first Indiana Jones attraction to be offered at a Disney Park.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Credit: Wikipedia/Disney

The program opened on August 25, 1989, a few months after Disney Hollywood Studios premiered at the Resort. Southern California followed suit with a themed ride at Disneyland Park called Indiana Jones Adventure, which opened in March 1995.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is based on the famous Indiana Jones franchise, which contains four films (A fifth is currently in production). Many of the stunts are taken from the first movie, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1989).

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Credit: Disney

One famous scene is depicted in Walt Disney World’s epic show, which features Indy and Marion performing stunts with special effects. An Indiana Jones-themed experience would not be complete without the iconic boulder scene, in which Indy runs away as a giant, round rock chases after him.

A TikTok video released by @thatlocaltourist captured a malfunction in this particular scene on stage. She shares that at this point in the show, “The pillar is supposed to descend releasing the boulder.”

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned during the performance. So, what does Disney do in a situation like this, where loads of onlookers are watching a live entertainment offering on stage?

@thatlocaltourist

The pilar is supposed to descend releasing the boulder #disneyfail #showbusiness #disneyparks #disney #indianajonesstuntspectacular #indianajones #distok #disneytiktok #disneyshollywoodstudios #ReTokforNature #disneydays #waltdisneyworldresort #hollywoodstudios

♬ original sound – Keller Moore

They play along! A Disney Cast Member posing as a director yells, “Cut!” The TikToker describes that “Due to the nature of this show, they’re able to tie the technical issues into the show and carry on!” It seems like a very Disney thing to do, doesn’t it?

The director continues by telling Indy that they will reset and do a second take. Well, that’s convenient…and clever! During the performance, Guests are given “an inside look at how stunts are done with demonstrations that reveal how to safely throw and take punches, fall from tall buildings, and even wield whips in the midst of complex action sequences.”

So, it makes perfect sense for Disney to handle the situation in this seamless way! We’re not quite sure what the protocol is for other live performances, but it seems Disney has the art of deception mastered when it comes to Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

About Christy Weinberg

Christy is a West Coast writer with a special place in her heart for Disneyland Resort and Aulani. Growing up near the Parks, she was an Annual Passholder for about twenty years, often frequenting the Resort several times per week. Though she recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, she carries the magic with her by writing about Disney and connecting with the Disney community on social media.