Indiana Jones is easily one of the most beloved and recognizable movie characters of all time. Created by George Lucas, the Indiana Jones movies are filled with tremendous action sequences, thrills, suspense, and daring stunts that often leave you wondering how they were done. This is precisely the premise of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and what makes it the perfect fit in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The relationship between Lucasfilm and Disney dates back to well before Disney’s purchase of the company in 2012. In fact, both Indiana Jones and Star Wars had a very large presence at the Disney-MGM Studios in the park’s early years. Opening on August 25, 1989, just three months after the park first opened, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular has changed very little since its debut. With a plot revolving heavily around exciting stunts, pyrotechnics, and other special effects, the Epic Stunt Spectacular provides Guests with non-stop action and allows them to see how some of their favorite scenes from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” were produced.
The success and longevity of this show fall heavily upon the timelessness and popularity of Indiana Jones. If it were just a generic stunt show it would not draw in nearly the numbers that it continues to do today. That being said, the show also has some other appealing qualities. Holding true to the movies, the show also features its share of lighthearted and funny moments that help to break up the action, not the least of which involve the extras that are selected from the audience. This is another unique aspect of the show which allows Guests to not merely see how movies are made, but to be a first-hand participant in the moviemaking process.
While many other shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have come and gone, the Epic Stunt Spectacular continues to be popular. It is the type of show that is equally action-packed and entertaining so that it keeps you wanting to come back to see it again even though the stunts remain largely the same. With its beautiful sets reminiscent of the movies, popular characters, and a touch of comedy, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is worthy of the number #34 spot on the top fifty countdown.
#33: Grizzly River Run, Disney’s California Adventure
This next attraction is actually the longest, tallest, and fastest river rapids attraction in the world. In typical Disney fashion, however, this is not enough without having an immersive theme and story. While the thrills make the ride fun, the attraction’s overall beauty is really what makes it special. While it might be very similar to Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom, Kali cannot match Grizzly River Run in terms of sheer majesty, with Grizzly Peak serving as one of the icons of California Adventure.
Paying tribute to California’s National Parks, Grizzly Peak has a look and feel reminiscent of Yosemite. The backstory for the attraction is that a German emigrant by the name of Jakob Probst discovered gold at Grizzly Peak in the mid-1800s and later sold his claim for millions to the Eureka Gold & Timber Company. The Company was a successful business throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, extracting gold from the mountain and shipping it to San Francisco. While the mining company closed down in 1950, all the structures remain and are now home to the Grizzly River Rafting Company.
The ride itself highlights the beauty of the area, with Guests making their way through mountain caverns and mine shafts, past trees, waterfalls, and geysers. This is definitely one of the best-themed, most detailed, and immersive attractions at California Adventure. Even the queue is well-themed as Guests pass a series of cliffs that reveal the fossilized remains of some of California’s Ice Age inhabitants. While there are plenty of rapids and drops, Guests on Grizzly River Run do not get quite as wet as those on Kali River Rapids, which also makes the ride more enjoyable.
While much of California Adventure has undergone drastic changes in the recent years, Grizzly River Run has remained largely the same. This is a testament to the design of the attraction that combines classic Disney storytelling and theming with the excitement and thrills of a river rapids attraction. This attraction is also the perfect example of how Disney has improved upon ride technology over the years, as it is longer, taller, and faster than its sister attraction Kali River Rapids. For all these reasons, Grizzly River Run ranks #33 on the top fifty countdown.
#32: Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover, Magic Kingdom
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover might seem more like a mode of transportation than a theme park attraction, but that is exactly what it was deigned to be. It is also for this reason why the attraction ranks so high on the top fifty list. Formerly known as the WEDWay PeopleMover until 1994 and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority until 2010, this is an attraction with a long and storied history.
The concept of the Peoplemover dates all the way back to the 1964 New York World’s Fair where it was used for the Ford Magic Skyway, an attraction designed by Disney. Walt Disney truly saw this as a futuristic mode of transportation and even included it in the plans for his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The Peoplemover then found a home in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland in 1967. Unlike the Magic Kingdom version, however, Disneyland’s original Peoplemover had vehicles pushed by rotating tires embedded in the track 90 feet apart. The Peoplemover opened at Magic Kingdom on July 1, 1975 and utilized magnets, rather than tires, to propel the vehicles forward.
While the narration has changed several times over the years to reflect the changing theming of Tomorrowland, the ride itself remains the same. While not providing much in terms of thrills, the attraction still offers many admirable qualities, such as being a calm and relaxing escape from the Magic Kingdom crowds, offering scenic views of Tomorrowland, and even a glimpse into Space Mountain all while seldom having much of a wait. For these reasons, the Peoplemover is an attraction that is fun and can be enjoyed by the entire family and that is a huge reason for its longevity. Thanks to its long and storied history, this classic tour of Tomorrowland comes in at #32 in the top fifty rankings.
#31: Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid, Magic Kingdom
This next attraction is also one of the most recent additions to any Disney park. When the plans for expanding Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom were announced, a Little Mermaid attraction was promoted as one of the highlights of this new area of the park. While many aspects of the plans changed over time, the Little Mermaid attraction remained untouched. In the mold of the classic Fantasyland dark rides, Under the Sea places Guests right into the middle of the story of The Little Mermaid, experiencing some of the most memorable moments from the movie.
The new Fantasyland is based heavily upon intricate detail and theming that help to create a completely immersive environment that makes Guests feel as if they have stepped into the middle of some of their favorite classic Disney movies. In such a beautifully-themed land, Under the Sea is certainly the crown jewel. Featuring Prince Eric’s castle and the surrounding cliffs, the exterior of the attraction is certainly one of the most stunning and picturesque to be found at Magic Kingdom. The queue is an attraction unto itself as Guests meander through caverns and past waterfalls. The queue also features an interactive scavenger hunt where Guests search for various items amid washed-up relics and treasure.
The ride itself, nearly identical to the one opened at California Adventure a year earlier, is a classic omnimover attraction. The storyline of the ride follows closely to that of the movie and is driven by the movie’s memorable music. While the attraction is reminiscent of the early Fantasyland dark rides, it also shows how much technology has improved over time. The attraction features some impressive Audio Animatronic figures, such as massive Ursula animatronic, in addition to lighting and projection effects that simulate the look and feel of being submerged under water. Another element adding to this is the use of slight temperature changes to give the illusion of being under water.
Under the Sea tells a classic story featuring some of the most beloved Disney characters and memorable music. Immersing Guests into the middle of the story, this is the type of attraction Walt Disney envisioned when he first conceived the idea of constructing theme parks. Combining classic storytelling with new technology, Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is one of the most beautiful, detailed, and well themed attractions at Magic Kingdom and a great addition with new Fantasyland. For these reasons, the attraction is #31 in the top 50 rankings.
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