New Indiana Jones Ride at Animal Kingdom Named — Jade Serpent, Maya Underworld, and Harrison Ford Animatronic

Disney has revealed the name and full storyline of the new Indiana Jones attraction coming to Tropical Americas at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Announced at D23 in Anaheim, the ride is called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent — and it comes with some major details, including a Harrison Ford animatronic and a giant serpent.

Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent – Tsuka´n Concept Art

Harrison Ford Is the Animatronic

Ford himself delivered the news via a message to the D23 audience. He confirmed he is the actual model for the Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronics figure in the attraction — the first time his likeness will appear on a Disney attraction anywhere in the world. Imagineers followed up by displaying the digital model being used to build the figure.

The Storyline

You rendezvous with Dr. Jones as he explores a mysterious ancient Maya temple built near a cenote — a water-filled underground cave. Local legend holds that the passage leads directly to the Maya Underworld, protected by a serpentine creature called the Tsukán.

Things go sideways fast. Riders are pulled through a portal into the Underworld, where the dangers include:

• Monstrous bats
• Giant scorpions
• Fire and flame
• Snakes — lots of snakes

The Tsukán appears throughout the attraction, building to a final confrontation that Imagineer Chris Beatty described as something that will likely cement a fear of snakes permanently. A first look at the creature's Audio-Animatronics figure was shown at D23, revealing just how large it is — completely towering over the Imagineers working on it. The figure is being sculpted by hand to make it as lifelike as possible.

Logo for Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent

The attraction is set within the world of the ancient Maya, consistent with Animal Kingdom's commitment to authentic storytelling. The project team has worked with archaeologists, anthropologists, and Maya experts to make sure every element accurately reflects the region and its culture. Imagineers described the Maya artwork inside the attraction as highly detailed and original.

Concept art showing Indiana Jones holding a torch inside a temple cave as a ride vehicle passes nearby

Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will sit within Tropical Americas, the new land coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2027. The attraction replaces DINOSAUR, which closed in January 2024. The temple facade is already under construction — aerial photos have shown significant progress on the former DINOSAUR building, with new structural steelwork rising at the entrance.

Imagineers confirmed at D23 that construction of the temple entrance is underway, and gave audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the facade for the first time.