More than thirty years later, the man with the whip still entertains

Yeah, I know. You read Indiana Jones and the theme song instantly starts playing in your head, right?

Well, when I read Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, my mind instantly travels back to a time where live shows were still not that common in theme parks. Indy debuted over thirty years ago, and I can only imagine how mind blowing it was to see stunt actors in front of you performing some of the most iconic scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

I’m glad to say that Epic Stunt Spectacular is still pretty fun, even in 2024. This is actually one of the biggest and most intense live shows in Disney World, set in a big theater with capacity for almost three thousand guests. Indy is separated into three different set pieces, all of them based on the first movie of the franchise.

Of course, one of the set pieces is the iconic scene where Indy steals the idol from the Peruvian temple and narrowly escapes a giant rolling boulder. Guests also witness Indy and Marion in an intense brawl in a Cairo market (where Indy famously shoots the swordsman in the first movie). The show reaches its climax with Indy and Marion trying to stop the Nazis and fighting them in an airport, complete with the presence of a scaled-down Luftwaffe aircraft.

There is a lot to like about this show. You will see fistfights, gunfights, Indy dodging traps, Indy using his whip, explosions, fire, trucks blowing up and a huge fight breaking out while an aircraft is ready to take off on stage. Phew, let me catch my breath. It helps that the stage in question is rather large, so there is always something going on. The Cairo setpiece really stands out, with big buildings and featuring stunt actors getting shot and taking dramatic falls you expect to see in a movie from the 80s.

My main problem with Epic Stunt Spectacular is the amount of downtime. As stated above, everything happens on stage, and the three different segments are very different from each other. You go from a mysterious temple full of traps to a market in Cairo and then an airport. Cast members need time to set up the next set piece, and you actually see them working in the background to make sure everything is ready for the next action sequence as entire backgrounds get replaced.

This also means that not much is happening during that time. You do get to see a cast member performing the role of a movie director, offering insights into the behind-the-scenes magic that brings the action to life on screen. It’s cool, sure, but you are here to see the action scenes, and it’s kinda disappointing that almost half of the show is taken by moments like those.

Will Kids enjoy it?

Absolutely. This is a really, really fun show for the entire family, and an old time classic in Hollywood Studios. The stage is huge, with moving platforms and lots of props, where you see a Harrison Ford look alike escaping from traps, running from a rolling boulder, fighting baddies in a crowded market and much more. Moments like these are guaranteed to keep your kids glued to the action on stage.

Sure, there's a lot of action, with fistfights breaking out and people shooting at each other. But don't worry, you won't see any (fake) blood. There used to be a part at the end where a character got run over by the airplane propeller, but they took that out a few years back.

The downtime between setpieces might cause your kids to lose focus a bit, though. It stretches on for a tad too long, but it's not enough for them to get outright bored. Just a heads-up: bring along some snacks and try to arrive early to snag a good seat.