Harrison Ford confirmed at D23, that he is the physical model for the new Indiana Jones animatronic featured in the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.
The franchise star is returning to portray his adventurer in an entirely new way. Disney announced the official title and storyline details for its upcoming Animal Kingdom attraction during the 2026 D23 Expo presentation held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Walt Disney Imagineers Michael Hundgen and Chris Beatty revealed that the ride will immerse guests in ancient Maya culture while delivering classic thrills alongside the archaeologist.
Harrison Ford Becomes an Audio-Animatronic for the First Time
While theme park visitors have encountered attractions dedicated to the hero for decades, none have ever featured the actor’s actual face. Disneyland opened its Indiana Jones Adventure in 1995 utilizing an Indy figure that never used Ford’s actual likeness, and Tokyo DisneySea followed suit with similar non-likeness Audio-Animatronics.
That changes with the new Walt Disney World project. Harrison Ford, 84, appeared in a surprise video message during the fan event to share the milestone directly with attendees.
“Hello, D23, thanks for coming along on all of Indy’s adventures. Soon it will be time for his next ride, and I’m pleased to share for the first time ever, I’m the actual model for the Indiana Jones animatronic — fear of snakes included.”
Harrison Ford
Imagineers subsequently displayed the digital model being used to sculpt the figure. The new project marks Ford’s return to the role following his appearance in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023. His journey as the character began decades earlier with Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in 1989, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008.
Inside Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
The upcoming attraction anchors Tropical Americas, a new 11-acre themed land replacing DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The ride drops guests into an original storyline set deep within an ancient Maya temple. Dr. Jones is found exploring the ruins near a water-filled underground cave known as a cenote. Local legend dictates that the passageway leads directly to the Maya Underworld and remains under the watchful eye of a serpentine creature named the Tsukán.
The adventure escalates when riders are sucked through a portal leading into the underworld. The ensuing escape sequence features monstrous bats, larger-than-life scorpions, fire and flame, and, of course, snakes.
- Monstrous bats and larger-than-life scorpions
- Fire and flame hazards throughout the descent
- A massive hand-sculpted Audio-Animatronic Tsukán snake
- A final climactic confrontation with serpents
Chris Beatty noted during the presentation that the final encounter with the Tsukán will solidify your fear of snakes for the rest of time.
Tropical Americas Expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
It is an 11-acre expansion featuring two headliners, Indiana Jones and an Encanto attraction, plus shopping and dining.
To ensure cultural authenticity, project teams collaborated with archaeologists, anthropologists, and Maya experts, drawing insights from research trips to Honduras and the Copán ruins. Construction on the temple entrance is actively underway.
Disney’s D23 write-up does not include an opening date for the ride.
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