Harrison Ford is set to play Indiana Jones again, and this time the adventure unfolds inside a Walt Disney World theme park rather than a movie theater. Disney confirmed the news over the weekend at the D23 convention in Anaheim, California, revealing that the 84-year-old actor will lend his likeness to a brand-new attraction opening at Animal Kingdom.
The announcement arrived through a pre-taped video message, since Ford did not attend the convention in person. Fans watching the presentation got a first look at what the studio is calling one of its most ambitious park additions in years.
What Disney Announced at D23
Disney unveiled the project on Saturday night during its D23 Expo presentation. The new attraction, titled Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, is currently under construction at Animal Kingdom in Florida.
The ride sits on the former site of Dinoland U.S.A., which closed in 2025 to make room for the expansion. Once finished, it will mark the first Indiana Jones attraction ever built at Walt Disney World. Similar rides already exist at Disneyland in California, Tokyo Disney, and Disneyland Paris, but Florida guests have never had their own version until now.
Disney Parks teased the project on social media with a playful nod to Indy’s most famous fear, referencing a creature called Tsukán that guests will apparently encounter during the experience. The callback to the character’s snake phobia, first introduced in Raiders of the Lost Ark, signals that the ride will lean heavily into the franchise’s classic tone and humor.
Harrison Ford’s Role in the New Attraction
Harrison Ford is set to play Indiana Jones again in a way he never has before. Rather than appearing on screen, the actor served as the actual physical model for the animatronic robot that will represent Indy inside the attraction.
Ford confirmed the detail himself in his video message, calling it a first for his decades-long relationship with the character. He explained that engineers scanned and built the robot around his likeness, capturing everything down to the character’s signature nervous reaction to snakes.
“I’m excited for you to see his next epic adventure,” Ford said during the presentation. He added that he plans to visit Walt Disney World once the attraction opens, though he did not attend the D23 reveal in person.
This marks Ford’s first connection to the Indiana Jones franchise since Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny released in 2023. That film, directed by James Mangold rather than longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg, was billed at the time as Ford’s final outing as the character. His return now comes through a theme park attraction instead of a film role, which has surprised longtime fans of the franchise.
No Confirmed Opening Date Yet
Disney has not announced a specific opening date for Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent. Company representatives only said the attraction would debut “soon,” without offering a month or year.
The studio also has not clarified which version of Indiana Jones the ride will represent. It remains unclear whether the animatronic will reflect Ford’s appearance from the original 1980s trilogy, the 2008 film, or the more recent Dial of Destiny. Given that Ford himself served as the physical model, the final look may end up drawing from his current appearance rather than any single past film.
Construction continues at the Animal Kingdom site, and Disney has not released detailed images of the finished ride vehicles or show scenes. The company typically shares more specifics as an opening date approaches.
Why This Announcement Matters
Harrison Ford playing Indiana Jones again, even through an animatronic rather than a new film, carries weight for a franchise that first debuted more than four decades ago. Ford originated the role in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark and has remained the only actor associated with the character across five films.
The Animal Kingdom project gives Disney a way to keep the character active in its parks without committing to another movie. It also allows longtime fans and newer audiences to experience a physical connection to Ford’s performance, something no previous Indiana Jones attraction has offered anywhere in the world.
Industry watchers see the move as part of a broader trend at Disney parks, where the company increasingly uses actor likenesses and voice work to deepen the realism of its attractions. Recent additions across Disney’s parks have leaned on similar techniques, and the Jade Serpent ride appears to continue that direction.
A Look at the Indiana Jones Timeline
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| First film | Raiders of the Lost Ark, released 1981 |
| Most recent film | Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, released 2023 |
| Existing park attractions | Disneyland, Tokyo Disney, Disneyland Paris |
| New attraction | Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent |
| Location | Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Florida |
| Announcement date | August 15, 2026, at D23 in Anaheim |
The table above highlights how significant this addition is for Walt Disney World specifically, since the resort has gone without a dedicated Indiana Jones ride for its entire history while sister parks around the world enjoyed their own versions for decades.
What Fans Can Expect Next
Disney enthusiasts should expect additional details in the coming months as construction on the Animal Kingdom attraction progresses. Concept art, ride-through descriptions, and cast announcements typically follow major D23 reveals, and this project appears to be no exception.
Harrison Ford’s involvement adds a layer of authenticity that fans have specifically requested for years. Previous Disney park attractions tied to the franchise relied on generic character models rather than an actor’s actual likeness, so this shift represents a meaningful upgrade for the brand.
Whether Ford makes a personal appearance at the eventual grand opening remains unknown, though his comments during the D23 video suggested genuine enthusiasm about visiting once the ride is complete. Given his history with the character, many fans expect at least some level of involvement once a firm opening date gets announced.
For now, the confirmation that Harrison Ford is set to play Indiana Jones again through this new animatronic role stands as one of the more unexpected franchise updates of the year. It bridges his decades of film work with a permanent physical presence inside one of Disney’s most visited theme parks.
Do you think Disney should bring Harrison Ford back for one more Indiana Jones film, or does this new ride feel like the right way to close out the character’s story? Share your thoughts below.