Disney rides rarely follow a straight path from concept to construction, and so it was with the Indiana Jones coaster that opened in Adventureland at Disneyland Paris. As impressive as the temple coaster was—and as important as its opening was to Euro Disneyland, now Disneyland Paris—it was originally designed for Disneyland in California. How did a California concept end up in Paris? Before we begin our excavation, let’s appreciate the Temple of Peril. The ride itself is ordinary; what makes it memorable is the Adventureland setting the Imagineers created. Its story never appeared in an Indiana Jones film, but it feels as though it could have.
The Indy coaster is a common ride.
The Indiana Jones expansion of Disneyland would have been transformational. The idea was to leverage the Disneyland Railroad along with the Jungle Cruise while creating two entirely new rides. The jeep transport was the headline attraction but the coaster while different would have been equally as good. The concept artwork reveals a breathtaking vision for transforming Disneyland, inspired in part by Knott’s Berry Farm’s Calico Mine Train. Built around a massive scene, the complex would have reimagined Adventureland as Indiana Jones Land, combining four rides: the Disneyland Railroad, Jungle Cruise, the transport ride Anaheim eventually received, and a coaster. Stacked together, they would have created a complex unlike anything Disney had ever seen. Its centerpiece would have been a temple far grander than the one built in Paris, rising above Adventureland’s tree canopy. The temple would have caught your eye from afar and invited you closer. Isn’t that what good show design is all about—making you want to explore? The Indiana Jones show building would have occupied a site inside the park berm, rather than its present location, fundamentally altering the equation. Ultimately, the concept was shelved in the vault, awaiting better times and a new setting.
Temple of Peril model at WDI in Glendale California.
Soon after Euro Disney opened, it was decided to add 10 new rides and attractions to the park, increasing the total attraction capacity of the park by 10,000 guests per hour. When ACP began, there was no time to spare. The Imagineers had to hit the ground running and work as quickly as possible. The chosen coaster site was ideal: across from Adventure Isle, in an unused field beside the railroad. It would have been the perfect place to bring Anaheim’s concept to Euro Disneyland, but that vision never materialized. Time and money ruled out the larger idea. Instead, the team searched the Glendale art vault and found the Indiana Jones Temple of Peril coaster concept. The solution was to draw on the past and buy an off-the-shelf ride—an approach Disney had used since the original Disneyland. Attractions such as the Von Roll rides, Skyway, and Rocket Jets had all existed in other forms. Indiana Jones followed that approach. The team chose an existing portable coaster designed for traveling operation. It featured a loop and offered big thrills rather than high capacity. But it worked.
There is still land in Paris to build the E Ticket transport ride.
Disney used the same approach later with Mulholland Madness at Disney California Adventure. That ride came from Mack Rides, not Von Roll or Pinfari. It opened with the park and still operates today. It, too, is portable. If you doubt it, take a closer look the next time you ride. It has kept guests happy for years—and they love it.
The Paris coaster would be off the shelf common ride. The attraction was based on a standard, off-the-shelf inverting coaster. Its loop made it a milestone: it was Disney’s first looping coaster. Beyond its name, however, it featured little Indiana Jones theming. Ideas were explored but little was done.
The coaster was later developed for Tokyo DisneySea as Raging Spirits, without the Indiana Jones name or branding but with show, the battle between the spirits of Fire and Water.
If you enjoyed reading this article, then I invite you go to watch my YouTube channel, “Disney Journey with Jim Shull”. On my channel I tell stories about the Disney Parks from my vantage point as a Disney Imagineer.
