Disney World Announces Indiana Jones Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular!
Walt Disney World is building not one, but two Indiana Jones-adjacent play areas. Months after filings for the mysterious “Project Fedora” and commencing construction at Hollywood Studios, we finally have an answer to what Imagineering is doing outside Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. It’s a new playground, the first of two next door to Indiana Jones attractions that’ll come online in the next couple of years.
As basic background, over the summer, a new entry mysteriously materialized in the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) database titled “Project Fedora.” The location of this is 253 Cypress Drive, which is between Oasis Canteen and Backlot Express, across from Star Tours.
The project area is only 202 square feet in size, and is also by the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular exit where there used to be a merchandise kiosk. Rolling planters have been in place for months, and work began in the spring to tear up pavement and remove vegetation. Since then, we’ve watched this area slowly transform, and have wondered what could be coming outside the attraction.
We previously speculated about what Project Fedora could entail, and landed on a snack stand or booze booth being the most likely candidates, followed by a Shia LaBeouf activation, Disney Vacation Club kiosk, Jedi Training Academy or other interactive experience, character meet & greet location, or splash pad.
We were not confident in any of these predictions, ruling out most of these possibilities due to other similar options in the area or being added to the park via the Magic of Disney Animation. My hope was that it’d be permanent infrastructure for a return of Jedi Training Academy or a comparable interactive experience, but playground is a nice consolation prize!
According to Walt Disney World, Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! is a new play area expected to open in the coming months. Inspired by the spirit of the iconic Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! show, this outdoor playground will give kids the chance to embrace their inner explorer, with interactive elements and themed play structures that bring action and storytelling to life.
Walt Disney World has not indicated whether Indiana Jones Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! will open in late 2026 or 2027. I was just at Disney’s Hollywood Studios earlier today, and it’s impossible to tell from what’s visible in the park. Given the pace of work from spring until November, it could take another full year. But it’s probably fair to say work won’t continue at that pace now that the announcement has been made.
On the other hand, the shade structure is vertical, and given that this is only a playground, work could presumably wrap up within a month or two. Indiana Jones Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! opening before Christmas 2026 wouldn’t be the least bit surprising, nor would early 2027.
Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! will join Drawn to Wonderland over inside the Magic of Disney Animation, which invites kids down the rabbit hole into an indoor playground inspired by Alice in Wonderland in the art style of Disney Legend Mary Blair. Kids can step into larger-than-life environments inspired by the film, including an interactive Mad Hatter tea party table and Queen of Hearts rose garden.
The Drawn to Wonderland playground also features a special area designed for small children, while seating gives parents a place to relax nearby as kids make their way through Wonderland. Together, the colorful environments and interactive elements bring the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland off the screen and all around you.
Together, the Drawn to Wonderland and Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! playgrounds give families two very different ways to build play into a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, from an imaginative indoor journey through Wonderland to an outdoor adventure inspired by larger-than-life stunts.
Walt Disney World also reiterated that more opportunities to play are also on the horizon at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As part of Tropical Americas, plans include a themed play area for kids visiting the beautiful and vibrant Pueblo Esperanza.
With the playground woven into the village of Pueblo Esperanza, kids will have a space of their own to explore as part of a day in Tropical Americas. While opening timeframes and other details will be shared at a later date, this area will continue to expand how young explorers can enjoy Walt Disney World in immersive and active ways.
While more details about this kids area have yet to be revealed, it probably appears in the “Project Ro” post-development plans filed with the South Florida Water Management District. Those revealed a reimagined space between the counter service restaurant and gift shop, essentially in the middle of the Tropical Americas where the Cretaceous Trail was located.
The “big” news here is that the play area in Tropical Americas is part of the village of Pueblo Esperanza. Previously, our assumption was that it would be connected thematically to Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jade Serpent, as it’s close to that attraction and an archeology-themed playground would make sense. It seems instead that it’ll tie to Pueblo Esperanza, which is the subsection of Tropical Americas that will almost certainly open first. (See When Will Tropical Americas Open at Animal Kingdom?)
This play area will have big shoes to fill, as the Boneyard was arguably the best attraction (within its class) in Dinoland. Our daughter was old enough to use it on only a couple of trips, so we only dug into the surface of its potential, but it was right up there with Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in terms of best domestic park play areas.
Now that some time has passed, I’d offer the potentially hot take that, as a functional space (not an aesthetic or atmospheric feature), the Boneyard was better than Tom Sawyer Island. From the filings, we also know that the play area in Pueblo Esperanza will not be as large as the Boneyard. It will likely be more on par with Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular!
As part of the Indiana Jones Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! and Indiana Jones-adjacent playground in Pueblo Esperanza announcement, Walt Disney World has also reiterated the playgrounds around the parks & resorts.
The highlight of these is the indoor, interactive area in the middle of the queue for Dumbo the Flying Elephant. After a lengthy project, that reopened in full relatively recently. If you’ve never checked that out because the ride is too big of a pull, we’d encourage you to take the time, as this often-overlooked play area is worth it.
Not on Walt Disney World’s official list is Moana’s Journey of Water. They probably don’t want to reduce that immersive water trail for guests of all ages (or whatever they call it) into a “mere” play area, but in our daughter’s eyes, that’s exactly what it is.
We have done Moana’s Journey of Water many times in the last couple of months, and have come away completely soaked 100% of the time. Not exactly ideal during the middle of a theme park day, but worth it for the unbridled joy it brings.
Walt Disney World also has playgrounds, some of which are quite good, at the following resort hotels:
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Not on that list since it isn’t a Disney-owned hotel is the Swan & Dolphin, which we may or may not have had to ‘strategically avoid’ while walking to the parks on a recent trip so we didn’t find ourselves rope dropping slides and swings. Suffice to say, there are lots of recreation activities for kids at the Crescent Lake and Skyliner Resorts.
Our Commentary
I’m really excited for Indiana Jones Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! It’s difficult to ascertain ambitiousness and quality from a single piece of concept art, but this looks pretty good. It has backdrops that are reminiscent of the attraction, props that maintain the backstage conceit (a nice surprise), shade, and seating for parents. My only concern is capacity, as this looks to be on the small side and will be located in a high-traffic location.
I’m surprised that Walt Disney World would so quickly add another playground to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, especially after seemingly “backing away” from them with the demise of the Boneyard and Tom Sawyer Island. I guess that was purely coincidental, and I’m pleased to see DHS get a second play area. I still wish there were a large one in Toy Story Land, but hard to look a gift horse in the mouth here.
One year ago in Biggest Lessons Learned on Baby Bricker’s Christmas Trip to Walt Disney World, one whole section lamented that “DHS Doesn’t Have Enough.” We spent the least time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios by a wide margin, as there wasn’t much for our daughter to do.
Fast-forward one year, and the Magic of Disney Animation has opened, bringing a lot to the (animator’s) table. Alien Swirling Saucers: Lilypad’s Jams is still fundamentally the same, but has become our daughter’s favorite ride in the park (we just have to go late to avoid the lines). Those two additions plus more spontaneous character interactions has really elevated DHS for us.
On our two most recent trips in 2026, we’ve spent more time at DHS than EPCOT or Animal Kingdom. (Still a distant second to Magic Kingdom.) And that’s before the new Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! This should be another addition that helps extend our day at DHS, and also makes for counterprogramming to the lengthy stage show next door.
One perplexing reaction I’ve seen too many times in response to both this announcement and the Drawn to Wonderland play area in the Magic of Disney Animation is that it’s disappointing Walt Disney World is building playgrounds. That for the cost of admission, it’s underwhelming and insulting that Disney would add playgrounds instead of rides.
To be sure, this is a vocal minority of comments on social media, and I would assume this sentiment is coming exclusively from Childless Disney Adults. Anyone who is a parent to a young child or has ever had kids probably knows better.
Frankly, until reading that odd sentiment, I would’ve added “or has ever been a kid themselves” (so we’re up to everyone at this point) would know better. Most people know that there are myriad reasons why playgrounds are an asset, so I don’t want to fixate on this too much.
Toddlers need to blow off steam with tactile experiences, and play areas are a nice counterpart to passive attractions and waiting in line. Young children often have older siblings who can do “bigger” rides. Play areas are a nice way to wait out rider swap. Above all else, playgrounds are just flat out fun. There is something to be said for active play, and that is sadly being lost in a world where so many kids are entertained by devices. But I digress.
Suffice to say, I’m a big advocate for more play areas at Walt Disney World. I also fancy myself something of a playground expert. This is based purely on firsthand experience, in multiple Disney Parks and public parks around the country and (real) world.
I’d hazard a guess that I’m in the top .01% of adult males in terms of time logged actively playing on playgrounds. Not to brag or anything, but I’m putting up MVP caliber numbers on slides, swings, and teeter-totter (where available). Whereas many dads are sitting back, mindlessly screwing around on their phones at the playground, I’m in the thick of the action.
All at our daughter’s behest, just so we’re clear. It’s not like I’m pushing toddlers out of the way for a chance to slide or swing by myself. She wants me to do these things right next to her, and I’m more than happy to oblige. Playground time is the highlight of my day.
From my extensive experience in playgrounds, there are a few things I’d like to see Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! offer. The first is a side by side slide. Whether it’s with friends, siblings or parents, toddlers love the side by sider. They yearn for it.
Next up is those slides with the roller things, like inside Drawn to Wonderland. We recently went to a large playground outside a railroad museum that had a lengthy one of these puppies, and Sarah and I loved it (so did our daughter). Generally speaking, a variety of slides and swings is optimal.
Playgrounds should also have those springy things that kids can bounce back and forth in (usually themed to animals or vehicles). All play structures should have at least 4 slides, multiple bridges, and multiple points of egress to reduce traffic jams. Shade structures, including for the seating areas, are also a must. I would also like to see a return of seesaws (there are safer ones now!), but I’m not expecting Disney to lead the way on that one.
Drawn to Wonderland and Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular are definitely steps in the right direction. From here, I’d love to see more areas like Tom Sawyer Island, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, The Boneyard or even Moana’s Journey of Water.
Those are truly immersive ‘exploration’ areas, and offer a variety of environments that are engaging for guests of all ages, and are unlike what you might find at a local public park. Until then, we will happily take additions like this, which will be great for prolonging our day at DHS!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Surprised that Walt Disney World is adding another playground to Hollywood Studios in quick succession? Looking forward to Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular? Would you like to see more elaborate exploration or play areas at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I hope they work for the older (8-12) yo set too. The beauty of TSI and the Boneyard was giving older and younger kids room to play and direct the story and get immersed in it, plus get energy out from waiting in lines for the big rides. We won’t stay at resorts that lack playgrounds, and the kids (10 & 7) still lament the closure of both TSI and the Boneyard, and talk about how fantastic it was. I’m not convinced that Disney really understood what they lost in closing those areas (I mean, boneyard could easily fit an Indiana jones theme!).
When our kids were young, we called those slides with the roller things “bumpy bottom slides”. Thanks for the memory!
We first took my son to DCA when he was 5 and I think we spent half our time in the Redwood Creek Challenge trail. I feel it will never be duplicated. It is not only a great space for kids and families but visually stunning.
For a great center for your Megatron and the child in you highly recommend the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester NY. A world class museum with a playgrounds, interactive, child size grocery store and post office.
Brilliant move Disney!
Our kids missed Hiney I Shrunk the Kids play area as it was closed when we arrived in 2015- you could see but not touch.
It is a great move as Disney realizes most kids do not want to stand in lines for 60-90 minutes without climbing something, and this gives parents a place to let the kids burn extra energy safely.
I hope there is a large play area in the new Cars Land- to replace the caves in Tom Sawyer Island
The Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground was the best thing at Disney for young kids. I have many memories and photos. They need something comparable in every park at WDW. Kids need to blow off steam and parents need to rest!
This is awesome news. Anyone who complains about Disney adding more areas like playgrounds for their core audience, little kids and their families, doesn’t belong at Disney World. Go find another place to spend your time and let the kids have fun.
I’m a playground dad as well (though my kids have essentially aged out). But it’s big, ambitious play areas that really get me. I was on awe of the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground at MGM Studios and LOVE the Redwood Creek area at DCA, but I’m not as impressed with these smaller areas with a little slide as the main attraction.
On a related note, the best two playgrounds I’ve experienced are at Maggie Daley Park in Chicago and The Gathering Place in Tulsa (both by the same design firm). We actually made a pilgrimage to Tulsa on a long road trip to experience that park and it’s truly mind blowing in scale and ambition. Look it up online.
If the City Museum in St. Louis counts as a playground, that tops them all though! Indescribable.
I’ll second the city museum in St. Louis. We went when were in town when my daughter was 13-14 and we really enjoyed it!
Making notes about those play areas in the Midwest. Not sure why we’d ever have a reason to be in Tulsa or St. Louis over the next few years, but we’ll definitely be in Chicago at some point. Thanks!
Tom, this is going to sound CRAZY but as someone who enjoys playgrounds, and imagineering/design, and with a young daughter, I think it’s worth planning a quick getaway to Tulsa just for this experience. (Probably spring or fall…it’s hot in summers). I’m saying this as someone who’s not from Tulsa and have driven through twice in my life.
The private funders spend $465 million dollars to build it…if DisneySea is the pinnacle of theme parks, this is the DisneySea of playgrounds (and it’s more than a playground). And it’s totally free of charge.
Lots of cool Route 66 stuff and amazing music museums in Tulsa, too (Bob Dylan Center, Woody Guthrie Center).
After reading your site for a decade, I’ve wondered if we’d ever cross paths with you in the parks (see the elusive Tom Bricker in the wild in his proper habitat ). Looks like we were close – we were at Hollywood Studios this evening. Maybe someday we will see the ghost of the (Disney) jungle.
I was gone by about 1 pm! Just there for an uneventful Early Entry and some other updates. Then on to EPCOT for Christmas “Parade” filming!
All great news. Was at Hollywood today myself with my four year old grandson and he had a great time in Drawn to Wonderland.
Listing “Shia LaBeouf activation” third is a serious head scratcher. I’ll just assume the remaining predictions were not in any particular order.
It was a (not very good) joke. Still, probably should’ve listed it last.
Our daughter is past the age for these, but I am really glad to read about the new additions.
I was saddened that the Boneyard was not going to survive the evolution of the Animal Kingdom. Our daughter spent a lot of time there discovering fossils over the years, lol. It was a unique feature.
Never did have the chance to explore Tom Sawyer Island because the boat schedule never seemed to line up with our schedule. But I’m sure it was also unique in all the right ways.
I look forward to experiencing at least one of these new play areas with the younger guests during our family reunion.
Having experienced different Tom Sawyer Islands more recently, my hot take about it is that it’s better for adults to wander around than it is for kids. There are elements of it that kids love, to be sure, but at least for our daughter, it doesn’t hold a candle to Redwood Creek, Boneyard, or other more modern ‘immersive play areas.’
On the other hand, I can still have a blast on TSI!
I don’t think you will get all you wishes in a 200 square foot area! I hope that is a typo. I remember being excited to find there was a playground near Splash Mountain, but it was a dud that was smaller than your local mall’s. Hopefully this is better! I have fond memories of Honey I shrunk the Kid and the Boneyard. I’m sure you already do, but treasure those playground moments with your daughter.
I love the idea, but I had the same thought about the square footage. 202 square feet is roughly half the size of a standard hotel room at any Disney Resort. That is impossibly small and could *maybe* accommodate 8-10 kids at a time. Either it’s a typo, or this announcement is the ultimate delusion of grandeur.
That’s the number in one of the permits or CFTOD database, I can’t recall which.
I wouldn’t read too much into that number. Just what we can see in the concept art is necessarily larger than 202 feet. So either it’s a typo on their end, or only concerns one very specific part of the project.
Regardless, the area is relatively small. We can see that much just from the construction area in the park.
This is genius, honestly. After passively watching the stunt show, giving kids a place to burn energy and pretend to be action movie stars is brilliant. Also much appreciated your playground feature wish list. I hope we get many of them!