10 Hidden Details In Indiana Jones Adventure You Never Noticed

Indiana Jones Adventure is one of the most thrilling rides at Disneyland. Of course, we would expect nothing less from a ride that’s inspired by the exciting adventures of Indiana Jones. The ride opened and immediately elevated the standards for what a Disneyland ride could be.

We all know that Indiana Jones loves hunting for treasure. Today, we’ll be doing the same as we take a closer look at this ride and look for hidden secrets and fun facts.

On all Disney Park rides, Disney Imagineers make sure to add in magical details that often go unnoticed. In this article, I’m going to tell you about 10 Indiana Jones Adventure facts. Once you’re done reading, you’ll be ready to go on an adventure of your own to seek out all of these fun secrets!

1. German Patrol Truck

One of the very first things that you’ll see when walking up to Indiana Jones Adventure is a German Patrol Truck. For those familiar with the movies, this will easily be recognized as a truck from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Many may think that this is an exceptionally made replica. However, the patrol truck that’s sitting at the entrance of the queue was actually used in the film! If you get a chance to get close to the truck, take a look at the front bumper and look for handlebars with golf balls. These were used during the filming of one of the car chase stunts!

2. Obi Wan

As you make your way through the queue of Indiana Jones Adventure, you’ll come across Indy’s office. The wall of the office is made of crates, which seems very on brand for the adventurer.

When taking a look at these crates, one specifically sticks out among the rest. The side of the crate says, “Deliver to Club Obi Wan”. This is a direct reference to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The movie starts out at a Shanghai club called Club Obi-Wan. Whatever’s in that crate clearly needs to get to this location!

For Star Wars fans, it would be understandable if the name Obi Wan makes them think of something else. Luckily, they would also be correct! This crate not only references the Temple of Doom club, but also Obi-Wan Kenobi! Afterall, a Star Wars reference on an Indiana Jones attraction really isn’t that far fetched, since Harrison Ford starred in both franchises.

3. Disney for Life

READ MORE – 11 Weird Things We Can’t Believe Were Once at Disneyland

During one portion of the ride, you’ll be zipping through a hall full of eerie skeletons. Keep your eyes peeled for the one that’s showing off his never dying love for Disney! He’s sporting an ever popular Mouseketeer hat. He’s so committed to the outfit that he even had it embroidered with the name Bones.

This cheery guy seems like he should head down to New Orleans Square and take residence with the rest of the Happy Haunts at The Haunted Mansion! These ears have been seen on different skeletons over the years. They aren't always present in the ride. I haven't been able to spot them for awhile.

4. The Room Moves

Towards the end of the ride, you come face to face with the huge boulder that can be seen in Raiders of the Lost Ark. This happens right after you get past the blow dart room. As soon as you feel safe from the darts flying past you, you come across Indy hanging onto a rope. Before too long, he spouts out a warning, you see the boulder, your truck rapidly backs up, and then you just barely dip down into safety before getting crushed by the boulder.

However, while it may seem like your vehicle rapidly moves backwards to dodge the giant boulder, it’s actually the room around you that’s moving! Your ride vehicle stays still the entire time. The room that the boulder and Indy are in moves backwards, which also activates the boulder to start moving forward. The combination of the room moving away from you and the boulder rolling towards you makes you feel like you are going in reverse. But again, you are not moving during this sequence. It isn’t until you start driving forward that you’re actually moving again.

5. The Little Man of Disneyland

Patrick Begorra is a leprechaun that resides in Disneyland. Patrick was first introduced to audiences in 1955 in the Little Golden Book titled Little Man of Disneyland.

As the story goes, Patrick lived in the roots of an Anaheim orange tree. One day, Patrick was discovered by Donald, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto. The friends were getting ready to move trees in preparation for the construction of a place called Disneyland. They took Patrick back to Disney Studio to show him all of the plans for the creation of Disneyland. After seeing all of the details, Patrick was in favor of Disneyland being built as long as he is able to live there in a new house that was in a location known only to him.

While the story of the Little Man of Disneyland may be looked at as a fictional children’s tale, there may be some truth to it! If you take a close look near the queue for Indiana Jones Adventure, you can spot Patrick Begorra’s home! If you look at the trees surrounding the tree that supports the Indiana Jones Adventure sign, you’ll be able to spot Patrick’s tiny, in-Park home.

6. A Secret Message in Plain Sight

Throughout the queue, there are actually many warning messages that give Guests a heads up about what’s to come if they continue on their adventure. However, even if Guests see these messages, they most likely won’t be able to read them.

These warnings are written with a picture-style alphabet called Mara-glyphics. In the early days of Indiana Jones Adventure, Guests were given a decoder card which helped them decode the messages. However, this process eventually stopped and the cards were no longer handed out. For a while, Guests were left clueless to the Mara-glyphics and what they had to say.

Luckily, Guests are again able to decode these messages! The Mara-glyphic decoder is now available electronically on the Disney Play app. When on the app, simply head to “Indiana Jones – The Gifts of Mara” to start deciphering the urgent messages.

7. What's Indy Reading?

Remember, when you go past Indy’s office, make sure that you take a look inside. There are multiple hidden secrets that you can find! The next one that we’re going to discuss can be found on his desk. What you’ll be looking for is an interesting piece of reading material.

Did you find it? It’s a 1930s copy of Life Magazine that features Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse!

8. Take Indy's Help!

While you may not be able to decode the messages that are written in Mara-glyphics, there’s another chance to get prepared for what lies ahead. Near the office, Indy provides maps that show the entire layout of the temple.

On the map, you'll not only see where trouble awaits, but you'll also see hand-written notes written from Indy! He even specifically mentions where everyone should close their eyes. Apparently not everyone receives his message though. We all know that someone looks into the eyes of Mara.

9. Mine Car

When your daring adventure comes to an end, keep an eye out as you exit the attraction. You’ll have the chance to see another screen-used prop. This time, from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Located right outside of the exit is a mine car. This is one of the actual mine cars that were used during the film’s mine car chase.

10. Eeyore Sign

Generally, when a new ride or attraction comes to a Disney Park, it replaces something else that’s already in existence. Have you ever wondered what Indiana Jones Adventure replaced? It was actually a parking lot! More specifically, the attraction took the place of the Cast Member Eeyore Parking Lot.

When new rides and attractions replace something, there's usually a small memento that’s left behind. When you’re in the projection room of the Indiana Jones Adventure queue, you’ll be able to spot an object from the Eeyore Parking Lot.

After you enter the room, take a look up and behind you. Near the projector, you can catch a glimpse of a blue sign. This sign has an image of Eeyore on it and is indeed from the now extinct Eeyore Parking Lot.