A Disneyland Park guest recently shared a harrowing story from the early days of the iconic Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye, a classic Southern California attraction. The thrill ride, which opened in Adventureland in 1995, quickly became a fan favorite, but its intense design left one family with a tale to tell for the ages.
A Memorable Ride at Disneyland California
Last weekend, Reddit user u/curtiskam recounted their experience riding Indiana Jones Adventure with their quadriplegic cousin shortly after the attraction’s debut. Despite the ride’s warnings about back and neck issues, the duo decided to take on the challenge, with the cousin confident in his ability to handle the ride.
“[His condition] really couldn’t get much worse, and he was very active, even playing wheelchair rugby,” the Redditor explained. Disney cast members assisted the family in boarding the ride, bypassing the queue, and helping the cousin transfer from his wheelchair into the ride vehicle.
“I got him into the first seat of the ride and hopped over him to take the inside seat next to him,” the Disney Park guest wrote. But as soon as the vehicle began to move, things took a nerve-wracking turn.
Holding On For Dear Life
The ride’s sharp turns and lack of a side door created a precarious situation for the Redditor’s cousin.
“As the ride starts, he sees the car ahead lean out of the turn and [tells] me that I’d better hold on to him since his legs won’t hold him in the car,” the user recalled.
For the rest of the ride, the Redditor desperately clung to their cousin to keep him secure in the vehicle, which leaned sharply during the high-speed twists and turns.
“There’s nothing like fear of impending death to make a ride more exciting,” they joked, adding that their cousin never rode Indiana Jones Adventure again but often reminisced about the unforgettable experience.
A New Tradition…of Caution
Although this intense ride ended without incident, it changed how the Redditor approached future visits to Disneyland Resort.
“From then on, I’d get Indiana Jones out of the way during early entry, and meet him for a cinnamon roll when the park opened,” they concluded.
Have you had an unsettling experience on a Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park attraction? Share your story with Disney Dining in the comments.
