"The Indiana Jones Adventure" at Disneyland

"The Indiana Jones Adventure" is a fast-paced dark ride located at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. (There is also a nearly identical ride located at Tokyo DisneySea in Japan.) There is often a very long wait-time, sometimes even hours-long. You may also notice that there are signs warning people who have heart conditions, and women who may be pregnant against riding. There are good reasons for this and if you have any doubts about your health, don't hop on. Why? The ride is fast, and even though it's remarkably smooth for what it is, it could agitate people with heart conditions as there are sudden drops and fast changes in direction. This ride would also aggravate people with whiplash and arthritis. However, for the rest of us, this ride is truly worth the wait. I'll tell you why without ruining any of the surprises for you. You've heard of spoiler-free movie reviews, this is a spoiler-free theme park ride review.

First of all, a truly great theme park ride begins with a good line. A line that gives guests plenty to look at, lots of shade from any heat or sunshine, and one that provides a sense of anticipation. This accomplishes all of the above. Even the line for the, "Indiana Jones Adventure" is a big treat for movie geeks. If you're a fan of Indiana Jones, you'll relish in the feeling that you're part of the adventure and enjoy the illusion that you are surrounded by Indy's own property and walking in his footsteps. The Disney Imagineers who worked on this ride, that opened in 1995, worked very hard to ensure a great wait, and often times you may feel more like you're in a museum or at an archaeological dig rather than the inner workings of a vacation destination.

You are also treated to a short film starring one of the Indy films' most lovable characters! As you finally board the ride, be sure to follow all the instructions they give you about securing your belongings and yourself. It will be a very bumpy ride.

The ride itself is truly thrilling and offers you a unique ride experience unlike anything else. It's not a roller coaster and it's not a water ride. The tracks that are typically visible inside of rides are not easily seen here, and there is nothing protecting your shoulders or head. This can really keep you feeling vulnerable, which is all part of the fun! You'll ride through several scenarios familiar to Indiana Jones fans, even getting a glimpse of the hero himself. But the plotline of this ride, oh yes, there's a plot line, is entirely unique. You may recognize the term, "Temple of the Crystal Skull". But the ride was created before the most recent film and there aren't any similarities between the two.

I can't say enough about this ride, barring the people with medical problems that could prevent them from enjoying themselves; I would recommend it to literally anyone. It's hands-down my favorite ride at Disneyland, and that's saying a lot considering what a huge fan I am of The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the original Enchanted Tiki Room. It's got all the best qualities of all three of the afformationed rides, plus some roller coaster-style movements. It's most similar to The Haunted Mansion in many ways, as it packs a lot of unique thrills and believable illusions that can really get your skin crawling. It's all thrills and no disappointments with a merciful waiting experience.

If you are in Disneyland, this is an absolute must-ride attraction. Do not miss it, no matter how long the wait, grab a Fastpass and enjoy!