This post is the first of what I hope will be a continuing series geared at sharing my favorite elements of the Disneyland Resort. In honor of this weekend’s much anticipated blockbuster, I’d like to take this opportunity to express Why I Love… Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

If you are an Indy fan, this is the ultimate experience… you actually get to be a part of the adventure that makes these movies what they are. As the story goes, this attraction takes place in the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, where guests only have one mission: Do Not Look Into the Eyes of Mara. As your car goes careening toward the idol herself, it is, of course, impossible not to look her in the eye, and so the adventure begins. I LOVE this ride because the effects are so amazing! At one point your ride vehicle enters a long, rather unsuspecting, corridor, only to find that it is booby-trapped with “arrows” (think the temple that leads to Indy’s sought after artifact in Raiders of the Lost Ark). The quick blasts of air that shoot out at your car are so convincing, you’ll probably find yourself ducking and jumping to miss the “shots.”

The theming on this attraction is what sets Disney apart. As you enter the queue, you know that you are entering a completely different world, removed even from the Magic Kingdom in which it resides. And yes, Indiana himself evens makes a cameo appearance in the ride. In fact, look for him three times in the temple.

Quick Tip: This attraction was actually constructed on top of the old Eeyore parking lot. In the projection room part of the queue, turn back before you exit to see a special souvenir from the old parking lot.

At the beginning of the queue, look for an actual vehicle from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

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