Setting Out for Adventure

Deep in the jungles of 1930s Adventureland is an archaeological dig site, the setting for the Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye. While most of Adventureland is a pastiche of exotic locales from around the world, a look at the props outside the temple in front of the Indiana Jones Adventure lets us know that this story takes place in India... specifically, the Lost Delta region (Lost River Delta is also the setting for the Indiana Jones Adventure in Tokyo DisneySEA).

Approaching the entrance to the temple, we see that it's guarded by a pair of snakes (Why did there have to be snakes?). At least these are of the stone variety!

Inside is a mural of the goddess Mara. According to legend, Mara can grant your fondest desires. A warning, though: Whatever happens, do not look into her eyes!

The Indiana Jones Adventure was added to Disneyland in 1995. With limited space available in the park (especially in tiny Adventureland), the Imagineers had to get creative. The main show building for the attraction was built in a portion of the Disneyland parking lot, accessed by a narrow passage crafted in the space between Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean. The result is one of the most detailed and interactive queue experiences ever designed.

Throughout the space, Guests encounter scenes inspired by the Indiana Jones films. There's a cave full of bats, a mysterious obelisk and a series of booby traps, including a room full of descending spikes (just don't disturb the bamboo pole holding up the ceiling... or do, and see what happens).

Finally, you emerge in the entrance chamber of the main temple itself. A large mural of Mara adorns the domed ceiling. Of course, you'll notice that Mara's eyes are closed in any artistic interpretation. Could it be that anyone who has seen her eyes open never lived to tell about them?

The archaeological work is in full force here, with the space full of bamboo scaffolding and recovered artifacts. You may even come across an archaeologist at work. Of course, by now I hope you've figured out that it pays to do just the opposite of what signs like this tell you (at least within attraction environments). You never know what surprises you might unearth!

Before boarding a transport to explore the rest of the temple, Guests are asked to pause to view a short newsreel-style film giving them some history (and safety instructions). You'll recognize Indy's trusted friend, Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), from Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

I would never recommend ignoring the safety instructions. They're very important, you know, but if you were to look back at the other end of the room you might discover a bit of Hidden Disney. It's tough to spot, since the room is dark and the light from the projector is so bright, but tucked away in back is one of the original blue and white signs from the Eeyore section of Disneyland's old parking lot, the very same plot of land on which the attraction now sits.

So which of the wishes will you choose to have granted by Mara in the Chamber of Destiny? Future Knowledge? Eternal Youth? Perhaps Earthly Riches?

Remember the warning to never look Mara in the eye. It might also benefit you to attempt to translate some of the other messages inscribed on these tablets and throughout the temple. Luckily, the code is easy to crack, especially if you still happen to have one of these decoder cards provided by original attraction sponsor AT&T.

If you don't have a decoder, that's okay. You'll see that most of the Mara symbols closely resemble their English counterparts. Good luck!