Day 1306: Only On Film

Since I found out a few years ago that you could meet Indiana Jones after the Epic Stunt Spectacular, waiting at the end of the show sort of became a tradition. We waited the first time on the band trip (as you can see above), when there was a whole row of us watching the show and six of us in the picture with Indy and Marian. I had no idea what I was doing waiting down there that first time, and honestly, was simply hoping that what I had read online was indeed true and I wasn't wasting the time of my entire group waiting on something that wouldn't happen. 

But it did happen, and several months later, we were back for more Indiana Jones and another picture. This time, in January 2015, we were able to see the whole show, and we were lucky enough to meet Stunt Double Dale for the first time. They signed our autograph books and we had a grand old time. 

Fast forward a year to January 2016, when Frank and I again headed to Walt Disney World...and happened across Dale again! By this point you might notice a trend with our pictures - every time we go we loose two people (or half of our group, depending on how you want to look at it after a while). This time around I was lucky enough to be chosen as a Stunt Double, so staying after for pictures was a must...especially when we realized it was Dale. 

So you can imagine my surprise when I headed to Indiana Jones again this July and Dale was the doubling for Harrison Ford. I wasn't intending to stay for a picture this time, and a phone call actually forced me to leave part way through the show. But I came back to watch the end and get a picture with my now favorite Indiana Jones Stunt Double. We made a pact that next time, if he's not Indy, I won't take a picture, and that's a promise I intend to keep. 

If you're interested in meeting Indiana Jones, you too can do so by heading down to one of the stage entrances on the right side of the technical booth after the show. They usually wait for a few minutes, allowing the stadium to clear out and for them to take a quick break and cool off before pictures, but if you sit and wait, they'll almost always come over to say hi. They'll sign autographs, take pictures, and I even have a video greeting from Dale to one of my best friends, but honestly, these stunt doubles are some of the nicest people in the world, and if you're an Indiana Jones fan, this is a must do when heading to Hollywood Studios! 

Have you met Indiana Jones at Hollywood Studios before? 

Have a magical day!

Day 1109: Extra, Extra!

I'd most certainly be lying if I said I hadn't been looking forward to the day I was cast as an extra at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. In fact, since I realized back in June 2014 that I was, finally, actually old enough to be cast, it was sort of a wake up call, but the actual chance to be a part of the show never really came. I was always in the middle of doing something else (mostly filming a band trip video) or wasn't chosen. Still, I longed for the day that I could be in the middle of the action of my favorite show at Walt Disney World. 

And that day finally came. When we made our way into the bleachers I figured we'd be placed in a weird spot that would, per usual, not help with the selection process. However, much to my excitement, I ended up in the absolute perfect spot to be picked as an extra. Almost front and center and right on an isle, there was no way I wouldn't stand out if I jumped up and down a few times when we headed to my section. Needless to say (and pretty obviously considering the picture above), it did work, and for the first time ever, I got to be a part of Indiana Jones! 

Being an Extra at Indiana Jones is, easily, one of the coolest things I've done at Walt Disney World in a long while. To give you a brief rundown of what happens if you've never been chosen, basically you go up and do your introduction and then make your way up to the top of the set. Cast Members are waiting up there with a robe for you to wear for your time as an extra and quickly help you into it while you sign a waver (yes you do actually sign one). From there, you're seated in a roped off section for the first scene of the show and then make your way down onto the set, where you're given strict instructions on motions to follow and are placed for your time as the entire population of the city of Cairo. Honestly though, if I didn't know what was happening around me from the numerous times I've seen the show before, I'd have no clue what was going on, but it was really awesome to be right up in the middle of the action. 

I have to say that I laughed more than a little bit when the stunt double disguised as a volunteer extra (you know the one) and I teamed up for our frozen poses during the introduction, even if our coordinator wasn't quite as thrilled. It certainly made the whole experience more awesome and I can't wait to volunteer again in the future. Of course, we had to go and meet Indy and Marian afterwards too, who are always more than happy to take pictures and chat with you after the show. 

And that's my experience being an extra at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and if you haven't been one yet, why not!?! Like I said, this was honestly one of my favorite experiences from all my time in the parks and would do it again in a heartbeat! After all, who doesn't want to be in Indiana Jones!?! 

Have a magical day! 

(Note: This Blog Post was written on January 24 due to travel).