On Saturday April 4th, 2026 The Walt Disney Museum hosted a Talk with Disney Legend and Imagineer Tony Baxter, taking guests behind the scenes of the creation of Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye. The event was held at Lucasfilm’s San Francisco campus, a neighbor of The Walt Disney Family Museum in the beautiful San Francisco Presidio.

The program began with a video playing on the theater screen. The video showed many celebrities arriving for the grand opening of the Indiana Jones Adventure March 3rd, 1995. Among the celebrities shown attending: Dan Aykroyd, Carrie Fisher, Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Lucas.

Tony tells the audience he is a Indiana Jones fan and collector. He has a “Indiana Baxter” action figure in his collection. Tony skipped out of work to see Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981. As he left the theater he wondered what kind of ride they (Walt Disney Imagineering) could build with Indy/Raiders.

Tony spoke with then Disney CEO Ron Miller about bringing in film properties from outside the Disney company to the parks. The Miller/Disney family, Tony Baxter met with George Lucas at Silverado Vineyards in Napa, California. The plane ride home Tony thought to himself “I think my life is about to change.”

George Lucas and Disney attractions from that era include Star Tours, Captain EO, Indiana Jones Temple of the Forbidden Eye and Indiana Jones stunt show (Orlando).

There was an idea for a Young Indiana Jones Adventure in Frontierland. Big Thunder Ranch and the area that is now Galaxy’s Edge. Before the stunt show in Orlando and about two years before the Young Indiana Jones TV show.

Several concept designs were shown. Art/concept designs by Disney Legend Herb Ryman, Nina Ravon, Brian Jowers and John Stone. A few of the concepts showed four attractions in the Temple. The jeep ride we have today, a mine cart roller coaster, the Jungle Cruise and the Disneyland Railroad. The mine cart found a home in Disneyland Paris. They were told they could not afford to build the version with four attractions and also imagine the lines of people waiting to ride.

Tony talked about the rolling boulder scene. The room moves like a car wash. The details on the Indy animatronics clothes. The way the clothes fold. Attention to detail.

Imagineer George McGinnes developed the enhanced motion vehicles.

A half scale test track was built in a warehouse in Valencia, California. Tony noted you could step outside and be in Magic Mountains parking lot. The enhanced motion vehicles at the time of testing had its bulky computer system towing behind.

Harrison Ford wasn’t approached immediately about using his likeness for the attraction. Disney was having famed movie poster artist, Drew Struzan do the now famous attraction poster. They assumed Drew Struzan knew Harrison Ford and wanted him to introduce the team to Ford and ask permission to use his likeness. Drew had done posters for several movies Ford starred in. A nervous Drew Struzan called Harrison Ford from Imagineering offices. Ford loved Drew’s work and when Drew confirmed he was working on the project, Mr. Ford quickly agreed.

George Lucas and Tony didn’t agree on the giant snake scene. Baxter wanted one giant snake. Lucas wanted a bunch of regular sized snakes. Lucas didn’t think the giant snake would be popular with guests. Tony and George compromised and the giant snake and hundreds of smaller snakes are in the snake pit/room section of the attraction.

Tony mentioned the Tokyo Disney Temple of Crystal Skull attraction (2001) built before the Crystal Skull movie (2008). This version has a cool smoke/tornado effect. He’s not sure how the effect is done. The Indy attraction coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Orlando) will feature a Mayan temple and possibly involve a mystical creature.

“Fear – Death = Thrill!” Eddie Sotto – former Walt Disney Imagineer

Following Tony’s presentation there was a quick audience Q&A. Several folks used the time to thank Tony for building their favorite attractions.

Q: Does Tony still get “Wow” moments at theme parks?
A: Yes, recently visiting Ministry of Magic – Epic Universe

Q: What would you add/improve to the Indy attraction?
A: Fix the choice rooms/effects. Make the old rats projections a spider projection and effects.

Q: What is Tony Baxter doing in retirement?
A: Art and appearing Festival or the Arts at Epcot. Thinking of writing a book.

Q: What are your thoughts on attraction names ending with Adventure?
A: Not a fan

Q: Favorite Indiana Jones movie?
A: Temple of Doom

A few notes from the Q&A time. Tony heard the word Figment in an episode Magnum PI.
Asked about the theming of Adventueland with the Indy attraction, He mentioned the boats from the Humphrey Bogart film The African Queen fit perfectly for the Jungle Cruise.

He would like Bengal Barbecue (Disneyland-Adventureland) to bring back Bacon wrapped asparagus.

Tony collects Indiana Jones merchandise. A few items in his collection: Model of the attractions Gates of Eternal Doom, Drew Struzan’s attraction poster signed by Drew and George Lucas.

Thanks to Caroline Quinn, Christopher Mullen and The Walt Disney Family Museum. Please visit the Museum website for more information and a calendar of future events.

Additional photos by Christopher Mullen. Photos courtesy of The Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco, California.