The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Walt Disney World

The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is in the Hollywood Studios theme park.

Upon entering the park, grab both a map and daily show schedule so you'll know when show times are.

From the entrance, head straight down Hollywood Blvd towards the Sorcerer's Hat. Past the first row of stores on your left, you'll see Echo Lake. Take this left and walk past the Hollywood & Vine restaurant and 50s Prime Time Cafe. Continue around Echo Lake and on your left will the entrance.

Remember, the arena holds 2000 people so don't be surprised to see a crowd - you will get in.

The first time I went to Disney World and saw the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular with my wife, it was great. During the pre-show, my wife told me how her brother-in-law was once selected as an audience extra and his daughters loved it.

Years later when we returned with our twins, I thought it would be fun if they got to see their dad as part of the show.

As soon as the 'casting director' asked for volunteers hundreds of hands shot up in the air, including mine. As she looked over the section I was seated in, she selected someone who was jumping and yelling. I had learned my lesson.

The next time we went back to Disney, I made a point of wearing my bright red hawaiian shirt on the day we were to be at Disney MGM Studios (before it was renamed Hollywood Studios), so I would stand out. This time when the casting director asked for volunteers, I jumped out of my seat and was yelling and waving my arms. I was immediately selected.

When we returned again the next year, I remembered to wear my red hawaiian shirt, was suitably enthusiastic - and was selected again.

To improve your chances of being selected;

1. Sit close to the stage
2. Wear colorful clothing so you stand out
3. Show excessive enthusiasm

New Tip #4 (9/3/09) - Sit on the aisle, so when the casting director asks for volunteers in your section, you can jump into the aisle making yourself more noticable. This one got me into the show for the 3rd year in a row (my kids now think I'm nuts).

NOTE - You must be 18 or older to be selected

Upon being selected as an audience extra, you go onto the stage and the casting director breaks everyone into three groups.

The 'laughers' get to do their most animated laugh. This group will usually include a tall man who is asked to do a very deep and sinister laugh.

The 'screamers' need to act as though they are being thrown into a pit of snakes.

The final group is the 'posers' from which the casting director will select 2 to place into akward positions that they need to remain balanced in.

Then third person from the poser group was me. Prior to posing, I had to perform a vey feminine runway walk, as demonstrated by the casting director complete with hands on hips, wiggling hips, chest out, shoulders turning, ending with a sexy pose at the end. My wife was laughing so hard she could barely hold the camera steady long enough to get a good shot.

Once the entire group had demonstrated their 'acting' abilities, it's off to wardrobe and sign the waiver.

As the audience extras leave the stage and go up the steps to the wardrobe area (near the exit), the casting director jokingly remind us 'don't' forget to sign the waiver', which gets a few laughs from the crowd. In reality, all audience extras do sign a waiver since you will be in the middle (actually mostly on the side) of a scene with fights, stunts, and special effects.

Once appropriately dressed, we returned to the stage to be given some preliminary instructions by the scenes director, to see what kind of actors we are. As usual, this includes pretending to be scared, confused, standing on hot coals, etc. Then, one extra, is selected to have their own 'death scene'. The first time I was seelcted as an extra, I was also selected to be shot.

For the 'death scene' you're instructed to look menacing and attack the director with an imaginary knife. He then shoots you, with an imaginary gun (special effects provides the realistic gunshot sound) and it is your job to die in a horribly over-acted, ridiculously drawn-out death scene using as much of the stage as possible (without actually hurting yourself).

For me, this was the most fun, especially since my kids still talk about what a bad actor I am. If all I have to do is embarass myeslf in front of 2000 people to give my kids a special vacation memory, it's well worth it.

After a brief display of 'fighting' by our lead stuntwoman and stuntman (cleverly disguised as an audience extra, which makes it highly entertaining), it's off to the Cairo Marketplace, for the big fight scene.

The casting director informs the extras that we are to simulate the entire crowd at the market, enthusiastically milling about, then yelling, jumping, hollering, and cheering on our heroes. Having already seen the show from out in the audience, being a part of the scene is very different. Not only do you get to see everything much closer, but the sound of it all is very intense. Most notable when one of the villans falls off of the roof, the sound of him hitting the air bag is something that gets lost in the noise of the scene when you're in the audience. On stage, you hear the thud, and can't help but hope he's ok.

After the scene is completed, it's back to wardrobe to return our tunics, then back into the audience to watch the final scene (even with waivers signed Disney does not want to have audience members on stage with flames and explosions).

Even if doing the Funky Chicken in front of 2000 strangers isn't your thing, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is still a highly entertaining show to watch.

So here are a few final tips.

Audiences are allowed to enter the theater 20 minutes prior to showtime. Add in the 30 minute show plus exit time and it's a good idea to make sure young children visit the bathroom before entering.

If you have younger children who are easily firghtened by explosions and loud noises, stay to the back of the arena.

As you exit the theater, (the left side exit only) you will pass what appears to be an abandoned well with a sign that says "Do Not Pull The Rope", only the 'Not' has been crossed out. So go ahead and give a tug, you'll get a nice surprise.

If you plan on going to Star Tours after the Stunt Spectacular ends (since it is so close by), forget it because that's where most everyone else in the audience is headed (unless of course you have a FastPass, then you're in).

Raiders of the Lost Ark Movie Poster - Available Here

Are you planning a vacation to Walt Disney World? or maybe you're thinking about it but are worried it will be too expensive. Stop worrying and relax, The Disney World Vacation and Savings Travel Guide is a guide to the best tips, tricks and savings available for a Disney Vacation. Strategies that can literally save you hundreds - if not thousands of dollars.

The tips included in this guide cover everything from Disney Tickets, park Hopper Passes, Lodging, Resorts, Airlines, Restaurants, Shopping and plenty more. This guide will pay for itself before you even get to Walt Disney World. It is can't afford not to have.

This fantastic resource, written by a best-selling travel author and former Disney Cast Member. The Disney World Vacation and Savings Travel Guide will save you hundreds of dollars. So what are you waiting for?