Does the Indiana Jones ride really go backwards?

[LavenderPeach]

I've been reading The Disneyland Encylcopedia and in the entry about the Indiana Jones ride it is describing some of the details that can be found on the ride and in the queue area and there is one that I've never heard of before. It says "the jungle trucks don't really go in reverse, even though an illusion suggests they do." It doesn't give any kind of explanation about it. I'm assuming it's talking about when you see the big boulder coming towards you and the truck backs up to avoid it. Do the walls move or something because it sure feels like you're going backwards. Anyone have any insight on this?

 

[Dizneydaz]

I believe the walls move, you don't go backwards. (as far as I know-ridden it about 50+ times)

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I've been reading The Disneyland Encylcopedia and in the entry about the Indiana Jones ride it is describing some of the details that can be found on the ride and in the queue area and there is one that I've never heard of before. It says "the jungle trucks don't really go in reverse, even though an illusion suggests they do." It doesn't give any kind of explanation about it. I'm assuming it's talking about when you see the big boulder coming towards you and the truck backs up to avoid it. Do the walls move or something because it sure feels like you're going backwards. Anyone have any insight on this?

If that is so, that is pretty neat and I"m going to definitely pay attention to it. Maybe it is the track that we are on that moves the cars backwards because it would be pretty expensive to have that whole environment move

 

[LavenderPeach]

I believe the walls move, you don't go backwards. (as far as I know-ridden it about 50+ times)

I've riden it a bunch of times too (not sure how many though ) and I've never notice this or heard about it before. Is there somewhere you can look to see that you're not moving? Maybe the ceiling?

 

[LavenderPeach]

If that is so, that is pretty neat and I"m going to definitely pay attention to it. Maybe it is the track that we are on that moves the cars backwards because it would be pretty expensive to have that whole environment move

Hmmm.. that's an interesting theory. In that case, you still move backwards but the truck would actually be still on the moving track. I'm going to have to pay more attention to this. Last time I was on it I tried to notice but that part was over with so fast.

 

[BecBennett]

My guess is, that while the wheels don't move, the truck does it's jerking backwards thing, to make you think you're moving backwards, but you're not really...

 

[got2travel]

It's all an optical illusion. The walls next to you move forward and your vehicle shakes and rattles. Sort of like when you're in your parked car and somoene next to you starts moving, you feel like you're the one moving. I've sort of ruined it for myself by turning around and watching the walls. Now I don't even feel like I'm moving backwards anymore.

And since we're revealing secrets, you don't go into different rooms at the beginning. The doors are on a track and they rotate so that a different doorway is lined up with the track. Once you pass the doorway, the hallway is lighted with the matching colored lighting depending on your door.

 

[Teki]

The boulder illusion is actually moving in a way that makes you feel like your going backwards. At least thats what I saw on a show on the discovery channel talking about the parks.

 

[Judy from Boise]

how funny, before i opened the thread I was going to explain that you were think of IJ in DL Paris!

 

[LavenderPeach]

how funny, before i opened the thread I was going to explain that you were think of IJ in DL Paris!

What is IJ in DL Paris like?

 

[DLR29]

It's all an optical illusion. The walls next to you move forward and your vehicle shakes and rattles. Sort of like when you're in your parked car and somoene next to you starts moving, you feel like you're the one moving. I've sort of ruined it for myself by turning around and watching the walls. Now I don't even feel like I'm moving backwards anymore.

And since we're revealing secrets, you don't go into different rooms at the beginning. The doors are on a track and they rotate so that a different doorway is lined up with the track. Once you pass the doorway, the hallway is lighted with the matching colored lighting depending on your door.

Yes, this is true. it is a very good effect becaise if the cars actually went backwards, it would cause the whole ride system to shut down.

Oh, and at DLP Indiana Jones is a roller coaster in which they ran the ride with the cars facing backwards for a few years. I'm not sure if they still do, I don't think so.

 

[BecBennett]

And since we're revealing secrets, you don't go into different rooms at the beginning. The doors are on a track and they rotate so that a different doorway is lined up with the track. Once you pass the doorway, the hallway is lighted with the matching colored lighting depending on your door.

I knew about the IJ different door what not. But what about the HM doors? Different doors open there don't they? How do they do that one?

 

[got2travel]

I knew about the IJ different door what not. But what about the HM doors? Different doors open there don't they? How do they do that one?

Same doors, just depends on which elevator you enter in the beginning. If you look real closely you can see the seam where the doors close.

 

[DLR29]

I knew about the IJ different door what not. But what about the HM doors? Different doors open there don't they? How do they do that one?

There are 2 elevators. If you (from the entrance room) go:
A) straight, then the door to go to the hallway/ride will be on the left
B) left, then the door will be on the direct right

 

[Disney Dreams]

It's all an optical illusion. The walls next to you move forward and your vehicle shakes and rattles. Sort of like when you're in your parked car and somoene next to you starts moving, you feel like you're the one moving....

Interesting.

Sort of OT, but related: There's a drive-through car wash that I use sometimes. You pull forward into the washing area and stop. I always put my car in park. For the next 3 minutes, I am fairly certain that my car never actually moves, but can I tell you how hard I press down on that brake pedal?!?! I swear I am going forward!

- Dreams

 

[PinkBudgie]

When LavenderPeach told me this, I watched Indy at that part in the ride where he is hanging. He definately gets more space between the car and him. I still felt like we were going backwards, but I guess that entire section of walls, ceiling, and Indy moved forward.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

If anyone's curious to see the walls and ball moving backwards or how the doors in the chamber move, watch "Disney After Dark: Indiana Jones Adventure" on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gubF0TmdHBs

 

[Lynzer Torte]

If anyone's curious to see the walls and ball moving backwards or how the doors in the chamber move, watch "Disney After Dark: Indiana Jones Adventure" on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gubF0TmdHBs

Thanks for that link! I'm going to have to watch every segment of that special before we go!

 

[Jennifer03]

How interesting! I had no idea it was an optical illusion.

 

[Albort]

How interesting! I had no idea it was an optical illusion.

Disneyland Imagineers do TOOONS of optical illusion. Most building are all made with optical illusion. The most notable is the Christmas Tree during the holiday. At the Top, the ornaments are made to look small while the bottom, the ornaments are huuuuge. It makes the tree look taller.

The WHOOOOLE Park is actually on a slope. Sloping upward which ToonTown is the highest point. Now when you look any building it looks taller!