A Walt Disney World cast member was struck by a 400-pound prop boulder during a performance of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios on December 30, 2025. The incident, captured on video and shared widely on social media, prompted an immediate safety review by Disney. The employee is recovering, and the boulder element has been modified.
The accident occurred during a Tuesday afternoon showing of the long-running stunt show at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. The production, inspired by Steven Spielberg's 1981 film 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' recreates action sequences including a signature rolling boulder chase. According to eyewitness video footage, the rubber prop became displaced from its track and veered toward the audience seating area.
A cast member rushed to intervene, attempting to halt the boulder before it reached spectators, including children. The force of the prop knocked him to the ground, with his head appearing bloodied in the clip. Fellow employees quickly assisted him to his feet as the show paused. Social media users, including theme park blogger Scott Gustin, reported the incident shortly after, confirming the employee received immediate medical care.
Disney issued a statement emphasizing safety: “We’re focused on supporting our cast member, who is recovering. Safety is at the heart of what we do, and that element of the show will be modified as our safety team completes a review of what happened.” Subsequent videos from Wednesday showed the performance proceeding without the boulder stunt, indicating its temporary removal.
The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, part of the park's Discovery Disney event series, features high-risk elements like whip demonstrations, falls from heights, and interactions with prop soldiers. It includes multiple contingencies for performers, with the opening scene alone having 12 backups. This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in live stunt shows, though Disney has not released further details on the employee's condition or the review's findings.
Theme park enthusiasts noted the employee's heroism, with one video commentator saying, “He literally saved our lives.” As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring guest and cast safety in these immersive experiences.