Changes

Early on in the development of Disney-MGM Studios, Imagineers planned on having two stunt shows, one "action" and one "slapstick" <ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=241 </ref>. The "action" stunt show would eventually develop into an Indiana Jones themed show. The choice of Indiana Jones was a result of a colla The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular came about as a result of a collaboration between the Walt Disney Company and George Lucas, the creator of the Indiana Jones franchise. Lucas had worked with Disney as early as 19851984, when he developed began developing [[Captain EO]] for [[EPCOT Center]]<ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/9085/The_Untold_Story_of_Captain_EO </ref>. The Lucas/ Disney partnership became more prominent in 1989 with the creation of [[Star Tours]] and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! for Disney's newest park, the Disney-MGM Studios<ref> http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/01/02/1989-disney-world-album/ </ref>.  Although not originally envisioned as an opening day attraction, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! officially premiered a few months later was deemed unready when the rest of Disney-MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989 <ref> http://www.thisdayindisneyhistory.com/Disney-MGMGrandOpening.html </ref>. Both Disney CEO Michael Eisner and George Lucas felt that the show was not yet ready to be seen by guests <ref> https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19890505&id=BzAeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NL0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7007,6189931&hl=en </ref> <ref name= "Korkis"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/11330/The_Premiere_of_DisneyMGM_Studios </ref>. Instead of keeping guests out of the attraction altogether however, Disney opened the show for "live rehearsals" <ref name= "Korkis"/> until the attraction finally opened in full on August 25, 1989<ref name= "Korkis"/> <ref name= "news"> https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1291&dat=19890827&id=kCJUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fI0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5703,4251291&hl=en </ref>. On hand for the first public show were both Michael Eisner and George Lucas, who also posed for publicity photos <ref name= "news"/>.  Since its opening, the attraction has remained essentially unchanged; however in 2000 the stunt show was closed for a six month refurbishment. The closure was done in order to refurbish the sets and ready the attraction for the implementation of Disney's FastPass. According to Disney spokesman Tom Dezern, the length of refurbishment was due to the fact that the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! had more special effects and mechanical parts than any other attraction on property. The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! reopened to guests on June 10, 2000. Following a drop in attendance after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the number of times the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! was performed was dropped from 8 to 5. At this time a large number of actors were also laid off.