Theme Park Scope

I need to talk about Project Fedora, because I have been staring at photos of a pile of dirt and some steel beams for far longer than any reasonable adult should. (Do I regret it? No. Do I have answers? Also no. Stick with me.)

If you haven’t been following along, “Project Fedora” is the codename for a small construction site at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, tucked near the exit of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. The name is a wink at Indiana Jones’ famous hat, and it showed up in May when two new permits appeared on the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District map.

And that’s mostly where the official information ends. Disney hasn’t announced a single thing about it.

The newest update is that the site now has a steel framework. According to recent photos from @bioreconstruct, there are horizontal and vertical beams forming a semi-circle along the outer edge of the site. Two vertical beams stand in the center, surrounded by an oblong set of horizontal beams. The tops of the vertical beams reportedly have elements that suggest more beams will be connected later.

There’s still a big pile of dirt in the middle. And on the side closest to the stunt show theater, there’s a wood fence, black tarps, and a short wood wall along the ground.

So that’s the picture. Steel, dirt, tarps. Not exactly a blockbuster reveal, but it’s more than we had a few months ago.

This one’s been a slow burn. Here’s the timeline as it’s been reported:

• March: Props were removed, and the pavement was torn up.
• May: The “Project Fedora” codename appeared alongside two new permits.
• July: A large tree was removed.
• August: A construction vehicle arrived on site.
• October: Steel framework went up.

The site itself is also reportedly small, at about 202 square feet. For context, that’s roughly the size of a modest bedroom. So whatever this is, it isn’t a new E-ticket ride. (Sorry, I know some of you were hoping.)

It’s also worth knowing what used to be there. Before 2020, a truck served as a merchandise kiosk in this space. Since then, it’s sometimes held outdoor vending carts and special meet-and-greets. So this corner has been a little flexible for a while.

Okay, here’s where it gets fun. Disney hasn’t said what’s being built, so everything here is speculation, and I want to be clear about that. Early on, some suggested a snack or merchandise kiosk. More recently, reports have floated the idea of an Indiana Jones-themed play structure for younger guests. And one observer even suggested the steel is probably a permanent support for a future structure, which could be a small building or even something like a tent.

None of these have been confirmed. All we really know is that something permanent seems to be going in, and that it’s themed enough to get a codename with a hat reference.

This is the part where I tell you what I think, and I will, with a giant asterisk that I’m guessing along with everyone else.

Honestly? I kind of love that this is a small project. Not every announcement needs a headline and a sizzle reel. Sometimes a little corner of a park gets a refresh, and it turns into one of those things you stumble on and think, “oh, that’s cute.” If it ends up being a play structure for little ones, I think that would be a genuinely nice addition for families. If it’s a snack stand, well, I will absolutely review it.

What I’m trying NOT to do is get my hopes up for a surprise mini-attraction. (I say this, and I’ve already invented about nine in my head.) I’d rather be pleasantly surprised than disappointed by something that was never promised.

The thing I keep coming back to is how quiet Disney has been. It’s not unusual for the company to hold details until it’s ready, and a small project might not get a big announcement at all. So I’d call this a “wait and see” situation. A steel frame tells us something is happening. It doesn’t tell us what.

So what’s your best guess? Play area, snack spot, secret Indiana Jones cave? Tell me in the comments, and I promise not to judge your theory (even if it involves a boulder). And keep an eye on Theme Park Scope, because the second Disney says what Project Fedora actually is, you’ll hear it from me.