2012 Best Attraction Tournament: Universal's Horror Make-Up Show vs. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

March 8, 2012, 8:59 AM · The second round of the 2012 Theme Park Insider Tournament continues with a match-up of two Central Florida attractions in the Best Show bracket.

Universal's Horror Make-Up Show - at Universal Studios Florida

Universal's Horror Make-Up Show

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular - at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Voting is open for 24 hours. Campaign by your favorite with a comment, or by sharing this post on Facebook and Twitter.


Later today: We've got Prowler vs. Montu in the Best Roller Coaster bracket.

Replies (23)

March 8, 2012 at 9:06 AM · Had to go with Horror Make-Up. Intimate, fun setting, some interesting behind the scenes stuff, and usually a good host.

Indy is a good show, but gets dragged down by its "real/fake movie" plot and the tired "this guy's a plant" gimmick.

March 8, 2012 at 9:11 AM · I always do the Horror Make-Up Show when I go to Orlando but I only did the Indiana Jones show once, the first time I went. It was fun, but I didn't feel the need to see it again.
March 8, 2012 at 9:46 AM · I had to go with Indy on this one. I did the make up show the first time I visited and have never felt the urge to go back. I go to the Indy show once per trip to Orlando.

Indy should be changed to Star Wars and the make up show closed and replaced with something else.

March 8, 2012 at 9:56 AM · i too had to go for indy i had to think though because i enjoy both shows. it would be cool if they kept doing the star wars/indy mash up they did or at least update it to incorporate the other movies too (yes even the forth one). don't think they should fully change it to star wars bro :)
March 8, 2012 at 9:56 AM · Went with HMUS. IJ was pretty boring IMO.
March 8, 2012 at 10:09 AM · The Make Up Show was disappointing to me. It was a skeleton of a show, barely informative and hammed up with jokes that lost their charm about thirty seconds after they were told. I agree that some parts of IJ are a lost beat, but over all I think I would rather watch the action of Indy than a gloss over makeup.
March 8, 2012 at 10:21 AM · Did the stunt show add new elements from the Crystal Skull? There's already a motorcycle stunt down the Streets, so maybe a sword fight from moving vehicles, or maybe a guy flying across the stage in a refridgerator?
March 8, 2012 at 10:24 AM · I like horror movies, so I voted for the make-up demo.
March 8, 2012 at 10:33 AM · I love the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. It´s Indy, it´s a stuntshow but it´s only after long and boring intervals that it becomes spectacular. The fake "look we are making a movie" gets old very fast. And after all these years I would love to see the show refreshed.

The Universal's Horror Make-Up Show gets updates now and then and the humor is just great. I also love the per show whit all the props. So thats my vote (but I see I´m in the smallest group).

March 8, 2012 at 10:46 AM · Wow! I don't like it any more, it needs to be refreshed! More then half the comments for everything seem to be that. If Disney doesn't make new attractions every year, people don't seem to be happy. If Disney doesn't refresh older attractions every year, people don't seem to be happy. Millions of people go to the parks every year. They must be doing something right.
March 8, 2012 at 11:08 AM · I've never seen Indiana so not a fair vote from me, but I absolutely love Horror...we catch at least two shows a year.
March 8, 2012 at 11:36 AM · Thomas, one of the things Disney does right is refresh old rides and build new ones. When was the last time a year went by without an upgrade or new build?
March 8, 2012 at 12:02 PM · Both shows should be replaced. I vote "no".
March 8, 2012 at 12:23 PM · Went with Indy, mainly cause I love Indiana Jones. And the fact I was actually selected once helps (I stole the show, or at least that is what the voices in my head tell me.)
March 8, 2012 at 12:49 PM · Couldn't go with Indy unfortunately despite owning a few prop replicas... the show's pacing is too slow. Kinda boring to be honest. I went with Universal... more interesting to me.
March 8, 2012 at 12:59 PM · Indiana Jones Show is a dated relic that should have been updated for the ride long ago. While the horror make up show is a probaly the most traditional of the Universal attractions and also the best guest interaction show in Orlando.

If your voting for Indy's Stunt Show, because you liked the movie...This is TPI not IMBD vote for the attraction not the source material

March 8, 2012 at 1:06 PM · Robert Morris: My vote for the Horror show was based on, as you call it, "source material" Based on your logic, I should not have voted for it. Shall I rescind my vote?

We each bring something different to the table. It's what's in our life experiences, and what makes us human. If someone hasn't seen either (or if they have) and votes Indy because he/she is a fan of the movie(s,) I say more power to them.

March 8, 2012 at 1:28 PM · @mike, my problem isn't with people whol ike the show and Indy. But voting for a show soley based on its source product is flawed. As many bad movies have good rides and the reverse can also be true.

Also the stunt show by all acounts is a cheap way to pacify Orlando instead of the full incarnation of the Indy experience

March 8, 2012 at 1:31 PM · @Thomas - You've got to be careful when you go from the specific to the general.

When people criticize the shows as being outdated or stale or cheesy, they are expressing their personal feelings about that particular attraction. If you took the time to query them about about their feelings about the Disney or Universal parks I think you would find them to be some of the most ardent supporters of the theme park industry. Their feelings about a single ride or show may not be a reflection of their attitude toward the entire park or company, and since many of them may be season ticket holders or regular yearly visitors who spend a lot of money on their theme park enjoyment they represent an important component of a park's patrons.

You've also got to be careful when you dismiss their criticisms with the use of attendance figures. Wal-Mart and McDonalds dominate their particular industries, but does that mean that Wal-Mart is the best retailer or that McDonalds makes the best fast food? I think that most of us would agree that Mal-Mart and McDonalds have developed the formulas to get the most people through their doors in their particular industries, but that doesn't mean that they are providing superior quality.

Fair criticism (Indy or HMUS is getting stale!) is good. You can use it to improve. Unfair criticism (Universal or Disney or Six Flags sucks!) is useless. Take them both for what they are worth.

March 8, 2012 at 1:46 PM · I enjoyed both of these but went with Horror Makeup because it is better paced and funnier. I also enjoyed the demonstrations in the Makeup show better than the ones in Indy Jones.
March 8, 2012 at 2:01 PM · Tim H, My point was that it SEEMS like a lot of people live to criticize. My observation,that is all. Have a nice day.
March 8, 2012 at 8:45 PM · This is probably the most evenly weighted match-up yet. Both shows are minimally informative, dated, and contain a fake audience participation element. What Horror lacks in action, it makes up for in laughs, and vice versa for Indy. Both shows are also awesome for first-time viewers.

Hard pick. I'm neutral.

March 9, 2012 at 1:49 AM · If you get certain hosts then the Horror Make Up Show is (in my opinion) one of the best and most underrated attractions in USO.
We always make a point of catching it each visit (sometimes twice), we play our own - which lady are they going to get from the audience - game. And I've been in the front row and soaked for not providing the 'cpr'.
I just couldn't vote for anything else against this show.
Even Tower of Terror!!! (...I think)

This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Park tickets

Weekly newsletter

New attraction reviews

News archive