This season introduced the 'Medallion of Power' which would offer the tribe an advantage in the challenge, should they choose to use it. If they did, the Medallion would be given to the other tribe for the next challenge.
For the second time in Survivor history, the tribes were split by age. One tribe was made up of people 40 and older, the second tribe was made up of those 30 and younger.
In past seasons, the Hidden Immunity Idols have been easily found. This season introduced visual rebuses that would lead to the location of the Idol.
This is the fifth season to feature a 'Celebrity' castaway, Jimmy Johnson, who was an NFL Head Coach.