Universal Orlando Resort has confirmed the upcoming demolition in The Lost Continent themed area at Universal's Islands of Adventure. A spokesperson informed the Orlando Business Journal that construction work will begin in the coming months to prepare the area for future developments. This follows permits for the demolition of buildings from the former attractions "Poseidon’s Fury" and "The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad," while the Mythos restaurant remains open.
Confirmation of Construction Measures
Universal Orlando confirms construction measures at Islands of Adventure that include the demolition of structures in The Lost Continent. The permits, submitted on Sept. 10, cover nearly five acres of theme park land. Kristen Smith, director of public relations, stated in an email that these measures are part of site planning to prepare the area for upcoming projects. Resort representatives provided no further details on possible redesigns of the specific attractions.
Closed Main Attractions
The main attractions in The Lost Continent have closed in recent years. "Poseidon’s Fury," a special effects show that took visitors on an archaeological adventure, closed in May 2023 in preparation for new offerings, as stated on Universal's website. "The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad," a stunt show depicting the journey of a man and his sidekick to save a princess from an evil witch, closed in 2018. The combined area of these two attractions is about five acres, based on the Orange County Property Appraiser's digital mapping tool.
Historical Context of the Area
The Lost Continent is one of the original eight themed areas at Universal's Islands of Adventure since the park opened in 1999. The area immerses visitors in a world of mythical creatures and gods and currently houses a full-service restaurant, two quick-service restaurants, and some souvenir shops. Over the years, the area has undergone changes, including when half of it was converted to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010. The "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" attraction was added, the former Flying Unicorn roller coaster was transformed into Flight of the Hippogriff, the Enchanted Oak Tavern restaurant was rebuilt as The Three Broomsticks, and the Dueling Dragons roller coasters were renamed Dragon Challenge. Later, these roller coasters were removed and replaced by Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Developments After Epic Universe
Following the opening of Universal’s Epic Universe last year, Universal Orlando has taken steps to make improvements in the other theme parks. The demolition of the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida is currently underway, with plans for a new attraction in its place. Now, the construction measures in The Lost Continent suggest similar developments at Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Rumors About Possible Retheming
There is speculation about possible retheming of the area. One possibility is the integration of Nintendo's "The Legend of Zelda," as Universal has already collaborated with the video game company in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe. A painting of the main character Link from the games is located in a souvenir shop at Epic Universe. The series shares a similar aesthetic with The Lost Continent, as both involve mythical figures and lead audiences through hidden temples. Eurogamer reported in 2024 that one of the series' main producers was shown in a video wearing a hard hat next to another Nintendo manager walking across the Epic Universe construction site, with the video later removed from social media. Another rumor concerns the popular anime and manga series "One Piece," which was featured at the Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. This would fit the overall theme of Universal's Islands of Adventure, where each area is themed to a book.
Universal's Focus on Intellectual Properties
Universal is relying on intellectual properties for future growth, as Mark Woodbury, CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, indicated at the Bank of America Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference on Sept. 3. In a Q&A session, he explained the balance between its own IP like Minions, Jurassic Park, and DreamWorks, as well as third-party licenses like Nintendo. Woodbury emphasized that Universal IP forms the foundation, but opportunities with unique properties like Harry Potter or Nintendo are utilized. Regarding the potential expansion of Epic Universe, he mentioned several attractions in development, not just there. The rhythm of product delivery across the three parks is a key part of the strategy.
Possible Opportunities for the Region
The construction measures could create opportunities for the region, as Universal has not yet selected a contractor for the project, and additional companies could be involved in developing the replacement.
