Fences up and demolition beginning at Lost Continent

I imagine once Universal announces what’s being put here, but not until, it will covered here extensively. I take the news here as being grounded in solid, fact-based reporting. Rumors and fan projections are great for this Discussion Board however.
And to echo your sentiments @NB, there are other “big name” theme park websites that highlight the most mundane daily details as Breaking News. Such headlines as “Woman in wheelchair shakes fist in anger at Rainforest Cafe server” or “Tina from Guest Services at Polynesian Resort has new forearm tattoo” lol. And people eat that crap up SMH

We all know Disney news gets clicks, but this site has already covered the developments at Lost Continent, so until Universal makes the official announcement to detail what they're doing, there's really nothing to talk about. A few construction walls going up isn't really "news" for most TPI readers, unless there are indications that the appearance of walls is the prelude to a confirmed announcement on the horizon typically indicated by trademark filings and/or media event invitations.

Russell Meyer - I've been on this site for the good part of the 20 years. The bias towards all things Disney is not even subtle. It's ran like a scared "Disney media approved" person is afraid of backlash and not being on the invite / swag list.

It's funny that Theme Park Stop puts up a very vague 8 minute video with a picture of the construction wall with the same exact news and gets 55K views and 300 comments. Seems like "news" to me. This land has been there since opening day.

Have you noticed some of the stories on the TPI main page literally have zero comments? The TPI Facebook page... 100 reactions total for the last 10 posts and a total of 25 comments. The content needs to be more diverse than a new plaque on a bench at the Magic Kingdom and cosplay characters from the wrong Star Wars timeline.

"Have you noticed some of the stories on the TPI main page literally have zero comments?"

You realize that comments don't necessarily equate to site traffic or interest, right? Not every story needs to elicit responses or reactions in order to be relevant or newsworthy.

Also, the main thing that drew me to TPI over 2 decades ago was the site's responsible and journalistic-like approach to content. This is not a rumor-mill, nor does it publish speculation that is not appropriately sourced like so many other theme park websites and forums. It does cater to some of that here now on the "discussion" page, but that content is almost exclusively user-generated with occasional prompting from Robert to spur debate.

If you were paying attention, this story from back in October 2025 (https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202509/11077/) detailed the upcoming construction for Lost Continent that elicited 15 comments, and until the walls showed up this week, "coming months" has ended up being a half a year. You also realize that Robert lives in Southern California, so it's not like he's flying around to every park in the world to spy when something changes (though some sites do seem to do that, which is how you end up with the CM's new tattoo and angry Rainforest Cafe customer stories getting attention). Unless a trusted source is providing insider information, TPI is probably not going to report it (at least not on this page - I'm sure Robert has either personally seen or confirmed the many videos of riders testing F&FHD at USH, but those stories aren't here, because it is still speculation as to when that coaster will open). Just because some walls go up doesn't mean it's news until the park wants to put out a media advisory/press release or if someone associated with the park or the original observer wants to confirm what's being reported elsewhere. The bottom line is that TPI is rarely going to be first to report something, because most stories are going to be vetted before publication, but the strength of this site is the nuance and analysis of press releases and stories and what they mean to the industry at large, which is what sets this site apart.

Just to be fair, here are the current stories on TPI's front page...

Six Flags Great American Revolution
MNSSHP Announcement
USH Theseus Paradox
USH Fan Fest Nights Review
Star Wars OG Characters headlining "Rope Drop"
USH's One Piece headlining "Walk Time"
Disney Patent for Restraint Monitoring Tech
DCL in San Diego
Universal Financial Results
Efteling analysis
Six Flags Pre-School Pass
Sea World San Diego Shark Encounter
DVC Lakeshore Lodge

Of all the articles currently featured on the front page, 4 articles are exclusive to Disney, 3 are exclusive to Universal, 2 are exclusive to SF, and one each for United and Efteling, while Universal and Disney each headlined weekly summary features. When you look at the industry as a whole (and yes, DCL and DVC are part of the theme park industry, especially since the company has aligned those segments in the same division as the parks), Disney gets a little more attention than Universal, while Six Flags gets some attention and United and independent parks get passing coverage commensurate with each company's market share.

You also have to realize that you can't just make up "news", so there are always going to be times when a new plaque or subtle change is going to get attention because there's nothing else to report. Frankly, I think big companies know this and deliberately send out press releases and media advisories for these minimal stories because they know they will get picked up and keep those companies/parks in the news cycle. Perhaps TPI falls into that trap occasionally for that very reason, but I don't think those stories monopolize the site nor do they take away or distract from important coverage elsewhere.

Gotta agree with Russell here. I love this site's refusal for lame click bait, and the way it only covers important stories. Anything that's not notable enough goes into the "walk time" and "rope drop" sections, where they don't clog the front page and make the site incredibly reliable and readable. No joke, I saw an article on another site titled "IOA closes fan favorite attraction after 30 years" when Me Ship, The Olive went down for refurbishment. I don't even click those anymore - if it's important, it'll be on TPI in no time, without any click bait.

Theme park stop is probably one of my favorite YouTube channels (anybody else watch Defunctland?) and it's nice to have them to speculate whenever new photos surface of construction development. It makes sense why they get so many comments - everyone has a YouTube account. Not everyone has one for TPI.

As for the loss of Lost Continent, it was expected. It'll be missed in the same way Rip Ride Rockit will be missed- fondly, but it needed to go. Reminds me of one of my first discussion threads on this site. . ."what will happen to lost continent". . .I went back to check on it and it seems like we all thought Zelda. I, personally, was hoping for LotR or something original. But I don't mind Pokemon.

I think the biggest news story of this whole debacle would be the removal of the "#1 Theme Park Restaurant in the World" banner from Mythos due to the present site.

Truly excellent comments by Russell.

@Beacher:I also think Russell's comments are excellent. I also think the points raised by Handsy, v-Coaster and Fatty are right on target. The rest of the comments (this one included) are a waste of time ... at best.

NEXT!

Physical walls and demolition.... "click bait" and "made up news"... make it make sense.

I wouldn't call it "made up news", but I would call it "click bait", because there's really nothing much to report. Until Universal puts out a press release or someone with insider information is willing to go on the record as to what Universal is doing, there's nothing much to say about this development. Universal already stated that they were going to remake Lost Continent, and the walls are just physical confirmation of that story. Sure, that original story is over 6 months old now, but what is happening right now is only notable because it took this long for Universal to move forward with plans they had already outlined. Everything else associated with this is pure speculation serving as "click bait" for other sites to drive traffic getting people frothed up to debate what Universal is actually going to do behind the walls.

I hope it's a Harry Potter/Minions mash-up!

I would give Robert a pass on that one. Until or unless there’s a press release or solid leak, it would be either a dull article, or just a bunch of rumours, and Robert, to his credit, doesn’t do rumours - and rightfully so.

If I were to nitpick I’d point to the geographic disparities lots of US and Middle East, limited Europe and Asia, and nothing of the Australian scene.

Th Creative - I'd take a land based on the movie Yentl over nothing. They could even do the "Yentl Experience" in the old BMX stadium.

Show kids what it's like to attend a rabbinical school as a woman disguised as a boy.

Russell Meyer - "Construction walls are up at the former Lost Continent section of Islands of Adventure (show picture of wall up at the former Lost Continent section of Islands of Adventure). No official word yet from Universal on the replacement, but many permits for grading, drainage, and new construction have been filed with the county.

The long standing and award winning Mythos Restaurant (4 time winner of the TPI Best Theme Park Restaurant Award) may be getting a new theme and facelift as well.

We don't like to speculate, but feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. We will keep you posted as more info becomes avaialble".

Then TH could tell us why it will be an epic fail and that it should be based on Artemis Fowl and so forth....

Chad H - This may explain why the engagement is so low on the main page stories. Maybe it's time to shake off the safety harness and live on the wild side a bit. After hour cookies and cupcakes aren't exactly click magnets.

NB: "Then TH could tell us why it will be an epic fail ..."

Me: I don't think I ever called a Comcast attraction or restaurant an "epic fail". I know on April 19th the_man26 posted: "I'm going to come in with a hot take and possibly unpopular opinion, but I think Epic Universe has been an Epic Fail for Universal and they know it."

Maybe you should try and bait him.

Russell, I wouldn't want to be in court with you prosecuting me. My defence (defense for my American brethren) wouldn't stand a chance. Agree with everything.

This site publishes news, articles and industry opinions relevant and meaningful to its readership and followers and that's why it is our #1 site for balanced and accurate news. A lack of comments doesn't mean they are not being read.

On a completely tangential note, is everybody else seeing an annoying cat constantly popping up at the bottom of their page? Robert, please feed it and give it a bit of love so it goes to sleep.

"A lack of comments doesn't mean they are not being read" - But is does show a lack of engagement. Every so often, you will see a front page story with 50 comments.

Maybe it's time to stop being the Diet Coke of theme park news and crack open a Monster every once in a while. No one should get upset for reporting construction walls and demolition.

""A lack of comments doesn't mean they are not being read" - But is does show a lack of engagement. Every so often, you will see a front page story with 50 comments."

Maybe from a surface level, but hundreds of comments from bots doesn't necessarily mean posts on other sites have more "engagement" either.

You realize that you reported the construction walls going up here on TPI, yet the bulk of the discussion has instead focused on the critique of the site, and not the actual development of construction walls going up. Posts on the discussion forum are given quite a bit of latitude, but because this thread chose to focus on why TPI didn't report it on the front page, you missed out the discussion/engagement that you seem to be seeking.

NBCreative, not every post is designed for immersive engagement, however, when there is an article which stimulates opinion then there are plenty of meaningful comments. I love this site for two reasons 1) the articles selected by Robert for inclusion 2) the great contributions of the theme park fans on here. I'd rather have 10 comments from TPI's loyal fan base than a hundred on other sites as I read every one on here. That's also "engagement".

Robert, please feed the cat as it is still popping up looking for attention.

Could someone please help NB up off the floor?

TH Creative - It's my "small ball" strategy.

Well it's brilliant!

Thank you NB Creative for reporting any changes to the parks..

We all don't live in Florida or Cali and appreciate the updates.

You are so much smarter and better than The Other creative on this site...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Stir the Pot, keep stirring....

Happy Posting.

Brian Emery - I'll never understand TPI. Truly.

Hey there. I thought I would let this one run for a bit before I jumped in.

Thank you to Russell for his insight, as always. One of the frustrating/hilarious things about running a website is knowing the disparity between social media interaction and viewership of any given post on a site. Some stories will elicit huge comment numbers... but only be read by the people commenting. Others will blow up in traffic, but everyone is reading and no one commenting.

And Facebook likes? You know that people can buy those, right? (For the record, I never pay to boost posts or otherwise game the numbers on social media.)

Let me say this: People love really good trip reports, especially ones that notice fresh details in the parks. Those always do great traffic, even if they likes and comments don't always reveal that. So if you see new construction walls in a park, come on the Discussion Forum here and tell us about it!

Just because I reported something on the front page a couple of months ago doesn't mean that everyone who comes to the site today has read that. A fresh trip report on the Forum provides an opportunity for long-time readers to bring newcomers up to speed on what has been reported. And that's great.

The whole concept of this site, initially, was to be a community where theme park fans could share information. Heck, I didn't even start writing for the front page until five years or so after the site began. Unfortunately, bots, spammers and trolls have made too many people feel unwelcome to post to most websites anymore. But I want people to feel welcome here.

I write about the stuff that I find interesting and important, when I have information about that I think will be of interest to you. If you have something in the theme park world that you want to talk about that I haven't, well, that's why this Discussion Forum is here for you.

Thank you for reading. And posting.

Robert, is there a way to view the older stories on the front page? You used to be able to read the archived stories.

This is why sites have "rumor mills". A section with unverified stories where people interact and engage each other. Nothing wrong with that.

Construction walls are not a rumor, however, it's a flat fact. Surely "something" is happening.

NB - I can be a Troll at times - I can admit to that.
Mostly because of clowns blind allegiance to a certain political party made up of bruised hands, cankles and drafts that were dodged… HAHAHAHAHA

But Yes Post away, have fun, don’t take us too seriously.

If you post anything positive about Universal, the Disney fan boys attack.
If you post anything negative about Disney, the Disney fan boys attack.

Not sure, I need more Data but there might be a pattern here?

But in reality both park companies are great. I think Disney is too expensive for a one day ticket and you need to bundle days. Universal is more adult, better thrill rides and has easy access to a cold beer on a hot day…. (Now sit back and watch those tell me how much better Disney is now and they have that One thrill ride) hahahahah

For the record, I don't think anyone can argue that Universal's tickets aren't also expensive ($144+ for a one-day one-park ticket between now and Labor Day). And outside of Magic Kingdom, it isn't difficult to get beer at Disney either.

Yes James One day at any park is expansive.

But you are making my point, I said One thing about Disney and you just had to reply But.... Universal.... HAHAHAHAHAHA

Universal often has buy Two days get Two days sales... And Disney? Never...

My problem is that I like AK and a One day ticket is Nuts... That damn flight of passage calls to me...

@Brian Universal is expensive like Disney ... But it's also worth it, like Disney ... Ski resort lift tickets, sports and concert tickets, Broadway show tickets are all expensive ... and more often than not, worth it ... That's not a "Universal is just as bad thing ... It's more an "is what it is" thing, right?

I always marvel at the ceaseless demand for newer, bigger and more technologically advanced attractions every year or two, and then the hand-wringing that follows when parks charge higher prices for tickets every year. I hate overpaying for a drink or snack that would cost 50% or more less outside of the parks, but I also accept that with the development and operations of world-class attractions comes higher prices spread across the board. To echo @TH “it is what it is”. If I can’t or don’t want to spend the money that I know it takes to go then I abstain. The same is true for concerts, pro sports games, etc. $#iT is expensive and it ain’t getting any cheaper.
Not to stray off topic though. How about those walls and what’s behind ‘em?

Imagine if a Park said we are reducing prices due to the High cost of Gas and living right now?

Imagine.

Think of Schooner Tuna in Mr. Mom movie...

fattyackin - I don't necessarily mind the incremental price increases for inflation or overall increased costs to operate and maintain more technologically advanced attractions, but what does bother me is the nickel and diming of every aspect of the theme park experience (and virtually everything else these days too). Not only are tickets getting more expensive, but things that used be included as part of your admission now cost extra or a base admission to a park is deliberately knee-capped to encourage more and more guests to pay for those upcharges. Sure, the face value of a ticket has gone up 60-80% in the past decade, but you're spending what equates to another admission ticket to make a current theme park day feel like it did 10 years ago, so the effective price increase over the decade is upwards of 200% or more.

As TH noted, this phenomenon is not isolated to theme parks, and has been happening across all live events and experiences (concerts, sporting events, movies, and others). That stratification of the travel and entertainment industry is spiraling out of control to the point where some owners/operators are spending more and more to market to higher income customers.

Brian, I'm not sure I follow. You're the one who made a point about Disney and then immediately brought up Universal in the next sentence. I added some additional input to that discussion. If I wasn't supposed to do that, then what was the purpose of your comment?

...........and parking has gone up 250-300% over the last decade in Orlando. I really do hate paying the ridiculously inflated costs just to park my car to get entrance to the park with my ridiculously inflated ticket then pay a ridiculously inflated further cost to be able to do the main attractions which is the primary reason I paid the ridiculously inflated ticket price and parking fee for. But, we all do it and continue to do so.

ProfPlum - I have been barking about parking fees for years.

When we first started to visit Orlando - It was $12 to park...

Disney is about $35
Universal is about $32

Only good news is Disney Springs is free parking.
(Water parks at Disney were free years ago- Not sure is that is still the same).

James. yes you made my point for me - I said something negative about Disney- you replied -Universal bla bla bla....

You did not have to defend Disney but felt you had to. I don't have an issue with you defending Disney.. But my point to NB Creative was to show him there are many Disney fans here. And if you say something Positive about lets say Universal - They Disney folks have to come out.

NB Creative is a nice young man and we as a community have to encourage our younger friends. Many here acted like fools saying We KNOW ABOUT THE FENCES...

Again anything positive that is directed towards other non Disney IP's and folks Just have to defend The Great and Wonderful Disney......

Both can be True, Disney and Universal are both fun but now so damn expansive..

@Brian. You wrote "If you post anything negative about Disney, the Disney fan boys attack."

What James wrote can't possibly be regarded as an "attack".

I'm not above criticism of Disney when warranted and have taken my fair share of shots at them over the years. And I have been a pretty vocal advocate of other parks like Universal, Knott's Berry Farm, and Legoland (bash United all you want, I'm done defending them). Again, you were the one who called Disney expensive (which I don't disagree with) and then made a comparison to Universal in the following sentence. IMO that invites discussion between the two chains.

TH Creative 'Attack' is a general term

Attack is more hyperbole or even rhetorical.

Would you like me to have said - The Disney defenders instead? HAHAHAHA

I guess in the future I will just say Double D's as a reference to the The Disney defender...

Brian Emery - Use "Pixie Dusters"