Universal Orlando Resort has confirmed that it soon will begin demolition work on The Lost Continent land in Islands of Adventure.
A Universal spokesperson confirmed the news to the Orlando Business Journal today, following the resort filing permits to begin demolition work in the land.
The demolition is expected to start in the "coming months," according to the report.
The permits details the removal of buildings for the former Poseidon's Fury and The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad attractions. They do not include removal of the Mythos restaurant, which remains open and is expected to continue operating at Universal Islands of Adventure.
The Lost Continent is one of the original lands from Islands of Adventure's 1999 opening. However, half of the land was converted into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was added to the land while the former Flying Unicorn roller coaster became Flight of the Hippogriff, the Enchanted Oak Tavern restaurant was rebuilt as The Three Broomsticks, and the Dueling Dragons roller coasters were rebranded as Dragon Challenge. Those coasters later were removed and replaced by Hagrid's Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure.
That left Lost Continent with Mythos, The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad, which closed in 2018, and Poseidon's Fury, which closed in 2023.
Following the opening of Universal's Epic Universe theme park last year, Universal has moved to bring improvements to the resort's other two theme parks. Demolition is underway on the former Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida, with plans for a new attraction to take its place. Now, something new appears to be in the works at Islands of Adventure, as well.
I normally loath the closing of any attraction, but every time I went through Atlantis, I was tired of walking and had to stand in what seemed to be the equivalent of a queue.
I am pulling for a nice dark ride to take its place. I know- an Antarctic research lab walkthrough based on John Carpenter’s the Thing! Will never happen, but I can dream. Can sell shave ice in the gift shop!
This is why I can never be allowed to make decisions…
The Adams Family Dark ride....
Alright, time for a new churro stand!
I doubt the theories of this being a "Legend of Zelda" land have any bearing in actual reports one might have heard, but I do still think that would be cool, albeit five acres may not be enough space.
As long as it's a "new" franchise, and not just yet another Potter attraction, I'll be happy.
As long as it's based off of a book, it'll fit with most of the other lands there. I wouldn't mind a wizarding world expansion, especially if it's a show and/or a shrieking shack expansion to Hogsmeade.
LOTR anyone?
I hope it’s not yet-another-Harry-potter-land (tm)
While Paramount own the rights to Mission: Impossible I am sure Universal could broker a deal to have a M:I land with a couple of big attractions. Give Cruise creative licence as they did with JKR as he has significant creative and financial control over the franchise. I am not aware of the franchise being used anywhere else. And it is Islands of Adventure and Ethan does get himself into a host of spectacular adventures.
Surely a better option than Pokeman which is the bookies favourite.
I would be happy with a couple of mid-range family attractions. IOA has a lot of top notch thrill rides, but not enough family style attractions. As far as the theme or IP, I'm not sure what they could put there. If Mythos stays in its current configuration, my guess would be something related to Zelda, but as we have seen in Epic Universe, just about anything is possible.
This has been a long time coming, and honestly pretty sad that this land sat idle with Poseidon's Fury operating as a part-time attraction until it was closed in 2023. It's a shame that it looks like Universal is going to replace one of the best original IP lands in the US with yet another licensed IP, probably Zelda. I guess it's comforting to know that Universal looks to be investing major money into the area since they won't be repurposing any of the buildings or structures for the new land/attractions, but I do wonder if there could have been some efficiencies found to save money that could be used for other improvements at UO.
Oddly, I think the biggest loss here will be the Mystic Fountain, one of the most clever attractions in ANY theme park. The Mystic Fountain was ahead of its time, and other parks have tried to replicate the magic of this attraction (including Disney).
Universal REALLY needs to get out of bed with Rowling. Sooner or later she's going to pull some stunt beyond her already controversial and unsavory public proclamations, which is going to turn the whole franchise radioactive.
Dinglenugget, getting into bed with JKR was the best thing Universal have done as it is their most prized IP asset, even under licence, and as long as it gets millions into their parks there will be more JKR licenced IPs not less as it is purely business driven.
Hear me out...Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy themed land
@Formula 40 - Totally with you, though they'd need some serious security to get guests to leave the Winchester at closing time.
I choose not to give JKR any more of my money, but I agree with Plum. It was the first potter land that made people stand up and see universal as a destination in its own right on par with Disney.
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I always liked this when first visited IOA in 2001. Just more original area, Fury was a fun attraction and I miss Dueling Dragons. Seems sad to see it go for more IP as it was an area that lived up to the Adventure part of the park.