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New permits show the attraction buildings for Lost Continent will be demolished at Islands of Adventure, but what will be replacing this area and how soon? Plus, construction has already started on the new roller coaster replacing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida, before it’s even done being demolished.
Let’s explore official information from Universal Orlando regarding these projects, as well as the latest rumors, in today’s news update. See the video version of this story below for additional visuals.
Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure, All Aerial Photos by @bioreconstruct
A permit for the demolition of 4.9 acres of theme park space at Universal Islands of Adventure was posted on September 10, 2025.
The permit, which is for Project 555, listed several different types of things to be demolished within the theme park, but did not specify exactly where in Islands of Adventure they are located.
Permit filed with the City of Orlando Permit and Planning Office
It listed demolition within the theme park site for retail/show/attraction buildings and associated utilities, as well as pedestrian facilities, and access roadway.
The first assumptions from fans is that this could be for the right half of Lost Continent, which includes an attraction building, a show structure, retail, restrooms, first aid, and an access road down the center. All together this portion of the land equals about 5 acres.
Map image created by Behind the Thrills, who first discovered the permit
Soon after the permit was discovered, first posted by Behind the Thrills, Universal Orlando confirmed that the work will in fact be for the Lost Continent area.
In official comment given to the Orlando Business Journal, Kristen Smith, Director of Public Relations, said:
“In the coming months, there will be construction activity in Lost Continent as part of site planning to ensure the area is ready for any future developments.”
The area has seen its remaining attractions closed for years now. Poseidon’s Fury, an indoor attraction, closed in May 2023. The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad, a stunt show in an outdoor theater, closed all the way back in 2018. These two attractions have remained basically untouched since.
Work walls have since gone up in the days following the official confirmation of work to begin, but this work appears to be limited to the bridge between Lost Continent and Seuss Landing.
Demolition on Lost Continent may not begin until demolition for the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit wraps up next door.
The initial demolition permit that sparked discussion on the land’s imminent demise has actually been canceled. In its place a new permit has been posted by Universal.
Newer permit filed with City of Orlando
The new permit omits all of the specifics that were seen on the original, but this new permit is still connected to the same building and engineering permits that were first referenced by the original one.
The new permit does however, include an expiration date now, which was not included with the original. It says that this work should be completed by March 16, 2026.
Rumors for what could be taking over Lost Continent have changed over the years, with initial concepts based on the Legend of Zelda floating around years ago leading to newer speculation on properties like Wicked or even One Piece now making the rounds.
One property that could be a likely contender, is Pokemon. Originally rumored to be built in Universal Studios Florida, speculation lately has turned to bringing this popular franchise to Islands of Adventure instead.
Official partnership announcement graphic, Image: Universal Studios Japan
So far Universal and The Pokemon Company have only officially announced plans to bring attractions based on Pokemon to Universal Studios Japan, so any rumors or speculation for the franchise appearing in Orlando are still not confirmed by either company at this time.
If and when the demolition plans are put into action, we expect only the right half of Lost Continent to be closed off at first. This would leave some of the dining options open on the left, including the Fire Eaters Grill outdoor window and the Mythos indoor sit down restaurant.
Some rumors have had Mythos closing for good as soon early next year, at least in its current form. Universal has not yet confirmed its closure, but not closing it until at least after the busy holiday season would make sense.
The only attraction left in the Lost Continent area is The Mystic Fountain. This interactive fountain allows a team member to talk to guests as the fountain, while also controlling its water spray abilities.
Aerial photo by @bioreconstruct showing rounded area in front of park with walls up
Fans are hopeful that this fun interactive “character” of The Mystic Fountain can somehow be preserved and relocated elsewhere, perhaps to a spot within Port of Entry, or even outside of the park’s main entrance.
Also in Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando has confirmed the upcoming extended refurbishment of Jurassic Park River Adventure.
According to the official Universal Orlando website, the attraction will be closed for over 10 months, from January 5, 2026 to November 19, 2026
As we mentioned in our last update, we DO NOT believe the ride will be changing from Jurassic Park to Jurassic World. Instead, this downtime may offer time to upgrade the ride, and modernize some of the aging dinosaur animatronics and effects on the ride—without changing the theme.
Sparks fly as coaster track is split apart, Photo: @Bioreconstruct
Over at Universal Studios Florida, demolition continues on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, while construction on its replacement ramps up.
Former coaster station demolition, Photo: @Bioreconstruct
Demolition is more than two-thirds done, with work happening on the central areas of the coaster, including removal of the non-inverting loop and the former ride’s station.
Guggenheim facade before, Photo: @Bioreconstruct
Guggenheim facade after, Photo: @Bioreconstruct
The Guggenheim Museum flat facade at the back of the New York streets area was removed, most likely permanently. This flat facade has been a part of the park since it opened in 1990.
Signage for sale at Lakeland Antique Mall, Photo: ParkTwister
Signage has been removed from Rip Ride Rockit, and has shown up for sale at the Lakeland Antique Mall.
Test Seat for sale at Lakeland Antique Mall, Photo: ParkTwister
Test seats from the ride were also available for purchase.
Aerial view of construction on new roller coaster, Photo: @Bioreconstruct
Before the old ride has even been fully removed, construction on its replacement has kicked into high gear.
Work is moving fast and furiously to install footings for a new large roller coaster project, which is planned to take up a larger footprint than Rockit.
Footings for new attraction, Photo: @Bioreconstruct
These first large footings are being installed along the CityWalk end of the project site. This proves the theory for the ride reaching all the way to the Hard Rock Cafe correct, filling in more space than Rockit used to.
Footings being installed, Photo: @Bioreconstruct
Preparations for two new permitted structures at the opposite end of the project site continues, with land work happening, as seen in the next photos.
One of these two new buildings is expected to be the new roller coaster’s station building. The station building will butt up against the ride building for Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Permits describe what could be the relocation of air compressors for the Fallon ride, which should free up more space for the new station building where a small mechanical room is located, seen circled in the aerial photo above.
Debris from demolition of Rip Ride Rockit, Photo: @Bioreconstruct
The new coaster replacing Rip Ride Rockit is expected to be built by Intamin.
Rumors for the new ride’s theme include properties like Ghostbusters and Back to the Future, but it’ll most likely be based on Fast & Furious.
Coaster demolition in progress, Photo: @Bioreconstruct
See our last update on the topic for more information on the new roller coaster, and what the future could hold for Fast & Furious Supercharged if the coaster attraction does end up being an east coast version of Hollywood Drift.
We’ll keep you up to date on these projects, as well as new rides being built at Walt Disney World like Encanto in Animal Kingdom and Monsters Inc in Hollywood Studios, so stay tuned.
Islands of Adventure as seen from above, Photo: @Bioreconstruct
Be sure to see the video version of this story for additional visuals. Big thanks to Bioreconstruct for sharing all of the aerial photos seen in this story.
Subscribe to the news feed or enter your email address below to never miss an update. Official Art: Universal Destinations & Experiences | Aerial Photos: Bioreconstruct | Photos & Graphics: Alicia Stella | Permits: City of Orlando | Other Images as Captioned
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