Beloved Universal Orlando Land's Demolition Captured in Aerial Video as Theme Park Prepares for New Development
Beloved Universal Orlando Land's Demolition Captured in Aerial Video as Theme Park Prepares for New Development
Colson ThayerThu, May 21, 2026 at 9:19 PM UTC
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L: The Lost Continent area of Islands of Adventure; R: Demolition footage from WESH
Credit: Daniel Dent/Shutterstock;Wesh 2 News/Youtube
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Universal Orlando’s Lost Continent land is being demolished to make way for a new themed area
The land opened in 1999 but has seen gradual closures of attractions like Poseidon’s Fury and The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad
Mythos restaurant, a top-rated theme park eatery, will remain open until 2027 as part of the phased closure
It is officially the end of an era for a nearly 30-year-old land at one of Universal Orlando’s theme parks.
Demolition has officially begun on the Lost Continent area at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, according to new aerial footage captured by local outlet WESH. The video, taken from a news helicopter, shows an excavator stationed next to a pile of debris emerging out of a highly-themed building.
On May 7, a spokesperson for the park confirmed to PEOPLE the land would permanently close in order to make way for a “new themed area.”
The Lost Continent opened alongside the rest of Islands of Adventure when the park first welcomed guests in 1999. However, in recent years park officials have slowly been closing portions of the land.
In 2010, the Dueling Dragons roller coasters were absorbed into the adjacent Harry Potter-themed area, where they reopened as the Dragon Challenge. The attraction was later closed to make way for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in 2017.
The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad, a live action stage show, put on its last performance in 2018. Poseidon’s Fury, a walk-through attraction with special effects, fire and water stunts, closed its doors in 2023.
The Lost Continent area at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure
Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock
The last remaining element of the land, the Mythos restaurant, will remain open until 2027 as part of the phased closure. It consistently ranked among the world’s best theme park restaurants, even coming in as a runner-up in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards in 2026.
"Universal Orlando Resort is continuing its unprecedented momentum as it prepares for a slate of compelling new guest offerings across the destination, ranging from new themed areas to delicious eateries," the resort said in a press release shared with PEOPLE.
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A sign for Universal Orlando Resort's Islands of Adventure park
Credit: Craig Russell/Shutterstock
In the announcement, Universal also revealed the resort’s Horror Make Up Show production at Universal Studios will temporarily close on May 12 to prepare for a “reimagined experience.”
The new production "will showcase a mix of classic and modern horror properties along with shockingly fun surprises — all while staying true to the comedic and irreverent spirit that guests know and love."
Other ongoing changes at the parks include an exterior refurbishment of Hogwarts Castle at Islands of Adventure. In late March, fans noticed the building was undergoing renovation, with the massive structure covered in scaffolding and gray tarp.
A representative for Universal Orlando confirmed to PEOPLE that the work would be "complete later this year."
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The resort’s next big addition will come in 2027 with the arrival of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a high-speed roller coaster themed after the massive movie franchise. On the West Coast, Universal Studios Hollywood will debut its own version of the attraction later this year.
Universal Orlando opened an entire new park, Epic Universe, in May 2025. It was the first major U.S. theme park to open in more than two decades.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
