This has not been a summer jam-packed with major attraction openings. There has been a sprinkling of reopenings and re-imaginings, but theme park fans have mostly been forced to dream of projects still in the works.
We will get a multi-pronged addition in the form of Magic of Disney Animation attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in mid-September, but right now we are left wondering just what is going on behind the scenes. While most projects have been announced, mystery remains.
Today we’re rounding up the biggies, not every spot fronted by plywood panels. The situations change daily, but here’s what we’ve seen recently.
Drift and drive
What and where: Fast & Furious – Hollywood Drift, future roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida
What was there: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which closed last August and was then dismantled
What’s up: This is the most obvious construction in town and visible from multiple angles. Any passerby outside the park will notice the spike maneuver that juts over Universal CityWalk. (This one tops out at 170 feet. For comparison, the spike for SeaWorld Orlando’s Ice Breaker is listed as 93 feet.)
Construction continues on a roller coaster that will be called Fast & Furious — Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Florida theme park. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
In the back of the park, near the library facade, we can see a loading station, and recently, the rail is now in place near the Music Plaza stage. It’s not quite as dramatic there as the Rockit loop, but it’s something to see.
A similar but different ride (with the same name, somehow) has entered soft-opening mode at Universal Studios Hollywood, and onboard video of spinning cars may intrigue Orlando folks.
Universal putting brakes on Fast & Furious ride sooner than expected
What else: This park has a lot of movement on the streets in preparation for Halloween Horror Nights, which starts Aug. 28. Another notable update is going on behind a scrim as Finnegan’s Bar & Grill is undergoing a lengthy update that’s expected to conclude in late 2026 (Translation: After HHN).
Land of mystery
What and where: Demolition site, Islands of Adventure
What was there: Lost Continent, which once upon a time was home to opening-day attractions such as Poseidon’s Fury and “The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad” show
What’s up: Although Universal confirmed last September that something new would go there, something new has not been announced. Since that time, contradictory rumors have flown, and since we’re not running a rumor mill here, we wait for that something new to be announced. In the meantime, piece by piece, the old land is being removed from the scenario, from the Enchanted Fountain to the big ol’ feet in front of the Poseidon building.
What else: Walls remain around Jurassic Park River Adventure, which has been undergoing scheduled maintenance and refurbishment since January. It is slated for a November reopening.
Outside the park, work has begun on Cat 10, an entertainment venue spearheaded by country music star Luke Combs. It will be located on the waterfront at Universal CityWalk.
The structure that will hold the SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep attraction at SeaWorld Orlando can be spotted from the parking lot of the theme park. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
Deep dish
What and where: SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, SeaWorld Orlando
What was there: The attraction is going up in a space that wasn’t normally open to the public.
What’s up: The attraction was announced in November as an “indoor suspended dark ride” with Vekoma Rides, and it simulates a deep-sea expedition with immersive audio in each vehicle and dynamic lighting. We saw the ride vehicle unveiled at IAAPA Expo last year, but there’s not been much info since then.
The building is a biggie that’s hard to see from inside the park. It’s described as behind the newish Expedition Odyssey, with marine-blue walls bearing SEAQuest signage along the little-used path leading to Bayside Stadium. Observant folks can spot the big, blue, boxy structure from the south end of the SeaWorld parking lot.
What else: SeaWorld’s most recent addition is the revised Expedition Odyssey Fire & Ice, the flying theater attraction in the former Wild Arctic space.
On the Frontierland front
What and where: Frontierland expansion/villains land, Magic Kingdom
What was there: Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the fabled Beyond Big Thunder area
What’s up: A major expansion of Magic Kingdom will include two “Cars”-inspired rides, and the construction walls are in flux around the perimeter. Visitors can get a gander of the work — from the bridge that spans the watery drop of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The site is expansive and heavy-machinery heavy.
What else is newish: Elsewhere in the park, visitors can ride the re-railed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the updated Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.
Monster smash
What and where: A future land based on “Monsters, Inc.” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
What was there: Several Muppet-driven attractions, including MuppetVision 4-D and the PizzeRizzo restaurant
What’s up: Construction is visible over the wall, although most of it seen from Grand Street is scaffolding, workers and a crane or two. The wall incorporates Mike and Sully. In a graphic that appears to appeal to pedestrians traveling to or from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
There have been sightings of the installation of giant chopsticks, part of the facade of the planned Harryhausen’s restaurant. The old MuppetVision space will be the Glob Theater. Farther back into the land will be an indoor door-themed thrill ride, Disney’s first suspended roller coaster.
What else is new: Muppetmania continues over at the rethemed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom visitors walk past the construction site for a new Tropical Americas land set to open in 2027 at the theme park. The area previously was known as Dinoland U.S.A., an opening-day attraction. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
Tropical serenade
What and where: Tropical Americas, a future land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
What was there: DinoLand, U.S.A., which was closed in phases, finishing up in February.
What’s up: It’s a thorough rethinking of the territory, including construction of a ride-through “Encanto” attraction based on Casa Madrigal and the addition of an animal-character carousel. In addition, the Dinosaur ride is being renovated to resemble a Mayan temple and feature an “Indiana Jones”- style attraction. Completion date is targeted for sometime in 2027.
What else is new: Jumping Junction, a real-life encounter with kangaroos and wallabies, is now open at Conservation Station.
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