Something new is coming to Universal Orlando Resort, and it’s going to be in the form of a new, modern ride for Islands of Adventure.
Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Gearing up for a New Ride? Entire Land Prepping for Demolition
For months now, curious eyes have watched the ruins of The Lost Continent crumble piece by piece, as if ancient magic itself were fading from Islands of Adventure. Once home to the legendary Poseidon’s Fury and its towering temples, the land has fallen eerily quiet — save for the occasional hum of heavy machinery and the whispers of fans asking the same question: what could possibly rise from the ashes of this forgotten realm?
A newly filed construction permit may finally offer the biggest clue yet — and it bears a name that has thrill-seekers buzzing.
Credit: Universal / edited by Inside the Magic
The New Permit That’s Turning Heads
A Notice of Commencement recently appeared in public records listing Universal City Development Partners, Ltd. as the owner and Intamin Ltd. as the contractor for upcoming work at Universal Orlando Resort. That name — Intamin — is what immediately caught attention across the fan community.
Intamin, based in Schaan, Liechtenstein, is one of the most renowned ride manufacturers in the industry, known for designing some of the most thrilling and technologically advanced attractions on Earth. From VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure to rides at Disney, Six Flags, and Cedar Fair parks worldwide, Intamin’s name is synonymous with bold, headline-grabbing design.
A new attraction from Intamin is coming to Islands of Adventure at @UniversalORL, set to replace Poseidon’s Fury! Universal just doesn’t know how to waste time! Absolutely love it! – @SaxOnTracks on X
A new attraction from Intamin is coming to Islands of Adventure at @UniversalORL, set to replace Poseidon’s Fury! Universal just doesn’t know how to waste time! Absolutely love it! pic.twitter.com/x3LqikfdEY
— SaxOnTracks (@SaxOnTracks) December 19, 2025
According to the document, the work is listed under “Specialty Equipment,” a term typically used when contractors provide or install ride hardware rather than general construction materials. While the permit does not reveal the attraction’s name or theme, its expiration date — February 28, 2026 — gives us a rough timeline: whatever this is, Universal expects major progress over the next year.
Naturally, the speculation kicked into high gear almost instantly.
Image Credit: Inside The Magic
Why Fans Think Poseidon’s Fury May Finally Have a Successor
The filing’s location ties back to property within Universal’s Islands of Adventure, aligning with the area formerly occupied by The Lost Continent — now under active redevelopment following the demolition of both Poseidon’s Fury and The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad show buildings.
Those demolitions cleared roughly seven to eight acres of prime real estate, sparking theories that Universal is preparing a brand-new anchor attraction to fill the void between Seuss Landing and Hogsmeade Village.
Pair that with an Intamin contract, and the pieces start to form a clearer picture: a major, hardware-intensive ride is coming. It’s not a food hall, retail complex, or minor upgrade — this is ride-level construction, and likely a significant one at that.
Still, the exact identity of the attraction remains hidden in mystery.
Credit: Inside The Magic
The Rumor Mill: From Zelda to Pokémon
For over a year, speculation about what’s replacing The Lost Continent has been rampant. The most persistent theories point to intellectual properties that Universal already holds connections to — and which would complement the fantasy-heavy surroundings of Islands of Adventure.
Some fans insist this is where a Legend of Zelda land will rise, bringing Nintendo’s adventurous IP to life within a landscape of castles and ruins that feel tailor-made for Hyrule. Others believe the company could choose a bold, globally appealing franchise like Pokémon to anchor the area, tying in with rumored expansions across other Universal parks in Japan and Singapore.
There are even whispers of entirely new concepts or anime-inspired properties like One Piece, fueled by Universal’s partnership ties in Asia.
But here’s the key point: none of those themes are confirmed, and this permit doesn’t name them. The single fact we can verify is that Universal has officially hired Intamin to deliver specialty ride equipment tied to the ongoing Lost Continent redevelopment. And that, for many seasoned fans, is enough to mark the moment when rumors shift into reality.
Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
Universal’s Long Game for Islands of Adventure
This Intamin permit signals more than just another attraction — it points to Universal’s broader strategy for reshaping the competitive landscape of Orlando’s theme park empire. With Epic Universe now open and Universal Studios Florida actively modernizing its lineup, Islands of Adventure seems poised for its own renaissance.
By introducing a potential flagship ride within the former Lost Continent, Universal ensures its second gate remains balanced with high-energy, high-tech experiences that rival anything across town — and that the park continues to draw the same crowd-spanning mix of thrill junkies and storytelling superfans that it always has.
The timeline, too, fits neatly into Universal’s expansion schedule. Permits running through early 2026 suggest a build that could continue well into 2027 — perfectly positioned to retain guest interest after the glow of Epic Universe’s opening in May of 2025.
The Lost Continent was once about ancient myths and forgotten gods. Its next chapter might focus on something far more futuristic.
For now, the message seems clear: Universal isn’t just preserving its legacy — it’s reinventing it, one permit at a time. And if Intamin truly is behind the next Islands of Adventure marquee attraction… the legend of this new land is only just beginning.