{"id":282961,"date":"2026-05-24T18:32:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T18:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/282961\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T18:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T18:32:11","slug":"lost-continent-demolition-begins-at-universal-orlando-islands-of-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/282961\/","title":{"rendered":"Lost Continent demolition begins at Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n

More than 25 years after it debuted as one of Universal Orlando<\/a>\u2019s most iconic themed lands, the Lost Continent is beginning a phased closure at Islands of Adventure.<\/p>\n

Demolition work has started inside the aging land. Footage from a local station\u2019s news helicopter showed an excavator positioned next to a pile of rubble, according to multiple reports.<\/p>\n

“In the coming months, venues and experiences<\/a> within Lost Continent will permanently close in phases to make way for a new themed area,” a Universal Orlando spokesperson told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n

SIX FLAGS GUESTS STRANDED 245 FEET IN AIR AFTER POWER OUTAGE FORCES COASTER EVACUATION<\/a><\/p>\n

“This will include the closure of Mythos Restaurant in 2027,” a statement also noted.<\/p>\n

The Lost Continent opened with Islands of Adventure in 1999, helping to define the park\u2019s early identity<\/a> with mythology-inspired architecture, towering stone facades and elaborate storytelling rooted in ancient legends.<\/p>\n

\"Island <\/p>\n

One of Universal Orlando\u2019s most iconic themed lands, the Lost Continent, is beginning to disappear from the skyline at Islands of Adventure, pictured here. (Universal Orlando Resort)<\/p>\n

For years, it served as one of the resort\u2019s most atmospheric lands<\/a>, blending fantasy adventure, cutting-edge effects and live entertainment, according to Universal Orlando.<\/p>\n

The area was also home to several fan-favorite attractions.<\/p>\n

ICONIC SECTIONS OF DISNEY WORLD CLOSING DOWN AND DISAPPEARING BEFORE VISITORS’ EYES<\/a><\/p>\n

The Dueling Dragons roller coasters<\/a> \u2014 later re-themed as Dragon Challenge after the arrival of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter \u2014 were among the resort\u2019s most iconic thrill rides.<\/p>\n

They were famous for their intertwined layouts, synchronized dispatches and near-miss elements, per Universal Orlando and Wizarding World history pages.<\/p>\n

\"Hogwarts <\/p>\n

Hogwarts Castle at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Island of Adventure has been extremely popular \u2014 it will not shut down. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Poseidon\u2019s Fury was another signature attraction, drawing crowds with dramatic water tunnel effects, bursts of fire and live actors.<\/p>\n

But over the last 15 years, Universal has steadily chipped away at the land.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n

In 2010, the Dueling Dragons coasters were re-themed as Dragon Challenge as part of the neighboring Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, according to Universal Orlando.<\/p>\n

That attraction ultimately closed in 2017 to make way for Hagrid\u2019s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, now one of the resort\u2019s most popular rides.<\/p>\n

\"Sunset <\/p>\n

The Dueling Dragons coasters were re-themed as Dragon Challenge in 2010 as part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion. (iStock)<\/p>\n

The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad, a stunt-heavy live show, said goodbye in 2018.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Poseidon\u2019s Fury closed in 2023, according to Universal Orlando\u2019s retired attractions page.<\/p>\n

Mythos Restaurant<\/a> is expected to remain open through 2027 as part of Universal\u2019s phased closure plan, according to the company press release.<\/p>\n

\"Universal <\/p>\n

Universal announced the resort\u2019s famous Horror Make-Up Show at Universal Studios Florida would be temporarily closed. (Universal Studios)<\/p>\n

“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<\/a>,” the resort said in a release shared with Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n

Universal announced the resort\u2019s Horror Make-Up Show at Universal Studios Florida is temporarily closed to prepare for what the company calls a “reimagined experience.”<\/p>\n

The updated production “will showcase a mix of classic and modern horror properties along with shockingly fun surprises.<\/a>“<\/p>\n

\"Hogwarts <\/p>\n

Hogwarts Castle at Islands of Adventure has seen ongoing maintenance and refurbishment work in recent years. (Gareth Cattermole)<\/p>\n

Hogwarts Castle at Islands of Adventure has seen ongoing maintenance and refurbishment work in recent years, according to Orlando Informer.<\/p>\n

Universal Orlando will debut Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift in 2027, a high-speed roller coaster based on the blockbuster movies, the press release noted.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n

The demolition drew mixed reactions from Universal visitors.<\/p>\n

“Glad it’s finally happening because it’s needed it. I mean, the two attractions have been closed for 8 years and 3 years,” one Reddit user said.<\/p>\n

\"Guests <\/p>\n

Guests ride Stardust Racers, a twin coaster at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel\/Tribune News Service)<\/p>\n

But many fans were sad to see Lost Continent go.<\/p>\n

“Goodbye, Lost Continent, you will always be my favorite show,” said one TikTok user.<\/p>\n

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n

“RIP, Lost Continent. Thank you for everything,” another said.<\/p>\n

A third TikTok user chimed in with these words: “The end of an era.”<\/p>\n

Jessica Mekles is an editor on the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! More than 25 years after it debuted as one of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":282962,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[30076,555,139,141,140,67492,2411,3434,63016],"class_list":["post-282961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-orlando","tag-family-travel","tag-lifestyle","tag-orlando","tag-orlando-headlines","tag-orlando-news","tag-resorts","tag-theme-parks","tag-universal-orlando","tag-vacation-destinations"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=282961"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282961\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/282962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=282961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=282961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=282961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}