Something curious is happening behind the scenes at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The Lost Continent, a land that has felt like a remnant of the past for years, is now drawing renewed attention—not because of what guests can see, but because of what they suddenly can’t.
New aerial images show that Universal has cleared a significant amount of trees in a backstage area that sits between the shuttered Poseidon’s Fury attraction and the long-abandoned theater for The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad. What was once a buffer of dense greenery has been transformed into a large patch of exposed dirt. This move, while seemingly minor to casual parkgoers, is usually one of the first visible signs of major change.
Although there are no bulldozers tearing down buildings just yet, Universal has been laying the groundwork—literally. A construction permit recently filed indicates the company is preparing seven acres for “renovation,” which in theme park terms often means total transformation. With at least five acres slated for demolition, it’s clear this isn’t just a light touch-up.
Lost Continent has long been in a state of limbo. Since Hogsmeade replaced a large portion of it in 2010, the remaining pieces have dwindled. Sindbad’s closure in 2018 and Poseidon’s Fury’s final walkthrough in 2023 left the land mostly empty, save for a few dining and shopping locations. With those attractions gone, there’s not much left to draw crowds.
Now, as Universal begins prepping the area, fans are revisiting long-standing rumors about what might come next. The Legend of Zelda remains the top contender, offering an epic fantasy world to complement nearby Harry Potter. Others think a Pokémon expansion could be on the way, with interactive trainer battles and kid-friendly theming. There’s even been speculation about a Lord of the Rings land, though licensing challenges might hold that one back.
Regardless of which IP ultimately takes over, the tree clearing and groundwork make one thing certain: Universal is not letting valuable land go to waste. As they push forward with Epic Universe and modernize older areas of their parks, the Lost Continent appears to be the next major transformation.
The trees are gone. The land is bare. Something new is coming.
