Credit: Universal OrlandoUniversal Islands of Adventure is gearing up for some significant changes through 2027, which means something new might be on the horizon.
But before something new emerges, something old and nostalgic must go first.
Islands of Adventure Sets Sights on New Land for 2028?
A long-forgotten corner of Universal’s Islands of Adventure is suddenly on the clock. The land that once pulsed with fire effects, water tunnels, and stunt shows now sits eerily quiet as crews move in, walls go up, and the countdown quietly begins toward a firm 2027 deadline.
Guests stroll past shuttered doors and aging stonework, unaware that a small line on a government document just set an expiration date on one of the park’s last untouched opening-day realms. What exactly is Universal planning behind those crumbling ruins—and why does the permit give them just two years to pull it off?
A Silent Island With a Ticking Timer
For years, The Lost Continent has been the ghost of Islands of Adventure: a land where headliner attractions like The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad and Poseidon’s Fury closed in 2018 and 2023, leaving elaborate sets and show buildings frozen in time while other parts of the resort surged forward with new rides and lands.
Guests have watched Universal pour resources into Hogsmeade, Jurassic World–themed additions, and the entire new Epic Universe theme park, while Lost Continent remained a beautiful but hollow backdrop. The result is a prime piece of real estate in the heart of the park doing little more than absorbing foot traffic and selling snacks.
That dynamic is now changing. A Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) construction stormwater permit identifies a 7.71‑acre “large construction” project at Islands of Adventure, with work scheduled from December 4, 2025, through December 4, 2027.
The acreage aligns with the footprint of The Lost Continent area that has already been targeted by prior demolition and “site planning” permits, signaling that this is not a cosmetic touch‑up but a full-scale transformation window. In other words, Universal has locked in a timetable for turning a mostly dormant land into something that finally justifies its prime location.
What the New Permit Actually Covers
The newly surfaced document classifies the project as large‑scale construction, meaning more than five acres of land will be disturbed during the build, and specifically lists 7.71 acres from start to completion. This dovetails with earlier filings for Project 555, where Universal described work in Lost Continent as the “renovation of an existing commercial use,” covering roughly seven acres of park space.
Together, the permits outline a progression: demolition permits clearing out nearly five acres of “retail, show, and attraction buildings,” followed by broader site and environmental approvals that pave the way for whatever replaces them.
NEW: @UniversalORL7.71 acre construction project at Islands of Adventure has a completion date of 12/4/2027, according to documents from FDEP. Will be interesting to see if this is a 2 year placeholder and gets extended in the future or if construction goals remain ambitious – @ShaneWinReports on X
NEW: @UniversalORL 7.71 acre construction project at Islands of Adventure has a completion date of 12/4/2027, according to documents from FDEP. Will be interesting to see if this is a 2 year placeholder and gets extended in the future or if construction goals remain ambitious pic.twitter.com/oH6fRfaoGZ
— Shane Winsten (@ShaneWinReports) December 18, 2025
Universal representatives have already acknowledged that construction activity will occur in The Lost Continent “in the coming months” as part of site planning “to ensure the area is ready for any future developments.” The new FDEP timeline effectively sets the outer boundary for that work, backing up earlier statements with a hard completion date visible to anyone who knows where to look.
While the permit itself does not name a new ride, intellectual property, or land, it confirms that Universal expects significant on‑the‑ground progress within the next two years.
Why This Matters for Islands of Adventure
From an operational standpoint, the permit signals that Universal is no longer content to let an opening‑day land drift in limbo while new experiences debut elsewhere on property. As Epic Universe raises the resort’s bar, Islands of Adventure needs every acre pulling its weight, and The Lost Continent is one of the few remaining spaces large enough to host a modern, marquee‑level project.
Clearing and rebuilding nearly eight acres gives Universal room for an all‑new land, multiple attractions, or a mix of rides, dining, and entertainment that can balance the park’s crowd flow for the next decade.
The deeper story is competitive. Walt Disney World continues to layer new experiences into its four parks, and Universal has been explicit that expansion will not be limited to Epic Universe alone.
By tying Lost Continent’s overhaul to a defined construction window, Universal is effectively placing a future anchor on the calendar—a project that can open in the wake of Epic Universe opening and keep Islands of Adventure in the spotlight instead of becoming a “second‑tier” park overshadowed by its new sibling.
What It Could Mean for Islands of Adventure Fans
Universal has not announced what will replace The Lost Continent, but the scale and timing of the permits explain why speculation around the land has intensified. Rumors have long swirled about potential concepts ranging from video game worlds to movie‑driven environments, with fans frequently pointing out that the footprints of Poseidon’s Fury and Sinbad alone provide a large, flexible canvas.
With demolition already in motion and environmental approvals now in place for the full 7.71‑acre project, the question is no longer if Lost Continent will change, but how dramatically—and when Universal will finally pull back the curtain.
For now, guests walking through the land are touring a space in transition, knowing only that a two‑year construction clock has quietly started to tick just out of view. Whatever rises from the rubble will not only reshape the skyline between Hogsmeade and Seuss Landing, but also help define the next era of Islands of Adventure at a time when Universal Orlando is transforming from a two‑park destination into a multi‑gate powerhouse.