Universal Orlando Resort is permanently pulling the plug on one of its original opening-day lands. Islands of Adventure will close “The Lost Continent” in phases over the coming months to clear ground for a completely unannounced new themed area.
This aggressive physical overhaul is happening right now to maintain guest momentum following the massive launch of Epic Universe in 2025. Universal is heavily modernizing its older parks to keep pace with its newest multi-billion-dollar addition.
The demolition will eventually claim the award-winning Mythos Restaurant in 2027. The company recently confirmed the phased closure of both the Lost Continent and Mythos alongside new CityWalk additions like Joey Fatone’s ‘Fat One’s’ hot dog stand opening this July.
Other corners of the resort are getting gutted right now. Thunder Falls Terrace in the Jurassic Park section shuts down this summer. It gets replaced by a new full-service restaurant in 2027. Over at the original Universal Studios Florida park, the Horror Make-Up Show temporarily closes on May 12. It will be updated to include modern horror franchises alongside classic monsters. Fans can track this specific shift in recent reports covering the Thunder Falls Terrace and Make-Up Show changes.
Fans are watching the most drastic entertainment shift at the property in years.
Why Epic Universe Forced Islands of Adventure to Abandon its Original Mythology
The Lost Continent opened with Islands of Adventure in 1999. Its massive footprint has been slowly cannibalized for almost two decades. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter swallowed huge sections of it first. Massive standalone attractions like The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad and Poseidon’s Fury eventually closed in 2018 and 2023. This left the area operating as a barren walkthrough zone with a few food stalls.
Universal is now treating its older parks with the same ruthless efficiency it used to build Epic Universe. Replacing The Lost Continent entirely marks the very first time Islands of Adventure has added a brand-new themed land from the ground up since The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade debuted in 2010. The park simply could not afford to waste prime real estate on empty pathways when Disney is simultaneously gearing up for its own major Florida expansions.