Universal Just Filed a Permit for a New Intamin Ride in Islands of Adventure—And It Could Mean the End of This Opening-Day Land

Universal Orlando just made things official. On December 16, 2025, a new permit was recorded in Orange County listing Universal City Development Partners as the grantor and Intamin as the grantee—and the location aligns perfectly with The Lost Continent area in Islands of Adventure. This isn’t just routine maintenance. We’re talking about a complete transformation of one of the park’s original lands, and it’s happening fast.

According to WDW News Today, the work is listed under “Specialty Equipment,” which typically means contractors are providing or installing ride hardware. The permit expires February 28, 2026, giving us a rough timeline for when major progress should be visible. But here’s the bigger picture: a separate construction permit sets the official window from December 4, 2025, through December 4, 2027—a full two-year span that confirms this is a ground-up overhaul, not cosmetic touch-ups.

Why Intamin Matters

If you’ve been to Universal Orlando, you already know Intamin’s work. They’re the masterminds behind two of the resort’s most beloved attractions: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster, both at Islands of Adventure. These aren’t just rides—they’re experiences that consistently rank among the best coasters in the world. So when Universal brings Intamin back for a third collaboration, expectations are sky-high.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has also issued a construction stormwater permit for a 7.71-acre “large construction” project at Islands of Adventure. That’s a substantial footprint, especially considering The Lost Continent has been slowly fading from relevance for years. The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad closed in 2018. Poseidon’s Fury shut down for good in 2023. At this point, the only real “attraction” left is the talking Mystic Fountain in Sindbad’s Bazaar.

What Could Replace The Lost Continent?

Right now, Universal hasn’t officially announced what’s coming. But the rumor mill is spinning fast, and two franchises keep coming up: The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon.

The Zelda theory gained traction after Legend of Zelda merchandise started appearing at Epic Universe, plus there’s a live-action Zelda film slated for March 2027. Transforming The Lost Continent into Hyrule would be a natural thematic fit—ancient ruins, mythological vibes, and an adventure-driven storyline all align perfectly. And with Intamin building the ride system, we could be looking at something on par with Hagrid’s in terms of storytelling and thrills.

The Pokémon angle is equally compelling. Universal has been expanding its Nintendo partnership across multiple parks, with rumored Pokémon lands in Japan and Singapore. Adding one to Orlando would create consistency across the global Universal portfolio and tap into one of the most recognizable franchises on the planet.

What We Know for Sure

Here’s what’s concrete: Intamin is involved, which means we’re getting a specialized ride system—not just a walkthrough experience or stage show. The construction timeline runs through December 2027, so we’re likely looking at a 2028 opening at the earliest. And The Lost Continent as we know it is essentially done. This permit is the final nail in the coffin for one of Islands of Adventure’s opening-day lands.

Universal has been on an absolute tear lately. Epic Universe opened in 2025 and immediately dominated the theme park conversation. Now, with Islands of Adventure getting a major facelift, Universal is proving it’s not resting on its laurels. Whatever replaces The Lost Continent, it’s going to be big—and if Intamin’s track record is any indication, it’s going to be incredible.

We’ll be watching closely as more details emerge. For now, if you’ve got any nostalgia for The Lost Continent, you might want to visit sooner rather than later. Change is coming, and it’s coming fast.