Common Orlando has introduced building within the Misplaced Continent at Islands of Journey, confirming recently-filed permits that detailed demolition and fueling the hearth behind rumors of alternative for the deserted space of the park. This covers every little thing we all know to date, which brand-new land ideas are attainable, and what we’re hoping occurs.
Let’s begin with the development allow, which was filed below the identify “Venture 555,” and was initially uncovered by Behind the Thrills on Twitter. It outlines demolition masking practically 5 acres of “retail, present, and attraction buildings” at an handle that corresponds with Islands of Journey.
As measured by Behind the Thrills, the courtyards and attraction buildings for Poseidon’s Fury and The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad are kind of 5 acres. Even so, there are a number of candidates for elimination and alternative in Islands of Journey which might be about that measurement and will have corresponded with the allow, so additional corroboration was wanted.
Precisely that got here after Orlando Enterprise Journal reported on Common Orlando’s submitting of that very same allow. Common knowledgeable the outlet that there would, the truth is, be building commencing quickly within the Misplaced Continent land at Islands of Journey.
“Within the coming months, there can be building exercise in Misplaced Continent as a part of website planning to make sure the world is prepared for any future developments,” confirmed Director of Public Relations Kristen Smith in an emailed assertion to OBJ.
What’s Going & What’s Staying
At this level, that’s the one factor we all know for sure in regards to the Misplaced Continent demolition and building–simply what’s contained in public paperwork and that assertion from Common Orlando. Nevertheless, there are a number of different issues we will surmise.
The primary is that fan-favorite Mythos Restaurant might be secure. It’s on the opposite facet of the walkway that leads into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and our expectation is that this path will stay open for the foreseeable future. Additionally secure are close by outlets & first support amenities.
These should not anticipated to be eliminated, interval, and can seemingly proceed to function through the building and redevelopment course of. None of those vital or helpful amenities are outdated or in any other case due for alternative, so it will be counterproductive to take away any of them except completely vital for causes unknown.
That is corroborated by the dimensions of the redevelopment space, which can’t embody the shuttered sights within the Misplaced Continent and the operational eating places and retail. It stands to cause that it’s the defunct sights on the opposite facet of the walkway being changed, slightly than the operational eating places. These will in all probability be redeveloped or reimagined additional down the highway to match the brand new theme of the land, however there’s no cause to bulldoze any of that.
Misplaced Continent Demolition…And Building?
Common Orlando has not confirmed a timeline for the Misplaced Continent’s demolition or what can be changing this island of the park as soon as demolition is full. Technically, Common hasn’t even confirmed that any substantive building is occurring. What they stated was that that is “a part of website planning to make sure the world is prepared for any future developments.”
That might simply imply that Common is uninterested in incurring no matter prices are related to preserving and sustaining the areas, and needs them razed. These venues have been defunct for years now, and it’s pretty apparent nothing is deliberate to fill the present attraction footprints as they stand.
I’m skeptical that that is an open-ended demolition with out subsequent building. Even when Common is incurring prices on the Misplaced Continent, they’re pretty insignificant within the grand scheme of issues. This island seems good–nicer than many different absolutely operational lands at Common Orlando. Demolishing it and doing nothing can be dangerous present, which is unlikely.
Given the totality of the circumstances, our view is that one thing is going to be constructed on this parcel within the close to future, Common simply isn’t able to announce that but. So that they confirmed the allow, which is pretty incontrovertible, and what it involved to get forward of additional hypothesis, however aren’t prepared to go any additional but.
Common is “infamous” for taking a construction-first strategy, asserting particulars after work is already effectively underway. This contrasts Disney, which makes bulletins and generates hype lengthy earlier than earth is transferring (we first knew of a Dinoland alternative in 2022; DINOSAUR is closing in 2026 and Tropical Americas opens in 2027). Air quotes round infamous as a result of totally different followers favor totally different approaches.
My view is that it’s a grass is greener factor. Disney followers reward Common’s tight-lipped strategy, however I think that if Disney did likewise, the suspense would (figuratively) devour us. It’s form of good to have one theme park energy participant do it a method, and the opposite do it the other means. Retains issues fascinating and thrilling. However I digress.
Misplaced Continent Historical past
This announcement marks the start of the tip for the Misplaced Continent, which has already been misplaced to the sands of time during the last 20 years.
The Misplaced Continent is without doubt one of the authentic eight themed islands at Islands of Journey, courting again to its 1999 opening. It was partially demolished and brought over by the Hogsmeade ‘island’ of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was added, the Flying Unicorn curler coaster was reimagined into Flight of the Hippogriff, the Enchanted Oak Tavern restaurant grew to become Three Broomsticks, and the Dueling Dragons curler coasters have been rebranded as Dragon Problem.
These coasters have been eliminated and changed outright by Hagrid’s Magical Creature Bike Journey. That left the Misplaced Continent with the award-winning Mythos Restaurant, which remains to be operational. Now extinct are the Eighth Voyage of Sindbad, which closed in 2018, and Poseidon’s Fury, which closed in 2023. There’s additionally the Mystic Fountain, which is lots of enjoyable; it’d be good to see that additionally stay on in some capability.
Common’s Aggressive Growth Plans
Following the opening of Epic Universe earlier this summer season, Common has been transferring full steam forward to replace their two legacy theme parks in Orlando. Demolition has already kicked into excessive gear on the Hollywood Rip Experience Rockit curler coaster at Common Studios Florida, with plans for a brand new attraction to take its place. (To the above level, we nonetheless don’t know what mental property is changing that curler coaster or the rest past what’s on the development permits.)
Common Locations & Experiences CEO Mark Woodbury has repeatedly reiterated plans for aggressive enlargement at Common Orlando Resort, as we coated simply final week in Common Orlando Plans Growth at All 3 Parks & Endorses “Rising Tides” Idea.
Although Woodbury has emphasised the enlargement paids at Epic Universe, he’s additionally talked about that there are tasks in improvement for all three of the Common Orlando Resort theme parks. Woodbury clearly desires households to view the Common Orlando Resort as a weeklong vacation spot and never only a 1-2 day add-on to a Disney trip. He sees ample alternatives for additional development of its theme park enterprise, and can proceed to maneuver aggressively to seize extra market share from Disney. To ensure that that to occur, the legacy parks must get on Epic Universe’s degree.
Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida (particularly) are in much more pressing want of modernization and redevelopment than Epic Universe is of enlargement. Dino-Rama or Animation Courtyard–two lands within the means of alternative at Walt Disney World–can be proper at residence in USF. And Common followers may hate to listen to this, however their beloved Islands of Journey additionally has a few islands which have aged lower than gracefully.
Actually, although, the Misplaced Continent shouldn’t be one in all them! To be clear, I’m not lamenting this information or suggesting Common is making a poor determination. That’s not the case in any respect. That is vital. It’s simply unlucky that this was essentially the most logical touchdown level for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter again within the aughts, and that the Misplaced Continent has since died a gradual dying.
There was a time when this was my second-favorite space of the park–however that point was again when the park opened and I used to be a child. As an grownup, I can respect the world-building that also exists, however the land was misplaced way back. (At the least its demise has been on-theme?) It’s past time for this to occur. My hope is that a few of the thematics of the land may be preserved, as these are sturdy.
What’s Subsequent: Alternative Rumors & Hypothesis
As for what may change the Misplaced Continent, I’ve no clue. On the subject of Common Orlando, I don’t have any sources; and fairly frankly, I don’t have my finger on the heartbeat of the rumor mill to just about the identical diploma as I do with Disney. Accordingly, it’s tough for me to evaluate the veracity of the assorted rumors to know what passes the odor check and what needs to be discarded.
Each time I do hear rumors about Common Orlando tasks, they’re usually in a single of some buckets: Nintendo, Depraved, basic Common IP, or some random anime factor. This could possibly be in any of these buckets, or a completely totally different one about which I do know nothing. But when I needed to guess, I’d in all probability put Misplaced Continent’s alternative within the Nintendo bucket.
Within the close to to medium time period, my suspicion is that Common Orlando will construct new Nintendo lands in Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida, versus the Epic Universe enlargement pad adjoining to Donkey Kong Nation. Nintendo is the marquee draw that will get households reserving journeys to Orlando, so it behooves Common to borrow a web page from its personal Harry Potter playbook and unfold Nintendo out amongst all 3 gates versus consolidating the model. This makes extra sense than dedicating a complete land to Depraved or bringing again Amity Island or no matter.
Nintendo is the Future
On the subject of Nintendo, there are two properties credibly rumored as subsequent up on deck for Common Orlando: Pokémon and Zelda.
Particularly, there have been rumors prior to now through credible insider Alicia Stella of Orlando Theme Park Cease that Common Orlando would change Springfield with a Pokémon-themed space and Misplaced Continent with the Legend of Zelda. That was over a yr in the past and won’t be present, but it surely’s nonetheless wise that these two properties can be slated for the parks. I’d hazard a guess that Common Artistic has “explored” lots of land alternative concepts, and there are in all probability pitches for each properties in quite a lot of areas.
From a fan-facing perspective, Zelda might be the plain candidate for changing the Misplaced Continent. The Kingdom of Hyrule has environments like this, so parts could possibly be salvaged if Common Artistic wished an economical overhaul. That may be pragmatic to stretch budgets additional, however who is aware of if Nintendo would enable that. The settlement may dictate a recent construct.
From Common’s perspective, Zelda in Islands of Journey and Pokémon in Common Studios Florida in all probability makes essentially the most sense. Like Disney, we’d count on to see Common construct extra primarily based on want, not thematic integrity. Pokémon is the extra in style franchise and USF wants a shot within the arm extra, in order that goes there. However who is aware of–there is perhaps another expediency I’m not contemplating. Zelda has been high-growth and has a film popping out, so possibly it’s seen as a much bigger draw over time.
This is also wishful pondering on my half. My favourite Nintendo sequence is Zelda, as made clear by Breath of the Wild: The Magic Kingdom of Video Video games. I spent means an excessive amount of time on that recreation and Tears of the Kingdom. I even have lots of concepts for potential Zelda rides, and hope to see the franchise get its personal land, not only a single attraction and space like Donkey Kong Nation.
Everybody loves boat rides, and no online game is healthier suited to be the premise for one than Zelda’s Wind Waker title. The sport itself is timeless, with the music and design of the speaking boat being particularly iconic. The character fashions would in all probability should be up to date to the BotW/TotK seems of Hyperlink, Zelda, and so on.
One other chance is a Zelda-based Hyrule Citadel darkish trip. Reasonably than being a love story between Hyperlink and Zelda like Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast, this attraction can be an journey with a climactic encounter with Ganondorf. The attraction may begin slowly with a give attention to surroundings, constructing in pleasure and depth because the tour progressed. Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland is one other good instance of what this trip may resemble by way of pacing and vibe.
Finally, it’s my sturdy suspicion that Common will greenlight two Nintendo lands, one in Islands of Journey and one in Common Studios Florida, pretty quickly. Whereas different properties like Depraved are clearly on the desk primarily based on govt interviews, that’s in all probability for single sights.
Nintendo is what has longevity and drawing energy, and might flip Common Orlando right into a multi-day trip vacation spot. With out having any inside information by any means, I might be shocked if there isn’t an announcement alongside these traces quickly, with the following Nintendo land opening earlier than the 2030s.
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation to your go to to Central Florida? Make certain to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for every little thing about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally try our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for every little thing about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra.
Your Ideas
What do you assume will change the Misplaced Continent in Islands of Journey? Count on the formidable plans for additions at Common Orlando to revolve largely round Nintendo? Or do you assume it’ll be a wholesome mixture of franchises and even an authentic idea? Count on it’ll be full steam forward on enlargement and redevelopment at Epic Universe, Islands of Journey, and Common Studios Florida? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation in regards to the want for brand new sights and refreshed areas on the two current gates? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
