Common Orlando has introduced building within the Misplaced Continent at Islands of Journey, confirming recently-filed permits that detailed demolition and fueling the fireplace behind rumors of substitute for the deserted space of the park. This covers the whole lot we all know to date, which brand-new land ideas are doable, and what we’re hoping occurs.
Let’s begin with the development allow, which was filed underneath the title “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 roughly 5 acres. Even so, there are a number of candidates for removing and substitute in Islands of Journey which are 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 might 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 concerning the Misplaced Continent demolition and building–simply what’s contained in public paperwork and that assertion from Common Orlando. Nevertheless, there are a couple of different issues we are able to 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 will not be anticipated to be eliminated, interval, and can doubtless proceed to function in the course of the building and redevelopment course of. None of those essential or precious amenities are outdated or in any other case due for substitute, so it will be counterproductive to take away any of them except completely essential for causes unknown.
That is corroborated by the scale of the redevelopment space, which can not embody the shuttered points of interest within the Misplaced Continent and the operational eating places and retail. It stands to motive that it’s the defunct points of interest on the opposite facet of the walkway being changed, somewhat than the operational eating places. These will most likely be redeveloped or reimagined additional down the highway to match the brand new theme of the land, however there’s no motive to bulldoze any of that.
Misplaced Continent Demolition…And Development?
Common Orlando has not confirmed a timeline for the Misplaced Continent’s demolition or what might 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 would simply imply that Common is bored with 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 appears to be like good–nicer than many different totally operational lands at Common Orlando. Demolishing it and doing nothing could 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. In order that they confirmed the allow, which is pretty incontrovertible, and what it involved to get forward of additional hypothesis, however aren’t keen to go any additional but.
Common is “infamous” for taking a construction-first method, 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 substitute 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 method, however I believe that if Disney did likewise, the suspense would (figuratively) devour us. It’s type of good to have one theme park energy participant do it a method, and the opposite do it the alternative approach. Retains issues attention-grabbing and thrilling. However I digress.
Misplaced Continent Historical past
This announcement marks the start of the top for the Misplaced Continent, which has already been misplaced to the sands of time during the last twenty years.
The Misplaced Continent is among the unique 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 turned 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 quite a lot of enjoyable; it’d be good to see that additionally reside 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 growth at Common Orlando Resort, as we lined simply final week in Common Orlando Plans Growth at All 3 Parks & Endorses “Rising Tides” Idea.
Although Woodbury has emphasised the growth paids at Epic Universe, he’s additionally talked about that there are initiatives 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 growth. Dino-Rama or Animation Courtyard–two lands within the technique of substitute at Walt Disney World–could be proper at house 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 considered one of them! To be clear, I’m not lamenting this information or suggesting Common is making a poor resolution. That’s not the case in any respect. That is essential. 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 loss of life.
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 recognize the world-building that also exists, however the land was misplaced way back. (No less than its demise has been on-theme?) It’s past time for this to occur. My hope is that among the thematics of the land could be preserved, as these are robust.
What’s Subsequent: Alternative Rumors & Hypothesis
As for what might exchange the Misplaced Continent, I’ve no clue. In relation to Common Orlando, I don’t have any sources; and fairly frankly, I don’t have my finger on the heart beat 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 ought to be discarded.
At any time when I do hear rumors about Common Orlando initiatives, they’re typically in a single of some buckets: Nintendo, Depraved, traditional Common IP, or some random anime factor. This might 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 most likely put Misplaced Continent’s substitute 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 growth 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 whole land to Depraved or bringing again Amity Island or no matter.
Nintendo is the Future
In relation to 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 exchange 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, nevertheless it’s nonetheless wise that these two properties could be slated for the parks. I’d hazard a guess that Common Artistic has “explored” quite a lot of land substitute concepts, and there are most likely pitches for each properties in quite a few areas.
From a fan-facing perspective, Zelda might be the apparent candidate for changing the Misplaced Continent. The Kingdom of Hyrule has environments like this, so components might be salvaged if Common Artistic wished an economical overhaul. That will be pragmatic to stretch budgets additional, however who is aware of if Nintendo would permit that. The settlement may dictate a recent construct.
From Common’s perspective, Zelda in Islands of Journey and Pokémon in Common Studios Florida most likely makes essentially the most sense. Like Disney, we’d anticipate to see Common construct extra based mostly on want, not thematic integrity. Pokémon is the extra common franchise and USF wants a shot within the arm extra, in order that goes there. However who is aware of–there could be another expediency I’m not contemplating. Zelda has been high-growth and has a film popping out, so possibly it’s considered as a much bigger draw over time.
This is also wishful considering on my half. My favourite Nintendo collection is Zelda, as made clear by Breath of the Wild: The Magic Kingdom of Video Video games. I spent approach an excessive amount of time on that recreation and Tears of the Kingdom. I even have quite a lot 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 most likely should be up to date to the BotW/TotK appears to be like of Hyperlink, Zelda, and so on.
One other chance is a Zelda-based Hyrule Fort darkish experience. Reasonably than being a love story between Hyperlink and Zelda like Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast, this attraction could be an journey with a climactic encounter with Ganondorf. The attraction might begin slowly with a deal with surroundings, constructing in pleasure and depth because the tour progressed. Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland is one other good instance of what this experience might resemble by way of pacing and vibe.
Finally, it’s my robust 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 based mostly on government interviews, that’s most likely for single points of interest.
Nintendo is what has longevity and drawing energy, and may flip Common Orlando right into a multi-day trip vacation spot. With out having any inside data in any respect, I might be shocked if there isn’t an announcement alongside these strains quickly, with the subsequent Nintendo land opening earlier than the 2030s.
Want journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation to your go to to Central Florida? Be sure to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for the whole lot about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally try our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for the whole lot about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra.
Your Ideas
What do you assume will exchange the Misplaced Continent in Islands of Journey? Count on the bold 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 unique idea? Count on it’ll be full steam forward on growth and redevelopment at Epic Universe, Islands of Journey, and Common Studios Florida? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation concerning the want for brand spanking new points of interest and refreshed areas on the two present gates? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
