Mickey on Main Street

A Long-Awaited Change at Islands of Adventure

If you have walked through the Lost Continent at Universal’s Islands of Adventure recently, you probably noticed a giant, silent temple standing as a reminder of an era gone by. It has been nearly three years since Poseidon’s Fury officially closed its doors to guests, leaving many to wonder when the park would finally pull the trigger on whatever comes next. We finally have our answer. Construction walls have officially gone up around the exterior of the attraction, signaling that the long-dormant site is finally seeing some action.

For those who missed out on the experience, Poseidon’s Fury was a unique walk-through special effects guided tour. Guests were led by a nervous archaeologist into the sunken Temple of Poseidon, where they eventually found themselves caught in a high-stakes battle between ancient gods. While it wasn’t always a top-tier attraction for every traveler, it held a special place in the hearts of those who loved the technical wizardry of the water tunnel and the massive set pieces. Since its closure in 2023, the site has remained largely untouched, but that changed this week as crews began the process of clearing the area.

What is Happening Behind the Walls?

Currently, the work appears to be focused on the exterior of the building. Universal has started the process of removing major thematic elements that defined the attraction’s entrance. This includes the massive ruins and the iconic trident that sat at the forefront of the lagoon-side structure. While Universal hasn’t released a specific roadmap for this demolition, the presence of heavy construction walls suggests they’re preparing for a complete overhaul of the space.

This is a big deal for the park’s layout. The Lost Continent has been slowly shrinking over the years, especially after a large portion of the land was re-themed to create the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With Poseidon’s Fury now officially under construction, it looks like the remaining pieces of this original land are finally being prepped for their next chapter. Reports and fan theories have long pointed toward a certain iconic video game franchise taking over this space, but Universal remains tight-lipped about the replacement for now.

Planning Your Visit During Construction

If you’re heading to Universal Orlando Resort in the coming months, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind regarding this project. Even though the attraction has been closed for years, the active construction phase changes the guest experience in that corner of the park. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the changes:

• Mythos is Still Open: The award-winning Mythos Restaurant is located right next to the construction site. While the walls are up nearby, you can still secure your reservations for one of the best sit-down meals in the park.
• Watch for Foot Traffic Bottlenecks: Construction walls often narrow the pathways in the Lost Continent. If you are rushing to get to Hogsmeade, be prepared for some congestion near the construction zone.
• Expect a Bit of Noise: If you’re planning on a quiet quick-service lunch at Doc Sugrue’s Desert Kebab House, just know that heavy machinery might be active during the day as they dismantle the exterior ruins.

The Future of the Lost Continent

The total removal of the Poseidon’s Fury sets marks a major milestone in the evolution of Islands of Adventure. While it is always a bit sad to see original opening-day concepts fade away, it opens the door for the level of immersion we’ve seen in Universal’s more recent projects like Epic Universe. We’re keeping our eyes peeled for any official announcements or permit filings that might give us a better look at what’s coming to this prime piece of real estate. Whatever it is, it is sure to be massive.

Disclaimer: This information is gathered from various online sources and news outlets. While we strive for accuracy, Disney plans and policies can change rapidly. We recommend double-checking official Disney sources for the most up-to-date information before making final travel plans.