The Future of Lost Continent

[rabbitsmoon]

What do y'all think the chances are we get more than one ride? Maybe an E-ticket and a flat?

 

[Jake S]

What do y'all think the chances are we get more than one ride? Maybe an E-ticket and a flat?

A Pokemon carousel would rip.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Seems sudden lol

Looks like they're starting to clear things from the area. The merch cart over by the Seuss bridge was removed and work walls close to Poseidon's facade.

Wait, so is this like,, actually happening?

Kidzone work walls, It's not happening until it's here, and all that. Of course ... but this seems like definite movement on something. Were some very big decisions finalized recently?

 

[Imperius]

The speed and randomness of this makes me lean Pokemon or Zelda. No way they speed ran designs for One Piece after the show was popular. Same with Wicked. Likely had designs for Zelda and Pokemon from the original pitch and are running with one of those with some tweaks.

 

[Killer Klown]

Having now seen Dollywood’s NightFlight, I think that would be a perfect ride system for Pokemon.

I’m imagining the land’s interactive gimmick being filling out a Pokédex like in the games and in order to do that we’ll have to visit all of the attractions/areas of the land to find them. So the ride’s story could be that one of the professors asks you to travel through some of the different biomes of the region the land is set in to find new Pokemon.

That way the ride can function as a gentle dark ride with some cute Pokemon figures for those who aren’t participating in the interactive element while also working as a sort of scavenger hunt for those who are.

 

[AustinT]

Wait, so is this like,, actually happening?

Universal officially confirmed construction in LC getting ready for "future developments" so things are happening

 

[Brian G.]

Wait, so is this like,, actually happening?

Yup!

https://www.insideuniversal.net/2025/09/universal-orlando-confirms-construction-plans-for-the-lost-continent-at-islands-of-adventure/

 

[Evan]

I still end up going to USF more than IOA, considering HHN and Mardi Gras.

I honestly feel like those events pad USF’s attendance. Without them… oof.

 

[WebHead1138]

I think it’s going to be Zelda. Don’t forget that Sony is making a new Zelda film. So this will help the IP as well.

 

[trinitron7]

I think it’s going to be Zelda. Don’t forget that Sony is making a new Zelda film. So this will help the IP as well.

I agree, I'm just curious how they go about Zelda since the IP has gone through so many different eras/aesthetics. And Castle Hyrule may look a little awkward next to Hogwarts Castle. Maybe Wind Waker? Idk.

 

[gravityfalls]

It's possible that One Piece or some other lesser known property (D&D, etc) could replace LC if they have a really favorable merchandise split, less creative demands, and take a smaller percentage (if any) of the ticket price.

Let's say Universal's deal with The Pokemon Company (or Zelda, LotR, etc.) gives Universal 5% of the revenue from any merchandise sold in the park. If they strike a more favorable deal with One Piece, for let's say 15% of merchandise revenue, then Universal earns as much money selling a single One Piece shirt as they would from selling three Pokemon shirts.

We also have to consider that assuming Pokemon increases attendance, that increase would have to be large enough to offset whatever percentage of the ticket price Universal gives to the Pokemon Company.

---

Basically I could see Universal going with a cheap and quick license over a mega property ‍*shrug*

 

[GA-MBIT]

Maybe I should rephrase; are we seeing the earliest stages of our actual Lost Continent replacement right now? Not just them simply scrapping what's currently there, potentially standing as an empty plot for years; but them actually starting to work on their next project?

Obviously, we can't know that answer for certain until far later in the process. I would certainly be surprised! I was definitely of the mind that both Lost Continent, and maybe even Pokemon itself with all the Springfield extension talk, were on the backburner for now. This would be an insanely crazy quick "rumor -> construction" turnaround! I'm used to having rumors tossed around for months, maybe years before we see anything concrete!

 

[nikem3]

I hope, almost certainly in vain, that whatever Pokemon ride is built at the resort one day is not "gamified."

Oh buddy, it'll probably be the most gamified ride of all time. You'll buy your $50 pokeball to bring on the ride and webslingers away.

Maybe I should rephrase; are we seeing the earliest stages of our actual Lost Continent replacement right now? Not just them simply scrapping what's currently there, potentially standing as an empty plot for years; but them actually starting to work on their next project?

Obviously, we can't know that answer for certain until far later in the process. I would certainly be surprised! I was definitely of the mind that both Lost Continent, and maybe even Pokemon itself with all the Springfield extension talk, were on the backburner for now. This would be an insanely crazy quick "rumor -> construction" turnaround! I'm used to having rumors tossed around for months, maybe years before we see anything concrete!

my guess is they are just using the same demolition company as they are for Rip ride rockit and just doing it all at once to save time/money. I don't think we are going to jump immediately into construction.

 

[AustinT]

my guess is they are just using the same demolition company as they are for Rip ride rockit and just doing it all at once to save time/money. I don't think we are going to jump immediately into construction.

No, they're not going to level the land just to sit on heir hands and not build anything. This is just their way of not announcing what's coming next as usual.

 

[ZachPL]

I forgot about this

Video of Legend of Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma at Universal Studios pulled offline

Legendary Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma has been spotted alongside Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto in a very fetching high-vis vest and hard hat combo at Universal.

www.eurogamer.net

 

[HHN Maddux]

While Pokemon will no doubt be a heavy hitter, I always thought it should've gone into USF as it'd much better fit the city atmosphere of the park.

Now with it (seemingly?) going into IoA, I have to imagine it'll be one of the more wild settings of Pokemon.

 

[AustinT]

Now with it (seemingly?) going into IoA, I have to imagine it'll be one of the more wild settings of Pokemon.

I have to imagine it'll be some made up location whenever it happens, no matter what park it goes into. I suspect Japan's land will have a different unique name and look too. That'll give more branded merch potential and be in-line with the games where they all take place in different regions.

 

[Mad Dog]

The Lost Pokemons Land.....Pre historic Pokemons, dressed in animal skins, battle the ancient Wizards and Witches from next door.....

 

[Killer Klown]

No, they're not going to level the land just to sit on heir hands and not build anything. This is just their way of not announcing what's coming next as usual.

Yeah I don’t see why they would significantly disrupt guest flow for months just to completely level the land and then leave it as nothing.

 

[Andysol]

Just to be clear, One Piece has grossed more revenue (over $26B) than Lord of the Rings (one of the lands people want to bring to the parks), more than Jurassic Park, King Kong, Seuss, Transformers, pretty much every single IP at universal beyond Harry Potter, Marvel and Mario.

It was also one of the most watched shows on Netflix in 2023 when the live action came out. I don't necessarily think it comes to Universal for the reasons laid out (especially because it would make more sense to bring it to USJ first.) However, its definitely a IP that people will travel for and is becoming even more known because of the live action show (which is on season 1 and will have around 12 seasons)

Agreed. And it would make an awesome land- I’d say toon lagoon would be a much better fit.

ETA: I quoted the wrong quote originally; I was referring to One Piece, not Wicked.

That said- it has multiple trans characters in it. It’s 2025, not 2021. Regardless of if you think that’s ridiculous to care about when bringing in an IP or not (most would think it’s ridiculous); let’s also be realists about this- NBCUniversal is not going to want to touch this in today’s climate with an entire land devoted to it.

Maybe in the future, but not today.

I don't exactly think One Piece is getting a permanent presence in a Universal park anytime soon but it's wild how theme park forums will look at some of the most profitable media franchises of the past 30 years and think "I don't personally care or know much about this so it must be niche." I personally think One Piece has more cultural relevance than Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald at bare minimum.

Way more cultural relevance!

Johnny Depp as a defendant against Amber Heard has more relevance than Johnny Depp as Grindelwald.

Wicked/Oz would fit absolutely perfectly. Great transition between Seuss and HP to boot. Which is what makes me nervous in @Alicia saying we’d be surprised.

Remember that only four “lands” are on the same island in IOA. Skull island and Jurassic park; very similar IPs. And Hogsmeade/LC- also very similar IPs. To share an island with hogsmeade it is going to need to blend somewhat with Hogsmeade. Which is why Zelda or Oz make the most sense by far.

Pokémon would fit terribly there and it would be too small of an area. Simpsons area is best for it - particularly if they make it like Tokyo. Having San Fran, London and Tokyo all around the lake would be a great look. Toon lagoon would be a second good area- it’s large, the transition from (animated) marvel would be solid, and they could retheme Popeyes- that ride never needs to leave.

LOTR also has zero chance of going there. While it would work thematically it also isn’t large enough. It’ll also be in UK or epic long before anywhere else. It’d be a terrible waste of a spot.