Universal Orlando has seen a lot of activity recently, with noticeable changes happening across several parts of the resort. Work is moving ahead on major projects such as the demolition of The Lost Continent and construction on the upcoming Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster, alongside smaller updates like fresh paint. We stopped by today to take a look at the latest progress.
- Area Slated for Category 10 Venue at CityWalk
- Green Eggs & Ham Sign Returns
- Lost Continent Demolition Ramps Up
- Me Ship, The Olive Closed for Refurbishment
- New Color Palette Expands Across Universal Studios Florida Entry Plaza
- Store Removed at Universal Studios Florida Exit Gate
- Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Construction Progress
- MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack Now Closed for Refurbishment
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Area Slated for Category 10 Venue at CityWalk
There hasn’t been much visible activity at the expected site for the upcoming Category 10 venue at CityWalk. First announced in February, Universal confirmed it will be located along the waterfront, and kiosks in the area have been cleared over the last few weeks. Construction is set to begin this summer, and the restaurant is scheduled to open in late 2027, but little else has changed at the site so far. Here’s a look at the location.
Green Eggs & Ham Sign Returns
The Green Eggs and Ham sign has returned to the top of the restaurant in Islands of Adventure. It had been missing for some time.
Lost Continent Demolition Ramps Up
Demolition has ramped up on The Lost Continent in Islands of Adventure, with much of the former Eighth Voyage of Sindbad auditorium now torn down. During our visit, crews were actively tearing down the structure and spraying water throughout the process for dust control.
Trees have also been cleared from the entrance area of the former Poseidon’s Fury attraction, although the structure itself remains intact for now.
Additionally, Treasures of Poseidon and Forever Pearls permanently closed last week.
The Lost Continent is still open, with a few dining locations and a retail shop remaining open, but the land is closing in phases. Mythos Restaurant is scheduled to close next year. Universal has not yet announced what will replace The Lost Continent.
Me Ship, The Olive Closed for Refurbishment
Construction walls block access to Me Ship, The Olive in Toon Lagoon. The play area closed on May 26 for a brief refurbishment lasting through June 9.
New Color Palette Expands Across Universal Studios Florida Entry Plaza
Crews began applying a new color palette to the structures at the Universal Studios Florida entry plaza in January, replacing the peachy-pink tone with a white and cream finish and brown accents. That work appears to have wrapped up over the past few weeks. Now, the same white finish is being applied to the billboard walls along the archway, replacing the yellow-beige color scheme.
The same yellow-beige tone is also used on the arch itself, so it’s possible it could be repainted as well, potentially aligning more closely with the archway color scheme at Universal Studios Hollywood. This hasn’t been confirmed, but it remains a possibility.
Store Removed at Universal Studios Florida Exit Gate
The store next to the Universal Studios Florida exit gate has been cleared out, and the space is currently only displaying My Universal Photos signage on the walls.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Construction Progress
Construction on the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster is moving along quickly. Last week, new structural framing was installed on the right side of the attraction’s station in the New York area of Universal Studios Florida.
Additional track pieces have also been installed in the area between the Universal Studios Florida entry plaza and the Hard Rock Cafe, including large support structures for the ride’s 170-foot vertical spike, which sit directly alongside a CityWalk walkway.
Looking more closely at the spike, the support connection points are angled in different directions, indicating the track will twist as it rises and drops along the spike.
The spike now stands out across the Universal Orlando skyline and is easily visible from various points around the resort. For comparison, Jurassic World VelociCoaster reaches its highest point at a 140-foot top hat.
Here are views of other support structures and track pieces installed in the area beside the Hard Rock Cafe.
The roller coaster is on track to open in 2027.
MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack Now Closed for Refurbishment
MEN IN Black Alien Attack is now closed for a two-week refurbishment, scheduled to run through June 16.
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