Possible Legend of Zelda Land Coming to Islands of Adventure?

Hey there, Universal and Zelda fans! Have you heard the buzz about a possible Legend of Zelda land coming to Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure? Let’s dive into this exciting rumor and imagine what it could mean for us theme parks and Nintendo enthusiasts.

The idea of a Zelda-themed attraction isn’t new. In fact, it’s been floating around for a while. Initially, there was talk of a theater show with moving seats as part of the pitch to Nintendo. Imagine sitting in a seat that moves along with the action – pretty cool, right? Then, another concept emerged: a boat ride that magically transforms into a suspended dark ride midway. How awesome does that sound? Unfortunately, neither of these ideas got the green light, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill.

Now, the talk of the town is that the Zelda property might replace the Lost Continent section of Islands of Adventure. It would make a lot of sense to add a new Nintendo property to Islands of Adventure. If you’ve been to the park recently, you might have noticed that the Lost Continent is a bit, well, lost. The last attraction there, Poseidon’s Fury, closed its doors in May 2023, and the Eighth Voyage of Sindbad stunt show said its final goodbye in 2018. Since then, the area’s been pretty quiet, except for a few dining and shopping spots.

But don’t get too excited just yet. There are no official demolition plans for this area. However, there’s some interesting work happening nearby at Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Based on permits it appears Universal is extending the queue and making changes that suggest they might be prepping for something big. If a Zelda land is in the cards, this could be the first step in making room for it.

So, what can we expect from a Legend of Zelda land? According to theme park expert Alicia Stella, we might see an indoor boat ride as the main attraction. Picture this: a boat ride that takes you through the magical world of Zelda, complete with twists and turns. And there’s talk of a small outdoor roller coaster too. Plus, imagine dining inside the Deku Tree – how cool would that be?

The main attraction could use a special ride system called The Rocking Boat by Mack Rides. This system allows for tight turns and a hybrid experience both in and out of water, making for a thrilling adventure. Based on the videos and photos, this type of ride design could lead to an attraction similar to the rumored attraction pitched to Nintendo. A water ride that leads into a dark ride.

Now, you might be wondering about the connection to the upcoming live-action Zelda movie by Sony. Well, this land would be designed and centralized around the video games, just like Universal’s other Nintendo-based attractions. But who knows? If the movie’s a hit, it might influence the land’s design or features. But, it would be surprising, as that would require a partnership between Sony and Universal.

Rumor has it that this Zelda-themed land could open its doors in 2027, with construction possibly starting by the end of this year. But with so many projects in the works at Universal and Disney, timelines could change. And, priorities. Right now it’s looking like a potential Pokemon land may have the fast-track to realization.

In the end, we might have to wait a bit longer for any official news or for the Lost Continent to transform into something new. But one thing’s for sure: the idea of a Legend of Zelda land is exciting and full of potential. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and our eyes peeled for more news on this adventurous possibility!

Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!