The Lost Continent section of Universal’s Islands of Adventure lost quite a bit of real estate to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter when it opened in 2010.
Merlinwood is long gone with The Flying Unicorn now known as Flight of the Hippogriff and Dueling Dragons now known as Dragon Challenge. The rides are exactly the same, but the theming is slightly different.
With the Potter expansion at Universal Studios and the possibility that it could be connected to Islands of Adventure, more of The Lost Continent may be on the way out.
But it’s here for now. The Lost Continent is basically comprised of two theater shows, a shopping bazaar, a table service restaurant, and some quick service options. A magic shop and talking fountain round out the island.
Poseidon’s Fury: Escape From The Lost City is probably the biggest attraction here.
It had just reopened after a brief refurbishment when I walked through in the middle of December.
Officially, photography isn’t allowed inside. Being a vacationing American, I’ll ignore that request next time, but I don’t have any pictures of the show for you.
Surprisingly(?) at 5:10pm on the evening of December 17th, Poseidon’s Fury had the second longest posted wait time according to the board here. When I arrived at the attraction, the posted wait was 50 minutes.
The queue winds down through these “caverns.” The line was moving so slowly that cheers erupted every time it did move. For those suffering in the standby line, the wait looked to be pretty unbearable with little to see or do in the dark.
Here’s a decent looking video if you want to watch it. Poseidon’s Fury is basically a walkthrough show with a live narrator and three separate rooms each with its own set and stage. The walk into the final room is neat as is what transpires thereafter, but the first two parts were pretty lame (in my opinion). In addition, the viewing area makes it difficult for most people to see what’s going on. I’m 6’2″ and couldn’t see what was happening three quarters of the time. You really want to be among the first people to enter each room so you can find a spot up close. I waited about 20 minutes with Express Pass and didn’t think the show was worth the time. It really felt like they were herding cattle from one room to the next, which made it uncomfortable even for a single adult male of size.
“The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show” is Islands’ only amphitheater show. It’s somewhat similar to Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, only much, much, much worse.
The stage looks epic, but the story is lousy, the action is repetitive, and the dialogue is punchable. Whatever punchable dialogue means. Anyway, it’s worth seeing once if you have the time, but I doubt anyone will be saying, “Let’s see Sinbad again” on a return visit. Maybe if that return visit is in ten years and the group suffers from significant memory loss.
To add insult to injury, seating is on uncomfortable metal, backless bleachers.
Construction just outside makes you wonder how long Sinbad will be here.
It’s a shame because the show really does have potential with all the effects and the sheer size of the stage. Universal describes it as:
It’s a stunt show of heroic proportions! Cheer on the heroes and boo the villains in this spectacular live adventure. See death-defying stunts and breathtaking feats as the mighty Sindbad and his wisecracking sidekick Kabob attempt to rescue the beautiful Princess Amoura from the evil witch Miseria.
The action takes place in a spectacular setting – a mysterious grotto littered with the wrecks of ships lured to their misfortune by the evil sorceress. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you witness exciting battles between the heroes and Miseria’s ghoulish minions, explosive pyrotechnics, and eye-popping stunts including a fiery plunge into the water below.
This is more accurate:
It’s a stunt show of heroic proportions! Cheer on the heroes and boo the villains in this spectacular live adventure. See death-defying stunts and breathtaking feats as the mighty Sindbad and his wisecracking sidekick Kabob attempt to rescue the beautiful Princess Amoura from the evil witch Miseria.
The action takes place in a spectacular setting – a mysterious grotto littered with the wrecks of ships lured to their misfortune by the evil sorceress. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you witness exciting battles between the heroes and Miseria’s ghoulish minions, explosive pyrotechnics, and eye-popping stunts including a fiery plunge into the water below.
Here’s the end if you want to see the most exciting part and gauge interest. I’m being a little mean here. Sinbad isn’t a complete waste of time – it’s just surprising how terrible the dialogue and story are. There are usually three or four shows a day when crowds are light and up to six in the summer or around Christmas when crowds are much heavier. The earliest show is noon or later, so you have plenty of time to hit the major attractions before even considering heading over to Sinbad. When crowds are light, you can show up five or ten minutes ahead of time and find perfectly decent seats. The stage is so massive that wherever you sit should be fine. It’s about 25 minutes of your life that you will never get back. Consider bringing a book or refreshing my Twitter account excessively.
The talking fountain that sits outside the entrance is hilarious though. It’s like Turtle Talk without the screen. Walk up and the fountain will probably strike up a conversation.
While more of an infomercial than an attraction, you may be corralled into a “magic show” here at the Shop of Wonders or at Universal Studios near Terminator. At Islands, it’s located next to the talking fountain near the entrance to Sinbad. You can either walk in and ask when the next show begins or you’ll see staff outside announcing the start of “a magic show in two minutes.”
This 12-minute show features a salesman/magician that performs four tricks available for purchase next door.
It starts out weak (the guy has lights strapped to his fingers and pretends he’s throwing around light balls or something), but the levitation trick at the end is pretty cool. And then in the first picture, he has a wallet that lights on fire if you open it a certain way. The wallet is fireproof so you can actually keep stuff in it if you so desire. This is far from a “must do,” but it was a fun way to spend 15 minutes in the afternoon.
Mythos, located near Seuss Landing, is one of the best theme park restaurants in the United States. They have a sign stating as much outside.
And it’s cheap. I’ll discuss Universal theme park quick service in another post, but most of it is pretty bad. For only a dollar or two more, you can sit down in air-conditioning, be waited on, and have unlimited beverage refills. This and Confisco Grill near the front of the Park are no-brainers with their inexpensive prices. We’re talking a Filet for $16.99.
If you didn’t get your fill of carnival games at Chester & Hester’s DinoLand, you can play right outside the entrance to the Wizarding World.
Oasis Coolers is a place to grab a quick snack or fill up your Coke Freestyle Cup.
The unlimited refill freestyle souvenir cup is a new offering that was just released at the beginning of December. They’re $10.99 each and come with unlimited refills for the day at either theme park at any freestyle location. You are limited to one refill every five minutes though.
Bought a Universal Pretzel at the end of the day once – it was virtually inedible and had obviously been sitting in the heater for the entire day…or longer.
The $7.99 souvenir mug is another option. Refills are 99 cents each, but your mug is good “forever.” The freestyle cups have an RFID chip in them so they no longer work after 24 hours. If you’re only visiting one day and plan to drink a lot of Coca Cola concoctions not fit for retail, the freestyle mug may be a good choice. Otherwise, the regular souvenir mug is probably the better buy if you’re planning to use it over multiple days.
The Lost Continent is also fully stocked with weapons:
We’re not in Disney World anymore.
Feeling less violent? They have coffee mugs too.
Or for a few hundred dollars, a framed family crest.
For tamer souvies, head into Treasures of Poseidon.
Shirts and such.
Bracelets.
Pearls.
They’d probably sell more if a drum was involved.
I don’t think the foot is for sale, but you never know, everyone has a price.
The Fire Eaters Grill is another dining opportunity:
The Gyro Platter sounds promising. Seven bucks with fries?
This fountain is less chatty.
Even the restrooms are nicely themed.
Some outdoor seating if you do decide to grab a bite to eat.
Or a place to rest.
But it felt crowded.
I think I’ll spend tomorrow updating some of the resort reviews. Next up at Universal is Seuss Landing. I have over 1,000 pictures of that other Universal theme park too.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m guessing here, swords must be picked up at guest services, right?
I am so excited you are out and about in Universal ! I agree with you 100% over the Sinbad show, your crossings out were so funny, you even crossed out beautiful, lol
The fountain had a lot of fun with my young son last year, well worth looking out for. Those weapons look so scary, really don’t think they should be sold in a theme park ! Great pics as always Josh,look forward to more 
We really enjoyed the Sinbad show. It was a bit like a pantomime, ie all bad jokes and bawdy humour and not po-faced like Indy. Plus if you sit at the front near the middle out of the splash zone then the actors are mucking about right next to you which the dc loved.
We are very easily pleased/entertained though.
Great stuff!!
I’m planning to have a day at IOA on my WDW visit.
So this is great information…. as usual.
Mmmm….. Sinbad is one show my son said he wants to see.
Only $495 for GOLD chainmail? Not a bad deal really.
Not a bad deal… until someone slices through it like it was butter!
I like that the sign for the gold chainmail is sitting on the silver chainmail.
Oh man, that Sindbad show! (It is Sindbad, not Sinbad, by the way…why, I don’t know). We saw it in 2010 and I still bring it up to my family every once and a while, just to reminisce about how unbelievably bad it was.
It almost felt improvised – like they told the cast to just kind of randomly run around the arena climbing stuff and occasionally saying something. SO BAD.
I read your blog regularly, and have no fear (said with tongue in cheek in case you didn’t hear the snark). I will continue to do so as long as you continue to write it . That said, I must make the comment that I thought your review of Sinbad was pretty harsh. The dialogue is intended to be funny for all ages so yes, it’s a little punny. And Kabob is very amusing. The storyline could use some sprucing up, but based on the time/place where it is set, there’s not much they can do to update it. The performers work hard with what they are given, and the stunts are pretty awesome, and require a lot of training and hard work on the part of the performers. Swordfights are dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. You want to dive off a cliff into a teacup of water with pyrotechnics going off? Don’t think so! I’ve been to Sinbad quite a few times over the years, and I thoroughly enjoy it. If it disappears to make way for WWOHP Part II (and I love Part I), it will be a loss. Although not known for repurposing such things, it is hoped by some (me, anyway) that the theatre will remain and be used to tell a different story. Besides, it makes a great place for a break on a hot day. Thanks for all your hard work.
Agree on Mythos, it is a good place. I don’t know if I would call it one of the best theme park restaurants, though. There are probably at least 5 in Epcot alone that are better, not to mention Yak & Yeti, Brown Derby, and Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch). Whoops, I did mention them.
We loved the talking fountain. We are Brits and the fountain had some fun giving us weather like we get at home (rain!). The kids loved it and would probably have stayed there all day if we didn’t have to get to Harry Potter land and buy incredibly expensive sweets that taste disgusting (Bertie Botts Every Flavour beans anyone?)
I thought Mythos was our best meal of our whole trip, it had good service, properly snappy and restaurant- like which we actually found rare at WDW. The food was good value and presented beautifully. It has a proper pass and kitchen you can see from the tables and the food tasted great.
And dh was so taken by the loos that he took a picture. I pretended he wasnt with me.
We really enjoyed Mythos when we visited Universal- the hamburger was excellent as evidenced by its recent crowning as ‘Best Burger of 2012′ by my boyfriend. I had the blackened fish tacos which were also tasty, however apparently I should have ordered the steak and portabello panini and saved myself $0.60- it sounds surprisingly similar
Josh- ‘you’ll.. witness.. stunts’- the end- hehehe
I’d like to see a review of the Sindbad show rather than that obviously inferior Sinbad show (wherever the heck that might be).
Poseidon’s Fury used to be better with the original story when Poseidon was the bad guy and your guide turned out to be Zeus in disguise. Now the story doesn’t seem to work as well – or maybe, after seeing it a few times, the ‘magic’ has worn off?
I could never see the attraction of the talking fountain though. It’s a fountain with a hidden camera and microphone controlled by a member of staff somewhere. It’s amusing if you like to see people getting squirted with water – but you’ve got the Ripsaw Falls or Bilge-Rat Barges (or the 3pm Florida downpour) for that.
Love the blog, Josh!
Oh my goodness! The “More Accurate” Sinbad description almost had laughing out loud at work! So funny!
Went to Universal/IOA for the first time in years in October 2012 and really enjoyed the experience. We didn’t spend much time at all in Lost Continent but it was themed beautifully. Hope to check out Mythos when we return in early February.
We loved Mythos too! The best food for the value at any theme park we have ever been to. Liked it so much we ate there twice during our trip.
I know it was just a passing comment, but NEVER eat at Confiscos! Even with the low prices and the obvious greatness of air conditioning in the summer, just eat at Mythos. Our meal at Confiscos last summer was one of the worst meals I have ever eaten anywhere. First it took forever to get seated because anyone who went up to the counter and complained to the hostess was seated immediately even if they had basically just entered. Once we were seated we ordered fairly normal food. My meatball concoction (I think it was just a meatball just it could have been a meatball sub) tasted awful, but was improved by my mother’s “Cream of Tomato Soup” which was mediocre marinara sauce. The manager was super rude to us when we complained after our meal. But at least our waiter was really prompt and nice! All in all, I would eat at Mythos everyday while at Universal/Islands and NEVER EVER at Confiscos.