Pokémon land at Universal Orlando? We dug through months of permits to find out

We do know that Pokémon will join Universal Orlando eventually, but it’s not clear when or how. After Attractions Magazine reviewed dozens of public records filed with Orange County over the past several months, however, a more complete picture has emerged.

While none of the documents mention Pokémon—or even identify a specific attraction—they do suggest Universal has been coordinating a large, multi-phase project involving engineers, construction firms, scenic specialists and attraction vendors on the same Universal property parcel for months.

Why some believe it points to Pokémon

Several outlets, including Theme Park Wizard and Orlando ParkStop, note that Garmendale Engineering manufactures Omnimover-style ride systems. Those continuously moving dark ride vehicles have long been rumored as a possible fit for a Pokémon attraction inspired by the popular Pokémon Snap video game series.

In those games, players travel through natural environments while photographing Pokémon in the wild, creating an experience centered on exploration and discovery. An Omnimover-style attraction could allow guests to journey through multiple Pokémon habitats while encountering creatures along the way.

The Pokémon Snap concept has circulated in Universal rumor discussions for years, well before the latest permit surfaced. The new filing has renewed interest because of the contractor involved, though no connection has been confirmed.

But there is a bigger picture here.

How we investigated the records

We reviewed a series of Orange County Notices of Commencement tied to Universal City Development Partners.

A Notice of Commencement is a legal filing used on construction projects to establish contractor and lien rights. It does not identify the final attraction or confirm the purpose of a project, but it can reveal which companies have been hired and the general scope of their work.

Our investigation followed several steps:

• Reviewed recent Notice of Commencement records filed against Lot 6A.
• Cross-referenced the contractors appearing on the same parcel.
• Compared those contractors against filings for other Universal parcels to determine which companies appear resort-wide and which appear unique to Lot 6A.
• Examined amended Notices of Commencement to establish the project’s timeline.
• Checked Orange County property records to determine the size and nature of the parcel itself.

The project appears to stretch back to 2025

Several amended Notices of Commencement reference filings dating back to 2025, indicating Universal has been working on this parcel for well over a year, or longer.

Among the earliest contractors identified were:

• Kimley-Horn and Associates
• Studio One Plus
• Pizzazz Scenic Contractors
• J.K. Holmes Constructors

Their work generally involves professional services, construction and facility improvements, suggesting the project began with planning, engineering and site work before moving into later construction phases.

The lot in question

Another important finding came from Orange County property records. Initially, it appeared every filing pointed to one construction site.

Instead, I searched property records and found that Lot 6A is part of an approximately 101-acre Universal parcel that contains numerous attraction-related buildings and facilities. That means a Notice of Commencement referencing Lot 6A most likely does reference Islands of Adventure.

What the records do show is a coordinated effort involving civil engineers, construction firms, scenic contractors and several highly specialized themed entertainment companies working under the same Universal parcel over many months.

Why it’s still only a rumor

The permit itself provides very little information beyond an equipment installation at Islands of Adventure.

Garmendale Engineering has worked on a variety of theme park projects, including ride gates and other attraction hardware, meaning the company could be involved with projects unrelated to a new Pokémon ride. Some industry watchers have also suggested the work could support refurbishment or infrastructure elsewhere in the park.

Universal Orlando has not announced plans for a Pokémon land at Islands of Adventure, but Universal Destinations & Experiences did confirm Pokémon attractions are on the way to the U.S. parks.

At the same time, demolition continues in The Lost Continent, leading many enthusiasts to speculate the area will be home to a major new intellectual property. Until Universal shares official details, any connection between the permit, the rumored ride system and Pokémon remains speculative.

A look at Garmendale’s theme park resume

Although Garmendale Engineering isn’t as well known as ride manufacturers like Mack Rides or Intamin, the U.K.-based company has spent more than 40 years designing, manufacturing and refurbishing attractions for theme parks around the world. Its portfolio includes dark rides, family rides, transportation systems, ride gating systems and major attraction refurbishments.

Among its best-known projects are Kai’s Sky Masters at Legoland Japan, Gangsta Granny: The Ride at Alton Towers, The Forbidden Caves at Bobbejaanland and several family attractions at Sundown Adventureland. The company also engineered and refurbished the capsules and mechanical systems for the London Eye and has completed ride upgrades at parks across Europe.

Additional Notices of Commencement reviewed after publication show Garmendale also filed equipment installation work on Universal’s Lot 6A parcel in 2020 and again in 2025.

Every permit, filing and contractor adds another piece to the puzzle, even if the final picture hasn’t come into focus yet. We’ll keep an eye out as this mystery project continues to take shape.