We arrived with a plan involving an inflatable boat, 150 feet of clothesline(to pull the boat back across for other people), a large hand pump, and a few oars. They hadn't visited it themselves but told us that it was about 100 feet off the shore of the also abandoned River Country water park and that boat traffic was infrequent on the lake. They told us that there were rumors that there were bunches of animals still left running wild on the island. I'd heard about the island from some Orlando locals. Even more alarming, I've also heard that the main reason Disney closed the adjacent water park is because of the presence of Naegleria Fowleri bacteria in the water which can infect human nervous systems and nearly always results in death. I've heard from more than a few people that there are actually alligators that live in the lake, something I hadn't even thought of, assuming this was just some other Disney attraction. In the time since, I've learned a few disturbing facts about the lake and as such would not recommend that anyone attempt to re-trace our footsteps. This is the story of my trip there quite a few years ago when I lived in FL. It is a former wildlife attraction/sanctuary that was closed in 1999 and has been left to run wild since. Bamboo Hollow - lemurs from Madagascar.In the middle of Bay Lake, deep within the heart of the Walt Disney World property, lies Discovery Island.Parrots Perch - The Discovery Island Bird Show, featuring macaws, cockatoos, and other trained birds.The island itself can easily be seen from the upper floors of Disney's Contemporary Resort and Fort Wilderness Lodge. The structures on the island can still be seen today, but are very hard to see due to the overgrowth of vegetation. There was only one plan to bring it back: Disney teamed up with the developers of Myst to develop a cutting edge experience known as Myst Island however, the plans never got through the concept stage. The move was completed on Jand the island has sat abandoned ever since.

Over the next few months, the island's animals were moved to Disney's Animal Kingdom and the park's central hub, originally named Safari Village, was rebranded to Discovery Island in tribute to the original park and as a response to early guest confusion over the location of the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction.

When Disney's Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, it was decided that Discovery Island had outlived its usefulness and the park closed to guests on April 8, 1999. The island was known as the home of the last dusky seaside sparrow before it died in 1987. After its recognition as a zoological park it was renamed Discovery Island in 1978 and most of the pirate elements were removed. It had nature trails to show off endangered species which the island helped repopulate. The shipwreck was utilized as a set in the film Treasure of Matecumbe. However, beyond location names, the only element that would make it to the park was a shipwreck set up on the beach. Prior to the decision to fully commit to developing it as a zoological park, concepts were drawn for experiences based on the Treasure Island film featuring caves of treasure and encounters with ghostly pirates. When the park opened on April 8, 1974, it was given the name Treasure Island, with boats offering free passage to its docks. Then in 1965, Disney bought it as part of its strategic property acquisition, which would later become Walt Disney World. Later it was bought out and named Riles Island and used as a hunting retreat.

It was originally known as Raz Island, named after the family that once lived on it. The island had a history long before Disney's involvement. It was closed shortly after the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Treasure Island (1974-1978) Source Not to be confused with the Animal Kingdom area of the same name.ĭiscovery Island was a zoological park lying on an island in the middle of Bay Lake, behind Disney's Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World.

Disney discovery island