This feels like just another sign of the change in direction Disney is taking. Before the pandemic Disney was trying to capitilalize of guests entire vacation between Magic Express and perks that targeted all level of resorts. Now post pandemic, Disney is now targets the more affluent...
I bet it would not feel that far if it wasn't a march past fences with absolutely no theming or landscaping, and feeling hemmed in because of the complete lack of views and limited path width.
At around 8 pm Tonight I say 3 or 4 boats pointing spot lights at the old discovery island like that we're looking for something or someone. Is this typically behavior
Edit
My camera wasn't good enough to capture the spotlighs searching the shore line