hi, today i found a book that showed an island called discovery island which had tons of different animals living on it. the pictures had giant turtle and birds all over the place. there even seem to have been a boat and a board walk on it. so i am wondering what happened to this place and is the island still open to people? because it looked really cool. also there was a sunking boat. if it helps the book was from 1982.
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discovery island what happened to it?
- Thread starter mickeygr8
- Start date
DisneyMarg
Member
We visited Discovery Island on a trip back in the 90's. It was a nice 1/2 day. It did sort of remind me of a mini-Animal Kingdom - without the rides. The thing we really enjoyed was that there were many CM's with animals out and about. They would just one on one tell you all sorts of stuff. Plus, it wasn't very crowded, and was very shady - both nice on a hot summer day.
I vaguely remember it being near Ft. Wilderness and River Country - which we also visited on that trip. But I could be wrong about location.
It was nice, but Animal Kingdom is a much bigger deal all the way around.
I vaguely remember it being near Ft. Wilderness and River Country - which we also visited on that trip. But I could be wrong about location.
It was nice, but Animal Kingdom is a much bigger deal all the way around.
JPVonDrake
Well-Known Member
A little history...
Discovery Island was officially closed to Guests at the end of operating hours at the WALT DISNEY WORLD®Resort on April 8, 1999. (Admission to Discovery Island was no longer offered in package plans and no longer promoted in Walt Disney World collateral, although the Island continued to remain open unofficially to Cast and Guests. However, on July 9, 1999 Discovery Island finally closed permanently to Cast and Guests at the end of operating hours.) Originally the island was called Treasure Island and opened on April 8, 1974. Treasure Island changes its name to Discovery Island on January 1, 1978.
Currently the Island stands with River Country as areas being "re-imagineered" for a future development. If and when that happens is anyone's guess.
Hope this helps! :sohappy:
Discovery Island was officially closed to Guests at the end of operating hours at the WALT DISNEY WORLD®Resort on April 8, 1999. (Admission to Discovery Island was no longer offered in package plans and no longer promoted in Walt Disney World collateral, although the Island continued to remain open unofficially to Cast and Guests. However, on July 9, 1999 Discovery Island finally closed permanently to Cast and Guests at the end of operating hours.) Originally the island was called Treasure Island and opened on April 8, 1974. Treasure Island changes its name to Discovery Island on January 1, 1978.
Currently the Island stands with River Country as areas being "re-imagineered" for a future development. If and when that happens is anyone's guess.
Hope this helps! :sohappy:
ctwhalerman
New Member
I remember going to Discovery Island too as a little kid back in the early-90s. I remember it was a joint deal with River Country too, which was a good way to spend a relaxing day.
Discovery Island was open since 1974 I think, and it actually had many rare animals, and I think one extinct bird species gasped its last breath on the island too.
Hopefully Disney finds something to do with the island, because it's a shame to see a nice, little, quiet part of WDW go to waste.
Discovery Island was open since 1974 I think, and it actually had many rare animals, and I think one extinct bird species gasped its last breath on the island too.
Hopefully Disney finds something to do with the island, because it's a shame to see a nice, little, quiet part of WDW go to waste.
Sadly, this is the only part of WDW that was here before the mouse - Bay Lake and Discovery Island (who`s original name escapes me right now) - and its being left to ruin. Historically, its the most important part of WDW (and no, we can`t move the CoP onto it!! :lol: )
prisoner
New Member
Discovery Island is the island in the middle of Bay Lake which currently stands unused for anything official. There was speculation a few years ago that it would be turned into a MYST-like real-world adventure/game type thing, but I haven't heard that rumor recently.
The name, of course, was moved to Animal Kingdom, along with most of the animals.
The name, of course, was moved to Animal Kingdom, along with most of the animals.
Feta
Member
Last summer we got as close as legally possible to the island while speeding around in one of those little motor boats we rented from the Poly. There are several docks easily visible. You can see parts of the boardwalk and different animal enclosures - all overgrown with plants. The largest feature visible is what looks like a aviary. There are holes all over it and vines creeping up everywhere. There were birds all over the island including inside and outside the old aviary.
Robfasto
New Member
SpenceMan01
Well-Known Member
I heard it's going to become either a meet and greet or a gift shop
:lookaroun
:lookaroun
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
The island was losing popularity as more theme parks opened. Then when AK opened, it saw its last shot. There was no way that it was going to bring people in when there was an entire animal theme park just a few minutes away. The animals were transfered and the island was shuttered. There have been rumors about the status and plans for the island, but everything seems a little out there for now. I figure that the island will continue to just sit untouched for a long time until Disney really decides what would be practical for the space (if anything ever comes at all).
Robfasto
New Member
Hmmm.... What to do.
Create a detention center for those whom don't obey the rules or are just rude. Let all the people who smoke out of the smoking areas, drink to much, the stroller jockey's busting peoples ankles or people caught parking where they are not suppose to. They can all gather and stew for a while until the get a get out of jail free card..... lol
Create a detention center for those whom don't obey the rules or are just rude. Let all the people who smoke out of the smoking areas, drink to much, the stroller jockey's busting peoples ankles or people caught parking where they are not suppose to. They can all gather and stew for a while until the get a get out of jail free card..... lol
