Safari Village to Discovery Island Name Change?

[ISTCrew20]

AK's Central hub is now called Discovery Island, and I was under the impression that it was called Safari Village. When was the name changed?

 

[General Grizz]

I am not sure exactly when, but between March 2000 and March 2001, the name was changed.

 

[ISTCrew20]

I am not sure exactly when, but between March 2000 and March 2001, the name was changed.

any idea why?

 

[General Grizz]

NO clue. Personally, Safari Village sounded a lot better. . . but perhaps now Epcot has less of a chance of using "Discoveryland" to rename Future World. :lol:

 

[ToTBellHop]

It changed quite a long time ago...several years. It changed after the original Discovery Island park closed to match the name of the river around it, Discovery River. The thought was that this would be less confusing for guests as "Safari Village" was easily confused with Africa (you know how easily people get lost at Animal Kingdom...). I prefer Safari Village, but understand the change.

 

[Pixie Duster]

According to my DAKlimations course (which is the class you go to after Traditions if your park will be DAK), they changed it to alieviate confusion, but actually more so as a tribute to the original Discovery Island.

 

[barnum42]

but actually more so as a tribute to the original Discovery Island.

You know - I have never made that connection. It never ceases to amaze me the number of blatantly obvious things that are under my nose that I plain old do not see.

 

[Testtrack321]

Safari Village was changed to Discovery Island because people thought the safari was in Safari Village. Plus, Disney already had the name Discovery Island under copyright, so why copyright a whole new name?