What is on that island?

[Holly]

If you're on the side of the Contemporary that faces Bay Lake, you look directly at an island. We could see a shed (I guess) and a little pier ... but what exactly is on it?

Anyone know?

 

[dliddi]

You used to be able to take a boat to the island and walk around trails, if I remember right it used to be a bird sanctuary, and I think there were some little animals on it, I never went but one of my friends did.

 

[Mr. Tom Morrow]

It's Discovery Island!

Hi Holly :wave: – That was Discovery Island. It was a researve filled with aminals! When Animal Kingdom opened the animals were relocated from Discovery Island to Animal Kingdom thus leaving Discovery Island deserted. There have been many rumors about what Disney is going to do with the island. I’ve seen a few very good rumour threads here that you should be able to search. My favorite idea is to turn the island into an exclusive resort that would include a few (2-3) retired attractions.

 

[Holly]

Hmmm ... I'm looking at pics taken in '76 and I think I was there! :lol:

Does anyone remember if there was a shipwreck on the island? I've got a pic of me standing next to one on the beach ... ???

 

[Mr. Tom Morrow]

1976 Ship...yes!

Hi Holly :wave: – The island originally opened (April 8, 1974) as Treasure Island and did indeed have a marooned pirate ship. The island was renamed Discovery Island in 1978 and remained that way until it closed in 1999. You can find some great information on the history of the island at the link below. Enjoy http://home.cfl.rr.com/omniluxe/trislnd.htm

 

[TheOneVader]

I've never been there but I'm too late now. By the way, how much stuff was there?

 

[Timekeeper]

Island

The truly curious person would rent a small boat in the area and dock at the island for a little "self exploration."

I am a truly curious person.

I better clear my weekend schedule.

:lookaroun

Tk

 

[SamatBCV]

They had a program for kids (well, they did about 20 years ago). You would go on a treasure hunt on the island, then have smores on the beach.

 

[Worldphile]

Originally posted by TheOneVader
I've never been there but I'm too late now. By the way, how much stuff was there?

We went there in 1994. The closest thing to it now is Rafiki's Planet Watch in DAK.

It was very conservation and education oriented. They had birds, alligators, etc. You would walk along trails to the various exhibits, and the handlers would often be in various places giving lectures on the particular animal they cared for.

 

[TheOneVader]

Sounded fun. Thanks for the info.

 

[Scar Junior]

Man, that is prime real estate... One random rumor I heard was they were going to put a resort with the theme similar to the game, Myst (sp?). I thought that would be cool, but never once thought there was any truth behind it. I would like to see this land be used once they start expanding again.

 

[TheOneVader]

Yeah, they could put just about anything on it. They could even have a monorail type ting like TTA to go to it from MK and have some attraction on it.

 

[MicBat]

Is the island really big enough for a resort?

 

[Worldphile]

Originally posted by MicBat
Is the island really big enough for a resort?

Depends on the size of the resort. :lol: :lol:

Seriously, though the resort relted rumours I heard were that they would be exclusive honeymoon cottages and such. So maybe the resort wouldn't be too big.

I think the logistical problem with putting an E-ride type attraction out there would be efficiently moving lots of people to/from the island. If the attraction is too popular, you'd have huge wait times before you got on and after you got off the attraction.

 

[Maria]

I went there once. Disney made a nice bbq for our group of ambassadors a little bit before the island closed forever. I am 99% sure the event was private, I didn´t see anyone else there, only us.

We had some presentations about birds and snakes, then we had dinner and hung out at the hammocks by the little beach and basically had a fun time there.

It would be very cool if they built the honeymoon cottages! "The love island": secluded, romantic, peaceful and very private, only accessible to guests staying there. (And pricey too, you can bet!) :animwink:

 

[christopher]

Originally posted by Holly
Hmmm ... I'm looking at pics taken in '76 and I think I was there! :lol:

Does anyone remember if there was a shipwreck on the island? I've got a pic of me standing next to one on the beach ... ???

I remember it. Dont ask me how, It was in the early 80's and I was only about 7 years old. But we went almost every year back then. I also remember hating Discovery, But I was a little kid and there were way more exciting things for me to see at Disney. But to be honest, if it was still up, I would probably still not like it. It still feels weird though when I ride around the island on the water mouses now. I can really picture it as a kid.

Almost as weird as riding by river country, which is almost erie seeing empty with no running water.

 

[Marijil]

We went there faithfully when it was open...and loved it, rather than a resort, how about a restaurant, I always thought that that would be the best use for it....

By the way, I think that when Walt was flying his recon missions over FLA, it was the sight of Discovery (Treasure) Island in the middle of Bay Lake that sold him on the property, "hey, we can use that island..."

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I can see much of anything being put on that island anymore (especially a hotel or restaurant) since the only way to get off or on the island is by boat. It would cause major traffic jams to get to anywhere else on property.

 

[Holly]

I absolutely love the honeymoon/anniversary island idea - a secluded group of *rustic* cottages with fireplaces, hottubs, decks. Maybe each coming with their own pier and water mice (or mouse - whatever those 2 seater boat thingys are).

Very cool idea ... I'd definitely stay there. Though I'd probably have to get a 2nd mortgage to afford it. :lol: