Will ANYTHING ever happen to Discovery Island?

[Disney Maddux]

After River Country was finally demolished, and with Reflections aiming for a 2022 opening, I'm now very curious as to the fate of Discovery Island. Security for it has definitely gotten more tight in recent years, especially with more people now finding ways to get onto the island, and even spend nights there.

So, my question, do we know if there are any ideas or plans in place for a replacement? Or are they gonna let Bay Lake reclaim its island?

 

[Mouse Trap]

After River Country was finally demolished, and with Reflections aiming for a 2022 opening, I'm now very curious as to the fate of Discovery Island. Security for it has definitely gotten more tight in recent years, especially with more people now finding ways to get onto the island, and even spend nights there.

So, my question, do we know if there are any ideas or plans in place for a replacement? Or are they gonna let Bay Lake reclaim its island?

Rumor is it’s an exclusive campsite for the uber rich.

 

[MaryJaneP]

How long did it take between closing River County until it was eventually demolished? It would be surprising if it took less time than that to re-imagine Discovery Island!

 

[kurtk]

Rumor is it’s an exclusive campsite for the uber rich.

With Jeff Vahle, former head of signature experiences, as the new WDW president, you might me right.;-)

 

[peter11435]

With Jeff Vahle, former head of signature experiences, as the new WDW president, you might me right.;-)

Many of you don’t understand what Disney signature experiences actually is.

 

[Disney Maddux]

How long did it take between closing River County until it was eventually demolished? It would be surprising if it took less time than that to re-imagine Discovery Island!

River Country closed in 2001, abandoned in 2005, demolished in 2019.

Discovery Island closed in 1999, abandoned in 1999, been rotting since.

 

[kurtk]

Many of you don’t understand what Disney signature experiences actually is.

From their website, it looks like vacations that are priced for the upper middle class. Disney doing things other companies do, like cruises, Hawaiian vacations, and guided tours, adding some Disney magic and then charging a premium. Is that incorrect? Not saying they aren't good just expensive. That is why I thought the comment about a campground for the rich was funny.

 

[peter11435]

From their website, it looks like vacations that are priced for the upper middle class. Disney doing things other companies do, like cruises, Hawaiian vacations, and guided tours, adding some Disney magic and then charging a premium. Is that incorrect? Not saying they aren't good just expensive. That is why I thought the comment about a campground for the rich was funny.

It has nothing to do with offerings for the super rich. It’s simply the title they chose when they combined all of the none park elements under a single leadership umbrella. DCL, ABD, DVC, and Aulani. Obviously they aren’t cheap but neither is WDW. It’s not intended to be the rich demographic portfolio just the grouping of things that didn’t fit elsewhere.

 

[Christian Fronckowiak]

Here's a JHM article from over ten years ago discussing how WDI was considering making a Lost-themed experience or utilizing the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise to reinvigorate the area.

Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

jimhillmedia.com

These are the most recent ideas I've come across. Anyone else?

 

[the.dreamfinder]

It’s not intended to be the rich demographic portfolio just the grouping of things that didn’t fit elsewhere.

Only ABD really fits that bill.

 

[Notes from Neverland]

Here's a JHM article from over ten years ago discussing how WDI was considering making a Lost-themed experience or utilizing the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise to reinvigorate the area.

Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

jimhillmedia.com

These are the most recent ideas I've come across. Anyone else?

There were some fun rumors involving the developers of the Myst franchise (if anyone here remembers that classic game) transforming the island. Obviously nothing ever came of it.

 

[mwf5555]

After River Country was finally demolished, and with Reflections aiming for a 2022 opening, I'm now very curious as to the fate of Discovery Island. Security for it has definitely gotten more tight in recent years, especially with more people now finding ways to get onto the island, and even spend nights there.

So, my question, do we know if there are any ideas or plans in place for a replacement? Or are they gonna let Bay Lake reclaim its island?

Does Disney have rights to Gillligans Island?

 

[Disney Maddux]

Here's a JHM article from over ten years ago discussing how WDI was considering making a Lost-themed experience or utilizing the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise to reinvigorate the area.

Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

jimhillmedia.com

These are the most recent ideas I've come across. Anyone else?

A PotC island would be cool.

But if I'm being serious, only thing I can realistically see going there is a new hotel.

 

[JoeCamel]

Does Disney have rights to Gillligans Island?

CBS or Warner Bros. I think

 

[NYwdwfan]

I remembered a detailed discussion about this a few years back so I did a search - there’s some interesting information on the topic here:

discovery island

so after watching the 2017 walk through HD footage of the island im curious. not why it closed but why was it done in such an overnight manner? the video shows things like coolers full of medicine and other machinery and such. paper work and the like is just everywhere. this wouldn't be strange...

forums.wdwmagic.com

 

[zengoth]

Probably close to the only wilderness left for Fort Wilderness to use. Extreme glamping with actual tents!

 

[2600loop]

I would love to see a pirate ship sailing around the seven seas with discovery island being its home port. They could have pirate themed dinners and some other excursions based on the island and a few bungalows.

 

[jensenrick]

Will anything ever happen? Yes, the homeless squatters will be kicked off LOL

 

[CastAStone]

They should build a large multi level platform and charge $$$ to watch the fireworks.

 

[Bob Harlem]

Just wild rumors in the past, like the island from Lost, or Myst, or various other things, or the rope bridges course, etc. Nothing ever seemed legit though.