Discovery Island

by Sam Terito
10.28.21

   As anybody in the Disney blogosphere knows, you can't have a Disney blog without a post on Discovery Island. Many a visitor to WDW in the 70's and 80's has a fleeting childhood memory of getting on a boat and going to some island somewhere they saw parrots and other random tropical animals. The place they're likely thinking of was a rather popular attraction for a good while, open from 1974 all the way until a burgeoning new park called Disney's Animal Kingdom quietly took it's place in 1998; closing for good a year later on April 8, 1999. 

Interestingly enough, the island is one of the few islands on property that isn't man made. From 1900 to 1937, the island was known as Raz Island, named after the family that lived there. In the late 1930s, it was purchased for $800 by a man named Delmar "Radio Nick" Nicholson, who renamed it "Idle Bay Isle" and lived there for 20 years with his wife and pet crane. It was later sold, renamed "Riles Island," and used as a hunting retreat. Disney bought it in 1965 as part of its strategic property acquisitions before building the Walt Disney World Resort.

According to Inside The Magic, When Walt died in 66′, the focus returned to resorts and theme parks... what was then named ‘Riles Island’ was transformed into an attraction with a pirate theme named (what else); Treasure Island. It opened in 1974; three years after the launch of Walt Disney World.

The attraction could be reached by shuttle boat and was designed to entertain guests for about half a day. The island contained a shipwreck, treasure, caves, and other pirate themed paraphernalia for guests to enjoy.

Two years later in 1976, the island was renamed Disney’s Discovery Island. The mouse thought the island needed a facelift, and its focus changed. Now Discovery Island was a tropical paradise; a nature preserve where guests could observe rare flora and fauna.

The new island was a haven for all kinds of animals including rare species and exotic birds like bald eagles and vultures. It would’ve been quite something to be able to walk along the Discovery Island trial and observe these creatures in their natural habitat.

So what happened?

In three words; Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After this revolutionary safari-meets theme park launched in 1998, Discovery Island became superfluous. All of the animals were relocated, the exits were sealed and every shop, attraction, and pit-stop were closed. The island was left completely abandoned and forgotten and closed for good on April 8th, 1998 on its 25th birthday.

What is on Discovery Island now?

Bar an overgrown mass of wildlife? Not much. The buildings are surprisingly un-demolished, though most have been consumed by the wildlife. There have been sightings of fresh coke cans and other contemporary litter, and urban explorers (read: trespassers) are surprisingly common. Disney has been tight-lipped on the state of the island, though rumors of re-development have been circling for years.

Sadly our only glimpse the island is gleaned from said urban explorers who illegally break into the site and take footage. What they capture doesn’t show much, with the exception of the occasional artificial light or fence that suggests that staff still occasionally check in.

You can still see it from a distance, with the best views coming from Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Wilderness Lodge. The abandoned Disney’s River Country is also a mere 600ft from the island.

In theory, you could rent a kayak or motorized boat from Fort Wilderness to explore Bay Lake for yourself to get a closer look. Make sure you don’t dock at the island though, as it is sealed off and exploration is completely forbidden.

This isn’t just because it’s an out of use attraction that embarrasses Disney; its health and safety standards are not maintained for guest use (obviously). So don’t be a dingus; watch it from afar.

Legacy and Future

Discovery Island was an iconic part of the Walt Disney World resort for 25 years. It even marked the last sighting of the now-extinct Dusky Seaside Sparrow and was a fan favorite of many early patrons.

Personally, I find it fascinating that such a well-loved attraction just sits there, slowly being taken over by nature. I would love to one day see Discovery Island re-opened. Wouldn’t it be an awesome spot for a new hotel? Or maybe a Jungle Book or Tarzan themed attraction? Discovery Island begs for a new lease of life as a Safari Village or trail attraction.

Either way, there’s no word on the future of Discovery Island right now. It seems that Disney has no plans to develop or re-model it any time soon. Youtuber Bright Sun Films spoke to a Cast Member who said that any Disney employee caught on the island will be dismissed on the spot; Disney officials are serious about security.

All of this just adds to the mystery. Why not just strip the island of its buildings and features? Or why not re-work it altogether?

Whatever the case, Disney’s Discovery Island is an interesting bit of forgotten Walt Disney World history. It’s fascinating to find Disney parks like this abandoned island that have been left to rot. It’s mad that this forgotten land sits comparatively close to the Magic Kingdom, in Bay Lake, totally forgotten.

All that remains now is its name. Discovery Island is appropriately a part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and home of the Tree of life, an ironic and perhaps fitting end for this forgotten zoological park.

Some of my favorite continued reading blogs on this subject:

The Final Day of Disney's Discovery Island:
http://www.floridasunshine.com/oakleyflorida/OakleyFamily_SubPages/1999-2000/DiscoverIsland.htm

https://www.insider.com/look-inside-disney-worlds-abandoned-discovery-island-2019-2

Shane Perez: A Discovery Island explorer that actually got away with it:
http://shaneperez.blogspot.com/2009/12/discovery-island.html

Richard McGuire: A Discovery Island explorer that DIDN'T get away with it:
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/10/05/youtuber-accepts-plea-deal-in-disney-discovery-island-trespassing-case/

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Although Discovery Island may have closed more than 20 years ago, there's still plenty to see and do. We've got the expertise to get you in the resorts and parks and do almost anything you'd ever want to. Best thing, it's no cost to you! Hit up our FB page HERE or email us HERE.