The Abandoned Island Located In Disney World!!!

Discovery Island is one of the most mysterious and intriguing abandoned locations within Walt Disney World. Located in the middle of Bay Lake, just a short boat ride from the Magic Kingdom, it operated for decades before being left to the elements.

Here's a history of Discovery Island's rise, operation, and eventual abandonment:

Early Years: Treasure Island (1974-1978)

Pre-Disney: The island was originally a private recreational area called "Idle Bay Isle" until Disney purchased it along with the surrounding land in 1965.

Opened as Treasure Island: On April 8, 1974, Disney opened the island to guests, basing its theme loosely on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, Treasure Island. The initial concept was a lush, tropical landscape with walking paths, a shipwrecked pirate ship (the Walrus), and various exotic birds. It was primarily an ornithological park focusing on birds from around the world.

Focus: While it had some small mammals and reptiles, the main draw was its vast collection of free-flying and caged birds. Guests could wander through aviaries and observe the animals in a naturalistic setting.

The Discovery Island Era (1978-1999)

Renaming and Rebranding: In 1978, the park was renamed "Discovery Island." This change reflected a shift towards a more educational and conservation-focused mission, moving away from the "pirate" theme.

AAZA Accreditation: Discovery Island became an accredited zoological park by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (now the Association of Zoos and Aquariums - AZA). This was a significant achievement, highlighting its commitment to animal care and conservation.

Key Attractions & Animals:

Aviaries: Home to hundreds of exotic birds, including flamingos, pelicans, cranes, storks, and rare species.

Alligator Swamp: A boardwalk over a natural habitat for alligators and crocodiles.

Tortoise Beach: Giant Aldabra tortoises roamed freely.

Vulture Exhibit: A popular, somewhat morbid, exhibit featuring various vulture species.

Monkey Point: Featured various primate species.

Conservation Focus: The island aimed to educate guests about wildlife and their habitats, emphasizing conservation efforts.

Decline and Closure (1990s and April 8, 1999)

Declining Attendance: By the 1990s, attendance at Discovery Island began to wane. It was a half-day or less experience, and guests increasingly gravitated towards the larger, more thrilling theme parks.

Opening of Animal Kingdom (1998): This was the biggest nail in Discovery Island's coffin. When Disney's Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, it rendered Discovery Island largely redundant. Animal Kingdom offered a much grander, more immersive, and varied animal experience, making Discovery Island's more modest offerings seem limited by comparison.

High Maintenance Costs: Running a zoological park, even a small one, is expensive due to animal care, vet services, and habitat maintenance. With low attendance, the island became a financial drain.

Avian Flu Scare (Contributing Factor): While not the sole reason for closure, concerns related to avian diseases (like the West Nile Virus and Avian Flu outbreaks around that time) also played a role in the decision-making process for bird-centric parks.

Official Closure: On April 8, 1999, Discovery Island officially closed its doors to guests. Most of its animal inhabitants were relocated to Disney's Animal Kingdom or other accredited zoos.

The Abandoned Years (1999-Present)

Left to Rot: After its closure, Disney made no effort to demolish the structures or repurpose the island. Instead, it was simply left to nature. Over the past two decades, the buildings have slowly decayed, becoming overgrown by the lush Floridian vegetation.

Mystique and Urban Exploration: Discovery Island has gained significant mystique in the abandoned places community. Numerous urban explorers have illegally trespassed onto the island (a highly dangerous and illegal act, heavily discouraged by Disney and law enforcement) to photograph its eerie, decaying state. These images, often shared online, show offices with papers still on desks, animal cages, and structures slowly being reclaimed by the jungle.

Legionnaires' Disease: In 2004, a Disney contractor who visited the island for a project contracted Legionnaires' disease, highlighting the decaying water systems and potential hazards of the abandoned site.

Rumors of Reopening/Repurposing: Over the years, there have been countless rumors about the island's future:

A themed island for the Myst video game.

A villains-themed attraction.

An extension of Animal Kingdom's Pandora – The World of Avatar.

Most recently, some speculation about a Zootopia land. However, none of these rumors have ever materialized, likely due to the significant cost of rehabilitation, environmental concerns, and the logistical challenges of transporting guests to and from the island.

Today, Discovery Island remains a ghostly and overgrown relic of Disney World's past, a silent testament to a different era of theme park entertainment, quietly decaying in the heart of Bay Lake.