Discovery Island was once part of Disney World, known as an exotic bird sanctuary. Today, the island is left abandoned with an interesting history. The island can be scene from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, The Contemporary and Fort Wilderness Resort. Learn 20 facts about Disney World’s abandoned Discovery Island today.
20 Facts About Discovery Island:
- Discovery Island is found in the middle of Bay Lake, on Walt Disney World property.
- Up until the 1930’s, the island was family owned and used for farming, then known as Raz Island.
- In late 1930’s, the island was bought for $800 by Delmar “Radio Nick” Nicholson and renamed Isles Bay Island.
- Nicholson & his wife and pet crane lived on the island for 20 years before selling the property to be used as a hunting retreat, renamed Riles Island.
- In 1965, Walt Disney purchased the property, renaming it Blackbeard’s Island, it was supposed to have a pirates theme originally.
- The Island was expanded in size to approximately 11 acres by bringing in soil and boulders.
- The Island opened as Treasure Island for guests on April 8, 1974.
- Visiting the island required a separate ticket to be purchased.
- The Island was named after the 1950 movie, Treasure Island.
- Guests could access the island by boat, known as the Walt Disney World Cruise.
- The Island was home to exotic birds and flowers.
- Treasure Island was renamed Discovery Island in 1978, leaving any trace of the original pirate theme behind, instead focusing on the animals.
- Discovery Island was an accredited zoological park.
- Discovery Island is also known for housing the last Dusky Seaside Sparrow in the world. Dusky Seaside Sparrow’s became extinct in 1990, with the last one passing away in 1987 at Discovery Island.
- In 1989, Disney and 5 of its employees faced 16 state and federal charges, mostly pertaining to the treatment and deaths of vultures on Discovery Island. In 1990, Disney settled out of court, paying a $95,000 fine.
- Discovery Island closed in 1999, soon after Animal Kingdom officially opened.
- All the animals were transported to live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- In 2006, the main dock was removed from the island.
- Until around 2008, lights around the island and within the island were still seen as operational.
- In 2009, photographer Shane Perez published photos from his swim out to the abandoned island, capturing eerie pictures. They found paperwork and photographs left behind and even stranger things like snakes preserved in old bottles. Plus, baby vultures were seen and other groups of birds were heard while on this island they call home, now the islands only occupants. Shane Perez shared his finds in a blog post, years after his (illegal) adventure. Thus, the statue of limitations had passed for any charges to be filed. Al though, the photographer is now banned from Disney Parks for life.
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