Discovery Island (Bay Lake) facts for kids
| Previously known as Treasure Island, Riles Island, Idle Bay Isle, Raz Island | |
The Wreck of the Walrus on Discovery Island.
|
|
| Location | Walt Disney World Resort, Bay Lake, Florida, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 28°24′52″N 81°34′01″W / 28.41444°N 81.56694°W |
| Status | Closed |
| Opened | April 8, 1974 |
| Closed | April 8, 1999 |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| Operated by | Walt Disney Parks and Resorts |
| Theme | Animal observation |
| Area | 11.5 acres (4.7 ha) |
Discovery Island is a small island, about 11.5-acre (4.7 ha) in size. It is located in Bay Lake, Florida, which is part of the Walt Disney World property.
From 1974 to 1999, Discovery Island was a special place where visitors could see many different animals and birds. It was first called Treasure Island by Disney. Later, it was renamed Discovery Island. Today, the island is closed and empty, but you can still see it from boats on Bay Lake. The name "Discovery Island" is now used for a different area in Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Contents
Island History: From Home to Park
Early Days of the Island
For many years, the island had different names. From 1900 to 1937, it was called Raz Island. A family lived there during that time.
In the late 1930s, a man named Delmar "Radio Nick" Nicholson bought the island. He paid $800 for it! He changed its name to "Idle Bay Isle." Delmar lived there for 20 years with his wife and even a pet crane.
Later, the island was sold again and called "Riles Island." It was used as a place for hunting. In 1965, Disney bought the island. This was part of their plan to buy land for the Walt Disney World Resort.
Opening as a Wildlife Park
The island first opened to the public on April 8, 1974. It was called Treasure Island then. It was a place where people could watch wildlife. Later, it became a recognized zoological park and was renamed Discovery Island.
Visiting the island cost money. For example, in 1999, an adult ticket was about $12.67. A child's ticket was about $6.89.
Discovery Island was home to many animals. It even housed the last known dusky seaside sparrow. This special bird sadly died in 1987. At one point, some concerns were raised about how certain birds were being cared for. Disney made improvements to ensure the animals were safe and well-treated.
Why the Island Closed
Discovery Island closed its doors to visitors on April 8, 1999. This was exactly 25 years after it first opened. The park continued to operate for a few more months. By July 9, 1999, all the animals had moved. Many went to Disney's Animal Kingdom, which had opened a year earlier. Others went to different zoos.
Disney never officially said why the park closed. But it's likely because not enough people were visiting. Also, it cost a lot of money to keep the island running. The new and much bigger Disney's Animal Kingdom probably played a big part too.
Since closing, the island has been empty. The old buildings and attractions are still there. Some have been damaged by storms and time. Disney once thought about turning the island into a place like the video game Myst. Visitors would solve puzzles while exploring.
Today, you can easily see the island from the Walt Disney World Monorail. You can also spot it from hotels like Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Contemporary Resort. Boat trips between these places also offer views. The island is right next to Disney's River Country, another old Disney park that closed in 2001.
An Unexpected Visitor
On April 30, 2020, a man was arrested for camping on Discovery Island. He was removed from the island. He was also banned from all Disney property. He said he thought the island was a "tropical paradise." He claimed he did not know it was off-limits to the public.
Animals and Attractions Once Found Here
Discovery Island was home to many different animals. Here are some of the areas and animals you could see:
- Parrots Perch – This was a bird show. It featured trained Macaws, Cockatoos, and other colorful birds.
- Monkey Colony – Home to playful Capuchin monkeys.
- Trumpeter Springs – Here you could see beautiful Trumpeter swans.
- Bamboo Hollow – This area housed Lemurs from Madagascar.
- Vulture's Haunt – Where different types of Vultures lived.
- Toucan Corner – Home to the bright-billed Toucans.
- Cranes's Roost – You could find Demoiselle cranes, Sandhill cranes, and Grey Crowned cranes here.
- Avian Way – This area had a large group of scarlet ibis. You could also see Muntjacs and peacocks.
- Pelican Bay – Home to Brown pelicans.
- Flamingo Lagoon – Filled with pink Flamingos.
- Tortoise Beach – This was where five huge Galápagos tortoises lived.
- Alligator Pool – You could see American alligators here.
- Eagle's Watch – Home to majestic Bald eagles.
Images for kids
-
The Wreck of the Walrus on Discovery Island.
See also
In Spanish: Discovery Island (Florida) para niños
