Today in Disney history, Discovery Island ceased operations, a few months after closing to visitors in April 1999. Disney's original Discovery Island closed in 1999, but a version of the concept continues on thanks to Disney's Animal Kingdom.
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Disney originally named it Treasure Island, and later renamed it Discovery Island. It currently sits abandoned, but can be seen by any watercraft in Bay Lake. Discovery Island is now the name of one of the lands in Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Disney officials stated that the Pleasure Island nightclub closures are in response to customers who desire more broad-based dining and retail opportunities. September 27, 2008 was Pleasure Island's last night.
Discovery Island is one of Disney's most widely-recognized abandoned attractions. Upon Walt Disney World's opening, the island was known as Blackbeard's Island and was intended to be a pirate-themed attraction across the lake from River Country.
For certain sailings, you also get access to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. But soon, Disney Cruise Line will introduce its SECOND private island, Lighthouse Point — and we've got a first look at it!
The island is still largely undeveloped as only 55 of the 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) are being used. Castaway Cay has approximately 140 Disney Cruise Line permanent residents who keep the island running daily.
After Disney's death in 1966, the EPCOT concept was abandoned, as the company was uncertain about the feasibility of operating a city. In the 1970s, WED Enterprises began developing a second theme park for the resort to supplement Magic Kingdom as that park's popularity grew.
To accommodate the associated passenger influx, in May 2019 Disney purchased a second major property in the Bahamas, Lighthouse Point, to be a supplement to its current private islandCastaway Cay. Disney recently announced that Lighthouse Point will be opening to cruise guests during the summer of 2024.
According to Seph the island is well guarded - you're not supposed to get closer than 50ft (15m). When you're on Bay Lake you're almost chaperoned. They have several security people on boats that watch you. If you get too close to the island they push you away.
After a few different refurbishments and changes to the attraction, The Great Movie Ride was officially closed in August 2017. The focus of Disney's Hollywood Studios had shifted from filmmaking to actual movies and characters created by Disney, and The Great Movie Ride no longer fit that theming.
According to state and federal charges filed against Disney in September 1989, Cast Members at Discovery Island killed vultures, kept dozens of other vultures in a tiny shed without adequate food and water, used guns to shoot at falcons and hawks, and intentionally destroyed eggs in the nests of ibises and egrets.
One of the most unique facts about Disney Parks is that they are actually home to some feral cats. Over the years, some lucky fans have managed to catch a glimpse of these adorable Disney cats. The cats are usually quite skittish, and they mostly keep to themselves.
By the 1980s, Gorda Cay was becoming known for it's notorious drug operation. Various newspapers reported that people who once owned parts of the island were no longer welcome, and were being chased away by men with large guns and even larger Dobermans.
'Splash' - Castaway Cay in The BahamasThe movie was filmed in multiple locations, but the famous scene where Madison (Daryl Hannah) meets Allen (Tom Hanks) was filmed along the beach of what's now known as Castaway Cay. The only way to visit this exquisite beach is to hop on a boat from Disney Cruise Line.
You also can not stay overnight on Castaway Cay. Disney Cruise Line ships only dock in Castaway Cay for the day. Your cruise itinerary will dictate how long you spend at Castaway Cay.
In 1997, the Disney Cruise Line purchased a 99-year lease for Gorda Cay from the Bahamian government and renamed it Castaway Cay, intending for it to be the line's private island. The company spent $25 million over 18 months of construction.