Inside Disney’s abandoned ‘Discovery Island’ resort left to rot where trespassers are arrested & guests are banned
THIS is Disney’s abandoned “Discovery Island” resort where trespassers are arrested and guests are banned.
Originally called Treasure Island, the 11.5-acre site in Bay Lake, Florida was an attraction featuring wild and exotic creatures before closing in 1999.
Incredible images show the completely desolate park that’s surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
Bridges going over the lakes appear to have near-disintegrated while benches where families would eat have been turned over and coated in moss.
Opening in 1974, the exotic resort ran for 25 years with a natural jungle habitat that was initially a hit with guests.
The site was not a usual Disney park as visitors could see various birds, reptiles and monkeys.
Other exhibits included Flamingo Lagoon, Tortoise Beach, Alligator Pool and Pelican Bay.
Discovery Island actually housed approximately 150 birds and small primates.
Initially called Raz Island, the spot was named after and owned by the family that lived there but was later purchased for $800 in the 1930s by a man called Delmar Nicholson.
After a couple more owners, Disney bought it in 1965 and soon turned it into Treasure Island – and later Discovery Island.
However, it was closed to guests in 1999 after Animal Kingdom was built, which was a larger and more expansive wild animal attraction.
The animals from the island were moved to Animal Kingdom or to other zoos and it closed in April of that year.
As the island is only accessible via boat, ferries pass by the abandoned complex on a daily basis while transporting guests from resorts to the Magic Kingdom.
It remains off limits and abandoned – but a man was arrested after breaking into it and setting up camp during the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
Richard McGuire, 42 at the time, was caught camping out on the site and arrested on what he reportedly called a “tropical paradise”, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called to the park after McGuire was spotted by security on the site.
When deputies arrive, they reportedly sought the Disney intruder on foot, by helicopter, and by boat.
Bodycam footage shows the gun-wielding officers scoping the whole island looking for McGuire.
A police report revealed at the time that McGuire “had planned on staying on the island for approximately one week”, USA Today reported
A loud speaker was even reportedly used to get McGuire’s attention.
He allegedly claimed he was sleeping inside of the island’s buildings when cops were calling out to him.
He allegedly didn’t know he was not permitted on the property.
How McGuire made his way onto Disney property and across Bay Lake to get on the 11.5-acre island remains unknown.
McGuire’s trespassing prompted the park to ban him from all Disney properties.
He was also charged with a misdemeanor for trespassing.
McGuire’s arrest and charge may have potentially warned off any other urban explorers looking to visit the remote island.