10 Extinct Disney World Attractions You Need To Know About
8. Discovery Island
On Bay Lake sits Disney's abandoned nature reserve, Discovery Island.
Originally named Treasure Island, the pirate themed nature reserve opened in 1974 and was home to animals, birds and the remains of Captain Flint's ship, The Walrus. It wasn't until 1978 that the island was rebranded as Discovery Island following its zoological status.
Controversy later put Discovery Island under the spotlight. An article from the Orlando Sentinel describes how Disney faced charges for animal cruelty for keeping vultures in a small room with limited food and water.
Once Animal Kingdom opened in 1998 there was no need for another nature park and the majority of the wildlife was moved. Eventually, Discovery Island closed a year later.
From footage posted by urban explorers, Discovery Island was left in an abandoned state with cast members photos and paperwork still there, as well as specimens in jars.
Similar to River Country, the island is now off limits but can get a glimpse of it as the pass over Bay Lake.