Walt Disney World spans an enormous area, covering a ridiculous 25,000+ acres. Despite the presence of four theme parks, two water parks, more than 20 hotels and many other attractions, there’s still plenty of free space for future expansion.
Not all of the unused space at Walt Disney World is part of wilderness preserves or untouched swampland, however. Some of it is occupied by attractions that have been introduced since the resort’s debut in 1971 and subsequently shuttered and abandoned. Other areas are partially closed or undergoing renovation.
Let’s take a look at 3 major areas of Walt Disney World that are no longer in use as originally intended.
3. Discovery Island
Located in Walt Disney World’s Bay Lake, Discovery Island first opened to the public in April 1974 as Treasure Island. It was designed to be a wildlife observation attraction, and was renamed after being designated as a zoological park.
When the much larger Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, Disney opted to close Discovery Island. Many of the island’s captive animals were moved to the new park.
While several alternative uses of the island have since been put forward – including turning it into an attraction based on Lost – it remains off-limits to guests. Urban explorer Shane Pérez reached the island in 2010, claiming to have discovered “abandoned buildings, cages, preserved snakes in jars, even old employee photos”.
2. Disney’s River Country
Back in 1976, Walt Disney World was short on attractions to keep guests on-site for more than a day or two. The only theme park at that stage was the Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT Center would not open until 1982. To add to its roster, the resort installed its first ever water park: Disney’s River Country.
Located near Discovery Island on the shore of Bay Lake, River Country boasted a rustic “wilderness” theme. The theming was heavy on rocks and boulders, and was designed to resemble an “old-fashioned swimming hole”.
The water that was used in River Country’s slides and pools was drawn directly from Bay Lake, and passed through a unique filtering system. The natural feel of the park was enhanced by the sand that was abundant throughout.
When Michael Eisner took over as Disney CEO in 1984, he took a more competitive approach than his predecessors. He decided to build a full water park, Typhoon Lagoon, to take on nearby Wet ‘n’ Wild. River Country’s capacity was limited, and its days were numbered. It shut on November 2, 2001, but remains in place today – it was abandoned rather than demolished.
You can see the current state of the park in this recent article.
1. Pleasure Island
Eisner’s competitive approach also saw him set his sights on Church Street Station, a popular nightspot in Downtown Orlando. It frustrated Disney’s CEO that guests at Walt Disney World were leaving the site at night to go and party elsewhere. Disney made the decision to build its own nighttime entertainment district: Pleasure Island.
When it opened in 1989, Pleasure Island was not an instant success. However, things improved when Disney introduced a cover charge that enabled entry to all of its clubs. These included the likes of the Comedy Warehouse improv show, the Neon Armadillo country music venue and the legendary Adventurer’s Club (styled around a 1930s-era British explorers’ club). In addition to its range of nightclubs, the area also offered street parties, live music and free-flowing cocktails, proving popular with locals as well as resort guests.
In September 2008, Disney shuttered Pleasure Island’s clubs, claiming that guests were demanding more family experiences in their place (and refuting rumors that the success of Universal Orlando’s CityWalk had led to a decrease in attendance). Then, in November 2010, it announced plans to convert Pleasure Island into a new area dubbed Hyperion Wharf.
Disney fans were underwhelmed. The plans were put on hold, and ultimately scrapped.
Instead, Disney announced that the entire Downtown Disney area will be transformed into a new shopping and entertainment district dubbed Disney Springs by 2016. Disney plans to double the number of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in the district, boosting the total to more than 150 establishments.
