Idea for Old Discovery Island

disneyinfopage · Post by **disneyinfopage** » Oct Wed 12, 2005 7:05 pm

I was watching Cinderella with my daughter tonight and watched with interest the moment Cinderella ran out to our courtyard (crying after her step's tore her dress)... then the scene when she and her Prince were walking around the grounds (over the beautiful bridge, by the fountain, etc.).

This is what I think Disney should do: get rid of the Wedding Pavillion and "move" the whole wedding theme to Discovery Island, and make it a romantic place like that in Cinderella, or like the scene from Little Mermaid in Kiss the Girl...

What do you think???

Judy

mjs805 · Post by **mjs805** » Oct Thu 13, 2005 10:53 am

Judy,

I like your idea for a couple of reasons;

1. As a big Polynesian fan, I never liked having the wedding pavilion ruining the view. I don't like the Grand Floridian being there either, but that is not going anywhere.

2. If they moved the Luau to where the wedding pavilion currently resides, that would make room for the Villas at Disney's Polynesian Resort! (Yes, I am a Vacation Club member)

Of course, none of this will ever happen for a couple of reasons;

1. It would cost $$$ that Disney seems very unwilling to spend. It is also $$$ that they will not see a great return on.
2. The logistics of getting wedding parties out to an island by boat would be difficult and time consuming.

But, hey, we can dream, can't we?!

Mike

rick2vick · Post by **rick2vick** » Oct Fri 14, 2005 10:03 am

I agree that it would probably not be practical to do weddings on the island, although it would make a lovely spot for a wedding. I thought of an idea

for Discovery Island while watching an episode of Great Hotels on the Travel Channel. This episode featured Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys.

http://www.littlepalmisland.com

The island is only accessable by boat or sea plane. It has 14 grass roofed bungalos, a restaurant and a spa. Each bungalo has two luxury suites. The suites have no TV, radio, or phone. (I don't know if that part would work at WDW.) The restaurant sets up tables right on the beach for sunset dining. As I watched this show, I thought that something like that would be a great use of Discovery Island.

mickster68 · Post by **mickster68** » Oct Mon 17, 2005 6:06 pm

What a neat idea! For what they charge for custom weddings, I can't imagine they wouldn't see some sort of return on the investment!

Post by **spaulo** » Oct Tue 18, 2005 11:52 am

Yeah... when you're talking $20-50k or more, I think ROI is will within the realm of possibility, even if they have to buy a large barge to get the pumpkin carriage over the the chapel on Discovery Island... the thing is, I think a lot of people like the Wedding Pavillion, and one of Disney's selling points is that Cinderella's Castle is visible in the background... they couldn't claim this at old Discovery Island...

QuickGold · Post by **QuickGold** » Oct Wed 19, 2005 9:41 am

Isn't Discovery Island a protected bird sanctuary?

Post by **js3901** » Oct Wed 19, 2005 1:06 pm

last that I had heard, it wasn't limited to just birds. it was a whole zoological park. As far as I've been able to find, however, Discovery Island is part of Animal Kingdom, and nowhere near Bay Lake.... so I'm not sure....

bigboodah71 · Post by **bigboodah71** » Oct Thu 20, 2005 12:51 am

I just wish they would reopen Discovery Island and let you walk through again.

G2-4T · Post by **G2-4T** » Oct Fri 21, 2005 8:16 am

It would be neat to see it again, though no doubt there is little left for humans, at least that is well maintained. I too heard it was turned into a bird sanctuary of sorts but no more details than that... And why they reused the name over at AK is beyond me...

Cazza and Livvie's Mum · Post by **Cazza and Livvie's Mum** » Jun Tue 17, 2008 3:03 am

Why don't they turn Discoery Island into Neverland and make it purely Peter Pan themed. Hook's Pirate ship could be moored off shore and have a daily 'fight' with Pan and the Lost Boys. Ideal location for Mermaid Lagoon

It would be magical. The only way to Neverland is to fly or get there by Pirate ship, so another good reason!

Oh my imagination is running riot

mickster68 · Post by **mickster68** » Jun Tue 17, 2008 7:36 am

Why don't they turn Discoery Island into Neverland and make it purely Peter Pan themed. Hook's Pirate ship could be moored off shore and have a daily 'fight' with Pan and the Lost Boys. Ideal location for Mermaid Lagoon Ariel It would be magical. The only way to Neverland is to fly or get there by Pirate ship, so another good reason! Peter Pan Oh my imagination is running riot

Oh WOW! I love that idea! It's hard to believe no one's thought of that. They could do 'cruises' out to the island from the resorts and MK. The possibilities are endless!

ctrain2281 · Post by **ctrain2281** » Jun Tue 17, 2008 9:03 am

Poor discovery island. Seems like such a waste to let it sit there and rot away. AK really dealt this place its final deathblow. I highly doubt that the way Disney and the economy is that you will see anything done with it over the near to intermediate future. Maybe someday though they will figure out what to do with it. Sad sitatuion but one can dream about a positive future!!!!

netslave · Post by **netslave** » Jun Tue 17, 2008 9:48 am

According to Wikipedia:

"Discovery Island, also known as "Bay Lake's Tropical Island Paradise," is an 11Â½-acre island in Bay Lake at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It opened as "Treasure Island" on April 8, 1974, and was a place to observe wildlife. It was closed to the public on April 8, 1999, but continued to operate until July 9, 1999, at which point all of its animals had been relocated to new homes at Disney's Animal Kingdom (which retained the Discovery Island name in the hub area formerly called Safari Village) and other zoos.

After its closing, Disney considered teaming up with the makers of the MYST video game to create a cutting-edge interactive experience to be called "Myst Island". Guests to the island would explore unusual locations and unravel a mystery about the island's previous inhabitants. This unusual attraction never got beyond the concept stage."

MYST Island? Glad that never got the green light!

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Jun Tue 17, 2008 10:30 am

I still have a coupon for a free small drink at the Thirsty Perch.

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Jun Tue 17, 2008 10:43 am

Bird Sanctuary......Wonder if they told the birds? having such a small Island and designating it for birds seems rather silly. almost like a stimulus check. I think they should either make it a pirate island with Zip lines and fake caves, make a tree house restaurant.

Or

Take all of the Tom Sawyer Island stuff as well as the Swiss Family Tree House and move it to the Island. Thus a change doesn't mean missing out on a favorite classic. This will make room in Adventureland for a Pirate Ship, and Tom Sawyer Island for whatever the Imagineers want to do.

I'd love to see Disney take attractions and move them to Hotel's locations as an added bonus or to some empty areas. they might be suprized at how it draws attention even though its considered outdated.