Discovery Island is off Limits
But in 1999, when Disney World opened its gate at Animal Kingdom, the resident birds were moved to the new park. Discovery Island closed its port to guests, and has sat abandoned ever since, save for covert urban explorers who root through the ruins, taking video for social media. Guests – or even cast members – are prohibited from roaming Discovery Island. The illegal explorers venture through the abandoned animal buildings and walkways, all the while dodging security staff and the infamous Florida alligators that roam even the Happiest Place on Earth. They record the deteriorating conditions of the site, documenting the changes to the facilities as they fall victim to the effects of time. Animal Kingdom theme part has a nod to the defunct island facility; the island that encompasses its showpiece, the Tree of Life, is called Discover Island.
