Discovery Island/Treasure Island

**dcanoli1** · 10-11-2005, 06:22 AM

I just read the article on D.I. (a.k.a. T.I.).

Being too young to remember DI, I was fascinated by the article. In fact, on our recent trip to WDW a few weeks ago, I pointed out the island to my 8-year old son on our way to the HDDR. We wondered what it must have been in the past.

Now, here's my question, "Whatever happened to all the animals that once inhabited the island?" I've always said the animals living in AK are the luckiest animals on earth. It doesn't seem like there'd be a better "zoo" for them to live in. I imagine they get top-notch care at AK, but what about the animals that used to live on DI?

Do you still think there's a CM or two paid by Disney to keep watch over the island and maintain any of it? Surely, the buildings are not being let go to rot.

Any ideas out there?

**20K** · 10-11-2005, 11:41 AM

Walt Disney World is famous (Or infamous even) for simply leaving attractions (Cough, cough) and areas derelict and abandoned until the space is eventually utilised again. It wouldn't surprise me if no one has set foot on the island since the day they stopped running out to it.

Then again, it would be a pretty decent area to store unused props from dismantled attractions that no one has the heart to throw away or hand over to the.....Disney surplus dealers. (Quivers)

**SaraTheGreat** · 10-11-2005, 11:44 AM

If there is a CM who just sits there and watches over the island...SIGN ME UP. What a great job. Doing almost nothing, getting paid and going to the parks for free. Certainly beats my job.

**olmec26** · 10-11-2005, 01:54 PM

I think they moved all of the animals to DAK. It would make sense...

Interestingly enough, the trusty Google Earth program silll labels the island as "Riles Island."

**dcanoli1** · 10-11-2005, 03:04 PM

I wonder where we could get some "official" information on this....

Surely, you don't think they left any animals on the island, do you? The vegetation looks pretty grown up when you ride past it nowadays, so that's what made me start wondering about it.

The shipwreck is still there, and so is a little house visible from the shore. I bet there are one or two Supervisory-type or maintenance CMs who are allowed on the island.

Can we see it from the air (i.e., one of those satellite website)?

**MickeyBabe** · 10-11-2005, 03:48 PM

This is a very good article.... Treasure Island/Discovery Island

It looks to me like the animals have all been relocated and the facility closed for good.

**olmec26** · 10-11-2005, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by dcanoli1

Can we see it from the air (i.e., one of those satellite website)?

I can get it on Google Earth...

I'll post screenshots in a minute, they're uploading right now.

**olmec26** · 10-11-2005, 04:30 PM

Here they are!

Closer...

Closest...

You can see the dock and what appears to be the roof of a building.

**dcanoli1** · 10-11-2005, 10:09 PM

Wow! That's pretty neat, but it's also kind of creepy, right? The vegetation looks like it's taken over the island. I can't see the ship from the aerial shots either, but just seeing all those buildings on the island is kind of weird to me...one minute it's the Happiest Place on Earth and the next it's forgotton and abandoned.....