Bay Lake ??

BuzzLightyear · 06-12-2005

Anyone know what that "island" out in the middle of bay lake is all about?

It's just out from the docks at the Contemporay, WL and Ft Wilderness.

There are tons of birds out there, and even some docks, but it always looked very deserted.

Just curious to see if anyone has any history.

Thanks

**DisneyTeacher** · 06-12-2005

Could you be thinking about Discovery Island?

BuzzLightyear · 06-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

Could you be thinking about Discovery Island?

Ahhhh, is that what it is ?
I remember hearing of Discovey Island in the past. Is it closed down these days?

**DisneyTeacher** · 06-12-2005

It closed when Animal Kingdon opened, I believe. I remember seeing it as we traveled form WL to the MK on the launch and always guessed that's what it was.

15 mins to wdw · 06-12-2005

That is the only Island in Bay lake, discovery island. There is a section of the AK called discovery island now as well. All the animals were moved to the AK, and I belive that the Island is now used as a bird sancutary. Everynow and then you will see someone from WDW in there cleaning or doing some type of mait. I'm not sure but it might be used for the pirates cruise as well.

jwdj4lfe · 06-12-2005

I remember when Discovery Island closed down, and I didnt understand why until now. You can't have TWO Discovery Islands now can you?

lol

I have another question, and sorry Buzz for taking over your post, but while we are on the topis: is Bay Lake real or man made? I remember a story about Walt when he was buying up the land in central Florida, he took an airplane ride over the area and when he saw a certain body of water he knew thats where he would build his park. I'm not sure if that body of water was Bay Lake though. Anyone know?
Joe

DarthTortoise · 06-12-2005

Bay Lake is a natural lake, the Seven Seas Lagoon is man made from Bay Lake. Also, Animal Kingdom did not take all the animals from Discovery Island, not even a quarter of them.

jwdj4lfe · 06-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthTortoise

Bay Lake is a natural lake, the Seven Seas Lagoon is man made from Bay Lake.

Thanks for clearing that up for me Darth.
Joe

**Cincy** · 06-13-2005

I can remember going to Discovery Island when I was a kid. Great time, but only took about 3 -4 hours and then we wanted to go back to the resort and play in the pools or go to the water park.

PiratesFan · 06-13-2005

Discovery Island was a wonderful side trip that seemed to be a perk for staying at the Contemporary, Poly, or Fort Wilderness. I remember exploring this island back when they use to run boat rides there all day long. I remember that there were guided tours taking you along a well designed path passing by the various species of birds and reptiles that lived there. They contained the birds in by using many huge overhead mesh nets. The island was eventually closed to the public because of a lack of visitors which translated into large operating costs. That is not to say that Disney does not operate everything at a profit, but in the older days, the powers at be used to be more aligned to the profitability and magic of the "whole experience" rather than that of the profitability of each and every enterprise. The latter, unfortunately, has become an increasing trend. Discovery island was one of the early classic
WDW ventures that was closed.

PiatesFan

Erin · 06-13-2005

My husband says Discovery Island was great. He loved it as a kid. I never went.

Where did the other 3/4 of the animals go?

**Cincy** · 06-13-2005

I am told a lot of them are still there. I could be wrong, but I thought there were still CMs who still work there, it just isn't open to the public. I am sure someone else knows for sure.

Erin · 06-13-2005

OH! That's pretty cool!

DarthTortoise · 06-13-2005

Most of the animals went to zoos all over the country and in some cases, other animal parks world wide.

Baloo85 · 06-13-2005

We went to Discovery Island once...when it was still opened...they had monkeys, parrots, and giant tortoises (sp?)!!!

06-12-2005	#1 (permalink)
BuzzLightyear MB Cast Member ® Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Space Mountain Posts: 3,917	Bay Lake ?? Anyone know what that "island" out in the middle of bay lake is all about? It's just out from the docks at the Contemporay, WL and Ft Wilderness. There are tons of birds out there, and even some docks, but it always looked very deserted. Just curious to see if anyone has any history. Thanks __________________ 86,92,96 Offsite * 2002 AKL * 2003 BCV * 2004 Contemporary * 2005 WL * 2006 BWV* 2008 CSR * My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 111 days 1 hours 38 minutes

06-12-2005	#2 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,305	Re: Bay Lake ?? Could you be thinking about Discovery Island? __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 242 days 20 hours 38 minutes

06-12-2005	#4 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,305	Re: Bay Lake ?? It closed when Animal Kingdon opened, I believe. I remember seeing it as we traveled form WL to the MK on the launch and always guessed that's what it was. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 242 days 20 hours 38 minutes

06-12-2005	#5 (permalink)
15 mins to wdw Big Cheese Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 938	Re: Bay Lake ?? That is the only Island in Bay lake, discovery island. There is a section of the AK called discovery island now as well. All the animals were moved to the AK, and I belive that the Island is now used as a bird sancutary. Everynow and then you will see someone from WDW in there cleaning or doing some type of mait. I'm not sure but it might be used for the pirates cruise as well.

06-12-2005	#6 (permalink)
jwdj4lfe Mouse Meister Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orlando, Fl UCF Posts: 1,089	Re: Bay Lake ?? I remember when Discovery Island closed down, and I didnt understand why until now. You can't have TWO Discovery Islands now can you? lol I have another question, and sorry Buzz for taking over your post, but while we are on the topis: is Bay Lake real or man made? I remember a story about Walt when he was buying up the land in central Florida, he took an airplane ride over the area and when he saw a certain body of water he knew thats where he would build his park. I'm not sure if that body of water was Bay Lake though. Anyone know? Joe __________________ "Here is the world of imagination, hopes and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment...magic and make believe are reborn-and fairy tales come true"- Walt Disney Collector of WDW Resorts... Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary, Port Orleans FQ, All Star Sports, Music and Movies,Pop Century, Fort Wilderness Campground and counting... GO KNIGHTS

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > WDW Resorts
Bay Lake ??

06-12-2005	#7 (permalink)
DarthTortoise Master of the Universe Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Azkaban Posts: 1,319	Re: Bay Lake ?? Bay Lake is a natural lake, the Seven Seas Lagoon is man made from Bay Lake. Also, Animal Kingdom did not take all the animals from Discovery Island, not even a quarter of them. __________________ "A bottle of red, a bottle of white Whatever kind of mood you're in tonight I'll meet you anytime you want In our Italian Restaurant."

06-13-2005	#9 (permalink)
Cincy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cincynatti.... where else! Posts: 1,467	Re: Bay Lake ?? I can remember going to Discovery Island when I was a kid. Great time, but only took about 3 -4 hours and then we wanted to go back to the resort and play in the pools or go to the water park. __________________ droopydog If you need a shoulder to cry on..... pull over.

06-13-2005	#10 (permalink)
PiratesFan Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 353	Re: Bay Lake ?? Discovery Island was a wonderful side trip that seemed to be a perk for staying at the Contemporary, Poly, or Fort Wilderness. I remember exploring this island back when they use to run boat rides there all day long. I remember that there were guided tours taking you along a well designed path passing by the various species of birds and reptiles that lived there. They contained the birds in by using many huge overhead mesh nets. The island was eventually closed to the public because of a lack of visitors which translated into large operating costs. That is not to say that Disney does not operate everything at a profit, but in the older days, the powers at be used to be more aligned to the profitability and magic of the "whole experience" rather than that of the profitability of each and every enterprise. The latter, unfortunately, has become an increasing trend. Discovery island was one of the early classic WDW ventures that was closed. PiatesFan __________________ Yo Ho Yo Ho a Pirates life for me!

06-13-2005	#11 (permalink)
Erin Scooter Princess Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Welaka Posts: 9,771	Re: Bay Lake ?? My husband says Discovery Island was great. He loved it as a kid. I never went. Where did the other 3/4 of the animals go? __________________ Team Jake! http://www.twitter.com/IamBubbles www.facebook.com/scooterprincess

06-13-2005	#12 (permalink)
Cincy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cincynatti.... where else! Posts: 1,467	Re: Bay Lake ?? I am told a lot of them are still there. I could be wrong, but I thought there were still CMs who still work there, it just isn't open to the public. I am sure someone else knows for sure. __________________ droopydog If you need a shoulder to cry on..... pull over.

06-13-2005	#13 (permalink)
Erin Scooter Princess Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Welaka Posts: 9,771	Re: Bay Lake ?? OH! That's pretty cool! __________________ Team Jake! http://www.twitter.com/IamBubbles www.facebook.com/scooterprincess

06-13-2005	#14 (permalink)
DarthTortoise Master of the Universe Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Azkaban Posts: 1,319	Re: Bay Lake ?? Most of the animals went to zoos all over the country and in some cases, other animal parks world wide. __________________ "A bottle of red, a bottle of white Whatever kind of mood you're in tonight I'll meet you anytime you want In our Italian Restaurant."

06-13-2005	#15 (permalink)
Baloo85 DC JungleCruise Skipper Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: in denial on the Nile river Posts: 1,545	Re: Bay Lake ?? We went to Discovery Island once...when it was still opened...they had monkeys, parrots, and giant tortoises (sp?)!!! __________________ "Please do not take any pictures while you are in line at the Jungle Cruise...they are nailed to the walls for a reason." PJ AND BALOO WDW TRIPS 2003 Oct MNSSHP (CBR) 2004 April (Grad nite) 2005 Oct MNSSHP 2005 Nov (my b day) 2006 March (spring break/POR) 2006 May (Pj's b day/All Star Music) President of the "I GO WILD FOR THE JUNGLE CRUISE" club Founder of the Pool Boys for Disney Foundation!!!

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