Walt Disney World in Florida is known for being a magical place, but there are some parts of the resort that have been left abandoned and are now slowly decaying
Over its more than 50-year history as one of the Orlando area’s premier vacation destinations, Walt Disney World has undergone countless transformations – and with those changes often comes the quiet closure of beloved attractions and venues.
Sometimes, a shuttered attraction is quickly replaced or reimagined, breathing new life into an area, as was the case when Hollywood Studios’ Backlot Studio Tour gave way to the vibrant and immersive Toy Story Land. But not every space gets a magical makeover. In some cases, the remnants of former attractions are left behind, slowly fading into the background of Disney’s ever-evolving landscape.
Here, we take a closer look at some of Walt Disney World’s most infamous abandoned locations—spaces once filled with magic, now standing silent as echoes of the past…
The Outpost Shop
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Just outside the main entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom sits an abandoned gift shop once known as The Outpost Shop.
This store was once the first – and last – chance for guests to pick up Animal Kingdom-themed merchandise without needing a park ticket. Visitors could browse a variety of items, including safari hats, African wood carvings, Disney toys, and souvenirs featuring the Animal Kingdom logo. Conveniently located outside the gates, it offered a way to take home a piece of the park even if you weren’t going inside.
Discovery River
All that remains of the Discovery River Boats at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are the covered docks that once served a short-lived and often misunderstood feature of the park.
When Animal Kingdom opened in April 1998, the Discovery River Boats were introduced not as an attraction, but as a means of transportation – essentially water taxis designed to shuttle guests between different areas of the park. However, guests assumed it was a full-fledged ride and lined up in droves, expecting an immersive riverboat experience, according to OrlandoParksGuy.
In an effort to manage expectations, Disney rebranded the service just months later as the ‘Discovery River Boat Water Taxi.’ Despite the name change, confusion persisted. By 1999, the boats were quietly discontinued altogether.
Though the boats are long gone, the infrastructure remains. The Upcountry Landing dock in the Asia section of the park is now used for guest seating and occasional special events. Meanwhile, the dock in the former Safari Village – now known as Discovery Island – is often repurposed for character meet-and-greet experiences.
Discovery Island
If you’ve ever stayed at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, or Fort Wilderness Resort, you’ve likely seen Discovery Island quietly resting in the middle of Bay Lake.
Water taxis pass by the island all day, and if you look closely, you can still spot traces of what it once was. Originally opened in 1974 as Treasure Island, the location was themed around the classic Disney story and featured exotic birds and botanical gardens. Though it predates many modern Disney experiences, it’s fondly remembered by long-time fans.
Later renamed Discovery Island, it operated as a small zoological park starting in 1995, with guests paying separate admission to visit. But when Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, the island’s fate was essentially sealed. Discovery Island closed quietly in 1999, and it has remained abandoned ever since, with no official plans for redevelopment.
Despite its current state, the island has a fascinating – and controversial – history. Before Disney purchased it, the original owner used the land to cultivate exotic plants. Later, the company faced scrutiny and was charged with 16 counts of animal cruelty, casting a shadow over its zoological chapter.
Over the years, curious explorers have tried to sneak onto the island, but all were eventually caught and permanently banned from Disney property.
Today, Discovery Island stands as a hidden relic of Disney’s past – silent, overgrown, and filled with mystery.
Fort Wilderness Marina
Once upon a time, guests staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, or any resort along Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, could enjoy a wide selection of boat rentals.
From pontoon boats and Boston Whalers to the fan-favourite Sea Raycers (also known as Water-Mouse boats), these rentals offered a unique way to explore Disney’s scenic waterways at your own pace.
While boat rentals are still available at Walt Disney World, Fort Wilderness is no longer one of the locations offering them. Today, if you’re hoping to get out on the water, you’ll need to head to Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Both offer pontoon boat rentals on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Fort Wilderness Marina, once a bustling hub of recreational activity, is now mostly quiet. It remains open only for guests with pre-scheduled fishing charters. Its once-full boat slips now sit largely empty, save for a few service boats and the water taxis that continue to ferry guests to and from Magic Kingdom.
Though the days of casual boat rentals at Fort Wilderness are gone, the memories of zipping across Bay Lake in a Sea Raycer still live on for those who experienced it.
Aunt Polly’s DockSide Inn
Aunt Polly’s was once the charming quick-service restaurant tucked away on Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom – a spot so secluded, you could only reach it by raft. Known in its heyday for classic Southern fare like fried chicken and biscuits, it was a quiet escape from the park’s usual hustle.
But those days are gone. Aunt Polly’s is now listed as permanently closed on Google Maps, and it has quietly disappeared from the official Walt Disney World website. While the building still stands, it remains shuttered, a silent reminder of one of Magic Kingdom’s more hidden dining experiences.
In fact, Tom Sawyer Island is shutting up shop altogether later this year. “To make way for this completely new frontier, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world’s most iconic racers,” Disney said in a press release.
Fans can anticipate “two new Cars-themed attractions” coming to Frontierland in the area adjacent to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
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