Discovery Island is a themed land at Disney's Animal Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. It was originally named Safari Village, but changed its name around the same time the original Discovery Island in Bay Lake permanently closed down. This was both an homage to the original Discovery Island and a response to guest confusion over where the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction was located.
Story[]
Discovery Island's story begins with the origins of the Tree of Life.
Once upon a time, no vegetation would grow on Discovery Island. There were no trees, no shrubs, no flowers, nothing. It was a barren piece of land. Then, one day, a tiny ant planted a seed and made a wish. He asked for a tree to grow -- a tree large enough to provide shelter for all the animals.
Magically, the ant's wish came true and a tree began to grow -- and it kept growing until there was room beneath its limbs for all the animals from A (ants) to Z (zebras). And as the tree continued to reach for the heavens, the images of all the animals that took shelter beneath its shade appeared on its trunk, roots, and branches.
After the Tree of Life grew, a nomadic tribe fond of all living things stumbled upon the island. Taken in by the tree's majesty, they decided to set permanent roots there. Centuries later, their descendants still live there in harmony with their environment, celebrating the diverse beauty of nature through folk art inspired by the animal forms of the tree, which can be found all across the island.
Attractions and Entertainment[]
Current[]
- Discovery Island Trails
- The Tree of Life
- Winged Encounters - The Kingdom Takes Flight
- Adventurers Outpost Meet and Greet
Future[]
- The Tree of Life
- Zootopia: Better Zoogether! (Opening in Winter 2025)
Former[]
Restaurants[]
- Flame Tree Barbeque
- Pizzafari
- The Smiling Crocodile
- Tiffins
- Creature Comforts
Shopping[]
- Beastly Bazaar (replaced by Adventurers Outpost)
- Disney Outfitters
- Island Mercantile
