Magic Kingdom
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
EPCOT
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Hollywood Studios
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Animal Kingdom
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Tickets & Park Reservations
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Water Parks
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Touring Plans
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Pre-Made Touring Plans
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Campground Resorts
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Universal Studios FL
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Islands of Adventure
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Epic Universe
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Special Events
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Special Needs
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Water Parks
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Touring Plans
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Pre-Made Touring Plans
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Premier Resorts
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Prime Value Resorts
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Preferred Resorts
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Value Resorts
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Disneyland (California)
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Disneyland
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
California Adventure
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Special Events
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Touring Plans
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Pre-Made Touring Plans
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Disney Cruise Line
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Ships
Maximize Your Magic

Subscribe now to create a customized Touring Plan for everything you want to do.

Subscribe Now
Discovery Island
Discovery Island Icon

Discovery Island

Overview

Discovery Island combines a profusion of tropical greenery with whimsical equatorial African architecture. Connected to the other lands by bridges, the island is the hub from which guests can access the park’s various themed areas. A village is arrayed in a crescent around the base of Animal Kingdom’s iconic landmark, The Tree of Life. Towering 14 stories above the village, it’s this park’s version of Cinderella Castle or Spaceship Earth. Flanked by pools, meadows, and exotic gardens populated by a diversity of birds and animals, The Tree of Life houses a theater attraction, It's Tough to be a Bug!, inspired by the Disney-Pixar film A Bug’s Life.

As you enter Discovery Island over the bridge from The Oasis and the park entrance, you’ll see The Tree of Life directly ahead, at 12 o’clock. The bridge to Asia is to the right of the tree at 2 o’clock, with the bridge to DinoLand U.S.A. at roughly 4 o’clock. The bridge connecting The Oasis to Discovery Island is at 6 o’clock, the bridge to Pandora: The World of Avatar is at 8 o’clock, and the bridge to Africa is at 11 o’clock.

Discovery Island is also the park’s central headquarters for shopping and services. Here you’ll find the First Aid and Baby Care Centers, plus FastPass+ kiosks. For Disney merchandise, try Island Mercantile. Counter-service food and snacks are available, as is the Tiffins sit-down restaurant.

Attractions in Discovery Island at Animal Kingdom
View All Animal Kingdom Attractions
Dining in Discovery Island at Animal Kingdom
Disney Design

Discovery Island represents a mythical mash-up of styles the Imagineers describe as "vernacular equatorial architecture meets Hawaiian shirts and Mexican folk art". Notice that every available surface is covered with decoration. That decoration isn't random either. Nature has influenced the designers with each store featuring a theme. For example, the Island Mercantile is decorated with animals that migrate and work. Animals with stripes and spots have taken over Creature Comforts. Over at the Disney Outfitters, this upscale shop features elegant animals from the six directions - north, south, east, west, above, and below. Beastly Bazaar is populated with fresh and seawater animals. On a creepy note, Flame Tree Barbecue's beautiful pavilions are decorated with both predator and prey.

Discovery Island is a land in balance. Nature and humans are work together to create a beautiful and meaningful place. Dominated by the Tree of Life, a primary design objective was to have the tree canopy rise entirely over the roofs of all buildings in the park. The park's design guidelines and building code took into account natural changes to the landscape from the start and state that no building shall be higher than the surrounding foliage. In the rare case where operational demands require something tall, that part of the building is camouflaged with greenery.

Other Lands at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Disney Dish with Jim Hill Podcast

Learn more about the latest doings at Disney with TouringPlan's Len Testa & Jim Hill of JimHillMedia.com

Listen Now

Copyright ©2024 TouringPlans.com. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy & Terms of Use | Cookie Preference