Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:15:59 GMT

That's cool that Christy actually visited when it was a pirate adventure. My family used to love going over when it was Discovery Island, and it would be fun to see it open again.

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:49:43 GMT

I have to say, the idea of turning Discovery Island into "the Island" from Lost sounds more exciting, unique, and profitable.

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:09:05 GMT

It depends on what kind of experience Disney is offering. I agree with dravanos that a "Lost" theme would be more interesting, but how long can they keep that going after the show has ended? Pirates of the Caribbean has more "staying power," and a bigger fan base. The Imagineers could take some of the cool elements of Pirate's Lair at Tom Sawyer's Island in Anaheim and make it 20 times better.

Speaking of, what's going on with the second phase of Pirate's Lair at Tom Sawyer's Island?

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:12:45 GMT

Sounds like Christy got to experience something pretty unique with her dad. Sounds like a lot of fun!

And I'm still sad that Myst Island never happened. I'm a huge Myst fan, and the chance to actually run around the island itself would have been sensory overload.

I also hope (if this Pirate Island project happens) that it isn't made too exclusive. I'd definitely want to do something like this. I wonder what the theoretical capacity for this would be? Like, maybe the size of something like the Backyard BBQ?

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:36:38 GMT

How much would this experience be worth? If they really get to work at WDI and build a themed environment that would carry an afternoon and evening, I would be open to paying upwards of $250/head. Of course, I believe this should include a complete storyline that is followed through caves, exhibits, a treehouse, ship, etc. - adn that it should be complex enough to challenge adults while still being enjoyable to younger folks. The evening should end with a meal served at a Tortuga-style venue that could - and should - be duplicated in Adventureland. I agree that a Lost theme would be great also, but has limited appeal now compared to the Pirates franchise and will only decrease in value over the years.

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:22:37 GMT

HorizonsFan's post sounds exactly like "Night Kingdom." Anyway, doesnt Jim's posted today blatantly contradict with his post of less than a month ago:

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2008/05/09/pirates-why-for.aspx

where he states that Disney isnt even willing to shell out money a Tortuga themed restaurant for Adventureland let alone the money for a new Elizabeth Swann audioanimatronic for POTC? What about the lack of interest guests have shown in a $45 per person Pirate and Princess Party ticket? I can't imagine that management/entertainment/F&B would spend the millions necessary for something on this scale with the existing infrastructure already in place right over in the Magic Kingdom.

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:25:39 GMT

Pudge took the words right out of my mouth. 30 days ago they're "over" Pirates and now they're going to turn an entire island into a Pirates island?

Uh ... okay, Jim ... I'm sure they'll get around to it immediately after "Night Kingdom" opens ........ riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight ...

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:30:55 GMT

The Pirate and Princess parties are failing because they really don't offer much more than an extra few hours in the Magic Kingdom with a different parade and different fireworks. This sounds like a very different and much more intimate experience with much more opportunity to interact with characters.

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:23:29 GMT

When parasailing over Bay Lake, the island does still look pretty nice from up there.

Mind you, the remnants of River Country, not so much. Given the condition of other now unused sites from the 70s, like the old airport runway, I wonder just how bad the buildings on Discovery Island have gotten in their years of disuse.

For a while, as a bird sanctuary, there was one bird species where those living on the island were the last anyone knew of. The last one died in '87, according to Wikipedia.

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:31:51 GMT

I don't think POTC is completely off the drawing board as long as there is still talk of sequels. I'm hoping for Pirate Dinosaur Island myself. :)

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 04:48:20 GMT

The bird was the Dusky Seaside Sparrow. The remaining birds were brought to Discovery Island and lived in a special habitat. I remember seeing them when I was a kid.

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 01:21:00 GMT

I thought that island was protected by both the Sierra Club (because of a family of Eagles supposedly taking nest their) as well as Florida's Natural Wildlife something-or-other...

The most recent rumor was that Disney would have to leap through too many hoops and cut through too much red tape to develop on their own property. However, they ARE reopening the TreeHouse Villas and that was allegedly protected land as well.

Anyone?

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:01:00 GMT

I think Disney would be foolish not to do more with the pirates theme. "Pirates of the Caribbean" is not just a movie franchise, it's a Disney-created property, not based on any book or anyone else's concept. It's part of the original Walt Disney legacy. I think a Pirate Island replacing Tom Sawyer is perfectly fine. Walt always moved with the times.

re: Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?

Jim Hill — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:44:31 GMT

I'd pay $200-300 per person easily for an experience like that. My wife would pay more lol.