Currently Abandoned Disney Projects
The Walt Disney Company succeeds exponentially more often than it fails, especially regarding its theme parks.
Still, even Disney has proven imperfect over the years, sometimes completely ditching a project.
![Walt Disney Company](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/081612_Launch_Img2.jpg)
![Walt Disney Company](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/081612_Launch_Img2.jpg)
Walt Disney Company
This process could happen before construction begins – See: The PLAY! pavilion – or early in the process.
On other occasions, Disney closes something and then leaves the remnants for curious tourists to notice and wonder what went wrong.
Here are seven currently abandoned Disney properties, one or two of which may yet spring to life.
Discovery Island
Not to be confused with Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s themed land of the same name, Discovery Island has a long history that pre-dates Disney.
A family purchased this piece of land and named it after themselves as Raz Island.
In 1965, Disney purchased it as part of its sneak Project X real estate land grab.
By 1974, Disney had opened “Treasure Island” as a nature preserve, an extension of Walt Disney World.
Alas, Disney got in trouble with the government due to the alleged mistreatment of several vultures.
Soon afterward, Disney closed this place in 1999, cutting off a fairly lucrative revenue stream in the process.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Discovery-Island.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Discovery-Island.jpg)
Image: Click Orlando
For a quarter-century now, this island has remained abandoned.
During the pandemic, a YouTuber got in trouble for trespassing here and recording video when Disney security was low.
That’s how much interest there remains in this easily visible island at Bay Lake.
Pop Century: The Legendary Years
![Dancers repainted at Pop century](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dancers-Repainting-Pop-Century-scaled.jpeg)
![Dancers repainted at Pop century](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Dancers-Repainting-Pop-Century-scaled.jpeg)
Dancers Repainted at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
You’ve probably visited Disney’s Pop Century Resort many times over the years and possibly even stayed here some.
But did you know that there were two planned developments on this land?
![Repainted Goofy with Surfboard Statue at pop Century](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Goofy-Repainted-Pop-Century-scaled.jpeg)
![Repainted Goofy with Surfboard Statue at pop Century](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Goofy-Repainted-Pop-Century-scaled.jpeg)
Repainted Goofy Statue at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The initial project called for the “Legendary Years” and the “Classic Years” to divide the property by the first and second halves of the century.”
Project planners had even mapped out a “Generation Gap Bridge” to connect guests between the two eras.
![Pop Century](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Pop-Century.jpg)
![Pop Century](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Pop-Century.jpg)
Photo: Disney
Disney modified its plans in the wake of 9/11, the terrorist attack that negatively impacted tourism for several years afterward.
That’s 2,880 rooms we never got…until we did. The “Legendary Years” project evolved into what we now know as Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
![Disney World 2024](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-wdw-disneys-pop-century-stock-1-scaled.jpg)
![Disney World 2024](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-wdw-disneys-pop-century-stock-1-scaled.jpg)
POP! Century
So, an entirely different space resides where the Legendary Years should have been. Then again, we’re all better for that.
Not all abandoned Disney projects are bad, as Art of Animation is objectively better than the Legendary Years plan.
River Country
![Dick Nunis River Country](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dick-Nunis-2.jpg)
![Dick Nunis River Country](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dick-Nunis-2.jpg)
Dick Nunis sliding down a waterslide at River Country. Photo: Progress City USA
Here’s one you knew would be on the list, as an abandoned Disney water park is a big deal.
Disney followed the recent craze of the day and opened its first water park in 1976.
![River Country](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/River-Country.jpg)
![River Country](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/River-Country.jpg)
Photo: Disney
The theme of this water park was a rustic “swimming hole” akin to the cement pond on The Beverly Hillbillies.
Let’s just say that this place wasn’t the safest during its early years, as all water parks lacked precautionary measures.
![River Country](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/River-Country.jpg)
![River Country](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/River-Country.jpg)
Disney
Nobody at the time understood the dangers of these facilities, which caused Disney several PR nightmares.
People died at River Country, with one kid suffering “an amoebic infection of the brain.” That’s Resident Evil 4 stuff right there.
![H2O Glow After Hours](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-disneys-typhoon-lagoon-h2o-glow-after-hours-event-1-scaled.jpg)
![H2O Glow After Hours](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-disneys-typhoon-lagoon-h2o-glow-after-hours-event-1-scaled.jpg)
H2O Glow After Hours
In 1989, Disney opened the substantially safer Typhoon Lagoon, followed by Blizzard Beach six years later.
River Country’s odd location and whispers about its safety led to its decline in the face of more popular water parks.
![H20 Glow](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/WDW-H20-Glow-Typhoon-LagoonMG_0777-scaled.jpg)
![H20 Glow](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/WDW-H20-Glow-Typhoon-LagoonMG_0777-scaled.jpg)
H20 Glow
In 2001, after a quarter-century in operation, this water park closed forever.
For more than 15 years, the land remained largely untouched until…
Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Reflections.jpeg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Reflections.jpeg)
Photo: Disney
On October 18th, 2018, Disney confirmed that it would open an entirely new hotel on the former River Country campus.
So, this parcel of land currently functions as a graveyard for two abandoned projects.
![Princess and the Frog Restaurant](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-08-25-17_28_24-BREAKING_-Reflections-–-A-Disney-Lakeside-Lodge-to-Feature-_Princess-and-the-Fro.png)
![Princess and the Frog Restaurant](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-08-25-17_28_24-BREAKING_-Reflections-–-A-Disney-Lakeside-Lodge-to-Feature-_Princess-and-the-Fro.png)
Photo: Disney
Reflections would have been an eco-friendly celebration of Disney’s outdoor characters, such as Bambi, Brother Bear, and The Fox and the Hound.
Other amenities would have been inspired by a couple of significant Disney IPs, The Princess and the Frog and Pocahontas.
![Reflections - A Lakeside Lodge](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2-1.png)
![Reflections - A Lakeside Lodge](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2-1.png)
Photo: Disney
While Disney broke ground on this project, it was pretty much the first construction to die during the pandemic.
Management cut capital expenditures by an estimated $900 million (it proved to be $750 million).
![Reflections DVC](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Reflections-DVC.png)
![Reflections DVC](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Reflections-DVC.png)
Photo: DVC
More importantly, construction projects of this scale simply weren’t possible in 2020 and 2021.
Disney cut its losses, leaving Reflections barely developed. But the story might not end there.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/concept-art-lobby-pocahontas-statue-reflections-lakeside-lodge_1.jpeg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/concept-art-lobby-pocahontas-statue-reflections-lakeside-lodge_1.jpeg)
Disney
Recent filings suggest that Disney may not be done with this land.
Since the company needs more hotel inventory, this zombie project may yet return to life.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Much of what I said about Reflections also applies to the Star Wars Hotel.
At the 2017 D23 Expo, Disney announced the construction of what would become Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
You understandably may wonder why executives killed Reflections but continued with the construction of this property.
There are two easy answers to that question. One is money, and the other is scale.
![Galactic Starcruiser](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/gsc-millenniumFalcon-1UP.png)
![Galactic Starcruiser](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/gsc-millenniumFalcon-1UP.png)
Photo: Disney
Management believed that a Star Wars-themed hotel would sell out repeatedly, a thought process that proved accurate…for one year.
In terms of scale, Reflections would have included several hundred rooms. Galactic Starcruiser was basically a prison.
![Star Wars Starcruiser](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/gsc-departure-return-desktop.png)
![Star Wars Starcruiser](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/gsc-departure-return-desktop.png)
Photo: Disney
This facility offered just 100 rooms, had no hotel windows or pool, and was inescapable without Cast Member permission.
Despite this fact, the project performed exceptionally well during its first year.
![Starcruiser final voyage](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/gsc-about-chandrila-desktop.png)
![Starcruiser final voyage](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/gsc-about-chandrila-desktop.png)
Photo: Disney
Then, the bottom fell out, with demand vanishing almost overnight.
Disney shuttered the project, taking a $300 million write-down in the process.
![Passholder Starcruiser](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ouanni.jpg)
![Passholder Starcruiser](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ouanni.jpg)
(David Roark, photographer)
As with Reflections, rumors persist that this building might make a comeback in a different form.
However, Disney has announced nothing tangible after a year since the closure decision. So, I’m not holding my breath.
Stitch’s Great Escape
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Stitchs_Great_Escape_logo.png)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Stitchs_Great_Escape_logo.png)
Disney
In 1994, Disney performed a soft opening of a new “theater in the round” experience at Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland.
Called ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, this attraction was everything adults wanted it to be…safe for one core problem.
![pic](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/stitch.jpg)
![pic](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/stitch.jpg)
(David Roark, photographer)
This experience scared the bejeezus out of guests, and any foolish parents who brought their kids along for the experience quickly regretted it.
So, Disney re-themed the attraction to make it more child-friendly. Alas, Stitch’s Great Escape was no great shakes.
![EPCOT VIPassholder days](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-wdw-EPCOT-VIPassholder-Days-Stitch-Magnet-Annual-Pass.jpg)
![EPCOT VIPassholder days](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-wdw-EPCOT-VIPassholder-Days-Stitch-Magnet-Annual-Pass.jpg)
Photo: Disney
I’m actually saying this as someone whose wife loves Stitch so much that I’m endangering my relationship by speaking ill.
However, the theme park grades given by tourists painted a clear picture.
Stitch’s Great Escape was Magic Kingdom’s worst attraction. So, Disney closed it in 2018.
At the time, the presumption was that a Wreck-It Ralph immersive attraction would replace Stitch.
![Wreck it Ralph](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Wreck-it-Ralph.jpg)
![Wreck it Ralph](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Wreck-it-Ralph.jpg)
Photo: Disney+
Alas, we’re six years down the line, and there’s been absolutely no movement on this front.
Instead, we have a completely abandoned space in the highly valuable real estate area of Tomorrowland. It’s such a waste.
Wonders of Life Pavilion
Remember the PLAY! pavilion I mentioned at the start? Well, that experience would have gone here.
So, Wonders of Life also qualifies as a twice-abandoned facility.
Originally, Disney wanted to highlight the wonders of the human body at this facility.
Body Wars and Cranium Command were the two major attractions here, but the entire building was fun to explore.
![Wonders of Life](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/wonders-of-life-1180x6001-1180x600-1.jpg)
![Wonders of Life](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/wonders-of-life-1180x6001-1180x600-1.jpg)
D23
Alas, people don’t really want to know how our bodies work, as they’re gross and bloody.
Also, Body Wars and Cranium Command were decidedly childish attractions by Disney standards.
Disney opened Wonders of Life in 1989, but it didn’t even last 20 years, closing in 2007.
Since then, Disney has hosted some festival events here, but it values this space.
![Wonders of Life](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Wonders-of-Life.jpg)
![Wonders of Life](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Wonders-of-Life.jpg)
Photo Credit: Yesterland.com
Park officials planned the PLAY! pavilion as the permanent replacement, but it’s another project the pandemic killed.
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