1Did you know that Walt Disney World Resort made a significant discovery when they drained Bay Lake?
Bay Lake was a natural lake in Central Florida long before Walt Disney World Resort was constructed. It still exists today and is connected to the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon. Boats take guests from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground to Magic Kingdom Park via the connected waterways.
Bay Lake is also home to the abandoned Discovery Island. The area was open to guests from 1974 to 1999, offering them a chance to see local birds and other wildlife. All of the island’s buildings and walkways have sat empty for decades.
But Bay Lake’s legacy within Walt Disney World Resort is more than just Discovery Island and being the namesake for Disney’s Contemporary Resort tower. TikToker @themouselets recently shared the history of a discovery made by crews who drained Bay Lake during the construction of the Seven Seas Lagoon:
@themouselets it’s Day 1 of Disney Fact-Mas !! Each day we’ll bring you a new Disney fact (a deep dive, live from the parks, or a topic you choose!). and help us pick tomorrows topic in the comments #disneyfacts #disneyworld #disneysecrets #disneyhistory #disneyfactmas
The Disney Parks fan explained that Magic Kingdom Park was initially slotted for the land that now encompasses the Seven Seas Lagoon. Engineers found it wasn’t “stable” enough, so crews dug soil from the area to build Magic Kingdom Park where it is now, raising the ground to make way for the utilidor tunnels underneath the Disney park.
“As they were doing this, they also decided to dredge Bay Lake,” the TikToker explained. “Basically, to clean it out, just because it was kind of a nasty Florida lake.”
After cleaning the lake, they found something special at the bottom.
“What did they find at the bottom of the lake?” the Disney Parks fan continued. “Pure, perfect white sand.”
Walt Disney World Resort used that white sand on the beaches of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds. For decades, Disney Resort guests could swim in Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, but Walt Disney World Resort banned the practice due to dangerous bacteria in Florida fresh waters.
What piece of Walt Disney World Resort history would you like to know more about? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!