Walt Disney World Resort holds countless secrets, but few know the fascinating story behind the discovery at the bottom of Bay Lake during the park’s construction. This natural lake has played a significant role in developing the Central Florida resort, serving as a key waterway and home to some of Disney’s most intriguing history.
The History of Bay Lake
Long before Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971, Bay Lake was a natural body of water in Central Florida. It now sits connected to the artificial Seven Seas Lagoon, forming a network of waterways used by watercraft transporting guests between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, and Magic Kingdom Park.
Bay Lake is also famously home to the abandoned Discovery Island. This once-popular attraction allowed guests to explore local wildlife from 1974 to 1999. Although the island has been closed for decades, its empty walkways and structures remain an eery reminder of Disney’s past.
Draining Bay Lake for Construction
During the early stages of Walt Disney World Resort’s construction, engineers encountered unexpected challenges with the land surrounding Bay Lake. The area initially planned for Magic Kingdom Park was deemed unstable, prompting crews to dig up the soil and relocate the park to its current elevated position. This new elevation allowed the creation of the park’s underground utilidor system—a network of tunnels used for backstage operations. The unstable land became home to the Seven Seas Lagoon.
While working on these adjustments, crews decided to dredge Bay Lake, cleaning out debris and preparing it for its role in Disney’s waterway system. During this process, they made an unexpected discovery.
What Did They Find?
According to Disney Parks fan and TikToker @themouselets, the dredging process revealed something remarkable at the bottom of Bay Lake: pure, white sand. The pristine sand was a surprising find and turned out to be incredibly useful.
@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
Rather than discard the sand, Walt Disney World Resort utilized it to enhance its beach areas. This white sand can still be found at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Disney Resort guests could once swim in Bay Lake and the connected Seven Seas Lagoon. However, the practice was later prohibited due to safety concerns, including dangerous bacteria in Florida’s’ freshwater lakes.
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