Man Arrested for Camping on Disney’s Discovery Island

One of the first places that closed their doors due to the coronavirus outbreak was Disney World. And at first, we all couldn’t believe our ears. Why would such a magical place not allow visitors just because of a virus?

Alas, once we learned more about coronavirus, we understood that thousands of people riding rides and walking amongst groups together meant rapid spread of the virus, and it was imperative for them to close their doors to the public.

We thought everyone knew that—but we were wrong.

One 42-year-old Alabama man named Richard McGuire was unaware that Disney was closed to the public. He decided that Disney World’s Discovery Island would be the perfect place for him to camp out for a night.

He was soon arrested by Orange County Sheriff’s Office, with no idea why. He said he had no idea he was trespassing, despite all of the “no trespassing” signs surrounding him, and even referred to the island as a “tropical paradise.”

Deputies were able to find McGuire using helicopters and boats, as well as several on foot. Though the authorities were calling out to him on a loudspeaker, McGuire claims he wasn’t able to hear him since he was sleeping in one of the buildings on the island.

McGuire was charged him with one count of trespassing, a misdemeanor, and was banned from any and all Disney properties for the future.

The police report on the incident says that McGuire “stated that he had made entry to the island to go camping on Monday or Tuesday and had planned on staying on the island for approximately one week.”

Though the entirety of Disney parks have been closed since the outbreak began, Disney’s Discovery Island had actually been closed to the public since 1999, so it seems even more farfetched why this man thought he could camp out in such a space.

The island opened in 1974 and spans about 11 acres. It was known as being a zoo, with more than 130 species of animals among the island.

McGuire may have been the only one to try to camp out on the island. but he isn’t the only trespasser. Over the two decades the island has been closed, many people have made unauthorized trips to see the island.

To hear more about the arrest of Richard McGuire, check out the video below.

Have you heard of Disney’s Discovery Island or visited the land back when it was opened? Can you believe this man thought he was doing no wrong by camping out there?