dumb river country question

[mrs.beast]

newbie here, why was the river country closed? and when?

 

[kdm31091]

Around 2002 I think. They said dirty water from the bay and less popularity then the other parks. IMO, that was a good thing. You could escape some of the ridiculous lines there. Now that there's only 2 parks it's really insane.

 

[ukcatfan]

They said dirty water from the bay and less popularity then the other parks. IMO, that was a good thing.

So you like dirty water? Just kidding

I doubt it will ever open again due to how outdated it is compared to the new ones. Also, I believe it was a safety risk. It is much more difficult for a lifeguard to watch murky water compared to pool water.

Kevin

 

[RabFlmom]

Also a liability because of the mud bottom instead of cement ponds. Any natural water in Florida has an Ameba that lives in the bottom. It becomes active when temperatures are in the 90s for at least 3 days in a row. When the bottom is disturbed, the ameba is moving in the water and can attack a person's brain if it enters your body if you intake water. It is a rare thing but few people who are diagnosed with it survive. Disney had one death by it years and years ago(late 70s early 80s) a few years after one of our friend's sons died from it here on the coast.

 

[Dznefreek]

They said dirty water from the bay and less popularity

Actually RC had a spillway which allowed the water level to be above Bay Lakes and the water to overflow into Bay Lake not the opposite.

because of the mud bottom instead of cement ponds.

It had a sand bottom and a filtration system that was hidden in the rocks that were in the main water hole.

 

[Uncleromulus]

River Country was by far my favorite water park. Great water slides that you could reach w/o a 5 mile hike to the top!!
Don't know much about the clean/dirty water business except to say that in all the times we went there (9 or 10 I'd say) I never got any sort of feeling that we were swimming in dirty water.

 

[Evil Princess]

There hasn't been an official answer for that. Some theories:

Dirty water from the lake.
Florida changed their regulations for waterparks, and as a result fresh water like lake water could not be used.
Loss in popularity due to BB and TL.
They couldn't justify the price of RC, since TL and BB have so much more to offer as far as rides and attractions go.

There were rumors flying around that they were going to keep RC as a swimming area for Fort Wilderness. That would make sense, since I've heard that the pool over at WL is overcrowded because of FW guests. It's kind of curious that they didn't keep it open.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I thought I had read that this was still used for private for hire functions..

Have they dismantled it?

JK

 

[SharonLowe]

I thought I had read that this was still used for private for hire functions..

Have they dismantled it?

JK

I doubt they use it for private functions - the pool is still there but it is hazardous to say the least. You can walk to it from FW or WL and I am shocked it hasn't been filled in/closed up better.

They might use Discovery Island, the original one with real animals, for private functions. It is still operating, just not open to the public. We loved it there too.

 

[kribit]

I was also curious and googled this a while back. Warning...the pictures a little depressing.

http://piredale.photosite.com/album2/?page=3

 

[CanadianGuy]

You can walk to it.. can you walk IN to the grounds?

If so -- I know what I'm doing for one afternoon on my upcoming trip.

J

 

[Evil Princess]

There is a fence and a sign in front of the entrance saying that it is closed and not to enter...

 

[CanadianGuy]

There is a fence and a sign in front of the entrance saying that it is closed and not to enter...

Booo..... Still might be worth a walk ... I'd never actually been to RC when it was open.

And sides.. it's so Scooby-Doo .. walking over to the abandoned water park. Maybe some crazed ol' coot will chase me out for meddlin!

J

 

[Donaldsfan176]

Those pictures are so sad. I had many good times there in the past. I only wish the Disney Corp. would do something with that area instead of leaving it to decay like that.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

I loved that park. They should redue it with a proper pool for the campground.

 

[Donaldsfan176]

Well put Thumper

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Those pictures are so sad and almost creepy! I think what makes it so creepy is the innertube just floating out there. I can't believe Disney isn't at least thinking about refurbishing it or doing something with it. It's such a shame to see it the way it is right now. Unfortunately I was never there when it was still open. It looks like it would have been a really good time.

 

[soupy11]

Booo..... Still might be worth a walk ... I'd never actually been to RC when it was open.

And sides.. it's so Scooby-Doo .. walking over to the abandoned water park. Maybe some crazed ol' coot will chase me out for meddlin!

J

Now you made me laugh my butt off tonight! Thanks!

"If it weren't for them meddlin kids!"

 

[CanadianGuy]

Awesome. We Canadians know our humour huh?

J

 

[foodrocksluver]

Those pictures are so sad and almost creepy! I think what makes it so creepy is the innertube just floating out there. I can't believe Disney isn't at least thinking about refurbishing it or doing something with it. It's such a shame to see it the way it is right now. Unfortunately I was never there when it was still open. It looks like it would have been a really good time.

I was creeped out by the innertube that was still inflated just floating in the middle of the water. I never would have imagined it to look like that now. Though it's all that can be expected, I guess I still see it like I did when I was 5 and could bury my legs in the sand in the bottom. My parents and I walked over to the entrace last summer and I was about to cry because it's so sad that it's just there. Why close something if you don't know what you're going to put there or if you don't plan on taking it down? Reminds me of a ride called 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Now known as Pooh's Playground but had been almost abandoned for years.