Fort Wilderness and River Country

[TeachGeekLove]

Hi everyone! During my first trip to WDW in 2001 River Country was still open. I didn't go, but the idea that it's been closed and left to rot (like Discovery Island) intrigues me. I read somewhere that if you rent a boat you can see it from the water, etc. I was looking at these things on Google Earth and found that River Country was basically part of Fort Wilderness. I had no idea! It seems that in the parking lot near Mickey's BBQ and Tri Circle D Ranch there is a green plastic surrounding the area to prevent wanderers, but it looks like there is a path attached to the parking lot. I was wondering if it is possible to explore the area? Probably a long shot, but I have seen pics of the decrepit, overgrown area and was wondering

 

[OldSchoolReasons]

I'd also be intrigued to know if you can see it from the water.

And before people start: obviously urban exploration is out, nobody wants to risk a lifetime ban because they broke in and I don't fancy risking rusty nails/gators.

 

[bama_ed]

The parking lot is for employees/Cast Members so if you were seen back there you would probably be told to leave.

A rental boat (pontoon, etc) could get pretty close from the water side though.

Bama Ed

 

[peg110]

I didn't even realize it existed (and close to the fort) until about a month ago. I'd love to explore it but don't want to get in trouble.

 

[tiggerdad]

This comes up from time to time on the boards. I usually get some pics from the few areas you can see from when I camp. Ed is right about the parking lot being employee only.

Here is a link to a recent thread with some other links and pictures.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/river-country-today.3494124/

 

[Maxpowers]

Probably not a good idea to go poking around in there:

Here's a youtuber that did and got banned (maybe unbanned at this point...can't really tell).

 

[TeachGeekLove]

@Max: What was she banned from, exactly? Disney World? Yikes! Now THAT video makes for a real adventure!
@Tigger: Well, I'd be ok with peeking over the green fence too! And you had no problem doing that?

 

[Maxpowers]

What was she banned from, exactly? Disney World? Yikes! Now THAT video makes for a real adventure!

Yup from Disney World. She has another video explaining it. In the comments she mentions that the ban has been removed though

 

[peg110]

The first video of RC was a bit dizzying. (Although the slide show of pictures at the end was nice)
In the second video (of why/how she was banned) I also have to wonder WHY she chose to use the Bathroom as her backdrop to make the video.