River Country Reopening?

[sus]

I read on another discussion page from this site that the 2004 Guide to Disney said that River Country will be reopening in the Spring? Is this true, anyone else here about this?

 

[KNWVIKING]

.... but I doubt it.

Traditionally RC always closed for the winter and reopened in the spring. I'd imaging the '04 guide is just quoting past history.

If RC was going to reopen in the spring I'm sure the boards would have been full of threads about construction sitings.

 

[floridaminnie]

Last night I saw that the signage for River Country had been taken off. Don't think it's coming back.

 

[treesinger]

RC is gone for good, unless one of the water parks inexplicably disappears from the earth.

One issue is attendance.WDW feels that two large water parks are more than enough for them, and the two newest, highest thrill parks are the ones to stay.

Also, I had heard once about a bacteria problem in RC because the barrier that keeps the lake water out of RC was too difficult to maintain. Further, I think RC had a smaller capacity than the other two water parks. Either way, RC is gone for good.

I'll REALLY miss RC.

 

[Dznefreek]

Also, I had heard once about a bacteria problem in RC because the barrier that keeps the lake water out of RC was too difficult to maintain.

No, No, No for the umpteenth time NO!

River Country has a spillway into Bay Lake. The lake does not flow into RC. It is 6-8 inches higher than the lake.

I think if it was open attendance would not be a problem. It was full before with the other 2 water parks open.

 

[Chuck S]

I think the only ways that RC would re-open...
1) Attendance and tourism take a very sudden and unpredicted upturn - or -
2) One of the other water parks has to go down for rehab for some unexpected reason in mid-summer.

 

[floridaminnie]

Don't I remember hearing that they would have to put a lot of money into it, because of safety issues also!?!?!

 

[DC7800]

Which 2004 guidebook was this information supposedly in? Birnbaum? While we can be sure this is either erroneous information in a guidebook that hasn't been updated much in several years, or maybe just someone's wishful thinking on another board, it should be easy enough to verify at least the origins of this rumor.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

It is not opening back up. It is not even on the map anymore.

 

[rangebob]

It might not be on the maps but there are still road signs with it still on them.

 

[kc&dmom]

the 2004 edition of Walt Disney World With Kids by Kim Wright Wiley. I purchased this book a few weeks back for my sister. The book clearly indicates that River Country is expected to "reopen" this spring. The addition I have from 2002 was written before RC closed. So I would assume this is new information as per this author. I loved this book and found it a great resource in our trip two years ago and the information factual. But, I have tried in several postings to find any additional information --- no other sources have confirmed.

Now, under pure speculation and rumour . . . .
It seems to me whenever Disney reintroduces a new movie, or character they always seem to pull everything out of the stores for awhile and make a big splash with all new merchandise and whatever when they are ready to announce. (Personally my daughter is devastated at the current lack of Jesse and Jasmine) So here's hoping for a grand summer reintroduction of RC, I thing we would definitely be staying FW Cabins then . . .

 

[Dznefreek]

It might not be on the maps but there are still road signs with it still on them.

Where????? I have not seen any.

 

[YoHo]

Originally posted by Dznefreek
No, No, No for the umpteenth time NO!

River Country has a spillway into Bay Lake. The lake does not flow into RC. It is 6-8 inches higher than the lake.

I think if it was open attendance would not be a problem. It was full before with the other 2 water parks open.

You are correct, but also very very wrong.

The water for Rivercountry is pumped via pipe at the bottom of baylake into RC and it then flows back into the lake.

So yes, the bacteria problem DOES affect RC.
How do I know this?

Since the World Began shows ictures of Baylake being drained and talks about how River country generated its water.

So any bacteria problem in Bay lake is a bacteria problem in River country PERIOD!!!!

Disney refuses to fix the Bacteria problem, therefore River Country remains closed. Any other answer is SPIN!

 

[Dznefreek]

If bacteria were truly a problem, they would not let people water ski or go tubing in Bay Lake; both which are still done. Also people wading in the water at the Marina and FW beaches

Since the World Began

I'll have to reread mine.

 

[Uncleromulus]

kc&dmom:
Almost all the published literature I see now mentions the TWO water parks at WDW.
I believe that any notion of RC reopening is "wishful thinking".

And I rellay "wish" it would reopen!! By far my favorite water park.

 

[YoHo]

Originally posted by Dznefreek
If bacteria were truly a problem, they would not let people water ski or go tubing in Bay Lake; both which are still done. Also people wading in the water at the Marina and FW beaches I'll have to reread mine.

I can't speak to that, but I do remember the huge do not swim signs at the Poly and Contemp. There is more E-Coli their then in the Chicago river.

 

[DISNEY FREAK UK]

Hi Folks,

I am one of the people who always said of River Country "we'll do that next time" and as such never got the chance to visit RC. This is something I very much regret and pushes me to always live for the day!!!

DISnay Freak UK

 

[tiggersmom2]

When I was in college my chemisty teacher's son worked at WDW. He told me RC was closed in part, due to bacteria control. The main problem is, ALL fresh water areas in Florida that remain stagnant are prone to ameobas. There ARE some areas of Bay Lake that are stagnat, hence the Do Not Swim signs. This is the main reason people cannot swim in Bay Lake. Yes, RC DID get it's water supply from BL. I'm just curious, am I the only one who knows about these ameobas? I clearly remember 2 cases in Florida in the 80's where kids died, there is no cure.

 

[texas8891]

According to cast members at Fort Wilderness, there is no foreseeable reopening of River Country. I wish they would at least bring it back as a swimming area for the campground.

 

[mrssalvaggio]

While visiting last Dec at MK, we were waiting for the boat back to WL. A CM told us that they had a horrible mosquito problem and had to treat the water with a chemical that forced them to cap the natural spring that fed the lake. He said that was the reason for closing RC and it will NEVER reopen because it would cost far too much for the rehab.