River Country when did they close it?

[greattenchi]

just wondering? why and when did disney close River Country? did they tore it and replace it with another water park?

 

[pigby]

It Closed in 2001 - at the beginning of September to be exact - we were there on the Tuesday - the last day it opened was the following Saturday. It was closing for the season then anyway as normal (Bay Lake too cool in the fall) Just never re-opened - great shame. The park is closed and in a sorry state now, apparently. We'll see for ourselves soon - part of our stay is at WL next door.

 

[InTheCheapSeats]

Here are some pics of the forgotten water park.

http://www.disneypix.com/Recreation/River/2005a/River2005a.htm

Its a crying shame.

 

[tjkraz]

The official announcement that it wouldn't be reopening finally came earlier this year.

Hard to argue with the logic, to be honest. While I'm sure some would disagree with this sentiment, I doubt that River Country was much of a draw in and of itself. In other words, once folks decided to visit a waterpark (ANY waterpark), they had three options. Now they have two options, and I doubt that Disney is losing much "waterpark" business after removing River Country from the mix. People who want that experience just choose one of the two remaining options. There are few times of the year when two parks are unable to handle demand.

 

[Feralpeg]

There was also a problem with bacteria in the lake which fed River Country. This bacteria can be dangerous.

 

[grimley1968]

While I'm sure some would disagree with this sentiment, I doubt that River Country was much of a draw in and of itself. In other words, once folks decided to visit a waterpark (ANY waterpark), they had three options. Now they have two options, and I doubt that Disney is losing much "waterpark" business after removing River Country from the mix. People who want that experience just choose one of the two remaining options. There are few times of the year when two parks are unable to handle demand.

I respectfully disagree. I think River Country WAS a draw in and of itself. I loved this place, and only partially because it was a third water park. I really enjoyed it because it was different than the usual type of waterpark, Disney's other 2 waterparks in Orlando included. While I do enjoy BB and TL, they definitely do not have that simple "swimming hole" feel that RC featured. I cherished this place. It was the first real waterpark I had ever experienced when I was a child, and predated most of the mega waterparks that now exist. There's simply no place like it.

I can certainly understand closing it, at least temporarily, for rehabbing and for the bacteria problem from Bay Lake. However, I really wish they had decided to wall off the area where Bay Lake water enters the park and chlorinate the water inside RC. Sure, chlorinated water loses some of that "swimming hole" feeling, but at least RC could have remained open, could have been safe from the bacteria, and could still offer guests that unique charm it used to offer. They could also have made this sort of a carrot to get more people to book FW cabins: "Stay in one of the FW cabins for one week and swim at RC for free during your stay!" I think I'd have been all over such an offer.

 

[greattenchi]

thanks for ur replys! i been wondering for a long time why closed it! u help answer my question!

 

[tjkraz]

While I do enjoy BB and TL, they definitely do not have that simple "swimming hole" feel that RC featured. I cherished this place. It was the first real waterpark I had ever experienced when I was a child, and predated most of the mega waterparks that now exist. There's simply no place like it.

I completely understand the emotions you describe. But when you say that you "do enjoy BB and TL", that tells me that you are still spending your "waterpark dollars" somewhere at Disney. Where you once had three options, there are now only two. But that hasn't totally deterred you from visiting Disney waterparks.

Has Disney lost revenue resulting from the closure of River Country? Sure they have. But I doubt that the revenue lost exceeds the annual operating costs of River Country (staffing, maintenance), particularly when you add-in the millions that would have been required to make some of the enhancements you describe. We might not have Crushin Gusher (a GREAT addition to TL) today if those dollars were necessary just to maintain River Country.

Ride closures are rarely universally accepted. There are still folks who lament the loss of attractions like Horizons, Food Rocks and If You Had Wings. But dollars and cents do play a role in the decisions WDW must make. And I doubt many people would willingly give up Soarin' to bring back Food Rocks.

Back to the waterpark issue, I understand that the Imagineers have already expended significant resources in designing a pirate-themed waterpark which could be built at WDW if the next two POTC films are as successful as the first. Here's hoping...

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

Back to the waterpark issue, I understand that the Imagineers have already expended significant resources in designing a pirate-themed waterpark which could be built at WDW if the next two POTC films are as successful as the first. Here's hoping...

I know i will get flamed but I am all for anything that lets me throw water balloons at Johnny Depp