River Country

[YodaGirl]

Okay, so I didn't really know where else to post this, and although I'm sure it's already been discussed, I couldn't find an existing thread, either...

Does anyone know if Disney has any plans for it? Last time we were there, it looked so sad...it was just kinda sitting there all run down. It would be nice if they would open it up at least to FtW guests, since we don't have a themed pool. Although, I'm not sure what they're going to be doing with the pools during refurb.

Anyone know anything about the pools or River Country?

 

[ynottony99]

Many rumors about River Country. Some say it will return in some shape. Most indicate that it will not. The problems that closed it, will likely keep it closed. It would be great to see the land used for FW in some way.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

All gone.

 

[wdwbound]

When my DH and I did the Segway Tour that meets there we were able to use the bathrooms which are still in fine working order and it looked like there were people working in some of the transitioned office space that used to be the snack bar. No plans to re-open this area as a lot of the equipment is just plain not usable.

Nancy

 

[AuburnJen92]

I heard years ago that it would be 12 million just to wall up the opening to the lake with a concrete wall. I am sure it is more now. Considering I remember extra admission to go there, I think they could make back their investment, but that is a whole other discussion. I am also in favor of them bringing back the train, but again, whole other discussion.

 

[ntsammy5]

They won't do anything with it - they'd do a green build somewhere else on property before they reopen RC. Too bad. I loved that place!

 

[AuburnJen92]

I agree, they are going to let it be "one with nature" and rot. It makes me tear up every time I pass it on the boat.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

The next trip I take to the fort....Ive decide Im going to sneak in to RC and mark the entire scape as "MY TERRITORY"......Im gonna need alot of beer. Anyone wanna help....your mark is your claim.

 

[ntsammy5]

Sounds like fun Rog. Take a couple of the otters with you - they're very good at marking territory!

 

[2goofycampers]

The next trip I take to the fort....Ive decide Im going to sneak in to RC and mark the entire scape as "MY TERRITORY"......Im gonna need alot of beer. Anyone wanna help....your mark is your claim.

Is this the Oct 09 GG planned activity? Sounds more fun than the HDD.

 

[TheFlame]

Okay, so I didn't really know where else to post this, and although I'm sure it's already been discussed, I couldn't find an existing thread, either...

Does anyone know if Disney has any plans for it? Last time we were there, it looked so sad...it was just kinda sitting there all run down. It would be nice if they would open it up at least to FtW guests, since we don't have a themed pool. Although, I'm not sure what they're going to be doing with the pools during refurb.

Anyone know anything about the pools or River Country?

Not really sure there will be a pool rehab EVER with all of the changes at Disney right now.

I have never really figured out why River Country closed. The only trip I remember that included RC while at Disney was when I was little(30 years or so ago) and I am sure we didn't camp. When did RC close anyway?

The pools at the Fort are not that bad. It really is just a cement pond with water and serves it's purpose, so I don't know what the big deal is anyway about the other pools? We don't go to WDW to swim anyway so we are not concerned about the pools. We are putting in a pool and it should be finished this Friday. Hopefully then, my kids won't care if there is a pool at Disney or anywhere else we go! I can't stand public pools...they are soooo gross!

 

[loveDmouse]

I think it would be really cool if they fixed it back up and had it just for guests at the Fort!

Sadly, I don't think they will ever do anything with it.

 

[Gatordad]

tear up????

 

[chartle]

I have never really figured out why River Country closed. The only trip I remember that included RC while at Disney was when I was little(30 years or so ago) and I am sure we didn't camp.

This is the post I made about River Country last Nov '07 on rec.arts.disney.parks

Here is my take on the closing of River Country coming from someone who visited it first as a teenager ('76) and then as a parent of a 6 and 7 year old ('99).

1. It used water from the lake. Unless they did some special coloring, it had the same brownish green color as Bay Lake. I heard they "treated it" and heated it a little in the fall and spring. (I have read other posts on this board that the color of the water made it tough for the life guards to see people under water)

2. It was hard to get to. From the old WDWIG.com web site:

- By Car - Enter through the Magic Kingdom toll booths (stay to the right as you approach them) and then follow the signs for River Country. Buses take guests from the parking lot to the River Country entrance.

- By Bus - Buses bound for Fort Wilderness depart from the Transportation & Ticket Center regularly throughout the day. These buses will drop guests off at the Pioneer Hall bus stop in Fort Wilderness. From here it is a short walk to the River Country entrance. After exiting the bus guests should follow the path to their left. The River Country entrance will be just after the Pioneer Hall Restaurant complex on the left.

- By Boat - Guests who are at the Magic Kingdom or the Contemporary Resort can take motor launches directly to the Fort Wilderness docks. The entrance to River Country will be straight ahead and to your right.


3. It was small. If Typhoon Lagoon holds 20,000 (a pure guess) River Country could hold maybe 5,000 (another pure guess)

4. River Country was a first generation "themed" water park. I don't remember there being many water parks in the late 70's. The design would be considered an insurance nightmare today. I remember the main slides dumping you into 8 feet of water. Not just the shotgun slides but all the slides. You would have to go first and them wade in the water to catch your kid and push him to the side. At the main pool, they had rocks you could dive from. Yes at one point in the USA they would let you dive into a pool. What were they thinking?

With the opening of the two other water parks and what others have said about rehab, I can see why it closed. The rumors at the time of closing were that they were going to rebuild it as a special pool for Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness guests.

Here is Deb's old web site
http://web.archive.org/web/19991010031401/wdwig.com/faq_rc.htm

 

[TheFlame]

This is the post I made about River Country last Nov '07 on rec.arts.disney.parks

Here is my take on the closing of River Country coming from someone who visited it first as a teenager ('76) and then as a parent of a 6 and 7 year old ('99).

1. It used water from the lake. Unless they did some special coloring, it had the same brownish green color as Bay Lake. I heard they "treated it" and heated it a little in the fall and spring. (I have read other posts on this board that the color of the water made it tough for the life guards to see people under water)

2. It was hard to get to. From the old WDWIG.com web site:

- By Car - Enter through the Magic Kingdom toll booths (stay to the right as you approach them) and then follow the signs for River Country. Buses take guests from the parking lot to the River Country entrance.

- By Bus - Buses bound for Fort Wilderness depart from the Transportation & Ticket Center regularly throughout the day. These buses will drop guests off at the Pioneer Hall bus stop in Fort Wilderness. From here it is a short walk to the River Country entrance. After exiting the bus guests should follow the path to their left. The River Country entrance will be just after the Pioneer Hall Restaurant complex on the left.

- By Boat - Guests who are at the Magic Kingdom or the Contemporary Resort can take motor launches directly to the Fort Wilderness docks. The entrance to River Country will be straight ahead and to your right.


3. It was small. If Typhoon Lagoon holds 20,000 (a pure guess) River Country could hold maybe 5,000 (another pure guess)

4. River Country was a first generation "themed" water park. I don't remember there being many water parks in the late 70's. The design would be considered an insurance nightmare today. I remember the main slides dumping you into 8 feet of water. Not just the shotgun slides but all the slides. You would have to go first and them wade in the water to catch your kid and push him to the side. At the main pool, they had rocks you could dive from. Yes at one point in the USA they would let you dive into a pool. What were they thinking?

With the opening of the two other water parks and what others have said about rehab, I can see why it closed. The rumors at the time of closing were that they were going to rebuild it as a special pool for Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness guests.

Here is Deb's old web site
http://web.archive.org/web/19991010031401/wdwig.com/faq_rc.htm

Thanks so much for the information!

What I remember is not pleasant! I remember concrete and rocks everywhere. I recall not being able to swim well and my dad waiting for me at the end of the slide. I thought I might drown! I also remember stumping my toe several times to the point that I had to get out of the water because it was bleeding so badly. Now that I think of it, this is why I hate water parks so much! I am permanently scarred! I guess I should join the people on the other disboard that are always trying to find something to sue Disney for?!!?

Great reply and I appreciate the walk down memory lane!

 

[bethie]

River Country was great! It was the first water park I had ever been too. I would say I was late 70's when I was in middle school. I remember the tube ride well and its little whirlpools. I also remember not being able to stay in the tube! LOL! It was a neat "little" park with great food!!

I wish they would open again.