River Country

[Disneylitch]

River Country was a totally different of water park. I realize that there are the 2 other parks, but they don't compare. You would have thought they would have done something with it, even if it was on a smaller scale. The guests at the campgrounds would have used it and possibly cut down on the crowds at the other water parks. I know my kids preferred going to River Country. It was right there and they didn't have to get on a bus to get there. I just wish they would do something. It is very depressing that they are just letting it rot.

 

[chartle]

Sure seems like Disney's legal beagles would have urged that the site be razed to eliminate it from becoming an attractive nuisance. I think there'd be one heck of a liability if a curious person (especially a child) were to get injured or killed while exploring RC.

There was another thread or was it part of this thread I don't know with pics of bulldozers tearing down some of the easily seen areas and putting up new fencing to block the view.

It may have been the result of another thread on this board with extensive pics from inside.

 

[Ziggie]

They certainly can but it has to tie in with the campground. One of the current rumors is that it will be turned into expensive water front campsites. Maybe even DVC. That would make sense. Putting another destination type area (the new Pleasure Island??) doesn't sense becuase the area is so hard to get to.

More campsites have minimal investment and upkeep with greater returns.

You are treating this area like its hallowed ground and something has to go there. They have scores of other places to build stuff.*

Of course it didn't help that they basically just let River Country just rot in place. If they torn it down right after they decided to close it for good we wouldn't be having this conversation.

*Re-read this sentence sorry I wasn't trying to be so harsh.

I'm not treating this area like it's hallowed ground.. not at all. Should it be left the way it is? Absolutely not... it's a mess. And it's disrespectful (the awards sign) to those cast members that put forth effort and charm to make it a wonderful place for visitors back in the day. So, can Disney put it to better use than the condition it's in now? Absolutely.

 

[Nayan]

Looking at the pictures of the way it is now just killed me . RC was, for a number of years, the place I looked forward to going besides the MK. It's sad to see it rotting away and I really don't know why Disney didn't tear it down years ago, unless for some strange reason it's been in a holding pattern for refurb. But maybe since there's been activity by it they're up to something? It sure would be nice as an expanded area for the campers, maybe another swimming area .

 

[CampingChristy]

As hard as it is to get a site, I would like to see the campground expanded in some way to make more campsites. Just my opinion.

 

[Disneylitch]

It would be nice to have more full hook up sites. Not everyone wants a premium site. They could convert the sites that were made premium back to full hook or preferred sites and make the RC area a premium area. Some of the sites that were made premium certainly aren't in a premium location. RC area would definitely be premium. The sites would be lake front and we all know how much people will pay just to see the water.

 

[BBQChick]

Look at what they did with the 20K ride. How many years did it just sit there before anything happened? Of course once the green walls come up then it's all over.

another cool web sight to look at what happened when they tore down the 20k ride:
20kride.com
it's facinating to see how this stuff all happens. And of course the amazing brass balls of those who will go in and document it.

 

[Bill Brown]

...what happened when they tore down the 20k ride:

www.20kride.com

it's fascinating to see how this stuff all happens...

Wow! That was interesting. Glad DL got the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage instead of the land fill treatment given 20k at WDW.

 

[JCJRSmith]

The big problem with the 20,000 Leagues ride at WDW is because of the way the park is built. A lot of folks don't realize that when you are walking down Main Stree USA in the MK, you are walking on the second floor of a building. Disney built the base building which contains the utilidors and buried it under the flotsam and soil they pulled from what eventually became the lake in front of the MK. 20,000 Leagues kept leaking into the tunnels below, so they had to close it down.

It is a shame, too - I really liked that ride, hokey as it was.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Years ago, I bought some fake aquarium plants on ebay that were listed as "leftover from the 20k maintenance stock"...I knew when I bought them that it may or may not be true....the seller WAS listed as being from central FL....so, if even it was just a cool story to sell plastic aquarium plants, it worked on me. I DIDNT give it alot of thought about what these plants may look like...I just figured I had some room in a 55gal tank, and these plants had a great story to them!! They arrived in a 18"x18" box, and I simply thought "Heeeyy...my WDW plants are here!!!", well....these things were about FOUR FEET LONG!!!!! the box was literally crammed packed with these hideously colored plastic plants!!! I had to cut them to size to fit a small portion into my aquarium. I still to this day dont know if they were REALLY intended for future use in 20k before its closing....but they sure would have been big enough!!

 

[ldubberly]

Years ago, I bought some fake aquarium plants on ebay that were listed as "leftover from the 20k maintenance stock"...I knew when I bought them that it may or may not be true....the seller WAS listed as being from central FL....so, if even it was just a cool story to sell plastic aquarium plants, it worked on me. I DIDNT give it alot of thought about what these plants may look like...I just figured I had some room in a 55gal tank, and these plants had a great story to them!! They arrived in a 18"x18" box, and I simply thought "Heeeyy...my WDW plants are here!!!", well....these things were about FOUR FEET LONG!!!!! the box was literally crammed packed with these hideously colored plastic plants!!! I had to cut them to size to fit a small portion into my aquarium. I still to this day dont know if they were REALLY intended for future use in 20k before its closing....but they sure would have been big enough!!

 

[Ziggie]

The big problem with the 20,000 Leagues ride at WDW is because of the way the park is built. A lot of folks don't realize that when you are walking down Main Stree USA in the MK, you are walking on the second floor of a building. Disney built the base building which contains the utilidors and buried it under the flotsam and soil they pulled from what eventually became the lake in front of the MK. 20,000 Leagues kept leaking into the tunnels below, so they had to close it down.

It is a shame, too - I really liked that ride, hokey as it was.

Wow, I never knew that (about the leaking). Thanks for posting!

 

[BBQChick]

The big problem with the 20,000 Leagues ride at WDW is because of the way the park is built. A lot of folks don't realize that when you are walking down Main Stree USA in the MK, you are walking on the second floor of a building. Disney built the base building which contains the utilidors and buried it under the flotsam and soil they pulled from what eventually became the lake in front of the MK. 20,000 Leagues kept leaking into the tunnels below, so they had to close it down.

It is a shame, too - I really liked that ride, hokey as it was.

I didn't know about the leaking. Very interesting. I find all this business with Disney leaving attractions and parks abandoned VERY curious. I also really like it when I can find the hidden homage to the previous ride hidden in the new ride....or when 'parts' are re used in a new or different attraction. Just like they did with the giant water barrel from the river country entrance.

 

[cmcinc]

Great thread and neat pics. Maybe I can get in with this:

 

[chartle]

Great thread and neat pics. Maybe I can get in with this:

You know they may be good for TL or BB.

 

[Ziggie]

Great thread and neat pics. Maybe I can get in with this:

Great pic!

 

[scottnj1966]

That brings back so many memories.
I loved that park.
I remember going with my cousins.

The pics are awesome even though it shows river country ina state that they could enver bring it back even if they wanted too.

How in the world did you get in there. I would love to be able to see it for myself.

Thanks for posting all the pics. Loved them

 

[WDWFigment]

I have this old River Country towel that I found in our house last year:

I think it's really cool, but I would never use it myself just for fear that I'd lose or ruin it. I'll probably eventually put it on eBay so that it ends up in the right hands.

 

[scottnj1966]

Years ago, I bought some fake aquarium plants on ebay that were listed as "leftover from the 20k maintenance stock"...I knew when I bought them that it may or may not be true....the seller WAS listed as being from central FL....so, if even it was just a cool story to sell plastic aquarium plants, it worked on me. I DIDNT give it alot of thought about what these plants may look like...I just figured I had some room in a 55gal tank, and these plants had a great story to them!! They arrived in a 18"x18" box, and I simply thought "Heeeyy...my WDW plants are here!!!", well....these things were about FOUR FEET LONG!!!!! the box was literally crammed packed with these hideously colored plastic plants!!! I had to cut them to size to fit a small portion into my aquarium. I still to this day dont know if they were REALLY intended for future use in 20k before its closing....but they sure would have been big enough!!

I bought some too but got them right from mouse surplus at there warehouse.
It was rolled up. Still have it. Very cool

 

[scottnj1966]

The big problem with the 20,000 Leagues ride at WDW is because of the way the park is built. A lot of folks don't realize that when you are walking down Main Stree USA in the MK, you are walking on the second floor of a building. Disney built the base building which contains the utilidors and buried it under the flotsam and soil they pulled from what eventually became the lake in front of the MK. 20,000 Leagues kept leaking into the tunnels below, so they had to close it down.

It is a shame, too - I really liked that ride, hokey as it was.

The utilidors are not below ground level. They are the first floor as you said.
20,000 water was not on the first floor. To leak it would have to go uphill.
If the tunnles have leakage it is from the moisture in the soil and leaking pipes here and there.