River Country?

[PHLtoMCO]

Last summer we rented a pontoon boat from the Poly and drove it over to where River Country used to be. We were surprised to see many of the structures and slides still in tact! Very cool to see as we used to love River Country as kids! We also took tons of pics of what it looks like now. Anyone have any scoop on what the deal is? Are they keeping it as a Disney "historical" site, so to speak? 'I imagine at some point, the rest of it needs to be dismantled, right?

 

[YankeePrincess]

I'm thinking it will be torn down for the new Fort Wilderness DVC.

 

[Disneylovingdad]

I'm thinking it will be torn down for the new Fort Wilderness DVC.

That seems to be the most likely rumor.

 

[PHLtoMCO]

Aww kind of a bummer.. But I clearly understand. I'll have to go back and take some more pics next month

 

[Prock]

I'm thinking it will be torn down for the new Fort Wilderness DVC.

There might be a DVC going there but none of the rumors have involved ft wilderness.

The reason it's still there is it would just cost to much to tear down. If they needed the land they would've torn it down right away, but if your not gonna use the space why spend millions of dollars to tear it down. They do use parts of it as offices.

I like the look of it sitting there empty, and hope they don't get rid of it anytime soon, it really adds a lot to the ft. Wilderness area.

 

[PHLtoMCO]

There might be a DVC going there but none of the rumors have involved ft wilderness.

The reason it's still there is it would just cost to much to tear down. If they needed the land they would've torn it down right away, but if your not gonna use the space why spend millions of dollars to tear it down. They do use parts of it as offices.

I like the look of it sitting there empty, and hope they don't get rid of it anytime soon, it really adds a lot to the ft. Wilderness area.

I agree, it was really nostalgic to see. I immediately could recognize what the structures used to be. Really glad we got to see it!

 

[Disneylovingdad]

I never got to experience it. It does seem pretty cool from what i've seen about how it was. Some really cool pics and video from some who took their chances and snuck in. Both on hear and youtube. It's pretty eerie.

 

[bmalonef45]

I agree, it was really nostalgic to see. I immediately could recognize what the structures used to be. Really glad we got to see it!

I would really like to see some of the pictures you took!

 

[PHLtoMCO]

I would really like to see some of the pictures you took!

I'll upload some... Give me a few

 

[mrzrich]

Lots of pictures were posted in 2009 by a Diser who made an unauthorized fact finding missing. The DIS does not condone this kind of field trip:

There are a lot more pictures like this online. Google River Country Pictures.

 

[DLB]

Great pics!!!! It looks like it was a lot of fun at one time!

 

[PHLtoMCO]

Ok no need to post mine now!!

I saw those on line too!

 

[Mysteria]

YouTube it as well. It really is crazy (and sad) to see what it was compared to what it looks like now.

 

[letsgoreds]

I remember swimming in the swimming hole in 1987 (7th grade). It was my first water park. I remember being grossed out by the lake water...and sliding down ziplines into the water. I would love to tour the delapidated park...along with the bird reserve across from BLT.

 

[Planogirl]

I LOVED River Country. It wasn't as thrilling as the current water parks but it was so pretty and relaxing. It's sad to see it disintegrating and it'll be even sadder if the area is turned into another DVC resort.

 

[andyman8]

I think everyone here pretty much knows the 'full' story, but here is a video discussing the matter. This guy's Disney videos are pretty good and informative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40BAY7LuCOo

There are also links to more photos and a video in the comments.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

Thank you for sharing the video.

I don't remember it being open when we were there in 1998 but I do remember my kids and their dad swimming in the lake. I thought the lake was gross.

 

[Reddog1134]

There might be a DVC going there but none of the rumors have involved ft wilderness.

Actually, most of the rumors talk about a Ft Wilderness DVC.

Check HERE and HERE and HERE.

 

[2Tiggies]

Ok no need to post mine now!!

I saw those on line too!

Nope, no excuse. I would still like to see yours

I have a bit of a fascination with River Country whenever threads and pics come up. I hadn't been to Disney before when they closed it so it remains one of those things that WAS part of a resort the IS a major part of our lives now - but my only reference is pictures and stories posted by people like you

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

There might be a DVC going there but none of the rumors have involved ft wilderness.

The reason it's still there is it would just cost to much to tear down. If they needed the land they would've torn it down right away, but if your not gonna use the space why spend millions of dollars to tear it down. They do use parts of it as offices.I like the look of it sitting there empty, and hope they don't get rid of it anytime soon, it really adds a lot to the ft. Wilderness area.

There have been handfuls of pictures and videos pop up in the last few years of RC in it's decaying state that show those offices were deserted some quiet hastily, photos and memos still out on desks and such. I don't think anyone goes over there regularly for any work and havn't in several years.