Swimming hole

[labeach2002]

Hi All, I havent been to Disney in quite a few years but I was curious how long ago did they close the swimming hole at fort wilderness? Or is it still there ?

thanks
Labeach

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

I assume you mean River Country? It seems to have closed in 2002.

Here's a cool link:

http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id220.htm

 

[we1luv1dis]

What a wonderful place that was, we miss it!!! 2002 seems right as the last time I recall being there was before our DD(5) was born. DD(9) was maybe 3 or 4 then and she loved it although she was just learning to swim.

 

[minnie61650]

WDW opened River Country on June 20,1976.
It was closed in November 2001 because of problems with the water quality (it was reported that some of the Bay Lake water contaminated the water).
Our family went to River Country October of 1976 when it was brand new and
returned several times after that. It was a favorite of our family and our son age 25 still talks about how that was his favorite water park.
Because of the water issue I do not think they will ever restore River Country the way it was.
However River Country had a really nice themed pool with a water slide and I always wondered why Disney did not at least keep the pool open for FW guests.
Upstream Plunge Pool and Slippery Slides
At the back of this clear water pool are two steep slides that drop swimmers off in a free fall splashdown.
Here is a photo:

River Country also had a sand bottom contained pool which was cleverly set up to make guests feel like they were swimming in "an OLE swimming hole."

River Country was 6 inches higher than Bay Lake and set up so that any overflow of water would spill into bay lake.

River Country we miss you!