The WDW waterpark that closed

[OhMari]

Wasn't Disney Institute here too, you could sign up for classes and seminars, or was that area what is now Saratoga Springs. I know it closed because people wanted to be on vacation and not sit in on seminars or class rooms.

 

[Planogirl]

Adam the Woo filmed a bit about the closed River Country park. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4JwgmPEIDQ

 

[POOHsie]

I've read here and there that River Country is being considered for a new Disney DVC development. That would make sense - it's great waterfront property. But I'm not sure there is anything official about this info.

 

[Alicenwonderment]

Saratoga Springs is where DI was. This is where the YES Program was out of too. Since I was part of YES we were lucky enough to take classes for free. I did many of the cooking classes and photography classes. When I was finished The Institute had "restructuring" The cut all cooking classes and camp programs. They wanted to focus on the buss groups. The YES program offices were relocated in Celebration. That was around spring 2000.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Adam the Woo filmed a bit about the closed River Country park. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4JwgmPEIDQ

His vids are great. Wonder if they will lift the ban on Adam the Woo?

 

[Geoff_M]

Actually River Country was caused by a deadly amoeba, called Naegleria fowleri, in the water. It is the reason why you shouldn't swim in the lakes in Florida.

Not quite true. River Country's water system was separate from the lake's and its water was filtered. There was a barrier at the edge of the lagoon that separated the waters and the level inside RC was kept higher to prevent lake water from flowing inwards.

Three things supposedly killed RC. 1) The two larger water parks were much more popular and RC was very dated by comparison. 2) The post-9/11 tourism slump. RC went down for its usual winter refurb that year, and never reopened. There never was an official closure announcement made until 2005. 3) While RC's water was filtered, it was sourced from the lake. Reportedly changes in Florida law required public pools to only use municipal water sources due to fears of said organism. At some point, Disney would have had to pay to convert RC's plumbing. Due to the first two points, it was deemed "not worth the effort."

Discovery Island was closed shortly after Animal Kingdom was opened and most animal life was removed from the island to AK.

That's my understanding too. DI was superseded by AK. There was no need for a 2nd zoological attraction.

 

[eliza61]

We also loved RC. Our very first two stays were at the log cabins at fort wilderness and it was definitely a perk having the ability to go to RC.

 

[eliza61]

His vids are great. Wonder if they will lift the ban on Adam the Woo?

who has a ban on him and why?

 

[Geoff_M]

who has a ban on him and why?

Disney did for repeatedly sneaking into closed/backstage areas at WDW and then posting videos of the "hijinks" (his own description) on YouTube. You do that, and you're going to get "the boot".

 

[snapppyd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaMvBtP7slI

Wow, I feel so sad after watching this. We went to River Country in 1981 when we were on our honeymoon. I remember I couldn't swim and Dh wanted me to go down that slide - I almost drowned him! It's hard to believe Disney has just left it to rot. They are so busy adding more time share buildings - they need to build more attractions.

 

[kt_mom]

Talk of River Country always makes me so sad. It was the highlight of many trips when I was a kid.

I don't remember feeling like the water was crystal clear though. I remember feeling very much like I was in a lake. I've never liked to be in water if I can't see my feet. As much as I loved River Country and especially the slides, I remember trying to get quickly out or to more shallow water after riding the slides in the lake.

 

[snapppyd]

I still have an old, unused ticket. Wonder if it's worth anything?

Retain stub to re-board train; I don't even remember a train.

 

[disney1990]

Not quite true. River Country's water system was separate from the lake's and its water was filtered. There was a barrier at the edge of the lagoon that separated the waters and the level inside RC was kept higher to prevent lake water from flowing inwards.

Three things supposedly killed RC. 1) The two larger water parks were much more popular and RC was very dated by comparison. 2) The post-9/11 tourism slump. RC went down for its usual winter refurb that year, and never reopened. There never was an official closure announcement made until 2005. 3) While RC's water was filtered, it was sourced from the lake. Reportedly changes in Florida law required public pools to only use municipal water sources due to fears of said organism. At some point, Disney would have had to pay to convert RC's plumbing. Due to the first two points, it was deemed "not worth the effort."

That's my understanding too. DI was superseded by AK. There was no need for a 2nd zoological attraction.

Related articles.

http://www.yesterland.com/rivercountry.html

http://www.yesterland.com/rivercountry2.html

 

[teller80]

I would pay for a behind the scenes tour that took me here and to the former Discovery Island. I get a haunting feeling when I see pics of abandoned places - like I can feel the ghosts that inhabit the place. Seriously, make me wear a hart hat, I'm there.

 

[POOHsie]

I would pay for a behind the scenes tour that took me here and to the former Discovery Island. I get a haunting feeling when I see pics of abandoned places - like I can feel the ghosts that inhabit the place. Seriously, make me wear a hart hat, I'm there.

I have seen YouTube videos of abandoned River Country, abandoned Discovery Island and the abandoned FWRR train route. They were each very interesting.

 

[OhMari]

There is some rumors out there, that they want to shut the campground down and build a new resort/DVC area. They started building DVC's, the first was, BLT, then GF, and now the Poly, guess what next is in line. There will be a huge up roar, if the campground is taken away, but that area is a prime area being next to the MK.

 

[snapppyd]

Related articles.

http://www.yesterland.com/rivercountry.html

http://www.yesterland.com/rivercountry2.html

Thank you, very interesting articles.

 

[luvmyfam444]

There is some rumors out there, that they want to shut the campground down and build a new resort/DVC area. They started building DVC's, the first was, BLT, then GF, and now the Poly, guess what next is in line. There will be a huge up roar, if the campground is taken away, but that area is a prime area being next to the MK.

WOW I sure would hate that to happen since that's the best cg EVER!!!