Water Parks -Am I Barmy?

[Groovee]

I thought there was 3 water parks. When we went ourselves we went to Blizzard beach. Hope to try Typhoon Lagoon next year but I thought there was a more laid back relaxed one? Or am I thinking of somewhere else?

 

[Leigha]

River Country was at Ft. Wilderness and closed a few years ago.

 

[Groovee]

That's the one. Why did it close? I kept thinking that we'd not heard of it for a while.

 

[Robo]

That's the one. Why did it close? I kept thinking that we'd not heard of it for a while.

It used the lake as its source of water.

It has since been allowed to "revert" to a natural state.

Lots of moss and wild critters now inhabit its "pools".

Look HERE:
http://www.disneypix.com/Recreation/River/2005a/RC0505-13.htm

Think "Jurrasic Park" on a micro scale.

 

[flortlebap]

Apparently it closed due to the down turn in tourism after 9/11 - Disney just couldn't justify keeping 3 open for financial reasons.

It's a real shame because we loved RC!

 

[Robo]

Apparently it closed due to the down turn in tourism after 9/11 - Disney just couldn't justify keeping 3 open for financial reasons.

It's a real shame because we loved RC!

Although Wikipedia is not necessarily more accurate than any other speculative site, here's what's posted there:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney's_River_Country

QUOTE-
Several possible reasons for the park's closing have been suggested by fans. One is that there wasn't a need for this park due to the other two larger water parks on Disney property (which had more slides) and increased competition from other water parks in the area. Another is that bacteria from Bay Lake was reportedly contaminating River Country's water. Yet another is that this water park's lake was unheated, and was very cold outside the summer months.

It was commented by a Disney employee that a contributing reason for the closing was new state rules concerning water parks. Pools and water activities must have their water originating from municipal water systems, not natural bodies of water.

 

[CrazyforDisney]

wow that picture is sooo undisney. I thought they would have at least torn down the slides and stuff.

 

[flortlebap]

wow that picture is sooo undisney. I thought they would have at least torn down the slides and stuff.

Horrible isn't it!!!

I must admit I did wonder (re: Wikipedia) whether the fact that we were all technically swimming in dirty water was a contributing factor, it makes sense if it was. I'm actually suprised it stayed open as long as it did, even ten years ago I thought it seemed unclean somehow! And highy unfaesible in Winter...

Still, it's a shame, it seemed fun swimming in mucky water somehow

 

[Lorelai]

It used the lake as its source of water.

It has since been allowed to "revert" to a natural state.

Lots of moss and wild critters now inhabit its "pools".

Look HERE:
http://www.disneypix.com/Recreation/River/2005a/RC0505-13.htm

Think "Jurrasic Park" on a micro scale.

That picture should be accompanied by a sad violin piece. Hang on...I have to wipe my tears.

 

[Lorelai]

Okay, I'm alright now.

I'll bet the day will come when they decide to plow it, fill it and add something else. That can't sit like a blemish on the face of Disney forever.....or can it?

I wonder if alligators ever got in when it was River country, since it was fed by the lakes. Oooooooo.

 

[Mickey1122]

Yipes! That picture is very un-Disney. You don't expect to see anything that old and unkempt in Disney. I also read somewhere that they had an alligator issue while it was still open, and the CMs didn't know how to get them out before openning. I might be remembering incorrectly.

 

[Judge Fudge]

I must admit I did wonder (re: Wikipedia) whether the fact that we were all technically swimming in dirty water was a contributing factor, it makes sense if it was. I'm actually suprised it stayed open as long as it did, even ten years ago I thought it seemed unclean somehow! And highy unfaesible in Winter...

We had better close every beach in the North East then...

I wish RC was still open. It was kinda like slummin' it when you went there compared to TL and BB. My guess would be it was the $ of running it along with the 2 newer ones. Of course telling the guests it's for their own good because the water is dirty is an easier pill to swallow.

Either way, I'll always have the memories of the freezing water, and my dad almost drowning...

 

[Uncleromulus]

I truly miss River Country--dirty water or not.
Bringing to mind-when we stayed at the Poly we used to "swim" in that little roped off beach area on the Lagoon. Would pull a lawn chair right up to the water, sit, have a drink, and enjoy the day.
Can't do that any more tho-------