What happened to River Country??

[EcLyPsE191]

The last time my family and I went to WDW, River Country was open and we had a great time. Now I'm reading that it is closed indefinitely. Does anyone know what happened, or if it will be opened again?

 

[Geoff_M]

River Country went down for a rehab a couple of years ago and never re-opened. Speculation was that it simply couldn't compete against the sizzle of Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. There was also speculated that the added concerns of having guests swim in the lake water that wasn't chlorinated also contributed to it's closure.

 

[wdwguide]

Originally posted by Geoff_M
River Country went down for a rehab a couple of years ago and never re-opened. Speculation was that it simply couldn't compete against the sizzle of Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. There was also speculated that the added concerns of having guests swim in the lake water that wasn't chlorinated also contributed to it's closure.

Oh, the water was very well treated. Believe me - shortly before it closed, Bay Lake overflowed into River Country, and the whole thing was literally filled with dead fish that were killed by the chemicals. Kids were just throwing them around, and cast members weren't even trying to fish the nastiness out of the water. That was probably the worst day I've ever had at Walt Disney World.
Still, I am sad that River Country closed - it was perfect for taking mid-day breaks when touring the Magic Kingdom because of its proximity and convenient boat transportation. And you could actually swim there without being afraid of injury from the rough concrete that lines the pools and lazy rivers at the other water parks.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'm sorry to see it go too. Always liked the water slides there--a short walk back to the top, rather than the 5-mile hike as at TL or BB.
And at the bottom was that little "current" that you had to swim against to get back out of the water. Neat!!

 

[Minniespal]

Never been to another WDW water park since RC closed, probably will not go again!!!!

 

[katj]

i'd been wondering where it'd gone!

i was sad when i got a park map to see it missing, last time i went we went to all 3 parks and had a great time in each! Except that there was a big snake scare in River Country, but that didn't put us off! There was also a snake in our hotel pool, we're used to it!

 

[PamNC]

I'm so sad about River country - I went with my mom and Aunts several years ago - long long time ago and had such a good time. Then, in 1994 when I got married my husband and I went to WDW for our honeymoon. We spent a day at River country and had such a nice time. I liked the old fashioned swimming hole theme.

Anyway, this year in May we stayed at WL and took the nature trail over to Fort Wilderness. We veered off the trail and went off on our own and ended up backstage at what use to be River Country. Broke my heart. Remember the fun inner tube ride? It's dried up with twigs and leaves - made me almost cry. It's a mess. If they aren't going to reopen it ever (which I hope isn't the case but I guess it probably is) I think they should tear it down so it won't be such a sad reminder. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I've made many wonderful memories there.

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are fine, and we stay at the YC/BC so we practically have a mini water park called Stormalong Bay right there at the resort, BUT there was something special about River Country. To me anyway.

PamNC

 

[Geoff_M]

Oh, the water was very well treated. Believe me - shortly before it closed, Bay Lake overflowed into River Country,...

My fault. I was under the impression that Bay Lake was incorporated into part of River Country. I didn't think all of the waters of RC were self-contained.