What happened to River Country?

[Jamesbyr]

I never went there, but somewhere I heard that the water was not heated, which made it a seasonal attraction at best. (What's the temperature in WDW tonight?) And it was hard to get to except by boat or for nearby campers. Once the other two water parks opened it became superfluous. I did hear the rumor about it becoming an exclusive for the WL and Campground, but it is quite a trek from WL so I doulbt that will happen.

 

[wasabi girl]

I thought I read somewhere that RC was available for private parties...anyone know if it's true?

 

[wdwoldtimer]

It's not a pool with a filtration system? It's a natural body of water??

D4D

It was for the most part, part of Bay Lake. At least the main play area's water flowed right into Bay Lake. Some of the slides might have been separate system...I don't remember.

 

[gail228]

I just heard over the weekend that the official announcement was just made that River Country will not reopen. There was a rumor that a Pirate themed water park may replace it, but only a rumor. It would be great to promote Pirates of the Caribbean movie and the 2 upcoming sequels. I hope it is true!!

 

[eeyore0062]

It was sad to see on our recent trip. We went over on a boat and showed our kids where it was and told them about it. It was a fun place but the kids see TL and BB as the standard now. They were surprised we liked it as much as we did.

HBC

And above is the REAL reason that River Country is not around any longer.

We loved it, as well! First Waterpark I ever went to, and it was fun... of course my swim challanged mom decided to be "one of the boy's" and go down the slides into the lake. Water was over her head (she is only 5 ft) and she had a bit of a scare. She never went on those again.

Still my favorite, (always was, and always will be) river rapids tube slide was there. It was so much fun! I will always miss it. I liked that it was fresh water, and not heated. It was like swimming in a lake, which I never did, living close to the ocean... that was what I was used to.

It holds fond memories for me and my family (well, maybe not my mom)

 

[Pete W.]

I just heard over the weekend that the official announcement was just made that River Country will not reopen.

Where was the "official" announcement made? Please provide a link or some other evidence.

 

[eeyore0062]

Where was the "official" announcement made? Please provide a link or some other evidence.

With all of the rumours floating around, it would be nice to see something official, I agree.

A Pirates themed water park would be great, but considering the location of RC, and lack of ease of getting there for large crowds, I doubt they would use the same location.

Guess it will just go on the list of the once great, and sorely missed.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

My DSis was a lifeguard for Disney and she started at RC. She said that the depths and currents of some of the slide pools made it very dangerous for non-swimmers. She also said that it was hard to see people if they went under the water. She pulled many people out of the pools at RC (more so than when she worked TL).

 

[artblessed]

This post says it has 27 replys but I can only see 7 and there areno additional pages showing. It has been this way since yesterday. LOL I just thought of something I had better post this somewhere else because I probably won't be able to see your responces : )
Carla

 

[wdwoldtimer]

I also recall the currents and water depth at the end of the slides to be high as well. Funny you mention the lifeguards M. Flier...I recall one time I was at RC I saw a middle aged man in a complete and total panic, floundering around after he came down the long slide. He had managed to grab onto one of those divider ropes with the flotation things on them and was holding on for dear life. The lifeguard had this big hook thing and was telling him to grab on so she could pull him to the edge. He wouldn't listen, just kept saying "no" and held on to the rope for dear life. Eventually three lifeguards had to swim over and practically carry him out of the water. It was the oddest scene.

 

[PatriciaH]

We walked over to RC last year since we were staying at WL. The walk was really neat-no one else was on the path and it was like "old Florida" before all the mowing down of trees, etc.. Lots of Spanish moss and really old trees! Anyway it was dusk and we walked down near where RC was. There are wood walls up but DH gave me a boost and sure enough all the slides are still in there. the Water tower/bucket thing that was at the entrance is still there and we got a picture of me standing under it. I will try to post it. I must say it is very strange to see things like this being unused at WDW. It just seems weird and wrong. Like something you would see at an old fair grounds but not WDW

 

[wdwoldtimer]

What would be weirder is if you could hear people laughing, splashing sounds and music when you were walking towards RC and then when you popped your head over the wall, it was completely deserted.

 

[bratus913]

What would be weirder is if you could hear people laughing, splashing sounds and music when you were walking towards RC and then when you popped your head over the wall, it was completely deserted.

 

[Dznefreek]

It was for the most part, part of Bay Lake. At least the main play area's water flowed right into Bay Lake

Actually it is a seperate body of water. There is a spillway at RC that allowed any overflow to go into BL but they are not connected.
Water was pumped in from the lake and treated. The rocks that were in the main body of water at RC were covering the filtration system.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Ok I get ya...I remember the overflow went right out into Bay Lake. You could sort of walk to the edge of the play area, hop over a small barrier or something and be in the reeds.