Originally Posted By Manfried Some of us remember the glory that was River Country. Sad to see what has become of it. <a href="http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2344523" target="_blank">http://disboards.com/showthrea...=2344523</a>
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I was never at River Country, but I well remember when Disney News did an article about it when it opened. There is something eerie yet cool about photos like these -- to see a place that was filled with people at one time, having a blast on vacation, making memories and then to see it left to the elements.... just unsettling. All I could think of was the place must be crawling with gators!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I never got to experience River County either, but it was one of the things that made me dream of visiting WDW.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I always like the semi natural feel of River Country, but I was always petrified of either snakes or gators getting in. I still have that article up in my loft/attick Toony. I remember thinking why was it a big deal as we had a park like that near Visalia as a kid. But as I grew older, I understood more. Also, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are true marvels. Sadly, River Country like Treasure/Discovery Isle and my beloved Pleasure Island all had their day. And I miss them. Never mind, we all have synergistic tooning of the resorts to look forward to.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy I always thought that the white water "rapids" slide at River Country was the greatest thing ever. It always had a tremdously long line. I honestly think River Country would still be around if not for the scare of bacteria in all of the WDW lakes and waterways that came about in the 90s. I remember when it was still allowed to swim in Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. Even though the "lake" water in River Country was chlorinated, I don't think Disney was able to satisfy the attorneys that their system for having Bay Lake join up with the water in River Country could be an acceptable risk in the event of someone getting a bacteria infection.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Amazing photos. I just can't believe that Disney would just let it rot like that. It almost looks like "post-Armageddon" Disney. Imagine if Disney World had failed, we could possibly see photos of the Magic Kingdom looking this way....Very sad. Lots of happy memories of River Country and Discovery Island. It just amazes me how they just let nature reclaim it like this... Walt would NOT be happy!!!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Truly sickening. As someone who spent so many happy childhood (and right on into my 30s) days at RC, these pics are like being tossed into frigid water. No pixie dust. No magic. Just all about $$$. And abandoned in such a haphazard sickening way that it will cost millions to make the area safe for anything, even simply returning it to the wild. That pic of the CM plaque tells the tale so well ... way to go TDO!
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << Just all about $$$ >> I think that comment ignores the hysteria surround the waterborne bacteria scare in Florida (and WDW) that ultimately resulted in River Country's end. Unlike the other Disney water parks, River Country was directly connected to a natural body of water which harbored some (if only minimal) potential of bacteria. Of course, that all happened over a decade ago, so you probably forgot about it.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 << Just all about $$$ >> <<I think that comment ignores the hysteria surround the waterborne bacteria scare in Florida (and WDW) that ultimately resulted in River Country's end. Unlike the other Disney water parks, River Country was directly connected to a natural body of water which harbored some (if only minimal) potential of bacteria. Of course, that all happened over a decade ago, so you probably forgot about it.>> The water was filtered and was NEVER an issue at all. It's become an urban/CM/Internet myth. But it's a convenient one to use. Disney, btw, has never stated that but is more than willing to allow apologists to spread it. Anyway, I'm just wondering when some kids are gonna sneak in there (very easy to do obviously) and screw around and drown before Disney cleans up the area. You would think Legal would be on TDO to deal with it, but I guess they feel if something bad happens that the cost of paying off a family or two will cost fewer millions than actually cleaning up the rotting corpse!
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << The water was filtered and was NEVER an issue at all. >> It doesn't matter. It's the perception. Apparently you never spent much time at River Country. I don't recall a single visit I made during the 70s and 80s where I didn't overhear guests somewhere asking a cast member whether the water in Bay Cove was polluted. Of course, it wasn't but that didn't stop people from worrying about it -- that was 10 years before the bacteria scare that made national headlines out of the state of Florida. Not coincidentally, all of the swimming areas on Disney's "natural" beaches closed at the same time. << But it's a convenient one to use. >> Facts are often convenient to use because, well, they're facts.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad What was the bacteria scare? I know here in North Carolina last year there were some worries about lakes having water above a certain temperature and people at risk from a very dangerous bacterial infection( I don't remember the type infection). Were there instances in Florida of this actually happening?
Originally Posted By barboy Yes Spirit, River Country epitomizes one huge "attractive nuisance"(tort) whereby even upon trespass some stupid kid and family could ring the bell/win the lottery---- more glaring legal stupidity in the USA and why we need tort reform.
Originally Posted By ImTempest I have no doubt that when the time, incentive and money all align, Disney will resurrect this area. It's definitely not like the company to let potential profit go to waste. But keep in mind they want to figure out what is the highest and best use. This takes time and imagineering.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<It doesn't matter. It's the perception.>> Ah. So reality isn't important, just perception? Sounds like DC or Wall Street. I prefer reality, as scary as it can be! <<Apparently you never spent much time at River Country. >> I spent hundreds of days there from 1976-2001. Some of my best WDW memories come from RC! <<I don't recall a single visit I made during the 70s and 80s where I didn't overhear guests somewhere asking a cast member whether the water in Bay Cove was polluted.>> I don't ever recall hearing anyone asking, although I'm sure they did. I'd be more worried about all the brats crapping and peeing in the resort pools because Disney won't enforce standards where either the kid is toilet-trained or they can't swim. Period. <<Of course, it wasn't but that didn't stop people from worrying about it -- that was 10 years before the bacteria scare that made national headlines out of the state of Florida. Not coincidentally, all of the swimming areas on Disney's "natural" beaches closed at the same time.>> They closed because Disney didn't want to take chances with people drowning and didn't want to pay to staff beaches with lifeguards, largely. Although as the years went on, Disney did pollute its waterways to a point I wouldn't have wanted to swim in them. But again, RC was filtered. <<Facts are often convenient to use because, well, they're facts.>> That's why I use them. I don't rely on Internet/urban/CM/fanboi legends.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<I'd be more worried about all the brats crapping and peeing in the resort pools because Disney won't enforce standards where either the kid is toilet-trained or they can't swim. Period. >> Are you so naive to think adults don't pee in a pool too?
Originally Posted By Ohana i miss river country too, but these pics are quite interesting, someone mentioned disney armageddon, i kinda dig it that for whatever reason it sadly closed, we see it still but overgrown. ive seen this to lesser extents in Magic Mountain and Knotts here in SoCal, but this one they REALLY let go. and as for the poster who said this RC will return, i'll bet the farm no way. theyll just start over when and if a 3rd waterpark is needed.
Originally Posted By joe80x86 << <<I'd be more worried about all the brats crapping and peeing in the resort pools because Disney won't enforce standards where either the kid is toilet-trained or they can't swim. Period. >> Are you so naive to think adults don't pee in a pool too?>> As much as I hate to admit my apparent failure as a parent it always amazes me how my 7 year old and 4 year old can spend 2 hours or more in a pool and never have to pee. But can't be in a store for more than 20 minutes without having to use the restroom.
Originally Posted By ImTempest No, this area probably won't be a water park - they already have two amazing water parks. I re-state my thought that they will probably examine the area for highest and best use, which is what will bring in the most money. Might be ideal for a Pirate's Lair?
