
Did you get a chance to visit before it closed forever?
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River Country Water Park opened its gates on June 20, 1976, near the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, making it one of the first major additions to the Walt Disney World lineup. This park was originally conceived as a “Tom Sawyer swimmin’ hole,” featuring a rustic charm that set it apart from future Disney water parks. With a unique theme and a focus on nature, it attracted guests looking for a refreshing escape within the larger theme park resort.
River Country was ahead of its time, boasting innovative attractions that would later become staples in water parks across the country. Visitors enjoyed large water slides, an inner-tube river, and a sandy-bottom lake that offered a more natural swimming experience. One of its most attractive features was a play area filled with tire swings and bridges, enhancing its family-friendly appeal.
The water quality at River Country also stood out due to its unique filtration system. It utilized fresh water sourced directly from Bay Lake, ensuring that all water played within the park was clean and filtered. Interestingly, the park’s water level was maintained higher than the lake’s to prevent unfiltered water from entering the attractions. This ingenious design drew many visitors, particularly families, seeking a safe and enjoyable day in the sun.
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As the years rolled on, River Country began to face fierce competition. The introduction of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in 1989 and Blizzard Beach in 1995 offered larger and more heavily themed experiences. By the turn of the century, River Country, while still charming, appeared quaint in comparison, leading to a notable decline in attendance. Guests were increasingly drawn to the new parks, which delivered thrilling rides and a more elaborate atmosphere.
The tragic events of September 11, 2001, significantly impacted travel and tourism across the United States. This downturn in attendance affected all Disney parks, including River Country. The combination of new competition and decreased visitor numbers made it increasingly challenging for the park to remain viable.
With two larger water parks offering greater attractions and amenities, River Country struggled to hold its place within Disney’s expanding portfolio. By 2001, many guests found themselves choosing visits to the more modern parks, leaving River Country to feel ever more isolated and underappreciated.
On November 2, 2001, River Country closed for its annual winter refurbishment. However, unlike in previous years, it did not reopen in the following season. Initially, Disney released a statement indicating that the closure would be temporary but remained silent as time passed. In 2005, the company finally confirmed that River Country was closing for good, leaving fans and visitors disheartened.
Following its closure, various urban legends emerged around River Country, including rumors that the park shut down due to health concerns related to a brain-eating amoeba found in the water. These speculations were fueled in part by news of an incident from 1980, where a young boy tragically contracted a rare disease from the water, despite this occurring two decades prior to the park’s closure.
In an uncharacteristic move for Disney, the company chose to neglect the former River Country site instead of demolishing it. The park was simply fenced in and left to decay over nearly two decades, succumbing to nature’s relentless encroachment. This abandonment sparked curiosity and intrigue, fueling stories about what lay behind the fences.
The derelict state of River Country became a magnet for urban explorers and thrill-seekers, who broke in to capture and share images of the crumbling slides and pools across social media and blogs. This phenomenon contributed to a cult-like fame for the park, attracting interest beyond just those who had previously visited Disney World.
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In 2018, Disney announced plans to develop a new project called Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge on the River Country site. Initially, this was met with mixed reactions, especially given the nostalgia many held for the original water park. Although construction was halted due to the pandemic, indications surfaced that plans may still be alive, with requests for permit extensions hinting at a possible future development that would pay homage to the original spirit of River Country.
Through its ups and downs, River Country holds a unique place in the history of Disney and its parks. Despite its closure and subsequent decay, the tales and memories of the original water park continue to echo through the hearts of many Disney fans.