[Fun] Disney's lost water park discovered

[OogieBoogie]

Ok, so maybe it was never really lost, but since it's closure in 2001, River Country the first water park at Walt Disney World, has pretty much been forgotten about. Recently though, someone happened upon the ruins of River Country and snapped some shots. From what it looks like, Disney is content to let it rot. The structures and the slides are still there, but the swamp has overgrown everything.

To view the pictures of the ruins, please do a google search on River Country - The DIS Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

[MarkTwain]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

It's funny how most of Disney history has been about claiming the land, and here is a rare instance of nature reclaiming Disney.

Thanks for sharing!

[OogieBoogie]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

Btw... sorry if my post doesn't make any sense or is rambling. I only got 3 hours of sleep last night.

[OogieBoogie]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

If anyone is interested, YouTube has a neat home video of River Country: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VArObNa-1SA]YouTube - Walt Disney's River Country: We Will Never Forget[/ame]

[Noski]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

I can't believe they just left it there to rot like that...

[Disneytwins]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

It looks like Nature has taken it's course. It's only in this condition because most of It is out of view. I'm sure eventually something will be done with it.

[Joshnyah]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

Wow those pictures are amazing, I had no Idea. Its really sad, I feel bad it looks like it was so amazing what a waste, what a waste.

[dead_Mau5]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

It is just amazing that in a mere eight years, Nature has transmogrified the late River Country into a dystopian marsh.

A eerie remainder that not even Disney can outlast the advancing environment.
That even one day,WDW shall lay faded and unloved, awaiting to be eaten by her mother swamp.

[Disneytwins]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

Yeah it is sad but it's highly fascinating at the same time. I have no clue how to describe it.

[my7dwarves]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

Creepy... an old abandoned water park... looks like the beginnings of a Scooby Doo episode...

The last time I saw this park was back in 1987-88, when my Mom and brother and I went to WDW for our family summer vacation. We spent a day at River Country and had so much fun. So sad to see it in ruin...

[Imagineer Scott]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

It truly is fascinating. I remember River Country being so nice, relaxing, and fun. I understand why the closed it though- the other water parks really offer much more... I just miss River Country's charm.

Maybe if enough people see and say "Wow, I never realized it was there. Looks cool!" it might catch Disney's attention... you never know.

[ORD84]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

Sad how it looks now, but I agree theres something poetic about nature reclaiming some of the land Disney has ripped outof its primordial state and wrestled into the 20th Century...

[GRD999]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

I hope whoever took these photos doesn't get in trouble. That area is blocked off because its condemned. I was able to go into it a few months ago with Fort Wilderness Maintenance. It's a jungle in there, as seen in the photos.

I just hope Disney doesn't come down on the poster of the photos, I've known them to do stuff like that before.

[Disneytwins]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

I wouldn't go in there because of the critters that must be roaming around there. I'd honestly rather see them take the time to bulldoze it then to rebuild it. Maybe make a new pool for the place?

[ORD84]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

I wouldn't go in there because of the critters that must be roaming around there. I'd honestly rather see them take the time to bulldoze it then to rebuild it. Maybe make a new pool for the place?

Why do that when nature is free?

[Bags deserves bett]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

How many people got sick/died via the amoebas from that park

[Imagineer Scott]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

How many people got sick/died via the amoebas from that park

:lol:

I think the rumors about the whole Bay Lake being infectious is somewhat true, but the main and definite reason (confirmed by an Imagineer I've spoken to) is that the park closed because Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach have more capacity and draw more people.

To answer your question, I don't think anyone has died.

[MarkTwain]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

If WDW ever needs a third water park, I could easily see River Country's theme inspiring it, even if it were in a different location. I for one would love to see a more elaborate, more fleshed-out "ol'-fashioned swimmin' hole" even if it wasn't on Bake Lake.

[Twist1234]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered


What is that wall in the back?

Also very nice find Disney is now even too cheap to remove the stuff

[SCUBAbe]

Re: Disney's lost water park discovered

What is that wall in the back?

Also very nice find Disney is now even too cheap to remove the stuff

from other pictures it seemed to be around a swimming pool.