Disneys River Country The Rise and Fall of a Forgotten Water Park

Have you ever dreamed of exploring the secrets behind Disney's theme parks? Today, we delve into a forgotten corner of Disney World – River Country, a once-glorious water park that was ultimately abandoned, left to decay over time. This is a legendary tale of innovation, competition, decline, and rebirth.

On June 20, 1976, a new water park called River Country opened near Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. As one of the first major expansions following Disney World's 1971 debut, River Country represented Disney's growing ambitions in leisure entertainment. At the time, water parks were a relatively novel concept, and River Country quickly became an industry leader with its unique theme and innovative design.

River Country adopted the theme of "Tom Sawyer's Swimming Hole," bringing scenes from Mark Twain's classic novel to life. Visitors could enjoy water attractions in a rustic setting reminiscent of 19th-century American countryside. This themed approach was groundbreaking at the time, setting trends for future water parks.

The park featured numerous attractions including:

• Large water slides of varying heights and angles
• An inner tube river for leisurely floating
• A sand-bottom lake for swimming and beach activities
• Tire swings and bridges adding playful elements

River Country implemented a unique filtration system that drew water from adjacent Bay Lake, treating and purifying it for park use. The water level was maintained higher than the lake's to prevent untreated water from entering, ensuring guest safety and hygiene – an industry-leading innovation at the time.

By 2001, Disney World had expanded to include three theme parks, over 30 hotels, and two newer, larger water parks: Typhoon Lagoon (opened 1989) and Blizzard Beach (opened 1995). These competitors featured more elaborate themes and modern attractions.

The original water park struggled to compete due to:

• Aging infrastructure lacking modern updates
• A theme that felt outdated to contemporary visitors

The 2001 terrorist attacks significantly impacted global tourism, reducing visitor numbers and accelerating River Country's decline.

On November 2, 2001, River Country closed for seasonal maintenance – but never reopened. Disney remained silent initially, fueling speculation. After years of uncertainty, the company officially announced River Country's permanent closure in 2005.

Rather than demolishing the site, Disney simply fenced it off, allowing nature to reclaim the space. This created an eerie, post-apocalyptic landscape that attracted urban explorers who documented the decaying slides and overgrown pools, sharing images that gave River Country an unexpected cult following online.

In 2016, Disney began transforming the site. By 2018, plans were announced for Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, a new resort inspired by nature-themed Disney films like "Bambi" and "Pocahontas," scheduled to open in 2022.

River Country's story serves as a reminder that even successful ventures must continually innovate to remain competitive. For those who visited during its 25-year operation, it remains a cherished memory of Disney history.