Q&A

What is Disney doing with River Country?

What is Disney doing with River Country?

After years of rumors, Walt Disney World announced Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, a new “nature-inspired” resort for the former River Country water park location along the shore of Bay Lake between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. (Updated June 14, 2020.)

Why did Disney get rid of River Country?

Rather, the biggest reason for River Country’s closure is that the park simply couldn’t sustain demand next to its much larger siblings, especially in the midst of the massive travel slowdown following the attacks of 9/11.

Is River Country still abandoned?

When Disney River Country opened in 1976, visitors flocked to Orange County, Florida, to ride the winding slides and traverse the wooden bridges. The park closed down 25 years later, and today, it lies abandoned.

Did River Country have alligators?

River Country was built on the shores of Bay Lake. The first is that Bay Lake, like every other natural body of water in Florida, has alligators. The second is that the lake, like nearly every other natural body of water, contained amoebas and other nasty microscopic critters that can create health issues.

Is there a Abandoned Disney park?

Disney’s River Country was the first water park at Walt Disney World. It opened on June 20, 1976, and closed indefinitely on November 2, 2001, with The Walt Disney Company later announcing on January 20, 2005, that the park would remain closed permanently. …

Is the Disney World River country still open?

More than a decade ago, Disney World permanently closed the gates of two of its previously most popular theme parks: Disney’s River Country and Discovery Island. Instead of demolishing the parks, Disney has allowed them to rot in plain sight. This a bit of an odd choice for a park known for its immaculate appearance.

Why was River country so popular at Disney?

Along with the nearby Discovery Island (seen to the left), River Country comprised one of Disney’s most popular attractions, drawing tourists from all over the states and beyond. As a matter of fact, throughout the ’70s and ’80s, visitors considered these two parks the highlight of the resort.

When did Disney’s River country in Florida shut down?

Together with Discovery Island just across the river, these two theme parks were considered some of Disney’s best attractions in the 1970s and 1980s. That was until the park was suddenly shut down in 2001, without warning. Disney opted not to reopen Disney’s River Country.

Who is the photographer of Disney’s River Country?

Over the years, many have illegally entered the Disney’s River Country in hopes of documenting the disrepair and perhaps understanding why the parks were closed in the first place. Using a drone camera, photographer Seph Lawless has captured exclusive, never-before-seen images of the abandoned parks.