Back in the mid-1970s, Walt Disney World was not the sprawling, multi-day resort destination that it is today. The only theme park on offer was the Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT Center wouldn’t open until the start of the next decade. Yet Disney desperately wanted to increase the length of time that guests spent staying at its selection of on-site hotels. A stop-gap solution was needed.
To keep its hotel guests amused and in-situ for longer, Disney decided to build its first ever water park: Disney’s River Country. Although other water parks existed prior to River Country’s debut on June 20, 1976, it has often been argued that – just as Disneyland was the first “true” theme park – River Country was the water park to truly carry off a coherent theme, rather than simply throwing together a selection of slides and pools.
Alas, unlike Disneyland, Disney’s River Country was not to stand the test of time. When Michael Eisner took over as Disney CEO in 1984, he took a far competitive approach than predecessors. Disney’s neighbours in Florida were no longer viewed as “complementing” the Disney experience – instead, they were simply viewed as competition to be crushed.
One of those competitors was Wet ‘n’ Wild Orlando, these days owned by arch-rival Universal. Wet ‘n’ Wild was larger than River Country, and Eisner decided to take it on by building a full-scale water park, Typhoon Lagoon, which opened in June 1989. A third water park, Blizzard Beach, followed six years later, leaving the tiny River Country looking somewhat surplus to requirements in the eyes of Disney’s management.
River Country’s capacity was limited, and its days were numbered. It shut on September 1, 2001, but remains in place today – it was abandoned rather than demolished.
Still, many folks have happy memories of visiting Disney’s River Country during its golden years. Let’s take a look back at some of the park’s most notable features and characteristics.
5. The theme
Located near Discovery Island on the shore of Bay Lake, River Country boasted a rustic “wilderness” theme. The theming was heavy on rocks and boulders, and was designed to resemble an “old-fashioned swimming hole”.
According to the excellent Walt Dated World, Fred Joerger, who had worked on the likes of Big Thunder Mountain and Tom Sawyer Island, was responsible for designing River Country’s extensive rockwork. On top of the larger boulders were strewn pebbles from streams in Georgia and the Carolinas. The natural feel of the park was enhanced by the sand that was abundant throughout.
The overall effect, just as Disney hoped, was that entering River Country felt like stepping into a scene from a Mark Twain novel. With added water slides, of course.
4. The water
The water that was used by Disney’s River Country was one of the most unique aspects of the park. It was drawn directly from Bay Lake, passing through a unique filtration system before entering the various slides and pools.
A giant flexible tube acted as a “bladder” between Bay Lake and River Country, expanding and contracting to keep the water level inside the park slightly higher than that of the lake. The water was then pumped up to the top of various slides, plunging downwards, and ultimately – thanks to the higher water level in River Country and the associated effects of gravity – falling back into Bay Lake itself.
3. The attractions
There were relatively few attractions at River Country, which was much smaller than the current Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks. Among the attractions on offer were:
- Upsteam Plunge – a small, kidney-shaped pool.
- Slippery Slide Falls – two water slides that emptied out into Upstream Plunge.
- White Water Rapids – a 330-foot-long lazy river.
- Bay Cove – a sandy-bottomed lake featuring a tire swing, rope climb and other apparatus.
- Whoop ‘n’ Holler Hollow – two water slides that dropped into Bay Cove.
- Indian Springs – a play area for younger children.
- Cypress Point Nature Trail – a trail through the trees alongside Bay Lake.
2. The Mouseketeers’ song
Back in November 1977, an episode of the Wonderful World of Disney saw the cast of the New Mickey Mouse Club (aka the Mouseketeers) heading down to Walt Disney World. This included a visit to Disney’s River Country, which can be seen in the video above. The footage is accompanied by a catchy tune that you’ll struggle to get out of your head.
Altogether now!
River Country. Big River Country.
It’s a hoot. It’s a holler! It’s a water jamboree!
River Country. Big River Country.
If you’re hot around the collar it’s the cool place to be!
1. The end
By 2001, Disney’s River Country was already looking a bit outdated when compared to the larger, higher capacity Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Then came the September 11 attacks, which forced Disney (and just about everybody else in the tourism industry) to make some drastic cutbacks as guests numbers plummeted.
Disney’s River Country had closed for the cooler fall and winter months on September 1, as it did every year, with the expectation that it would return in 2002. But with the cuts still biting, and relatively little demand from guests, it simply never happened. Despite rumors of the park being rethemed, it never reopened and instead stands abandoned.
You can check out some aerial shots of the overgrown remains of River Country in this article.
Share your memories
Did you visit Disney’s River Country before its closure? What are you memories of the park, and do you wish it was still operating? Let us know in the comments section below!
