River Country, opened in 1976, was the first water park at Walt Disney World, with two large pools, five water slides, and an “old-fashioned swimming hole” vibe. But it was no match for the modern water parks, folding in 2001 after giving generations of local kids and tourists fond memories to last a lifetime. Here are some of our favorite historical photos of the park in its heyday.
Once upon a time, River Country was a popular water park at Walt Disney World. Via gorillasdontblog.blogspot.comThe “theme” of River Country was old-fashioned swimming hole, with pools and crazy waterslides that used water pumped in from Bay Lake. Via disneyparks.disney.go.com Credit: Photo via DisneyThere was a boom swing, made out of a heavy, swinging ship’s boom. You could swing on it and jump off into the water. This would never fly today. Via lostepcot.com>/a>There was also this crazy tire swing, which looks like it was awesome to ride. Via yesterland.comOne of the water slides was a whitewater rapids type thing, and guests road innertubes to the bottom, where they were dumped off in a giant pool. Via lostepcot.com>Then there was the Whoop n Holler Hollow slide, which you rode in without a tube. Via lostepcot.com>It was huge, and full of crazy turns. Via yesterland.comSome of the water slides ended in steep drop offs, which landed you into the pools below. Via lostepcot.com>/a>If you weren’t the adventurous type, you could always just sit by the pool. Via lostepcot.com>/a>Goofy was River Country’s mascot. Via waltdatedworld.bravepages.comThis is what River Country looks like today.River Country closed in 2001, and Walt Disney World officials said at the time that it could reopen someday if there was enough guest demand. abandonedplaygrounds.comIts pools have been sitting intact but vacant ever since. Via abandonedplaygrounds.comThey’re full of slimy, green water. Via moderndayruins.comEverything is filled in with weeds and overgrown. Via imagineeringdisney.cokEven the waterslides are grown over. Via abandonedplaygrounds.comTree branches have fallen on some parts of them. Via disboards.comThe buildings are still there, just rotting away. Via boingboing.comIt’s hard to even imagine that just 12 years ago, people were flying down these slides and into the pool here. abandonedplaygrounds.comIt’s nothing but a grassy knoll now. Even if Disney did, for some reason, want to reopen River Country again, it looks like they’d have to bulldoze everything and start over. disboards.comSo here’s to the memories, River Country. Via yesterland.comWe don’t know if your demise was caused by dangerous amoebas that once killed a kid who visited here, or by competition from the newer Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, or simply by budget cuts. Via lostepcot.comBut we’ll choose to remember you like this … Via mainstgazette.com… rather than like this. abandonedplaygrounds.com
