Tag Archives: water parks

Reader Memories: Disney’s River Country

Remember our River Country trivia question a few weeks back?  If you missed it, take a look here.

I was really excited to delve into the topic of “retired” attractions because I’m always interested in learning more about WDW.  Aren’t you?

For instance, attractions like River Country – well, and all the other water parks, actually – are mysteries to me.  We’re just not “water park people”.

Having said that, imagine my surprise when one of our friends – or should I say a member of the All in WDW family – passed along some of his thoughts and pictures!

I welcome you to follow along as Tim Peters take us through some of his memories of Disney’s River Country!

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Hi, Bob.  We rented a boat back in August at Wilderness Lodge and took these pictures of River Country.  Such a fun place!

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I remember one time watching Goofy going down a water slide.  I kept wondering how the costume didn’t get ruined!

One section of the bottom was like a pool.  The other section, closer to Bay Lake, was sand.  It almost felt like you were in the lake.  The rope swings and bridges were fantastic.

It was so well-themed.  There wasn’t a huge water slide or water coaster, but I always preferred it over Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach.  I wish my girls could have experienced it.

There is also this tree right by where the retired boat captains hung their shoes to rest forever.  See them at the bottom-right?

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I remember when it first closed that there were lots of rumors that it was going to turn into a pool facility for Ft. Wilderness, but obviously didn’t happen.

There was something online recently saying that something was going to happen with the space, but you know Disney rumors!

If you want to see more, then there is also one of my favorite videos.  Find it here!

WDW Meets The Opry?!

Yep.  You guys did it again!  You’re way too smart for me!

Actually, my praise is truly genuine.  Until I did a bit of research in preparation for presenting yesterday’s question, I had no idea where River Country had been.  I would have had to flat out guess at the answer!

In years past, the River Country water park could be found on the shores of Bay Lake!

And, speaking of Bay Lake … guess where I found a bit of it!  In the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee!

The Delta River is the “river” within the hotel.  Yes, in the hotel.  I still can’t get over that.  It’s so unique.  Well, to me, it’s not something you see every day.  Anyway, the “river” is very scenic, and it entertains tons of guests every day by hosting them as they enjoy a relaxing river cruise.

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So, what’s all this have to do with WDW?  We had been to Opryland a bunch of times, but, in classic cases of not stopping to smell the roses on past trips, I noticed this placard for the very first time on our visit a week or so ago …

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As I scanned through the lists of oceans, lakes, and rivers, I, of course, fixated on my old stomping grounds in Ohio, my new abode in Georgia, and my dream destination of Florida.

From Ohio, I picked out Lake Erie, Rocky River, and Cuyahoga River … among many other familiar names.  From Georgia, I discovered Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River.  Finally, from Walt Disney World, I found …

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Two of my very favorite bodies of water, and proof POSITIVE that you can find a piece of Walt Disney World anywhere!  Of course, somehow I missed the sign that named today’s “lake of honor” – Bay Lake.  I know it was there, though!

Cheers, my friends!  Have a great day!

Retired “Attraction” Trivia! – Disney’s River Country

Closed on on September 1, 2001, just months after its 25th anniversary, Disney’s River Country was the first-ever water park to be enjoyed at Walt Disney World.

River Country

If you never got a chance to visit (like me), River Country “… featured a rustic wilderness theming, complete with rocks and man-made boulders.  It was described as an ‘old-fashioned swimming hole’ with ‘a twist of Huckleberry Finn’.”

Thank you, Wikipedia, for the description!

So, here’s the question … on which body of water’s shores could River Country be found?

Plummet [down the] Summit!

Well, one thing’s for sure … when it comes to Walt Disney World’s water parks, our opinions can best be described as completely mixed.

Earlier this week, I sought out feedback as to whether or not it is worth a cool $55.38 to buy a ’1-Day Water Park Ticket’ to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Well, if, like me, you were looking for the results and comments to push you in one direction or another, you’re a little bit disappointed. We produced, at best, a “split decision”!

First, let’s re-visit the polls.

1. Is a ‘1-Day Water Park Ticket’ really worth $55.38? If “Heck, yeah!” or “No way!” are two ends of a spectrum, we live equally on …

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