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3. The attractions

Disney's River Country map

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

Disney's River Country

By 2001, Disney’s River Country was already looking a bit outdated when compared to the larger, higher capacity Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.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

Disney's River Country

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!

 
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Comments

Has there been any clarification as to why they leave it and Discovery Island abandoned and wasting away instead of rehabilitating it into something useful (and dare we say it)... profitable? I've never understood that.

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