Mouse greeted guests . But it wouldn ’ t be enough country charm to bring back the crowds .
River Country , tucked beyond Fort Wilderness , was more challenging to get to than Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach . This location was an advantage back when Magic Kingdom was the only main attraction at WDW . But with the development of EPCOT , Animal Kingdom , MGM Studios , and Downtown Disney , River Country receded into the background .
Splashing down the flumes . PANA-VUE SLIDE RESTORATION BY BILL COTTER
In 2001 , River Country closed for the season , just as it had done every year since 1976 . In April 2002 , amid a recession , the Orlando Sentinel reported that the park would not reopen that year , and in 2005 , Disney Parks finally announced that the days of the ol ’ swimmin ’ hole were over . River Country would not reopen .
AND SO IT SAT Slippery Slide Falls can still be seen on Google Maps , sending no one into the concrete-filled Upstream Plunge pool . It ’ s natural to be curious about rundown waterslides and empty buildings . And it ’ s easy to lend that curiosity to rumors on why the park closed . A simple case of competition and budget changes during a recession just doesn ’ t seem a worthy tale to match the overgrown imagery of an empty park .
The Upstream Plunge . PANA-VUE SLIDE RESTORATION BY BILL COTTER
But why do we have a morbid fascination with abandoned parks ? Maybe because they are a shadow of what they once were — a place of excitement and fun . The quiet of this retired waterpark is deafening because it was once the scene of characters , barbecues , and kids swinging on tires . The reason it closed isn ’ t particularly exciting , but that ’ s just fine because the real story of River Country is the one that took place while guests smiled , splashed , and made lasting memories .
Overall , it was precisely what the Disney Parks commercials claimed :
“ River Country was the kersplashingest , kid laughingest , slippery slidingest , raft ridingest , rope swingingest , swan divingest , summer swimmingest , sun snoozingest , picnickingest , old-fashioned , good , clean wet American fun you ' ve ever had !”
Rapids and the ol ' swimming hole . PANA-VUE SLIDE RESTORATION BY BILL COTTER