Why did River Country close down?

[perla75]

Just wondering if anyone could tell me the reason? Why didn't they just use the same land when they created the other water parks?

 

[sarcasticblonde]

http://modernruins.blogspot.com/2008/01/disneys-river-country.html

 

[bicker]

River Country was a casualty of the popularity of bigger, better, more technologically enhanced water parks. As much as some people loved it, more people loved the newer water parks, so much so that they were far more profitable to operate.

As far as the location, we can only speculate. I for one am happy that they didn't build a humongous water park not far from my timeshare at Wilderness Lodge. I think it would have made that area too crowded, especially the roads.

 

[marathonmommy]

There are some other links about the demise of RC. I think they are fun, albeit a bit creepy. They have some very good photos, too. Some of the more interesting tales have to do with water quality, and my favorite - GATORS!

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

How sad it is in it's current state

 

[J3nn78]

River country was my favorite. My family LOVED it and have such fond memories. We are just not into the other two.

 

[Jana928]

As it was said before, RC was closed because it was outnumbered by the larger parks. It was also because the water was being fed from Bay Lake (and purified, of course). However, the standards changed and that was no long allowed. Disney decided that it would be easier and cheaper to just close the water park.

They continued to use the pools up until a few years ago for lifeguard training. However, a crack emerged in the pool and Disney decided that it wasn't worth it to fix it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . It was also because the water was being fed from Bay Lake (and purified, of course). However, the standards changed and that was no long allowed. Disney decided that it would be easier and cheaper to just close the water park . . .

1) This was the main reason.
2) Size and rehab could have been performed, but the lake water was a problem.
3) It has been considered to be a convention-type facility.
4) With this approach, the water wouldn't be needed or become an issue.
5) This idea died when a cost-vs-benefit analysis was done.
6) There is still talk of different ideas, so we need to wait and see.

 

[doconeill]

I believe there is a current plan to relocate some structures - the slides I think - to the Ft. Wilderness pool area.

 

[mountdew1]

As far as using the land for a new water park, it's not really conductive to visitors. I don't remember it ever being easy to get too or being a large enough plot to build a newer park on.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

The biggest reason was probabally the liability of having a fresh water park nxt to a lake. The issues with gators and other issues (polution, microbes etc) associated with fresh water were probabally to much.