River Country

[MattyFresh]

Does anyone know any specifics about why they closed RC?? I am new to the site and its probably up somewhere. Any talks of them doing anything with that land or is it just going to sit there and look pretty at night with all the lights still working??? I kinda miss the ol' fashion water hole

 

[krueg66]

In particular an amoeba called Naegleria fowleri is one of the worst. This nasty little critter gets in through your nasal passages and can result in death from brain swelling. These amoeba are very prevalent in warm, non chlorinated lake and stream water in the south and are a big reason for many of the lakes in Florida being closed to swimmers. Infections are rare but are almost always fatal.

Is that why you are no longer alllowed to swin in Bay Lake and Seven Seas lagoon?? It seemed like the beaches all closed in a two year window in the mid-90's when I didn't make it to WDW and I was pretty bummed. I grew up swimming at the beaches at the Poly, Contemporary and Fort Wilderness...

 

[Master Yoda]

Is that why you are no longer alllowed to swin in Bay Lake and Seven Seas lagoon?? It seemed like the beaches all closed in a two year window in the mid-90's when I didn't make it to WDW and I was pretty bummed. I grew up swimming at the beaches at the Poly, Contemporary and Fort Wilderness...

It is my understanding that it is one of the reasons. Many lakes in Florida have been permanently closed to swimming due to the possibility of naegleria fowleri. From what I have read the outbreaks of these amoeba are rare (only 24 infections were documented in the U.S. between 1989 and 2000) but all it takes is one for Disney to be faced with a major lawsuit.

 

[krueg66]

It is my understanding that it is one of the reasons. Many lakes in Florida have been permanently closed to swimming due to the possibility of naegleria fowleri. From what I have read the outbreaks of these amoeba are rare (only 24 infections were documented in the U.S. between 1989 and 2000) but all it takes is one for Disney to be faced with a major lawsuit.

Yet another example of this letigious society we live in making our lives LESS fun...so pathetic.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

In particular an amoeba called Naegleria fowleri is one of the worst. This nasty little critter gets in through your nasal passages and can result in death from brain swelling. These amoeba are very prevalent in warm, non chlorinated lake and stream water in the south and are a big reason for many of the lakes in Florida being closed to swimmers. Infections are rare but are almost always fatal.

Now you're stealing my Microbiology seminar...:lol:

Yes, that is a big factor in closing of all lake swimming. Also there would be a need to nearly double the number of lifeguards.

Here's some links to photo's of "back in the day"
http://www.disneypix.com/Recreation/River/1991a/RC1191-01.htm
http://www.disneypix.com/Recreation/River/2001a/River0505-04.htm
http://www.disneypix.com/Recreation/River/2002b/RC0802-03.htm
and finally:
http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id220.htm

enjoy

 

[Master Yoda]

Yet another example of this letigious society we live in making our lives LESS fun...so pathetic.

99% of the time I would agree but in this case there is a real danger that there is no real good way to protect against save not allowing swimming. If it just involved getting sick for a day of two it would be one thing but nearly 100% chance of death is a little to serious for my taste.

 

[MeTa]

I'm surprised that Disney hasnt come up with a creative thing to put there. Why not put the pirates themed thing there or something.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

For additional technical information, you can reference:

http://www.volusiahealth.com/eh/public_updates/amoeba.html

http://www.cdc.gov/Ncidod/dpd/parasites/naegleria/factsht_naegleria.htm

http://www.flms.net/pdf_files/cflms_newsletters/cflms_summer_2002.pdf

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/epi/Epi_Updates/2002/eu080202.htm