Riverside Country (a new name for Critter Country)

[mharrington]

I've thought that the Winnie the Pooh ride, by virtue of its English origins, didn't really fit the theme of Critter Country. And now with the retheme of Splash Mountain to "The Princess and the Frog", it will fit in even less, especially if the rumors are true that Critter Country may be annexed by New Orleans Square.

I've been pondering how to come up with a compromise, a name that does not necessarily tie to any one theme. Then, as I was reading the second issue of "A Historical Tour of Walt Disney World", I finally found the answer. At one point, it talks all about both Port Orleans resorts, both French Quarter and Riverside. I thought the name "Riverside" made sense for this land, as it was set near the Rivers of America (with the canoes launching from this land), it features a water thrill ride, and there's even a stream running by the queue of the Pooh ride. I believe also that the Floody Place in the ride is caused by rain causing the river there to swell. So behold my idea for a new name for Critter Country (not the first time they changed it either), known as Riverside Country (not to be confused with the defunct River Country).

What are your thoughts?

 

[mharrington]

Not bad, I don't think it rolls off the tongue though. Maybe if it was just River Country it would sound better. Plus it would be a nice homage to the water park.

They could always make a separate section for Winnie the Pooh too, and call it "Pooh's Corner". All it would need is another attraction and a retheme of "Hungry Bear" to something Pooh related. "100 Acre Refreshments"???, "Honey Bear"???.

The thing with River Country, the water park, though, is that you actually go in the water there. Also, I've never been to a park yet, Disney or otherwise, where the land has only one ride in it.

I actually got the idea for the name from reading about how Dixie Landings became Port Orleans Riverside. Besides, it actually makes sense as it really is located out by the river.

 

[mharrington]

Yeah, that's why I said they'd have to add in an attraction. That's one of the few places where they actually have some space. ... Even if it was just a meet and greet.

There's really no space for another attraction, and they already do have a meet-n-greet near the ride.

Where did you get the issue? Online??? It sounds interesting, I'm always fascinated about the early days of Disney World. Back when things were just concepts and ideas.

I got it from Amazon. Actually, I was mistaken, it was the third issue, not the second:

 

[Miru]

Just call it “The 100 Acre Wood”, and throw in some flat rides for Pooh (small drop tower, spinner, etc). The SM area can be added to NOS.

 

[mharrington]

Just call it “The 100 Acre Wood”, and throw in some flat rides for Pooh (small drop tower, spinner, etc). The SM area can be added to NOS.

The space seems too small for even some simple flat rides.

 

[Miru]

The space seems too small for even some simple flat rides.

Okay… but apparently DL will be expanded sometime this decade.

 

[mharrington]

Okay… but apparently DL will be expanded sometime this decade.

I don't know how, given that they're kind of landlocked.

I just thought my idea was a good way to blend the two (maybe three) otherwise separate rides together without being too contradictory. I would think at least one other person would like it besides me.

 

[mharrington]

There have been rumors about expansions near the Disneyland Hotel.

I will believe it when I see it. I just thought that Riverside Country was just enough to blend the rides together.