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Sentinel - Disney World draining, filling in long-abandoned River Country pool
- Thread starter PhotoDave219
- Start date
Biff215
Well-Known Member
Interesting that they found a way to connect this to June's tragedy by implying a child could just wander in and fall into the pool. If that were the case this would have been done long ago.
I understand the assumption that this is related to DVC, but I would think they would want to dig the pool structure out first. This sounds like they're simply filling it in, which is why the Zika connection seems most likely.
I wouldn't mind a wilderness themed resort built there someday, perhaps with a pool that would mimic some of the features of River Country. DVC would clearly prefer to add on to existing resorts where they don't have to add much infrastructure, which is why I think this opportunity has been left on the back burner this long (and will probably continue to be).
I understand the assumption that this is related to DVC, but I would think they would want to dig the pool structure out first. This sounds like they're simply filling it in, which is why the Zika connection seems most likely.
I wouldn't mind a wilderness themed resort built there someday, perhaps with a pool that would mimic some of the features of River Country. DVC would clearly prefer to add on to existing resorts where they don't have to add much infrastructure, which is why I think this opportunity has been left on the back burner this long (and will probably continue to be).
ChipNDale79
Active Member
Its interesting to come in here and read people's reactions and their theories as to why they are doing this. At the end of the day, why do we care? River Country is never coming back, in its current form we'll never get to visit that area of WDW again.
I really don't care what their reason is for filling it in. I think there are some true benefits for it being done, that said, I don't care if they are doing it for financial gain in the long term or if they are truly doing it to prevent kids from getting in there, because of Zika, or because of gators. I'm just glad they are doing it. I've got nothing to complain about with this one.
I really don't care what their reason is for filling it in. I think there are some true benefits for it being done, that said, I don't care if they are doing it for financial gain in the long term or if they are truly doing it to prevent kids from getting in there, because of Zika, or because of gators. I'm just glad they are doing it. I've got nothing to complain about with this one.
SpaceMountain77
Well-Known Member
Both Bay Lake Tower and the Villas at Disney Grand Floridian Resort & Spa tower over and detract from the wonder of the original resorts. Bay Lake Tower should have been half the size of Contemporary Tower and the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa should have followed the design cues of the surrounding lodges more closely (e.g., 4 stories).
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
If mosquitos are the risk, yes. The suggestion that it is gators is absurd though.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
I think that the comment was in relation to the fact the every inch of shoreline, be they drainage ditches or lagoons are natural habitats for Alligators. They aren't attracted by abandoned water slides anymore then they are by fallen trees. In other words, River Country is not a magnetic draw to Alligators. That is not the reason to level it. There are many others, but, that is not one of them.
SpaceMountain77
Well-Known Member
There are so many DVC rumors circulating that one might expect 4 or 5 new condominium associations to be established within the next few years. When the expansion of the convention center at Disney's Yacht Club was announced, the boards lit up with speculation that the convention center at Disney's Contemporary Resort would be razed and a second DVC tower built. Trinidad North and South, at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, were rumored to be razed in favor of a DVC tower that would provide views of Illuminations from the higher floors. Now, Trinidad North and South are rumored to remain and a parcel of land adjacent to Disney's Pop Century Resort is being eyed for a tower. Plans for Fort Wilderness were supposedly dropped in favor of the recent conversion of rooms at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Others propose the impending return to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort to correct the lack of 1- and 2-bedroom villa offerings.
Personally, I think the boards are fluttering with numerous rumors because the number of logical DVC footprints at existing resorts is approaching nil.
Monorail_Red_77
Well-Known Member
I don't buy the whole mosquito story. It's just a cover to give a believable explanation as to why the are now working in the River Country area. I mean, the whole area is a swamp. Filling that pool in is not going to do a ton of good as far as mosquitos go. They already have a mosquito spraying program in place.
I can here it now. In about 6 months. You know, we realized the mosquito problem is much larger so we are filling in the old swimming hole area now too. Then another year and a half there will be a new magical DVC to sell.
MrHappy
Well-Known Member
Not to stray too far from the OP, but I like the the Villas and BLT as additions around the lagoon, visually. My only nitpick would be the massive parking area in front of BLT takes away from the views both from and to BLT. I think both are done stunningly well though. If they were trash, then yes I'd have a problem. The bungalow's, those still need to grow on me - although visually appealing, they just seem to be showcased too much. As they jut into the lagoon, they scream to me "I'm expensive and you can't come in here!" (yes, I'm a little jealous).
Monorail_Red_77
Well-Known Member
The pond area is still connected to Bay Lake I'm sure, so yes fish could eat them. But I still don't buy it. LOL. Although I could be wrong.
I have heard a few years back of companies breeding minnows and putting them into backyard pools of homes that are in foreclosure or abandoned here locally in Central FL. For the same reason, to eat mosquito larva. Not on a large scale of course.
raven
Well-Known Member
Possibly a CM broke this news to someone as they park in that area for certain work areas at the campground.
Strangly enough, a few years ago a CM I know went trekking through the abandoned park with a few fellow CMs and found a backstage area that seemed to have recent activity in the area and they found a cage of chickens with a sign on the cage that said "Caution: Virus Testing." No, I'm not making this up and they don't have photos unfortunately.
Strangly enough, a few years ago a CM I know went trekking through the abandoned park with a few fellow CMs and found a backstage area that seemed to have recent activity in the area and they found a cage of chickens with a sign on the cage that said "Caution: Virus Testing." No, I'm not making this up and they don't have photos unfortunately.
Monorail_Red_77
Well-Known Member
Could have been a test site for Sentinel Chickens. There are locations all across Florida for this. It is for monitoring Mosquito Borne Disease like West Nile Virus, etc. You hear about them from time to time when West Nile pops up in the news here locally in Central FL. They are run be each FL county. So would make sense to have a test site at WDW as it is isolated in comparison to surrounding areas. Not sure how many test sites there are in FL. I know there are a few over near me in Brevard County, FL.
Maybe because RCID is a governmental agency, they have their own program going. Or did at one time.
Here's a quick Google search on it. Found this article from Sarasota County.
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Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
Ahhh the ol swimmin hole......Let's Fill er up!
raven
Well-Known Member
Drugs that cure horrible diseases? Let's be honest. For half a century all these companies do is make drugs that suppress them.
TeriofTerror
Well-Known Member
I'll take modern medical care over that at any other time in human history.
I'll take my suppressed condition over the non-suppressed version from before I found the right drugs, and I'm quite happy those drugs exist.
DManRightHere
Well-Known Member
What a waste of money. Stop spending on potential liability issues, health hazards, and infrastructure. Just make some new rides, that's what'll fix WDW.
csmat99
Well-Known Member
Why do people insist on trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube? DVC is a huge ATM for Disney. Not just the money it brings in from sales but the people it brings into the parks to spend money. So of course they will build as big as they possibly can because they know they will sell all the timeshares even if they have to "discount". I understand we don't want those areas changed but there is no going back. We can only hope that when they do build more DVC's they are little more unique and I'm hoping another stand alone resort with character. Not just tacking on to existing resorts.
csmat99
Well-Known Member
The one thing I noticed in this video is they sure weren't' spacing the people going down the slides. LOL one point two people went down together.
