Thunder Kz
Active Member
It's a shame. PI prepare for your destiny. 
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What Happened to Discovery Island?
- Thread starter Thrill Seeker
- Start date
It's a shame. PI prepare for your destiny.
Hope not. At the very least, they have stilt-walkers now at PI. :brick:
While I miss RC and DI, their closing didn't bother me as much as PI because there are similar replacements (DAK and TL/BB) around property. Nothing similar to PI, or more specifically AC, anywhere.
yankspy
Well-Known Member
Such a shame. I have many fond memories of that place.I was just there about a month ago. Here you go:
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I also have fond memories of watching the fireworks from the hotels while enjoying a swim in the lake.Syntho_Magnetic
Member
I second the "eww" on the Live overhead map and the new photos. I can't believe I ever swam in that.
I was just reading the page on Naegleria fowleri and noticed that droughts are a possible reason for the higher rates, including the 3 boys who died from Orlando lakewater in 2007. The droughts have been an ongoing problem over the decades that WDW has existed yea? At least a sort of 2 steps back, 1 step forward deal? So I guess the lakes' water quality has been steadily becoming more favorable to the parasite.
I was just reading the page on Naegleria fowleri and noticed that droughts are a possible reason for the higher rates, including the 3 boys who died from Orlando lakewater in 2007. The droughts have been an ongoing problem over the decades that WDW has existed yea? At least a sort of 2 steps back, 1 step forward deal? So I guess the lakes' water quality has been steadily becoming more favorable to the parasite.
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
Here we go yet again.
RC's closure had NOTHING to do with any amoeba in the water. Another CM/Internet/fanboi/urban myth.
The lake water at RC was filtered to begin with and there was no growth of any of the plant life/sediment on the bottom where this stuff lives. It simply was never an issue and has taken on a life of its own thanks to the www.
Also, I need to correct someone who said RC didn't close until 2005. Not true. Disney steadily cut RC's operating schedule after BB opened ... it was on a four day a week deal in 2001 when it closed for the fall. 9/11 happened and that was it ... Disney maintained some of the facilities, including the great pool for another 2-3 years before letting the whole place rot.
RC was closed because it wasn't cheap to operate because of its uniqueness, couldn't be expanded because of where it was (again a plus to those of us who spent many a happy day frolicking in the lake or sunning or picnicking there). Funny how when Disney had three water parks open they didn't have the problems with park closures they regularly have now.
But many structures needed expensive work at RC and that's ultimately why they decided to kill it.
As to DI, it largely died for similar reasons. It was expensive to operate because of locale, and it couldn't be expanded. And when DAK opened there seemed to be little use for it. I used to love it myself, but I understand why it was closed and probably would have done likewise.
RC is another story ...
RC's closure had NOTHING to do with any amoeba in the water. Another CM/Internet/fanboi/urban myth.
The lake water at RC was filtered to begin with and there was no growth of any of the plant life/sediment on the bottom where this stuff lives. It simply was never an issue and has taken on a life of its own thanks to the www.
Also, I need to correct someone who said RC didn't close until 2005. Not true. Disney steadily cut RC's operating schedule after BB opened ... it was on a four day a week deal in 2001 when it closed for the fall. 9/11 happened and that was it ... Disney maintained some of the facilities, including the great pool for another 2-3 years before letting the whole place rot.
RC was closed because it wasn't cheap to operate because of its uniqueness, couldn't be expanded because of where it was (again a plus to those of us who spent many a happy day frolicking in the lake or sunning or picnicking there). Funny how when Disney had three water parks open they didn't have the problems with park closures they regularly have now.
But many structures needed expensive work at RC and that's ultimately why they decided to kill it.
As to DI, it largely died for similar reasons. It was expensive to operate because of locale, and it couldn't be expanded. And when DAK opened there seemed to be little use for it. I used to love it myself, but I understand why it was closed and probably would have done likewise.
RC is another story ...
I stated that it went seasonal in 2001 and was officially closed in 2005 which is correct.
http://allears.net/ae/issue302.htm :
"This was followed in 2001 with the closing of River Country, which was closed on a "temporary" basis until the officially permanent closing announcement was made in 2005."
"This was followed in 2001 with the closing of River Country, which was closed on a "temporary" basis until the officially permanent closing announcement was made in 2005."
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
You can argue semantics until the swine flu kills you.
But the fact is River Country never opened again after 9/11. If it was closed on a 'temporary' basis ... that basis was four years. That doesn't fit a rational definition of a seasonal close. If you follow the same line of thinking then 20,000 Leagues is still on a rehab close almost 15 years later.
The 'announcement' in 2005 was simply a PR statement.
But the fact is River Country never opened again after 9/11. If it was closed on a 'temporary' basis ... that basis was four years. That doesn't fit a rational definition of a seasonal close. If you follow the same line of thinking then 20,000 Leagues is still on a rehab close almost 15 years later.
The 'announcement' in 2005 was simply a PR statement.
Was RC not at least somewhat maintained during those 4 years? Did special events not happen there from time to time? If those things did did not happen the yes I would agree with you, however if the did then it is not just semantics. There is a big difference between being mothballed and abandoned. Disney might have never intended to open RC again but basic maintenance would directly effect the condition in the park form 2005 to present which was the purpose of my original post in the first place.
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
The park didn't ever open again after 9/11. It's very simple.
Whether it was partially maintained for a few years (and I know the main pool was, but little else) really doesn't mean very much.
Special events weren't held at RC after it closed, unless you're speaking of the pavilion where the Backyard BBQ was (and I believe still is) held. But the park wasn't rented out to groups that used the pool, slides, attractions, beach etc ...
The vast majority of RC has been rotting in the sun since 2001.
Whether it was partially maintained for a few years (and I know the main pool was, but little else) really doesn't mean very much.
Special events weren't held at RC after it closed, unless you're speaking of the pavilion where the Backyard BBQ was (and I believe still is) held. But the park wasn't rented out to groups that used the pool, slides, attractions, beach etc ...
The vast majority of RC has been rotting in the sun since 2001.
I know that the park never opened again. My only point was that at least some maintenance work was being done. Thrill seeker was making the assumption that based on pictures taken in 2005 the park could be opened up with just a little work. I was attempting to explain to him that those picture did not tell the current story and that RC was in far worse shape that what was shown in those pictures.
I had no desire whatsoever to debate the semantics of Disney's "operating seasonally" tag that it sticks on closed attractions.
Which I will assume will not happen until there are concrete plans to build something there....or someone sneaks in gets hurt and sues.:animwink:
rock_doctor
Member
Actually it does not look too bad. With Florida's normal 100% humidity all of that algae and mold is very normal. I am glad to see everything is still there and to some extent looks like it is being maintained. Thanks for the images. If you have any more it would be appreciated if they were posted.
Thunder Kz
Active Member
Sorry, that's all I have for now. I stood on stacked picnic tables at Fort Wilderness to get those. I'll circle around in the next few weeks and see what I can get. I want one of the old tube ride and waterfall. Also, curious to see if the "zip line" is still there. I'll see what I can do!
That would be cool.
Yes, the Backyard BBQ is still held there.
Figment632
New Member
rock_doctor
Member
True, it isn't in a "can be used now condition", but at least the buildings, sidewalks and windows etc are in place. It is amazing how fast a building will degrade.