What Happened to Discovery Island?

Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Thrill Seeker said:
The deserted River Country pics were quite sad. The place seems to be still standing and probably usable with a little work done. They need to either bring it back or build something new there...
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Those pictures are 4 years old and were taken shortly after the official closure. River country went seasonal in 2001 but it was at least somewhat maintained up until the official closure in 2005. Since then absolutely zero maintenance has been done. There were some pictures of RC taken around 2007-2008 floating around the net that paint a much darker image. Right now in its current state it will take nothing short of a full demolition and rebuild to bring RC back.
 
MichWolv

MichWolv

Born Modest. Wore Off.
Premium Member
Master Yoda said:
Those pictures are 4 years old and were taken shortly after the official closure. River country went seasonal in 2001 but it was at least somewhat maintained up until the official closure in 2005. Since then absolutely zero maintenance has been done. There were some pictures of RC taken around 2007-2008 floating around the net that paint a much darker image. Right now in its current state it will take nothing short of a full demolition and rebuild to bring RC back.
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It's strange to walk over there now. The ticket booths are still there, with signage and everything. Oddly disconcerting.
 
Figment632

Figment632

New Member
Master Yoda said:
Those pictures are 4 years old and were taken shortly after the official closure. River country went seasonal in 2001 but it was at least somewhat maintained up until the official closure in 2005. Since then absolutely zero maintenance has been done. There were some pictures of RC taken around 2007-2008 floating around the net that paint a much darker image. Right now in its current state it will take nothing short of a full demolition and rebuild to bring RC back.
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Yoda is right there no way it could be reused in its current state.
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
DisneyExpert said:
Any chance anybody knows where those pictures can be found?
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It was a member of this site that took them so hopefully they will come in with a link. From what I remember they were in a online photo album so a Google search did not provide any tangible results. I'll keep looking and see if I can find a link.

EDIT: I found the old thread and the link to the pictures is dead. To make matters worse the person who posted them apparently was a bad boy as his account was suspended.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=112908&highlight=river+country
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
The RC area would make a nice "destination" for the new pirate cruises they are going to do. They could build some great POTC-esque sets and even a place to eat. Kind of a plussed "Tom Sawyer's Island" seperate ticket experience/adventure with meet n greets, treasure hunts, zip lines etc.

The chances of them restoring the water park are basically zero.
 
BSikor

BSikor

Active Member
Actually, there have been rumors circulating for some time that RC was going to be retooled for use of guests staying at FW. It wasn't going to be the exact same park but some slides and pools would be reopened. I heard that work was actually going on so I ventured out the there a couple of weeks ago and was walking around to see if I could find something. I did. I found the gate was open so I ventured in. The booths were still there and everything looked rundown. It was at that moment that two men that didn't look like they worked for Disney (no name tags or any other ID) came walking by and chased me away telling me I wasn't allowed in there. They were carrying blueprints.

Of course, nothing is confirmed, but this backs up the rumors a bit.
 
Olijimcha

Olijimcha

Member
Rancid Country would be a more fitting name these days I think :hurl:. Agree with other posters, shame to see sites lying in such disrepair for such a long time after they close and there's really no need for it.
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
BSikor said:
Actually, there have been rumors circulating for some time that RC was going to be retooled for use of guests staying at FW. It wasn't going to be the exact same park but some slides and pools would be reopened. I heard that work was actually going on so I ventured out the there a couple of weeks ago and was walking around to see if I could find something. I did. I found the gate was open so I ventured in. The booths were still there and everything looked rundown. It was at that moment that two men that didn't look like they worked for Disney (no name tags or any other ID) came walking by and chased me away telling me I wasn't allowed in there. They were carrying blueprints.

Of course, nothing is confirmed, but this backs up the rumors a bit.
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Something tells me this rumor is rooted in the rehab of the FW pool area which is currently taking place. They will never build a park that puts massive ammounts of guests into Bay Lake or SSL again. It would not be what you would call eco-friendly for either the lake or the guests.
 
rock_doctor

rock_doctor

Member
It is funny back in the 70s and early 80s people use to say that there was a depository for money on discovery island. They use to take all of the money there to count it. Which would make sense, they have total control to who goes there... The problem was that the hawks, seaguls and crows would attack the animals and eat their food. So the employees started to shoot at the birds. Then they got into trouble and started to string fishing string "roofs" over the pens of the animals that did not fly. The other ones emplyees would just stand there and shoo away the birds. What killed Discovery island was animal kingdom. People were complaining that the habitat environments were not appropriate for the animals so they had originally said they were going to do away with the animals but ended up with Animal Kingdom.

RC was actually a very nice area and i do miss it. River country (I seem to remember) was being dismantlement the last time we were the (Jan 08). I can't remember why i thought that but it is also a shame. It was fun to hit RC then Pioneer hall for make it yourself pizza. And what killed river country was ?Typhoon Lagoon i think. I do remember a time when they said you could no longer swim in the lake. I wonder (as somebody else suggested) was the reason RC was shut down??? I do remember that it was an absolute zoo. You could not go there and turn w/o falling over somebody. It was really just too small of an area. I can't imagine it would take much to cement in the water area and make it a sanitary environment. They would have no problems keeping it filled and making money.
 
BSikor

BSikor

Active Member
jt04 said:
Something tells me this rumor is rooted in the rehab of the FW pool area which is currently taking place. They will never build a park that puts massive ammounts of guests into Bay Lake or SSL again. It would not be what you would call eco-friendly for either the lake or the guests.
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The rumor has them rehabbing the pools and slides so that the guests don't enter the lake.

Don't forget, guests are still able to "get in the water" on bay lake via skiing and parasailing at Sammy Duvall. Granted, not in large numbers but they are in the water.
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
BSikor said:
The rumor has them rehabbing the pools and slides so that the guests don't enter the lake.

Don't forget, guests are still able to "get in the water" on bay lake via skiing and parasailing at Sammy Duvall. Granted, not in large numbers but they are in the water.
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Yes but notice there is no swimming. If the lake could handle large amounts of, ummmmm, well the beaches would be reopened and people would be encouraged to enjoy them, like they used to. I wouldn't get in that water if they paid me. Yikes!
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
BSikor said:
The rumor has them rehabbing the pools and slides so that the guests don't enter the lake.

Don't forget, guests are still able to "get in the water" on bay lake via skiing and parasailing at Sammy Duvall. Granted, not in large numbers but they are in the water.
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Concerning the nasty little amoeba, naegleria fowleri, is really only a danger under the right conditions. Those conditions being water temperatures higher than 80 degrees and sediment actively being churned up in the water (the amoeba actually live in the sediment and not the water). While these conditions are common around the waters edge they rarely exist in deeper water where you would be skiing. Hence swimming is a no no but water skiing is not.
 
BSikor

BSikor

Active Member
jt04 said:
Yes but notice there is no swimming. If the lake could handle large amounts of, ummmmm, well the beaches would be reopened and people would be encouraged to enjoy them, like they used to. I wouldn't get in that water if they paid me. Yikes!
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I agree. I remember as a kid swimming Little Lake Bryan (Disney's private lake for CM's) and having to put the vinegar and alcohol mix in your ear. I hated it and after that I swore NO MORE LAKE SWIMMING! If Disney can block the pools and slides from the lake then I don't see any reason why they couldn't re-open the park for guests of Fort Wilderness.

Time will tell I guess.
 
Thunder Kz

Thunder Kz

Active Member
I was just there about a month ago. Here you go:

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