Disney may be looking to develop the area near River Country, Disney World’s first water park.

  • Permit filed for work near River Country site
  • Disney wants to perform a geotechnical investigation
  • River Country was Disney World's 1st water park 

The recently-filed permit is for “Project 89” and related to geotechnical borings. Basically, Disney wants to drill and evaluate soil conditions at and around the site.

Located near Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, River County opened in 1976 and featured a rustic wilderness theme, man-made boulders and water slides. It closed in 2001 and never reopened.

The water park was abandoned, with the rides and wooden bridges left to decay.

The recently-filed permits don’t give an indication of what Disney plans to do with the site. It could be used to for another park or new hotel.

Several projects are in the works at Disney World, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a Tron coaster at Magic Kingdom and the Disney Skyliner gondola transportation system.

In June, Toy Story Land is set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.


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