River Country was Walt Disney World’s first water park. It opened in 1976, and closed for the final time in 2001. Since 2001, the area has sat virtually disturbed. The slides and pools remain in place.
Here is a map of how the park was laid out:
Here are some photos of how it looks now..
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For more photos click the picture at the top of the page or click here.
The New Year’s Eve fun at Walt Disney World Resort will include nine parade performances, topped off with five fireworks extravaganzas. Here’s a look at what’s in store at Disney World (show times and entertainment are subject to change without notice):
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
“Fantasmic!” nighttime musical special effects extravaganza (6:30 pm)
Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,†back-to-back with a DJ at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat. (Mulch, Sweat and Shears sets are 8, 9, 10 and 11 pm; DJ starts at 6:30 pm)
A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year†fireworks show starring Mulch, Sweat and Shears (11:55 pm)
Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 9 am-midnight
Magic Kingdom
“Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!†parade and street party (11 am, 12:30 and 5:40 pm)
“Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade†(12 noon and 3:30 pm)
“SpectroMagic†parade of lights and music (7 and 10:30 pm)
“Holiday Wishes†fireworks (8:30 pm)
“Fantasy in the Sky†fireworks (11:50 pm)
Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 9 am-1 am
Epcot
Special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth†(7:30 and 11:40 pm)
A newspaper says Roy E. Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney who became a powerful behind-the-scenes influence on the family business, has died. He was 79. Clifford A. Miller, a spokesman for Roy Disney’s company Shamrock Holdings, told the Los Angeles Times that Disney died Wednesday after a bout with cancer.
His father, Roy O. Disney, and uncle, Walt, founded The Walt Disney Co. in the 1920s. Walt was the company’s creative genius but Roy Disney’s father played a vital role as head of its financial side. The younger Disney, born in 1930, worked for the company as a writer and producer. But his most important influence was as a Disney shareholder who led two investor revolts.
In 1984 he led a successful campaign to oust Walt Disney’s son-in-law from the company. Nearly 20 years later, he launched another successful shareholder revolt against Michael Eisner.
Refurbishment/closure information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available at http://www.disneyworld.com
Current
Magic Carpets of Aladdin (Magic Kingdom) closed through 12/19/09 for refurbishment.
Typhoon Lagoon closed through 1/9/10.
Upcoming
Lake Buena Vista Golf Course closed 12/25/09 only.
Palm Golf Course closed 12/25/09 only.
Osprey Ridge Golf Course closed 12/25/09 only.
Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) closed 1/3/10 – 2/13/10 for refurbishment. Liberty Tree Tavern will host character dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner 1/3/10 – 2/14/10.
Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom) closed 1/3/10 – 2/27/10 for refurbishment.
Big Dipper Pool & Little Dipper Pool (Hilton Head Island Resort) closed 1/4/10 -1/14/10 for refurbishment. The Beach House Pool will remain open and shuttle service is available.
Uzima Pool (Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House) closed 1/4/10 – 1/29/10 for refurbishment. Guest may use Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village.
Blizzard Beach closed 1/10/10 – 3/20/10 for refurbishment.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (Hollywood Studios) closed 1/11/10 – 1/15/10 for refurbishment.
Luna Park Pool (Boardwalk Inn & Villas) closed 1/18/10 – 2/5/10 for refurbishment. Shuttle transportation to Stormalong Bay Pool (Yacht & Beach Club) will be available.
Old Key West Resort Feature Pool closed 2/1/10 – 2/28/10 for refurbishment. Shuttle transportation to the feature pool Saratogo Springs Resort & Spa will be available.
Refurbishment information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available at http://www.disneyland.com
Current
Main Street Opera House (Disneyland) closed through 12/16/09 to re-install Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. A portion of the lobby is open and Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years can be viewed on a small screen.
Orange Stinger (DCA) closed through 4/28/10 for refurbishment. It will re-open as Silly Symphonies Swings.
Corn Dog Castle (DCA) closed through 3/24/11 due to construction in the area. Corn dogs are currently available at the Countiful Valley Farmer’s Market.
Upcoming
Grizzly River Run Challenge (DCA) closed 1/4/10 – 1/8/10 for refurbishment.
Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 1/12/10 to remove the holiday overlay.
Haunted Mansion (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 1/14/10 to remove the holiday overlay.
The Golden Horseshoe Stage (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 1/14/10 for refurbishment.
Starcade (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 2/1/10 for refurbishment.
Main Street Cinema (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 2/4/10 for refurbishment.
Corn Dog Wagon (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 5/4/10 for refurbishment.
Tomorrowland Terrace (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 5/4/10 for refurbishment.
Rivers of America (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 5/4/10 for a major refurbishment. All attractions requiring the use of the river will also be closed.
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 5/6/10 for refurbishment.
Tom Sawyer Island (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 5/6/10 for refurbishment.
Sailing Ship Columbia (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 5/6/10 for refurbishment.
Mark Twain Riverboat (Disneyland) closed 1/4/10 – 5/14/10 for refurbishment.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (DCA) closed 1/11/10 – 2/19/10 for refurbishment.
“it’s a small world” (Disneyland) closed 1/18/10 – 1/28/10 for removal of the holiday overlay.
It’s Tough to be a Bug (DCA) closed 1/20/10 – 1/21/10 for refurbishment.
Francis’ Lady Bug Boogie (DCA) closed 1/25/10 – 2/4/10 for refurbishment.
More trouble with Walt Disney World’s monorail system left riders stranded Tuesday night.Disney officials said a computer glitch aboard the monorail’s express track left a train stuck between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Contemporary Resort.
The train full of passengers had to be towed to the next stop. Officials said it took about 30 minutes to repair the problem.The latest problem came just three days after a power outage stranded hundreds of passengers.
Check out this newscast from WESH in Orlando here or click the picture above.
Set during the era between the two TRON films, TRON: Evolution conveys the story of significant events within the TRON mythology. The game features an epic adventure across a massive digital world filled with high-mobility disc-based combat and advanced light cycles.
During the taping of this year’s Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, we turned the Magic Kingdom into “Toyland” using Tilt-Shift photography. Watch the entire show, as well as some Tilt-Shift, in full HD resolution Christmas morning on ABC- 10am Eastern, 9am Central, Mountain, and Pacific. Happy Holidays!
The latest adventure sees Buzz, Woody and the rest of the bunch fighting for their lives after their owner, Andy, donates them to a day-care center as he leaves for college.
The highly-anticipated sequel features the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, R. Lee Ermey, Jodi Benson, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton, Jeff Garlin, Bonnie Hunt and Whoopi Goldberg.
Toy Story 3 is slated to hit theaters on June 18, 2010.
The 911 calls were released from early Sunday when a power failure trapped 300 Disney monorail passengers for three hours.
It began around 1 a.m. Sunday when a computer hard drive failure stalled the monorail system, which left passengers stranded without lights or air conditioning until the problem was fixed about three hours later.
Disney programming and movies will be available for free in the Middle East following a new deal between Disney’s parent company News Corporation and the Saudi Rotana Media Group.
Disney movies and programs will be available to Middle East viewers on the Fox Movies and Fox Series channels through a deal between Fox and Rotana, the Saudi satellite and media company which carries the two Fox channels.
Both Fox and Disney are owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation. The owner of Rotana, Saudi Price Alwaleed Bin Talal, holds a major stake in News Corporation.
“If News Corporation wants to get a foot in the Middle East market this is definitely a very sound acquisition for them,†Saudi Businessman Ahmed Egel told The Media Line. “From Rotana’s side this makes a lot of sense because it provides them with content, which is what all free to air networks want because through content they can increase their viewer base and therefore increase their advertising revenue.â€
In September 2009 there were rumors that News Corporation planned to buy a 20 percent stake in Rotana but according to recent reports in local media the deal will be for only 10 percent.
In addition to its satellite network, the Rotana Group also includes a magazine, seven music channels and a record label with over 100 artists under contract.
According to Rotana the company controls 20 percent of the market in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, considered to be the most important markets in the Arab world. The company hopes the new deal will bring that figure up to 30 percent.
Based in Saudi Arabia, a country where public cinema is forbidden, Rotana also owns a film production company and is the sponsor of a local film festival. The company is owned by Prince Bin Talal, the nephew of the Saudi king, who has an estimated net worth of $13.3 billion.
While Al-Jazeera might be the most well known Arab satellite channel, the region is awash with stations.
Lebanon’s LBC station recently got into trouble in Saudi Arabian after it aired a television show in which a Saudi man bragged about his sexual experiences.
The recently established Ana TV in Egypt, aimed at creating a new perspective within the growing Islamic media throughout the Muslim world, is also set to be a major player.
The world of Disney never stops. Truly. There is a saying that once a Disney employee, always a dreamer and Ric Turner is proof. In today’s MIrror, a UK newspaper (December 14) this former special effects expert was reported on as he has put together a very interesting Christmas display. A disney of Disney magnitude.
Taking the actual video game Guitar Hero, he has put together a light show of extraordinary volume that corresponds with the game played outside on the garage door.
Yes, in the middle of winter you can play Guitar Hero on the driveway and the neighbors can too.
This modified Guitar Hero video game is serious play that makes noise and changes the Christmas display on the house as the lighted Christmas strands move with the music. On this Guitar Hero the screen is recreated to look like the game you would watch right on your television – – the dancing people included. The best part is while guests view the show, the player of Guitar Hero can focus on the game.
There is no doubt the Walt Disney Corporation hires the best of the best. Looking at the video you can see why this man had a job at Disney and how similar it is to Disneyland’s shows (not identical, yet close in style, absolutely creative and using resources we, as a laymen, wouldn’t have considered.) The little details are all explored, the music is on cue, and the idea is absolutely fantastic. This is the type of show you would find at a Disneyland Resort and guests would be delighted right up to the end!
Watch the entire video, the finale is laugh out loud fun!
