This may be a controversial opinion but I've always viewed River Country as kind of an old time swimming hole, the likes of which Huck Finn never would have dreamed up.

Hey man, one time I got really drunk and trolled you with a donation saying that you were my second favorite Disney creator behind Kevin Perjurer. You responded by saying you were going to work hard to get to that number one spot. I am happy to say this video has convinced me to put you over to number one in my book. You have combined the meticulous research and attention to detail that I loved so much about Kevin's content with on-the-ground field work that makes Adam's videos so awesome. You have my respect and my attention. Keep em coming!

Maybe you could make a video about all the random dead ends and remnants at Hollywood Studios since they added Galaxies Edge and Toy Story Land? (Pixar Place, and where The Muppets Courtyard use to connect to the backlot/NY Street.) Or like an evolution of all the previous layout changes over the years, and the loss of the largest Hidden Mickey?! Love your videos btw!!!

mid 2010s there was a guy living in river country for months. Discovered by an inquisitive CM and found living in a hidden lair with bed, electricity, television and all.

The old footage of River Country terrifies me. That park looked fun, but with all the Guests piling up in slides and on tubes it was a lawsuit waiting to happen.

The fact that we both wanted Brother Bear with Reflections really says Disney should give us more of it in the parks

I explored River Country twice before it was torn down. The last time I went with some friends and after we had climbed to the top of the family tube ride, MK was shooting off test fireworks across the lake. One of my fav Disney memories.

Honestly I didn’t really enjoy the fact of this big expensive resort residing literally right next to Fort Wilderness in the first place so I don’t mind this. Disney needs to put money into better things like the parks rather than worrying about building new, uninspired, expensive hotels. But with Chapek in charge I’m not surprised this is their direction.

What a shame, Disney halted another hotel with $500-$2,000 per night rooms. 🤯

Praying an Offhand video Manifests another Disney announcement

Now I'm picturing horses roaming around wild & free at WDW like the cats at Disneyland. Thanks.

Disney's change in branding from a fun place full of one-of-a-kind experiences to a luxury resort destination is going to be its undoing. it will make them a lot of money in the short term, but will ultimately kill them in the long run, mark my words. People don't go to Disney to be at a typical luxury resort. they go there to be at Disney. They're making it too similar to better, less expensive options.

It's kinda funny in a grim way that they always advertised it as a " new fangled version of an old fashioned swimming hole", because like so many of those, it's been drained, plowed over, closed off and abandoned time and again. I wouldn't know what to put there myself, I never got to visit it when River Country was still open and had no real opinion on the plans for Reflections, but throw in that plot of land with the rest of unused parts of Discovery Island and you have a sizable chunk of real estate in the middle of the resort areas going unused. They'd never do it these days, but it would still be the perfect spot for a separately ticketed attraction that isn't necessarily a new theme or water park. Maybe bring back Discovery Island and update it into something like a modern adventure park, with hiking trails, Zipline courses, rope bridges, climbing walls, some minor water attractions, etc. Adventure parks are rather popular at the moment, they could charge less for it than one of the water parks, and it would be another way to keep people on property.

I did 2 years at “R.C.” as a lifeguard/chemist at that great ol’ swimmin’ hole in the late ‘80’s. I remember the fantastic times, fun crew and some of the weirdest days. One day, we couldn’t open for several hours because an 11 FOOT ALLIGATOR was enjoying the pond and was spotted pre-opening. “Critter Control” forbid us from admitting any guests until THAT particular “GUEST” could be captured and escorted out… Good times, for sure! It was definitely the best job I had working for the Mouse…

Can we please just make a modern river country water park and have a train that connects fort wilderness, wilderness lodge and makes a stop at this new park

Got to visit River Country when I was little. The one thing I remember is the slides on the main area were just high enough from the water that they stung a little when you hit the surface.

I loved River County, I almost drowned there but still loved it.

It's abandoned Disney locations like River Country that drew me into Disney-themed creepypasta in my 20s. I enjoyed them so much I did 2 "Spring Break Spooktaculars" that consisted of nothing but Disney park stories. Think about that: a total of 2 weeks' worth of Disney park creepypasta? That's a lot of stories! And The River Country Film is one of the most well-known!

I'm not against turning it into a resort, but I just despise the Reflections design and I think it should be more like the DVC at Wilderness Lodge to keep in line with the area. That's just me.

As always, masterfully edited classic Disney clips into a perfect blend of creep and hilarity. Well done D.

So the really sad part about the Polynesian DVC is that knocking out the Spirit of Aloha theater means knocking out the true heart of the Poly. Aunty Kau’i who was brought over from Hawai’i to help create the show (and became known for making lei for guests in the lobby), passed away in early 2020. Her legacy is the sizeable Polynesian diaspora in Central FL, as evidenced by the number of people who came to her funeral (I attended with my hula school). And now? They’re razing it. It freaking HURTS and I feel sick about it. People will point to different things as proof of the Chapek era’s issues but this one really sealed the deal for me.

My family loved Rover Country. We loved Discovery Island as well. We've never been to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach.

Loved River Country. The slides were pretty uncomfortable with seams every 20 feet and the tube ride would always back up. Nonetheless, I would look out from The Contemporary as a kid and couldn’t wait to get there.

Does anyone notice that in the beginning of the Walt Disney Imagineering video clip, you can see someone designing part of the Cranium Command ride from Epcot?

It was a blast. Good memories.

For a hot minute WDW had 3 waterparks. What a time to be alive!

Dallin doing his patriotic duty by uploading on July 4th! 😉

“Homeless horses wandering around the Disney resort” 😄

It sucks that River Country might have been torn down for no reason. It was still interesting to see update photos and videos from the inside

Reflections was not cancelled... it was moved to the Polynesian because of ground issues in the original location.

They took away Mickey’s Backyard BBQ for Reflections😒. Also, we had a chance to visit River Country in the 90’s and just never did. We did however visit Discovery Island. This was a great video!

Well the main part of the story that you can’t swim in bay lake anymore is the fact Disney cut maintenance budget to the point we’re they couldn’t keep up with keeping critters at bay

The bathrooms at Fort Wilderness for Backyard BBQ were the same ones used for River Country. I was blown away and so excited when I learned that! I had a security guard tell me all about River Country once and show me all the best spots to look through in the fence to see it when it was still running. Raccoons used to live in a lot of the old slides once they deteriorated. I would always go to check on the raccoons through the fence lol

I'm gonna have to agree about Reflections being dead. As someone who was in the process of building a house right before 'the virus that shall not be named', I can vouch for the construction cost crunch. Initial estimate in 02/20 to final budget meeting 11/21 went up $200K. Until lumber, concrete, sheet metal, ect come down in cost I don't see the mouse starting any major new projects.

I learned how to swim in a river so I loved Being able to swim in something that wasn’t heavily chlorinated.

Oh, so interesting! I was just in there in December with another former cast member, and we stayed at Fort Wilderness Campground. I don't recall there being a lot of construction going on even then, but a cast member did slip it to us that Disney was actually doing something with Discovery Island until the pandemic, and that since then, the cast member wasn't sure what the fate of it was. They didn't know what the plans were prior to pandemic, but I wonder now if it would have been tied in with Reflections! I hope that we do eventually get to see something happen to both River Country and Discovery Island. It would be really neat if they expanded that part of the campground and offered it as a mini waterpark for the campground guests (just without the amoebas) or some other campground attraction.

@5:28 this dude's head turn 😂😂😂😂

Since Tarzan, Pocahontas and Brother Bear are my favorite movies, I would have loved Reflections so much 🥺💕

The silver lining is at least now they have prime real estate for a future cancelled project.

There has always been so much curiosity about the closed River Country. Disney should offer a behind the scenes tour. They could pay for reflections with the tour fees.

Very very fond memories of River Country from when I was 11 and 12.

If only River Country could be turned into another gate park so to speak, I think it could be Descendants-inspired or Villains themed as that has been making its rounds in the rumor mill for years. I think it would be decently sized, with space for shops, restaurants, shows, and even rides!

Adam’s video is what had gotten him the (now lifted) permaban from WDW if I remember right 🤔

Loving that buzzfeed unsolved reference at the end there!

A great cheap idea for the land: since it’s next to wilderness lodge, why not a hiking trail ? Or even a horseback trail?

I remember Discovery Island and River Country well. They need to do SOMETHING with that land.

Reflections was not just a DVC resort. It was supposed to be part DVC and part cash resort. Just like Boardwalk, I cannot remember the correct percentage of rooms. One other blogger has stated a couple of times that they land has issues and that led to them along with the shut down to abandon it. It doesn’t look like the Florida flora and fauna is overtaking it yet.

I'm sad that I never got to experience River Country as a Floridian, but I'm glad we have Typhoon Lagoon (even though my only memories of are me getting knocked over in the wavepool and scraping my knee, and having to leave early because it was getting ready to storm)

My wife and I with ours two kids went to River Country way back in 1997 and it was way cool my kids loved it

I always loved the word "newfangled." How come we never say "oldfangled?"

I think it would be a real loss for that abandoned space to be redeveloped. I think they should clean it up just enough for it to be safe and then do tours, same for Discovery Island. There are lots of folks who would love an "urban exploration experience."

Hope everyone is having a good day today

Please talk about Discovery Island!! I loved it when I was younger. I still have my Discovery Island tshirt! It was so quiet and peaceful. A few hammocks by the water, a couple animal shows, just a lovely natural place. The fact that it wasnt crowded was the best part. It was a great place to go to relax and recharge and get away from all the park crowds.

Great vlog Mr Offhand Disney 😀

It’s like a restaurant building that can’t keep a restaurant open in it for long

I love RIVER COUNTRY videos!

The irony that this video topic had to get abandoned for like 2 weeks 😂

I enjoyed River Country when I went, it was fun.

It must of been a battle to keep wildlife out of there

So cool. I always heard Disney once had an ole fashion swimmin’ hole.

Okay that "shut up" in the Blizzard Beach section made me laugh more then I care to admit. But will apparently.

On Reflections, I can see this being paused for the fact Riviera isn't selling well. If you follow DVC, it has to resale restrictions but also, Disney is going a new route with DVC. Right now, they are adding rooms/towers to existing properties. The Poly DVC rooms are only studios and bungalows, its a very popular resort. After Poly add on and Disneyland Tower DVC, they will need something to sell.

Reminds me of what is now Art of Animation. The ghost hotel. At least that one had a lot built before it was abandoned for a decade.

I actually went there in the summer of 2001! So many memories! It definitely felt like a local watering hole and not very Disney like. So I can understand why it closed.

I vote they dump reflections and turn it into a Disney villains hotel or water park.

I agree that Reflections is DOA, and the “cheaper better idea” is the Poly tower.

It would be fun for Disney to kind of lean into it and instead of demolishing river country turning it into a "haunted Waterpark" during Halloween season.

I think we should just give Disney more time. I understand that it is hard to wait for updates, but I don't think Disney wants to fully give up on Reflections or the Mary Poppins ride.

Honestly I'm kinda bummed Reflections is probably not going to happen after seeing those cool retro lodges and the Princess and the Frog themed restaurant

Excellent video. Well stated. Disney is in Disney-aster mode.

Knew I did the right thing by waiting to watch this. Now I have something to make me feel better while I wait around at the ER!

Pirates of the Caribbean resort. Enough said. They have the Caribbean Beach Resort, but themed more towards the ride

They should release a bunch of wild dogs on Discovery Island and market it as an Oliver and Company-themed attraction!

These videos are always great. Thanks for making this

So many memories at River Country. Good times.

If Disney ever truly wanted to make the fans, and even casual guests happy they would consider using that property. What I think should happen is that a small expansion of the settlement should be built and then build a scaled down version of River Country that becomes the resort pool to Fort Wilderness. Plenty of land to do it. They could redo Trails End and make a much better restaurant and maybe some craft type shops. Then build a super large pool area. Since they love to build DVC, they could expand the Fort as well. There is plenty of room to add a larger number of campsites. In doing so they could add the original 2 loops that were never built just up past the 1500 loop across from the 1400 loop. They could then build a bunch of nicer, fancier, campsites for DVC over of the road the 2000 and 2100 loops are on. All swamp land there and plenty of space to ad those without putting anyone up near roads or encroaching on any other resort, etc. DVC members have been asking for a long time for DVC campsites and if they offered them like some of the higher end campgrounds that provide a pavilion on the site with seating and/or a kitchen I have no doubt they would work and be very popular. Doing all of this would allow Disney the opportunity to go into Fort Wilderness and properly update the amenities and infrastructure there that need it. They have done a great job with the Wifi, but could improve the water and electrical which have been issues the last few years. Do a little road work where it it has been simply paved over and a refresh of the Comfort Stations. All of the would even allow Disney to plus the campground even more. Add longer and varying trails for horseback riding, a better setup for archery and other activities, Hiking trails *maybe using boardwalks). They could even look at some of the area past where River Country 2.0 would go and tie it into the Wilderness Lodge while still making sure to maintain the distance and separation of the resorts. Yes, it would mean the campground prices would be going up but in the end with DVC it could help to pay to keeping that way the same way DVC does when added to other resorts. None of this would ever happen but I think it is a smart move and takes away the concern that has been there for so long about the overall fate of the future of the campground. It sits right where an expansion of very expensive homes could go. I think the payoff for expansion and updates makes more money long-term but that is just me.

I still have river country tickets from when it opened.

I don't think Disney canceled the project I just think they are trying to raise the money for it to build it by raising the prices on the tickets. And secretly trying to play catch up to Universal

Great update, thanks !

I only have a hazy memory of River Country, but it gives me a happy, nostalgic feeling. I miss it. Still, I'm glad they haven't replaced it with another cookie-cutter overpriced hotel. They need more attractions across property. They should build something like River Country or Discovery Island to pull people away from the parks. Or get to that 5th gate already!

Finance and money are sometimes murky, especially if people don't perform as expected and there is competition. In Finland, a new trend is to put a floating swimming pool or pools in a freshwater lake right next to a free municipal beach and fill it with seawater. Swimming in these pools costs about 20 euros and includes a sauna, while the price at the municipal beach is zero. What could go wrong? From what I've read, these seawater pools make a loss because there are too few customers. At the same time, the beaches are full of families with children enjoying free swimming.

I never heard the phrase "newfangled" used in a positive way and not by an old crotchety man screaming at technology.

They need to do something, ANYTHING with that land.

I love this video! IM SO SAD ITS CANCELLED REFLECTIONS SEEMS LIKE SUCH A GOOD IDEA!

I feel like they abandoned reflections and took the materials and budget to put towards the non poly, Polynesian tower

AWESOMEEE!!

Don’t they have enough resorts already? I say build Endor instead. When I visited back in November, I saw a huge wooded area near Hollywood Studios (read: not far from Galaxy’s Edge) that would be perfect. Build a few tree houses, clear a path for people to ride Jetson Aeros disguised as speeder bikes, and maybe hire a few little people to play Ewoks. If it works out, they could get more ambitious later with full-scale AT-ST replicas and maybe the Imperial base. As far as expansions go, it could actually be relatively inexpensive to build since the ride vehicle already exists and you’d be working with the natural landscape rather than building something from scratch on top of it. The only real obstacle would be connecting it to Galaxy’s Edge, since there’s a parking lot and some backstage stuff in the way. Maybe a new Skyliner branch, or (if you didn’t want to break the fourth wall) a Peoplemover built on ground level with corridors?

Great video my dude!!! I love your WDW videos

I remember swimming and doing water ski and renting little boats in the 7seas lagoon. That was before the Gators..

Just bring River Country back!!!

There is already too many hotel rooms at WDW. It’s no fun to go anymore because it’s so crowded.

Swampy lakeside construction ain't cheap, probably decided the extra $$ needed to shore up the property wasn't worth it. 🐊🏰

Once again my man great video! thanks!

It does my heart good to see Joey Lawrence right before bed

I wanna Disney build a new small hotel park resort where River Country once stood. A combination of hotel plus a small water park.

Wow I really thought that Reflections was officially cancelled, like they actually announced it, but now I can’t find anything about it 😯

I miss that tube slide SO MUCH.

When you said “in the year of our Lord” you got a new subscriber 😂😂😂 You have a great way of bringing humor to your videos!

I visited River Country tons of times as a kid and loved it, and while I'm glad they finally tore it down, I hate the idea of Reflections so I'm glad that it looks to be abandoned. However, I wish they would just take the equipment out and leave it to wild life like other areas.

I’m ganna be honest, brother bear is a lower Disney movie. I love bears and I think some sort of new bear mascot for a Disney resort is perfect, but not brother bear