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<\/a><\/p>\nIn a space between the old pool and the new one is an old-fashioned barrel vehicle behind wooden fencing. On the back of the barrel is an image of Mickey in camping gear with text around him:<\/p>\n
River Country
Fort Wilderness
Walt Disney World<\/p>\n
The greatest water adventure of all!<\/p>\n
\u201cRiver Country\u201d is also in big letters on the sides of the barrel. River Country was Walt Disney World\u2019s original water park, located next to Fort Wilderness. It opened in 1976 and operated until 2001, although Disney didn\u2019t confirm its permanent closure until 2005.<\/p>\n River Country wasn\u2019t completely demolished<\/a> until 2019 to make way for Reflections \u2013 A Disney Lakeside Resort, which has since been renamed Disney Lakeshore Lodge<\/a>.<\/p>\n The barrel sits on a dark patch of pavement resembling dirt with foliage around it.<\/p>\n A stone path leads away from the barrel\u2019s cart to a nearby gate. There are horseshoe prints and wheel tracks in the fake patches of dirt, as though the cart was only recently wheeled into place.<\/p>\n Nearby is a small wooden bridge that crosses over a flowerbed. There are old-fashioned lanterns on the bridge\u2019s tallest posts.<\/p>\n The new zero-entry pool is sloped at one end. There are also steps and ladders at the deeper end of the pool.<\/p>\n Its deepest point is 3 ft 6 in.<\/p>\n Large lampposts are in small flowerbeds alongside the pool. There are decorative fake boulders next to the pool, too.<\/p>\n Near the playground is a boardwalk surrounding a large tree. This raised space has tables and chairs.<\/p>\n It\u2019s accessible via stairs or a ramp.<\/p>\n The deck space has been effectively doubled. There are loungers and umbrellas around the pool and in the shade of two new buildings.<\/p>\n The buildings are connected by a breezeway. One building houses a new restroom facility.<\/p>\n There is a pair of water fountains and a bottle filler outside the restrooms.<\/p>\n The other building is not currently open to guests. There are flowerbeds along the sidewalk, with shrubbery that has yet to fully grow in.<\/p>\n The next phase of the expansion<\/a> will include a tennis court and two pickleball courts. Construction will continue into mid 2026.<\/p>\n The pool area is open from 10 a.m. to 11p.m.<\/p>\n Are you happy to see more swimming space at Disney\u2019s Fort Wilderness Resort? Let us know on social media.<\/p>\n For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today<\/a> on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n