10 Fake Stories About Disney Parks You Probably Believe

7. River Country Closed Because Of Brain Eating Amoeba

Back in 2001, Walt Disney World's first water park closed its doors for the final time. River Country was left to decay on Bay Lake, the gates shut to prying eyes. A reason for the closure was never really given.

Of course when something shuts without reason, many people begin to speculate why it shut. The main rumour that has sprung up over the years is that the park closed due to brain eating amoeba.

There is some truth to this tale. In 1980 an 11 year old boy died due to amoebic meningoencephalitis after spending time at the parks. The amoeba lives in freshwater and if ingested can attack the nervous system, including the brain. The only place the boy had been swimming before his death was Disney's River Country, which used filtered freshwater from Bay Lake.

Following the boy's death the filtration system was updated and the park stayed open for another 21 years with no other reports of the amoeba.

More than likely the park closed because it was no longer needed. Disney had already opened two additional water parks which had bigger capacities and had become more popular with guests.