March 1972 – November 1988
BACKGROUND
After the closure of the Indian Village in 1971, Disneyland needed to reinvent this area and generate new interest in a less-visited section of the park. Given its distance from the rest of Frontierland, this section broke off and became its own land, Bear Country. For almost two decades, Bear Country was Disneyland’s wilderness retreat, offering guests a quieter spot to meet animal friends, grab a bite to eat, or take in a zany show.
THE EXPERIENCE
Guests began their tour of Bear Country on the riverbank. The entrance to the land overlooked the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, and its quiet corner spot in the park gave the immediate effect of escaping into the forest. At the river’s edge, guests could board canoes and venture around the island, or grab a bite to eat and enjoy Bear Country’s views. On the far side of the land, guests could visit the Jamboree, play games in the Arcade, or shop for souvenirs. Bear Country offered visitors a glimpse into wilderness life with a touch of Disney magic.
CHARACTERS
- Bears from the Jamboree
- Chip
- Dale
RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS
DINING
- Golden Bear Lodge
- Hungry Bear Restaurant (now in Critter Country)
CLOSURE
Bear Country’s departure from the park wasn’t so much a closure as it was a re-theming. To mark the opening of Splash Mountain, and to generate new interest in this part of the park, Bear Country became Critter Country. This new theme allowed for more characters to make their homes in this area, including Winnie the Pooh and friends, Br’er Rabbit and his foes Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear, and special Meet and Greets from other favorite Disney animal friends. Critter Country still has a large bear presence, and maintains the redwood forest theme, but now has a more eclectic cast of characters who call it home.
TRIVIA
In Critter Country’s gift shop, called “Pooh’s Corner”, you can find a pair of portraits that pay tribute to Bear Country. The first portrait is Pooh with Gomer, the Jamboree’s piano playing bear, and the second is Pooh with Teddi Barra, another Jamboree performer.
Bear Country cost $8 million to build, despite its small size of 4 acres.
rip country bear jamborey. 🙁