The area now known as Critter Country was originally named Indian Village.[1][2] From 1956-1971, this section of Frontierland featured Native American shows and attractions, including the Indian War Canoes.[2] The area was rebuilt as Disneyland's seventh themed land, Bear Country, which opened on March 4, 1972 .[3][4]
The new four-acre land, Disneyland's first major expansion since the 1969 opening of Haunted Mansion, cost $8 million to build.[4][5]
Located in the northwest quadrant of the park, Bear Country was themed to the forests of the Pacific Northwest.[3][4]Country Bear Jamboree, which opened three weeks later, was the new land's centerpiece attraction.[4][5]
Bear Country was also home to the Golden Bear Lodge, an eatery which was renamed Hungry Bear Restaurant in 1977,[2] the Mile Long Bar refreshment center, Teddi Barra's Swingin' Arcade, and Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes.[4][5] A cave near the land's entrance was home to a snoring bear named Rufus, who was the off-screen stage manager for the Country Bear Jamboree's holiday variations.
Bear Country was renamed Critter Country in 1988 in anticipation of Splash Mountain's January 1989 opening,[6][7] after a concept to merge Bear Country and New Orleans Square into a "Dixieland" was turned down.[8] Critter Country was inspired by a quote from the 1946 film Song of the South: "Where the folks are closer to the critters and the critters are closer to the folks."[6] The land maintained some of its bear themes while incorporating other critters with their huts, nests and burrows scattered throughout.[6] Some of the land's shops were renamed to de-emphasize the bear presence; for example, Ursus H. Bear's Wilderness Outpost became Crocodile Mercantile (which itself became Pooh Corner in 1996).[2] The Country Bear Jamboree closed in 2001 and was replaced two years later by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, after an attempt at pitching a dark ride based around the Country Bears titled Critter Country 500 was rejected.
On roofs of buildings, such as the Briar Patch Store, there are small-scale critter houses of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet. Various types of trees have been planted to create a forestry atmosphere. Critter Country is somewhat small when compared to Disneyland's larger lands. This westernmost area features a single pathway that wraps around the footprint of Splash Mountain, starting near the Haunted Mansion and terminating in a series of shops nestled against the Splash Mountain show building.
During a 2016 refurbishment of Splash Mountain, the entire land briefly closed.
↑ 2.02.12.22.3
Strodder, Chris (2012). The Disneyland Encyclopedia, 2nd, Santa Monica, CA: Santa Monica Press, page 70–2, 119, 193. ISBN 978-1595800688.
The Walt Disney Story • Aladdin's Oasis • Swiss Family Robinson • Big Thunder Ranch • Mike Fink Keel Boats • Nature's Wonderland • Mickey Mouse Club Theater • Autopia • Skyway • Ariel's Grotto • Disney Afternoon Avenue • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea • Rocket Rods • Circle-Vision 360° (America the Beautiful • Wonders of China • American Journeys) • Rocket to the Moon • The World Beneath Us • House of the Future • Submarine Voyage • Flying Saucers • Adventure Thru Inner Space • Carousel of Progress • America Sings • Innoventions • Super Hero HQ • Star Tours • Rocket Jets • Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage • The Magic, the Memories and You • PeopleMover • Starcade • Magic Journeys • Captain EO • Honey, I Shrunk the Audience • Star Wars: Path of the Jedi • The Disney Gallery • Disneyland Dream Suite • Country Bear Jamboree • Toon Park • Main Street Electrical Parade • Light Magic • Paint the Night • America on Parade • Flights of Fantasy Parade • Aladdin's Royal Caravan • The Lion King Celebration • Hercules Victory Parade • Mulan Parade • Motor Boat Cruise • Viewliner Train of Tomorrow
