Critter
Country one of the only two lands in Disney history that have
changed names. This honey of a place opened in 1972 as Bear
Country and was home to the Country Bears, until in 1989 Splash
Mountain moved in and the land was renamed Critter Country. This
is a very fun land, and though it's small it has lots of stuff to
do!
Attractions
Davy Crockett Explorer
Canoes
A Cast Member favorite, here you board long dugout canoes and
paddle your way around The Rivers of America. And the most
commonly asked question about this ride is.....wait for
it...."Is it on a track?" No it isn't. Yes, you can tip
over (don't try. You'll get ejected from the Park if you do it on
purpose). It's a ton of fun and gives you a good workout. Work
dem biceps!
USUAL WAIT: 5 minutes at peak times
A Disneyland megahit, most
people can't wait on a hot summer day to get on and get wet.
Chances are, they'll get a light sprinkling. But hey, that
doesn't stop the masses from making lines here 90 minutes long.
Oh well. The ride itself follows the adventures and exploits of
Brer Rabbit (Disney's Song of the South) as he runs away to his
"laughin' place" and consequently, is captured by the
wily Brer Fox and the big oaf Brer Bear. Full of drops (not just
the big one! There's Slippin' Falls too!) and surprises, guests
find this journey lots of fun. And so will you! Unless, of
course, you're under 40 inches tall, or the thought of dropping
52 feet doesn't tickle your fancy. It's all great fun and kids
will recognize some favorite Disney songs like Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
and How Do You Do. Interesting tidbit: Remember "America
Sings!" from the 70s and 80s? Well, most of those critters
got a new gig after America Sings! closed in 1988. In 1989, they
got feature roles here at Splash Mountain. Look for
them...they're EVERYWHERE!
USUAL WAIT: 50-70 minutes at peak times
Splash Mountain is a FASTPASS
attraction.
The Country Bear
Playhouse
This Disneyland landmark
possibly slated for destruction is a toe tappin' hand clappin'
hoedown that makes everyone smile. It's one of my favorites and
includes an all-star cast. Henry hosts the show, and some
performers include Big Al, Bubbles, Bunny, Beulah, Teddi Barra,
Trixie, Wendell, Liverlips McGrowl, The Five Bear Rugs, Gomer and
Terrence. The whole thing is great fun and most people love it.
However, if you cannot stand country music,. then you are going
to hate this AudioAnimatronic presentation. I, for one,
absolutely love it and you probably will too. Songs include
"Thank God I'm A Country Bear", "California
Bears", "Two Different Worlds", "Ghost Riders
In The Sky", and "Singin' in the Rain".
USUAL WAIT: 5-10 minutes at peak times
Teddi Barra's Swingin'
Arcade
Just another arcade where
you pay a buck more per game just because you're at Disneyland.
So far, the better games are inside The Playhouse.
Live Shows!
There are no live shows in Critter Country.
Characters!
Pooh and Friends
Ok Pooh lovers! Here in
Critter Country, from 10am-6pm you can meet Pooh (who usually has
a line long enough to scare jagulars), Tigger and Eeyore. I've
never seen Piglet, but I've heard that they might bring him
in....anyway, Pooh is at The Country Bear Playhouse exit, and
Tigger and Eeyore float from Teddi Barra's Swinging Arcade to
near the Splash Mountain exit.
The Brer Critters
These characters (Brer
Fox, Brer Rabbit & Brer Bear) float around the Rivers of
America area, but sometimes are seen near their ride, Splash
Mountain. Look for them here, New Orleans Square and
Frontierland.
Shops
The Briar Patch
The coolest shop in
Critter Country, this place stocks Country Bear beanies, Brer
Critters stuffed animals and beanies, and lots of other nifty
stuff. Hey, check out the sunflowers on the wall...they form a
special mouse's head!
Pooh Corner
The one place in
Disneyland that stocks only Pooh stuff. Lots and lots of Pooh
stuff. And some Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet stuff. They have some
nifty shirts and stuff here. But don't stay too long....
Professor Barnaby Owl's
Photographic Art Studio
Ya know that blinding
flash you see when you go down the final drop on Splash Mountain?
Your picture was being taken, and here, for a hefty price, you
can buy this unflattering souvenir.
Restaurants
The Hungry Bear
Roughly the same
restaurant as The Village Haus in Fantasyland, only here you get
to sit by the peaceful river. It's one of my favorite eating
spots in the Park. $
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