Disneyland released a small bite of news today which will have BBQ fans drooling for more details. The park announced that as part of the refurbishment taking place right now, the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country will reopen the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree.
Disney’s announcement said, “Inspired by the Country Bears and their travels throughout the greatest music halls in the United States, Disneyland Resort will introduce a menu inspired by the Country Bears’ favorite regional barbecue dishes, which guests can enjoy alongside a soundtrack of their greatest hits.”
No further details about the concept, reopening date or – most critically – the menu were offered at this time, but Disney did clarify that this is not intended as a character dining experience.
The Hungry Bear Restaurant and its bathrooms closed for refurbishment on July 8. The Davey Crockett’s Explorer Canoes and the Critter Country entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge also closed at the same time due to the ongoing construction project for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
To be honest I’m not quite sure what to think of this re-theme, especially as part of the larger Critter Country rebranding to incorporate Tiana and friends.
In March Disney announced that The Briar Patch hat shop across from the Hungry Bear entrance will reopen as Ray’s Berets, paying homage to the firefly character from “The Princess and the Frog.”
Pooh Corner is being split into two sections, with the east side slated to reopen as the Critter Club, highlighting the new characters from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The east side of the store will keep the Pooh’s Corner name and carry merchandise from the 100 Acre Wood. That store is of course right at the exit from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country.
Long-time fans know that The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction was built on the site of the former Country Bear Jamboree show, which closed at Disneyland in 2001. While the west coast iteration of the show is long gone, a brand-new version called the “Country Bears Musical Jamboree” just debuted in Walt Disney World this week. (Check out Alan Dalinka’s coverage in the Walt Disney World Update).
Now Disneyland has come full circle, with the Country Bears returning in a very limited form to Critter Country, alongside the English bear and the frog princess. Despite the thematic mash-up, I’m personally thrilled to have a fast-casual BBQ restaurant in Disneyland, though I wonder if we’ll see a change in the menu offerings at River Belle Terrace once this opens.
