Critter Country

Critter Country was originally named Indian Village.[1][2] From 1956–1971, this section of Frontierland was a showcase of Native American culture, including the arts and architecture of several regions, a multi tribal dance show, and 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 The 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]

Bear Country was renamed Critter Country in 1988 in anticipation of Splash Mountain's January 1989 opening.[6][7] Critter Country was inspired by a quote from the 1946 film Song of the South, which Splash Mountain was based on: "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.

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 the upcoming Tiana's Bayou Adventure, starting near The Haunted Mansion and terminating in a series of shops nestled against the Tiana's Bayou Adventure structure.

In October 2016, the area closed temporarily. Critter Country reopened on November 4, 2016.

In June 2020, Disney announced that they would be reworking Splash Mountain to a new ride based on Disney's 2009 animated film The Princess and the Frog, which was later revealed to be titled Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Disney stated that the project had been in development since 2019 and is being overseen by Walt Disney Imagineer Senior Creative Producer Charita Carter while Splash Mountain's original creator Tony Baxter returned as a creative adviser.[8][9] Splash Mountain closed on May 31, 2023.[10]

• Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes (1956–present)[11]
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (2003–present)[12][13]

• Tiana's Bayou Adventure[14] (opening in 2024)

• Country Bear Playhouse (1972–2001)
• Teddi Barra's Swingin' Arcade (1972–2003)
• Splash Mountain (1989–2023)

• Hungry Bear Restaurant
• Critter Country Fruit Cart
• Harbour Galley
• The Snackin' Place

• Golden Bear Lodge (1972–1977)
• Mile Long Bar (1972–1989)
• Brer Bar (1989–2003)

• Pooh Corner
• The Briar Patch

• Indian Trading Post (1962–1988)
• Ursus H. Bear's Wilderness Outpost (1972–1988)
• Crocodile Mercantile (1988–2003)
• Critter Country Plush (1996–2003)
• Professor Barnaby Owl’s Photographic Art Studio (1992–2020)

• Splash Mountain (1992-present)
• Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes (1983-present)

• Grandma Sara's Kitchen
• Rackety's Raccoon Saloon

• Hoot & Holler Hideout
• Splashdown Photos
• Critter Country Plush