Changes are constantly happening at Disneyland Park.
And don’t be mistaken, we love change. That’s how we get all the new attractions, experiences, and food we could ever want! But there is something to be said for some of our favorite things that end up going the way of the dodo. To that point, let’s talk about this one particular ride and see if Disneyland will be closing it forever!
As we were saying, with all the “new” that’s coming to Disneyland, we’re feeling concerned that we might have to say goodbye to one of our favorites. So, let’s talk about it!
First up, remember that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is opening on November 15th and it will brings the Louisiana Bayou to life, right next to New Orleans Square. As part of the new ride, Bayou Country will feature some stores, all inspired by The Princess and the Frog. For instance, Critter Country will be changing to Bayou Country.
That is all well and good, but what does that mean for “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” ride?
The Problem with Pooh in Bayou Country
Here’s the thing, the Hundred Acre Wood, where Pooh, Piglet, and the gang hang out, is supposed to be set in England, not Louisiana. Back when Critter Country was still a thing, Pooh could fit in just fine.
He lived alongside other critters like Br’er Rabbit and the Country Bears. It made sense in a woodland, animal-filled environment, but now, with the bayou vibes taking over, our honey-loving bear feels a bit out of place.
Will Disney Replace Winnie the Pooh?
It’s hard to say if Disney will replace Pooh, but it seems possible. Imagineers love reimagining lands to keep them fresh and relevant, and at the moment, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh doesn’t seem to fit the Bayou Country theme.
Something that makes re-theming Pooh a challenge is that Disney doesn’t have a ton of movies set in swamps or other bayou-themed intellectual properties (IPs) to pull from.
DisneylandForward
Now, when thinking about what’s already coming down the pipeline, we’ve got Disney’s major expansion project, DisneylandForward.
The DisneylandForward project shows plans for a themed bridge that could connect Bayou Country to the Stitch parking lot near the Pixar Pals parking structure. If that happens, Winnie and the gang could be out of luck.
The Verdict: Will Pooh Stick Around?
Currently, it seems unlikely that Winnie the Pooh will disappear right away, and it’s also clear that the ride doesn’t quite belong in the reimagined Bayou Country.
That being said, at the recent D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney unveiled plenty of new projects for the next five years, but most of them are focused on Disney California Adventure and other areas of the park, which does give us confidence that at least for a little while, we won’t have to say goodbye to Pooh and the gang.
In the meantime, if you’re a big fan of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, you might want to get in a few more rides on your next trip to Disneyland, just in case.
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When was the last time you rode The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh? Let us know in the comments!
Disney already has practice converting Mr. Toads wild ride into a Pooh ride. Mr. Toad has no IP, so it will be gone soon. Pooh moves there.
Se.of the Mr
Toad stuff can go on the redesigned main Street. Main Street has mo IP either.
I wouldn’t be unhappy to see this ride go. Silly ride. Country Bear Jamboree was SO much better! I was so disappointed when they replaced it with Pooh.