WARNING: Disneyland Is About to Look Totally Different

Changes are coming to the “Happiest Place On Earth.”

Disneyland

Of all the famous quotes made by Walt Disney throughout his life, perhaps none has become more associated with the theme parks that bear his name than “Disneyland will never be finished.” In the last near-70 years, Walt’s original park has grown and evolved in ways the founder could have never imagined. Now, one corner of the park is about to change forever.

Next month, that area of the park that’s been known as Critter Country will be rechristened Bayou Country to coincide with the official opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure on November 15th.

Much like its Walt Disney World counterpart — which opened this past June — the West Coast version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is replacing Disneyland’s version of Splash Mountain, which had opened in 1988.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disneyland

Magic Key previews for the attraction will be held on select dates between October 21st and November 12th, while Disneyland Cast Member previews will begin October 22nd and also run through November 12th.

However, the changes to the area expand beyond the ride itself. Two new themed gift shops will open along with the ride: Louis’ Critter Club will open on November 13th and will likely offer apparel, accessories and home decor themed to the audio-animatronic critters in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, while Ray’s Berets will sell hats, clothes, toys and accessories themed to the new Princess Tiana attraction.

©Disney

In addition, the area’s primary restaurant the Hungry Bear is currently in the midst of a transformation into the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree. When it reopens, the menu will feature a new menu chock-full of regional BBQ favorites and be themed to the Country Bears including Henry, Wendell, Big Al.

Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree

When Bayou Country officially opens along with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, it will mark the third makeover of this land. As we said, it had been know as Critter Country since 1988, when the name was changed to coincide with the opening of Splash Mountain. Prior to that, the land had opened as Bear Country in 1972, with its centerpiece being a Disneyland version of the Country Bear Jamboree. That show had been replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in 2000. Said Pooh ride remains open to this day.

Following its opening at Walt Disney World earlier this year, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open November 15, 2024 at Disneyland park in the newly renamed Bayou Country.

Disneyland is changing, as Critter Country officially becomes Bayou Country this coming November. Stay tuned to AllEars for further coverage of Disneyland’s transformation.