It has been 23 years since Country Bear Jamboree closed at Disneyland and many of us Disneyland fans are always jealous that Walt Disney World has managed to hold on to their nostalgic bear show. The Country Bears are a fan favorite among many guests including locals.
Now we just received official word that Disneyland will be getting a Country Bear themed BBQ restaurant theme! This restaurant is slightly reminiscent of Big Thunder BBQ which closed to make room for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
Keep scrolling for all the details of this new Country Bear theme coming to Critter Country, the released menu, and the opening date!
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Critter Country Currently Closed at Disneyland
Hungry Bear Restaurant has been closed at Disneyland since the beginning of July as part of a larger Critter Country refurbishment to prepare the area for Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Part of this closure is also so Disney can begin work on two new retail shops inspired by Princess and the Frog.
Now we have news that when Hungry Bear Restaurant returns it will be with a brand new theme!
Hungry Bear Restaurant Receives Country Bear Makeover
Disneyland has announced that Hungry Bear Restaurant will be reimagined as Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree! The restaurant will now be inspired by the Country Bears and “throughout the greatest music halls in the United States.”
Opening Date Announced! Disneyland announced that Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree will be opening on October 25, ahead of the official Tiana's Bayou Adventure opening on November 15 when the land will be renamed Bayou Country.
The menu will change to be inspired by Country Bears’ favorite regional barbecue dishes and guests can enjoy the recent soundtrack for Country Bear Jamboree as they dine which debuted as part of the transformation of the attraction at Walt Disney World.
The location will not be a quick service restaurant and not a character dining location but more news about the menu, concept, and reopening date will be shared later by Disney. That said, we would sure love to see them have the Country Bears drop in to say hello from time to time.
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Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree Menu
We have now received the full menu for the new Hungry Bear restaurant at Disneyland. The food looks pretty good and far more upscale than I was expecting for this quick service restaurant. We had hoped that the food would evoke the Big Thunder BBQ location and it kind of looks like it will based on the pictures.
Obviously, time will tell if these ribs and the BBQ plate are truly on that level, but from the photos I am pretty much sold on this menu refresh.
Disney recently shared the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree food guide. See everything that will be offered in this new menu below!
Entrées
- Smoked Barbecue Combo Platter: A selection of house-smoked meats, served with baked beans, house slaw, white bread, and pickles with a choice of two of the following: Pork Spareribs, Pulled Pork, Sausage Link, or Beef Brisket (New)
- Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwich: Tangy BBQ sauce, house slaw, bread and butter, and pickles served with beer-battered fries (New)
- Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich with tangy BBQ sauce, pickled red onions, and pickled jalapeños served with beer-battered fries (New)
- Smoked Angus Beef Burger and Pulled Pork with American cheese, golden aïoli, pickled red onions, bread and butter pickles, and crispy onions served with beer-battered fries (New)
- Corn Ribs Plate: Chile-lime aioli, parmesan, crispy onions, cilantro, and scallions with house slaw and beer-battered fries (Plant-based) (New)
- Loaded Fries topped with smoked pulled pork, queso sauce, pickled red onions, and pickled jalapeños, cilantro, and scallions (New)
- Classic Cheeseburger served with beer-battered fries
- Chicken Tenders Plate served with house slaw and beer-battered fries
Sides
- Beer-battered Fries (New)
- Baked Beans (New)
- House Slaw (New)
Kids’ Meals
All kids’ meals are served with Cuties Mandarin Orange and Applesauce and a choice of small DASANI Water or small Low-fat milk.
- Pork Spareribs (New)
- Toasted Cheese Sandwich (Disney Check Meal) (New)
- Hamburger (Disney Check Meal)
- Chicken Tenders
Desserts
- Banana Pudding: Bananas, whipped cream, crushed wafer cookies, dulce de leche, and toffee (New)
- Funnel Cake Fries dusted with powdered sugar. For an additional charge, add some extra sweetness to your funnel cake fries with Banana Caramel Dipping Sauce! (New)
Beverages
- Sparkling Strawberry-Pickle Lemonade: Simply Lemonade, Minute Maid Strawberry Smoothie, flavors of lime, Sprite, pickle juice and a pickle spear (Non-alcoholic) (New)
- Strawberry Shortcake Lemonade: Simply Lemonade, Minute Maid Strawberry Smoothie, sweet cream topping, shortbread crumbles, and strawberry dust (Non-alcoholic) (New)
- Lemonade-Iced Tea: Simply Lemonade and Gold Peak Unsweetened Iced Tea garnished with a lemon wheel (Non-alcoholic) (New)
Novelty
- Hungry Bear Mason Jar with choice of beverage at time of purchase (Additional charge for specialty lemonades)
Does Disneyland Want More Country Bears in the Parks?
For no real apparent reason, a Big Al statue was added to the entrance of the Disney Vacation Club recreation area near Grizzly River Run in Disney California Adventure this summer. At the time, we speculated this might have been a test to gauge guest interest at incorporating more Country Bears into the parks.
People were very excited when this statue of Big Al arrived and perhaps this was a test to see how many fans still appreciate the stories out in the California theme parks.
Whether or not Big Al was truly a test or not, it is safe to say that guests want to see more Country Bears at Disneyland. The reimagining of the Country Bear Jamboree was met with plenty of discussion, positive and negative, over at Walt Disney World. There are many guests that are still invested in these characters and this is positive news for Disneyland that also helps keep the theme of Critter Country alive.
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Would you be willing to review gluten free options at Disneyland/California Adventures in the future? I didnt see anything noted in this article with the new additions and am wondering if they will have gluten free alternatives like some of the other spots. Any info greatly appreciated!