[Idea] Change Critter Country to New Orleans Bayou

[JerrodDRagon]

Since I do like the idea of more New Orleans and Love Princess and the Frog (in my top ten animated Disney Films) I think while some would be sad if they could redo the layout of Critter Country to be theme to the Bayou so Splash could still fit, but then Add a D Ticket Princess and the Frog Ride and make the Hunger Bear into Water Front Restaurant, Maybe Tia's place or just something new.
Because I do agree the area for now its not living up to its full potential and think a PATF ride would be very cool if Disney put the money into it.

Anyway just wanted to throw and idea out to keep Splash but also get some more of many people's favorite land and also a great movie a fun ride to get the film to be even more popular.

[J. Thaddeus Toad]

I'd rather they use the money to fix the genuinely broken lands in the parks, like Tomorrowland, Toon Town, Hollywoodland, etc.

[darkhelios77]

The only problem with that idea is that there are no mountains in the bayou.

[stovk]

I'd rather they use the money to fix the genuinely broken lands in the parks, like Tomorrowland, Toon Town, Hollywoodland, etc.

Ditto

[Stormy]

I don't think this is a bad idea per se. Since CBJ is gone the 'Country' part of the area is no longer relevant. Move Pooh somewhere else and re-do the ride for P&tF.

Above poster mentioned there are no mountains in the bayou. True. But there are also no castles at the end of US Main Streets.

Sometimes we have to just use our suspension of disbelief and accept that 'magic happens'.

[Blurr]

This may sound a little ridiculous but is it actually a mountain? I know in terms of scope, ride size and name it is. But they could argue that away by saying it's a mountain in name only. The highest point of the mountain is Chickapin Hill, home to Brer Fox and Brer Bear. Keyword: hill. Perhaps the mountain is only a mountain to the critters of Critter Country? -and it's generally exaggerated features are more of a stylistic choice?

Either way, I'm of the mindset that Splash could work around a bayou setting. As Stormy said, magic happens. There's enough southern influence in the attraction where it wouldn't feel totally out of place to me wedged between something like New Orleans Square and say, a more traditional bayou setting.

Come to think of it, doesn't the "pretty good sure as ya born?" segment take place in a bayou-type setting? To that end.. Splash kind of already has it's own bayou inside itself so any argument that the "mountain" part doesn't fit it sort of fizzles out. What's another one outside if you have one inside already?

[duckboyone]

Personally, I love Critter Country, and I would hate if it went away. I like the variety of the areas in that half of the park, it's my favorite section of all the parks because of it. Changing CC to extend out the NO/bayou theme would lessen that variety. I remember reading in the "what's your laughing place" thread how many people listed the Hungry Bear restaurant as one of their favorite places, and changing CC to a bayou setting would completely alter that atmosphere.

Can they relocate the support buildings behind NO square, and extend that section back there? Maybe build another parking garage like the Pixar Pals so they can expand the park like they did with SW land? Then they could build a real bayou atmosphere and include a Princess and the Frog ride. It would allow them to keep Critter Country the way it is.

That's probably extremely unrealistic, as it would be way more expensive, and I doubt they would invest that much for an IP that is starting to get on in age with no prospects of a sequel, at least that I'm aware of. I mean, they were willing to just completely dump Bug's Land (which upset me because I also love that for nostalgic reasons). But would they be any more willing to invest what would be less money into revamping CC?

[merlinjones]

No thanks. Please keep Critter Country, Song of the South, bring back the Country Bears as a dark ride in place of Pooh, and add the good Pooh's Honey Hunt (from Tokyo) in place of Fantasyland Theatre tent.

[Mike_M]

If Splash mountain has to be re-themed, I like parts of this idea.

Yes, there are no Mountains in the actual Louisiana Bayou, but if the interiors are done right, converting Splash Mountain to Princess and the Frog could work. Maybe with the right treatment to the outside, it could be themed as less of a mountain and more of a hill or other tall structure outside. The interiors already have a bayou look and feel to them. Changing the primary AAs and the final hill would be where the majority of internal work would be. The final scene with the steamboat would work especially well as is.

The more I think about this though, the more I’m on the fence as for what to do with the rest of the land.

My biggest thoughts are around The Hungry Bear Restaurant. Converting it to yet another New Orleans themed restaurant could be overkill. We already have 3 restaurants in the park devoted to that style cuisine. Do we need a 4th? We could stay with southern, but maybe go BBQ instead (pulled pork sandwiches, fried okra, cornbread, etc...) and not theme it to any IP.

[denyuntilcaught]

No thanks. Please keep Critter Country, Song of the South, bring back the Country Bears as a dark ride in place of Pooh, and add the good Pooh's Honey Hunt (from Tokyo) in place of Fantasyland Theatre tent.

We can keep Splash. We can keep ignoring Song of the South.

[merlinjones]

I am charmed by both.

[jcruise86]

I love this idea, JarrodDRagon. And, Blurr, "Splash Hill" works for me.

Make Disneyland more New Orleansy--this could be the nearest swamp to N'Orleans!
The N'Orleans theme at Disneyland could be expansive, like Knott's outstanding Ghost Town.

(BTW, Having been to the real New Orleans, I like Disneyland's even more because there is no stench of vomit
that pervaded the French Quarter in Louisiana. And I don't like any food Cajun style--blackened--burnt.)

[greenalfonzo]

I would like a Rescuers ride if we're expanding NOS. Critters hunting pirate treasure in the Devil's Bayou. It'd fit great!

[stovk]

I would like a Rescuers ride if we're expanding NOS. Critters hunting pirate treasure in the Devil's Bayou. It'd fit great!

[ANadventureTime]

we thought of an idea called "villains grove" and make splash mountain an entire dark scary ride with all disney villains. doesnt fit the theme but also even if there was no mountains in a bayou who cares disneyalnd is an imaginary place, nothing makes sense lol

[Stormy]

I don't think they'd need to change the menu at HB, maybe just add a spicy 'Cajun burger' and/or 'Cajun Fries' and rename their honey-spice chicken sammie the "Chickapin Hill chicken sandwich". They could leave the name 'as is' and put up some Br'er Bear artwork for a 'connection' to the bayou.

[Laugh-O-Grams]

What's wrong with "Bear Country"?

[Mike_M]

I don't think they'd need to change the menu at HB, maybe just add a spicy 'Cajun burger' and/or 'Cajun Fries' and rename their honey-spice chicken sammie the "Chickapin Hill chicken sandwich". They could leave the name 'as is' and put up some Br'er Bear artwork for a 'connection' to the bayou.

Maybe I’m in the minority on this one, but I’ve never had anything from The hungry bear restaurant that I thought was really good. Tried a chicken sandwich there back in January and it tasted exactly like a cheap McDonald’s chicken sandwich. Even if nothing comes from the current discussions around splash Mountain, i’d love for them to improve the menu at the hungry bear.

[JerrodDRagon]

Maybe I’m in the minority on this one, but I’ve never had anything from The hungry bear restaurant that I thought was really good. Tried a chicken sandwich there back in January and it tasted exactly like a cheap McDonald’s chicken sandwich. Even if nothing comes from the current discussions around splash Mountain, i’d love for them to improve the menu at the hungry bear.

Agreed

Loveeee the location but the food is not that good and would love a new menu

[bayouguy]

Frontierland, New Orleans Square and Critter Country all share the Rivers of America, Maybe tying in all three lands into a Realm, connecting the lands each with its blockbuster attractions, restaurants and ambiance.