What was there before Splash Mountain?

[scasta86]

I can't remember for the life of me whether Splash Mountain replaced any ride, or if it was simply a new addition to the park....anyobody knows what/if anything used to be there before it?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Yes, before Critter Country it was Bear Country, and before Bear Country it was an Indian Village.

The Native Indians would perform, and guests could dance the "Friendship Dance." I remember dancing this when I was a really really really young girl.


http://www.yesterland.com/village.html

 

[dizneekrazee]

How long ago was that? I remember when Splash was being built, and I do remember Bear Country, but I dont remember Indian Village. What was all there??

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I believe it closed in 1971. Then they built Country Bear Jamboree, and I remember walking past the hill & you could hear a bear snoring up in his cave. They tore that down & built Splash Mountain.

It was an Indian Village, and from what I remember, real Indians were there, and there were teepees, etc. But what stands out is sitting in a circle and them dancing, then inviting everyone to dance with them. I still remember standing in the circle, holding hands with whoever was on either side of me, and shuffling in a circle to the beat of an Indian drum. We used to enjoy doing that when we were children.

At least, that's how I remember it.

 

[DoomBugger]

Brear Bear, you know how he is snoring during the ride on Splash, I always think of that as a small tribute to the old bear country and the snoring bear.

 

[BecBennett]

I think it is supposed to be the same snore... I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere, like yesterland... Or whatever it's called.

Isn't it funny how something that would now be considered so lame used to be done at a place like Disneyland. They don't have summer camps here, but I can't even imagine something like that being done at camp...

*giggle* I said lame...

 

[dizneekrazee]

Brear Bear, you know how he is snoring during the ride on Splash, I always think of that as a small tribute to the old bear country and the snoring bear.

I did know that!! I think I might remember that too!! I do remember the Country Bear Jamboree, but not much of it. If I remember correctly, Splash was debuted in 89, I was only 7 then. I guess that is why I dont remember the Indian Village, it was before my time!! If Splash did open in 89, I think my first trip must have been in either 87 or 88. I am thinking 88. Wow! 20 years of Disney for me! I need to celebrate!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

The Country Bear Jamboree just left us a few years ago, when they built the Pooh ride. That is the one thing I really miss.

I always have to look "up" on the Pooh ride to see the tribute to them!

 

[dizneekrazee]

Do you remember what year CBJ left us? The first time I went back (2/02) I dont remember it being there, but then again, that was a quick day trip and we could have easily missed it.

I think I might be a little confused , I know it was Indian Village, then Bear Country, then Critter Country when Splash came around. I know the CBJ was were the Pooh ride now is. I also remember CBJ still being there for several years while Splash was already there. So while it was Bear Country, and while CBJ was still over there, what was where Splash is now during the BC era?

 

[tofubeast]

Here is some info I found on mouse planet:

Most of the 2+ acres occupied by Splash Mountain was backstage area before its construction. The Bear Country bathrooms were on the edge of the site from 1972 through the beginning of construction in 1987. The occupant of the hill that became Splash Mountain was a hibernating bear named Rufus. Beginning with Bear Country in 1972 there was a hill with a cave and a sign that read "Sleeping Bear - Quiet!" You never saw Rufus, but could hear him snoring. He continued with Splash Mountain (and coulde be heard right before the ride's first drop) but was eventually replaced by Brer Bear. Of course, the Disneyland Railroad also traveled through this section of land, but rather than rerouting the train, it was incorporated into the ride; though unseen by those riding Splash Mountain, train passengers between the Frontierland (New Orleans Square) station and the Toontown station get a quick look at the Zip-a-Dee Lady Showboat scene. During construction, the train was blocked and it ran routes back and forth between Main Street and what is now the Toontown station.

 

[dizneekrazee]

Thanks! Now that makes since!!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

The Country Bear Jamboree accourding to Yesterland did it's last show on September 9th 2001! So you just missed it by a few months.

We saw it for the last time that summer, in 2001.

 

[tofubeast]

The Country Bear Jamboree accourding to Yesterland did it's last show on September 9th 2001! So you just missed it by a few months.

We saw it for the last time that summer, in 2001.

Yet, it still can be experienced at WDW.

 

[wendylady36]

Here is some info I found on mouse planet:
Of course, the Disneyland Railroad also traveled through this section of land, but rather than rerouting the train, it was incorporated into the ride; though unseen by those riding Splash Mountain, train passengers between the Frontierland (New Orleans Square) station and the Toontown station get a quick look at the Zip-a-Dee Lady Showboat scene. During construction, the train was blocked and it ran routes back and forth between Main Street and what is now the Toontown station.

Thank you so much! I've been trying to figure out if they built Splash Mountain around the train tracks or if they rerouted the train to go through Splash Mountain.

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

I'm always surprised at how popular CBJ is in Florida. I don't think it was ever that popular out here. You might have found 20-30 people max at each show. Unless it was freezing cold of course. The CBJ and the Tiki Room always get/got more play in the cold.

 

[Ride Junkie]

I'm always surprised at how popular CBJ is in Florida. I don't think it was ever that popular out here. You might have found 20-30 people max at each show. Unless it was freezing cold of course. The CBJ and the Tiki Room always get/got more play in the cold.

Same here. I saw it once at DL as a kid, and decided that once was enough. The whole time, I was thinking what a waste of time it was! I don't miss it, and have never bothered to sit through it at MK. I'm glad they put the Pooh ride in its place, but I wish it were the same as the one at MK, I like their version better.

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

I'm glad they put the Pooh ride in its place, but I wish it were the same as the one at MK, I like their version better.

Me too. I especially like how the wind and the rain blow/wash the words off of the pages of the book. I remember telling everyone to look for it when they rode it, and then it turns out it wasn't even there.

 

[Diznygrl]

Let's not forget that the Country Bear show that was at DL from 1986-2001 was not the original Jamboree, but Vacation Hoedown. WDW still has the original, so there is no longer any place you can see Vacation Hoedown.

Incidentally, the bear who controlled the lights and projections for the show, the one who was heard moving around but never seen, was also Rufus.