Disney has introduced the reimagining of Hungry Bear Restaurant into a brand new eating location impressed by Nation Bear Jamboree! This publish covers full particulars of the announcement from Disneyland, plus idea artwork, our intensive commentary about this information and potential implications for Walt Disney World, too.
Let’s begin with fundamental background, which is that Hungry Bear Restaurant closed on July 8 as a part of the momentary closure of Critter Nation that’s occurring as a result of transformation of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Journey. This entire nook of the park is a large number of building, and there’s additionally partitions round close by Haunted Mansion and a big swath of New Orleans Sq. extending to Tiana’s Palace Restaurant.
The whole lot else in Critter Nation closed earlier this spring–Hungry Bear was the lone holdout, till Disneyland introduced earlier this summer time that it could shut for kitchen refurbishments. Previous to that, there was a building wall round the remainder of the land, however you might enter the restaurant or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Now, we all know that it’s greater than only a back-of-house kitchen undertaking going down…
Disneyland Resort has additionally introduced the reimagining of Hungry Bear Restaurant right into a restaurant impressed by Nation Bear Jamboree. When the restaurant reopens to visitors, it would turn out to be Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree.
Impressed by the Nation Bears and their travels all through the best music halls in america, Disneyland Resort will introduce a menu impressed by the Nation Bears’ favourite regional barbecue dishes, which visitors can get pleasure from alongside a soundtrack of their best hits.
Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree is not going to be a personality eating location, however extra particulars in regards to the full menu, the idea and a reopening date will probably be introduced at a later date!
Turning to commentary, we’ve loads of ideas about this superior announcement.
The primary one is completely tangential to this information. It’s that the D23 Expo Parks Panel should be completely stacked if Disney is saying this now. The Nation Bears getting a restaurant might not seem to be large information to you (in the event you hate issues which can be superior), however it understand that the D23 Expo is held in Anaheim, California.
The house crowd of Disneyland followers loves the Nation Bears. Even after being evicted by Winnie the Pooh again in September 2001, the Nation Bears have a fervent following amongst diehard Disneylanders. The characters nonetheless meet in Grizzly Peak (they drew lengthy traces once they first returned) the place there’s additionally a brand new Large Al statue (see first picture) and so they’re continuously the topic of wishful fascinated about a once-rumored reimagining of Grizzly River Run.
Suffice to say, the house crowd would’ve gone completely nuts if Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree have been introduced on the D23 Expo. Which means both the lineup is so jam-packed with huge information that that is someway too inconsequential to share at that occasion or they didn’t know what a gem they’ve with this information. Maybe a little bit of each?
Segueing into the substance of the Nation Bear Jamboree restaurant reimagining information itself, this simply is sensible.
As steered above, the Nation Bears have been making a comeback at Disneyland during the last decade or so. Not solely that, however Imagineering has clearly been engaged on Nation Bear Musical Jamboree for Walt Disney World, so that they’ve been fabricating new props and crafting backstory.
And there are many folks internally who’re Nation Bear followers. Outward appearances might recommend in any other case, however the Nation Bears are just like the Muppets. There are fierce advocates for each throughout the firm, which is why they maintain popping up in new places. Or within the case of the Nation Bears, exist in any respect exterior the Archives.
It additionally is sensible as a result of Hungry Bear Restaurant beforehand had no mental property tie-in. (Nicely, except you counted the prevailing references to the Nation Bears behind the counter and within the restroom signage.)
Extra to the purpose, the restaurant didn’t have any connections to Disney motion pictures or characters. It’s no secret that there’s an IP mandate for the parks, with the aim of reimagining generic choices into issues with character connections.
We noticed that the majority not too long ago at Disneyland with French Market being reworked into Tiana’s Palace and Pacific Wharf changing into San Fransokyo Sq.. Each of these are good plussings, and I’d assume the identical may even be true of Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree.
This mandate for extra “IP injections” is lamented by many Disney followers who assume it means taking distinctive theme park choices and stripping of their character for the sake of synergy with Disney+ or no matter. And that might in all probability be us if Hungry Bear have been changing into Lotso Backyard Cafe or a hamfisted NatGeo tie-in.
As we’ve identified, there’s additionally theme park IP that’s getting used to cross-pollinate different choices, and that’s exactly what’s occurring right here. I can not think about a single particular person complaining about Hungry Bear changing into a bona fide Nation Bear Jamboree restaurant! It’s going from generic bears that by no means actually garnered a fan-following to ones with an amazing quantity of historical past at Disneyland who’re nonetheless adored by followers.
In fact, whether or not this garners reward or is derided as surface-level fan service all relies upon upon the execution. Actually, I don’t count on main adjustments to Hungry Bear Restaurant–so I’d advocate adjusting your expectations if that’s what you’re hoping to see. It’s in all probability not going to be some grandiose reimagining that essentially alters the venue.
Hungry Bear is a reasonably easy restaurant. It’s additionally a culturally-significant one which’s thought-about a possible historic landmark. Significantly. In case you missed it throughout the DisneylandForward conferences, Hungry Bear was one in every of three such venues in Disneyland–together with the Essential Road USA Prepare Station and Pirates of the Caribbean.
From that, we realized that Hungry Bear Restaurant was recognized as eligible for itemizing within the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations below Criterion A for “its affiliation with the second section of renovation and growth of Disneyland within the Seventies,” and below Criterion C as “a very good instance of Rustic/Theme Park type structure.” The State Historic Preservation Officer concurred with the analysis of the Hungry Bear restaurant, and the constructing was assigned a standing code 2S2.
I don’t suppose all of that’s essentially prohibitive to the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree being an formidable undertaking, however even when I hadn’t identified of its ‘culturally important’ standing, I’d’ve anticipated this to be a reasonably restrained reimagining.
Hungry Bear Restaurant is solely open air. It’s primarily a walk-up window with two large ranges of open air seating.
Its design is pretty spartan, even by the requirements of rustic theme park structure. This isn’t an issue–it’s an asset. The spotlight of Hungry Bear is its views of the Rivers of America and into the wilderness. It doesn’t have fairly the identical environment because the walkway to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was added, however it’s nonetheless superb–it feels distant by comparability to the core of Disneyland.
If Disneyland ever had the urge for food to vary that, they’d’ve completed so for Tiana’s Palace. The extra wise spot for that restaurant would’ve been Hungry Bear, however it additionally would’ve been a bigger endeavor. Since they handed on doing that and opted as an alternative for French Market, I can solely assume that it’s going to be an analogous story with this reimagining into Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree.
That’s not a foul factor. Permitting the setting to talk for itself however including the Nation Bears through music, signage, and different storytelling touches is sensible. Imagineers might definitely discover locations for ephemera and show circumstances that inform the story of “their travels all through the best music halls in america.” I additionally wouldn’t be shocked to see the Large Al statue (and perhaps others prefer it?) make its method over to Hungry Bear BBQ Jamboree.
What I envision is one thing much like San Fransokyo Sq., which is a plussing to Pacific Wharf that added a ton of element and texture to (largely) outside and open air areas. Extra apt thematically is Smokejumpers Grill, which is indoors however added Easter Eggs and nods to Disney historical past.
My expectation is that Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree will find yourself being a cross between these two reimaginings and sure barely much less formidable than each. Even when it’s a “no dough” refresh, I think that keen Imagineers who themselves are Nation Bear followers will flip this right into a pet undertaking. So even when it’s missing in finances, it needs to be overflowing with coronary heart–and that makes up for lots.
As for the menu, there’s nowhere to go however up! Hungry Bear has one of many least formidable menus in all of Disneyland, and it may very well be so a lot better. Not solely that, however barbecue is underrepresented at Disneyland and it’s one thing Disney does fairly effectively in counter service settings. Simply take a look at Regal Eagle Smokehouse or Flame Tree BBQ. They’re not the head of barbecue, however they’re each higher than Hungry Bear.
Once I first heard that this could be a barbecue restaurant, my thoughts went two locations. First, to the extinct Large Thunder Ranch BBQ. This closed to make method for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, leaving a void within the culinary (and goat) scene at Disneyland. I’m wanting ahead to having fun with barbecue once more at Disneyland and hope there’s an choice to order a wonderful meat bucket.
However truthfully, what I miss most about Large Thunder Ranch BBQ is the cookie skillet. I nonetheless take into consideration these–significantly the seasonal ones for Halloween and Christmas. Most likely not a practical request, however I’d love for a nod to that dessert to someway make the menu at Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree.
Though it’s additionally not barbecue, I’ve lengthy hoped that Hungry Bear would carry again its traditional Fried Inexperienced Tomato Sandwich. I additionally nonetheless take into consideration the OG model of that from a decade in the past–it was among the finest plant-based objects at Disneyland. They’re presumably going to desire a plant-based possibility right here, and I’d to see that reprised moderately than some bizarre Inconceivable concoction.
Even when these two particular dishes don’t come to Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree–and so they in all probability gained’t–I’m however fairly optimistic in regards to the menu change. For one factor, it can not get any worse. Except for the occasional worthwhile seasonal funnel cake, Hungry Bear has served a fundamental and restricted menu for years. It’s principally one step above Galactic Grill at this level.
For an additional, Disneyland has been going all-out with new menus across the parks. I can not consider a recently-redone menu that’s been worse than what it changed. Each single one has been a marked enchancment. Tiana’s Palace, particularly, is a notable improve over French Market. Whereas I don’t count on that caliber from a BBQ joint, a couple of worthwhile objects can be an enormous win, particularly given the stellar setting. (Now do Flo’s V8 Cafe subsequent, Disneyland!)
Lastly, the potential implications for Walt Disney World. As we not too long ago mentioned in Restaurant Thriller at Magic Kingdom, it’s been radio silence from Disney about Tiana’s Palace in Magic Kingdom or wherever else at Walt Disney World because the final D23 Expo. At one level, it appeared like a foregone conclusion that it would occur–and possibly changing Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn & Cafe since Imagineers have been noticed poking round there on a number of events.
I gained’t rehash all the dialogue from that publish, however one factor I did recommend was this: “With all of that mentioned, I do suppose one thing will occur with Pecos Invoice. The underlying IP is nearly definitely seen as “outdated” in Disney’s eyes, and ripe for alternative. Nonetheless, I believe if a change is made, it’ll be very superficial–in all probability simply the title, signage, and a little bit of placemaking. (Sorta much like San Fransokyo Sq. at DCA, however not whilst formidable as that.) If that is on the desk, I’d humbly recommend “Sammy’s Raccoon Saloon” or “Large Al’s BBQ Barn.” And even simply revive the Mile Lengthy Bar moniker. Give us Nation Bear followers a win.”
In the end, I believe us Nation Bear followers might nonetheless take a win at Walt Disney World. If Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree is a success with Disneyland followers, why not do an analogous Nation Bear restaurant reimagining in Magic Kingdom? Once more, assuming Pecos Invoice isn’t going to turn out to be Tiana’s Palace (and it’d!), it nonetheless has an outdated IP that Disney in all probability doesn’t need to proceed utilizing. A lightweight placemaking undertaking might breathe new life into the placement as a Nation Bears restaurant.
Heck, they might even do a crossover, with the Bayou Neighborhood Band ‘assembly’ the Bear Band in that spot. I’d be completely on board with that–it’d be a good way to meld the worlds of Tiana’s Bayou Journey with the remainder of Frontierland. Actually, I’d be pleased with absolutely anything occurring with this restaurant. Like Hungry Bear, it has nowhere to go however up. As we coated in The Dying of Pecos Invoice, it simply isn’t superb anymore. I’d even be superb with one thing extra superficial like a reputation and signage change–as long as it additionally comes with a menu overhaul that features extra ingenious delicacies and–hopefully–a return of the toppings bar!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider Disneyland getting a Nation Bear Jamboree-themed restaurant? Are you excited for Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree? Assume it’ll be a plussing comparable in scale and scope to San Fransokyo Sq. or Smokejumpers? Ideas on the chance of Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree coming to Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
