Sunday, June 15, 2008

The Mile Long Bar - 1980s - Max, Buff & Melvin

I used to sweep through the "Mile Long Bar" in my Day Custodial whites back in 1984-86. It was still "Bear Country." The new moniker "Critter Country" gives me a headache and has way too much of an "Eisner" feel to it. Winnie, we love you, but you've quite possibly destroyed our beloved Bear Country. Silly old bear.

A hot pretzel at the Mile Long Bar was a great way to enjoy the heady afterglow of a "Country Bear Jamboree" performance. Located just outside the Country Bear Theater exit (and next to my second-favorite Disneyland water feature---the waterfall at the Country Bear Theater exit), the Mile Long Bar had mirrors at either end (hence the name). On hot days, it provided welcome relief. On cold days, coffee or a hot chocolate helped stave off the damp chill of Bear Country.

At the opposite end of the building that housed the Mile Long Bar was the "Cast Member" entrance to the Bear Country back area. A covered break area, along with a vending machine and a picnic table, was where I spent many breaks (perhaps too many on slower days). Here is a video of our favorite bodiless quadrupeds from the wall of the Mile Long Bar in the Magic Kingdom in Florida---thanks to Mike of widenyourwold on Youtube.com.

1 comment:

Kevin Kidney said...

HEARTBREAKING that these old friends are gone from the Mile Long Bar. I was there in June and, needless to say, I decided NOT to "set a spell" -in protest.

Wonderful to revisit them for a moment on your blog!