Mile-Long Bar (1972–1988)

The Mile-Long Bar (1972–1988) was a snack bar in Disneyland’s Bear Country (later Critter Country), designed as an Old West saloon with a wooden bar, brass footrail, and wall-sized mirrors creating an optical illusion of infinite length. Located near the Country Bear Jamboree exit, it served non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, later becoming the Brer Bar (1989–2002) and eventually part of Pooh’s Corner (2003–present).

Here are 10 fun facts about the Mile-Long Bar during its 1972–1988:

1. Bear Country Debut: The Mile-Long Bar opened on March 24, 1972, as part of Disneyland’s Bear Country, a new land centered around the Country Bear Jamboree, housed in a rustic building adjacent to Grizzly Hall.
2. Mirror Illusion: The bar’s signature feature was its wall-sized mirrors at both ends, creating an optical illusion that made the countertop appear to stretch infinitely, giving the venue its “Mile-Long” name.
3. Old West Aesthetic: Designed to evoke an 1880s saloon, the bar featured a polished wooden countertop, brass footrails, and a higher brass rail for leaning, with red velvet accents and lantern-style lighting enhancing the Western vibe.
4. Non-Alcoholic Menu: As a family-friendly “dry” bar, it served non-alcoholic beverages like Pepsi, apple cider, and lemonade, alongside snacks such as frozen bananas, ice cream, and churros, appealing to guests exiting the Jamboree.
5. Country Bear Busts: The bar displayed static busts of Melvin the Moose, Buff the Buffalo, and Max the Stag, characters from the Country Bear Jamboree, mounted on the walls as decorative props, unlike their animatronic counterparts in other parks.
6. Strategic Location: Positioned at the rear of Bear Country, near the Country Bear Jamboree’s exit and a former waterfall feature, the bar capitalized on foot traffic from the show, encouraging guests to stop for refreshments. The bar’s building bore the fictional construction date “1902” on its exterior, tying into Critter Country’s early 20th-century backstory, a detail that persisted through its later rethemes.
7. Pepsi and Frito-Lay Sponsorship: Sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay, the bar prominently featured Pepsi products and offered Frito-Lay snacks, reflecting corporate synergy common in Disneyland’s early lands.
8. High Guest Capacity: The stand-up bar format allowed for quick service, accommodating dozens of guests at a time, with no formal seating to keep turnover high during peak park hours.
9. Closure for Critter Country: The bar closed in 1988 when Bear Country was rethemed to Critter Country to align with the opening of Splash Mountain, reopening as the Brer Bar on July 17, 1989, with a Song of the South theme.
10. Pooh’s Corner Transition: After the Brer Bar closed in 2002, the space was incorporated into Pooh’s Corner, a Winnie the Pooh-themed bakery and gift shop, in 2003, tied to the opening of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride.