Teddi Barra’s Swinging Arcade (1972–2003) was a video arcade in Disneyland’s Bear Country (later Critter Country), named after a character from the Country Bear Jamboree and located near the attraction’s exit. Offering classic arcade games, it operated until 2003, when it was incorporated into the expanded Pooh Corner store to support The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride.
Here are 10 fun facts about Teddi Barra’s Swinging Arcade during its 1972–2003!
- Bear Country Launch: The arcade opened on March 24, 1972, as part of Bear Country’s debut, housed in a rustic wooden building designed to blend with the land’s 1880s Northwestern aesthetic, adjacent to the Country Bear Jamboree.
- Teddi Barra Theme: Named after Teddi Barra, the Country Bear Jamboree’s swing-riding bear who descends from the ceiling, the arcade featured her image on signage and interior decor, tying it to the show’s playful vibe.
- Classic Arcade Games: The arcade offered a mix of 1970s–1980s games, including pinball machines, early video games like Pong and Space Invaders, and mechanical skill games, with titles rotating over the years to stay current. The arcade included a few non-electronic games, such as a mechanical “shooting gallery” with light-based rifles, offering a Western twist that complemented Critter Country’s frontier setting
- Token-Based Play: Guests purchased tokens to play games, with machines typically requiring one or two tokens per play, and a token exchange counter staffed by cast members dressed in plaid shirts and vests.
- Western Ambiance: The interior mimicked a frontier lodge, with exposed beams, lantern lighting, and taxidermy-style animal heads on the walls, creating a cozy, saloon-like atmosphere for gaming.
- Critter Country Transition: When Bear Country became Critter Country in 1988 for Splash Mountain’s opening, the arcade retained its Teddi Barra name and theming, despite the land’s shift to a Song of the South focus.
- Strategic Location: Positioned near the Country Bear Jamboree exit and opposite the Mile-Long Bar (later Brer Bar), the arcade capitalized on foot traffic, drawing kids and teens after the bear show or river rides.
- Limited Operating Hours: The arcade operated primarily during peak seasons and weekends, closing early on slower days to align with Critter Country’s seasonal attractions like the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes.
- Pooh Corner Expansion: The arcade closed in 2002, and its space was integrated into the expanded Pooh Corner store in 2003, rethemed to support The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride, with no arcade elements retained.
- Country Bear Legacy: The arcade’s signage featured a carved wooden bear holding a rifle, a nod to the Country Bear Jamboree, and some interior decor, like bear-themed artwork, echoed the show’s characters.
