Back in 2009, I wrote a blog post about Lost Disneyland: Critter Country Characters. It is now 2024, and a lot has changed in regards to Critter Country in Disneyland. For one, Splash Mountain is no longer in the United States. Which is something I predicted would happen back in 2014 (I guessed it would become a Woody's Roundup theme).
Sometimes it takes me a LONG time to find something, as is the case with the plush Turtle that Disneyland sold as part of the launch of Critter Country back in 1989. There was an entire line of plush Critter Country toys designed for the park, and I remember reading in Disney News Magazine that a Saturday Morning cartoon was also planned.
I grew up in Alabama, so Disneyland in California was not my usual stomping grounds. But I was able to go in 1989, and I was hoping to visit Splash Mountain on this trip. Of course, it wasn't open yet, as the ride was delayed due to technical issues. But I did get to visit the shops near Splash Mountain, The Briar Patch, and Crocodile Mercantile (I'm kicking myself for not buying the Wooden Splash Mountain Yo-Yo they sold there). I did get a plush, the Critter Country Mouse, which I don't have anymore (visit my link above to see a picture of him).
The Turtle plush sticks out in my mind because I remember children carrying this specific toy around Disneyland. I've been searching for it for years and just found it on eBay a few days ago.
While I didn't get to ride Splash Mountain in 1989, I was able to return in 1990 to finally ride it.
The announcement of the Rufus the Turtle character for Tiana's Bayou Adventure really reminded me of this Critter Country Turtle.
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