Tucked into the Northwest corner of the park, Critter Country in California contains a unique mix of attractions in a nicely themed forest environment. The challenge here is that the rides themselves are often the weakest of their peers. Splash Mountain here is by far the worst version of the ride in the world, and the same goes for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh dark ride. The Davey Crocket Explorer Canoes are great fun, but they can’t prop up those other attractions. Food-wise, the land contains the Hungry Bear Restaurant – far from the best food in the park – but with fantastic views of the Rivers of America. The land is also home to Pooh’s Corner – an underrated gem that is essentially a mini version of the Main Street Bakery – with a few items unique to this location. A couple of nicely themed retail shops round out the land’s offerings. Critter Country in California doesn’t feel like a land full of problems on the surface, but compared to its cousin in Tokyo, and also comparing its individual attractions to their superior peers at other parks, it falls short. As a result, it’s the weakest version of Critter Country in the world.

It’s quite a feat that Tokyo’s version of Critter Country has a far smaller footprint than its California cousin, and yet is still by far the better of the two lands. The land is literally a wedge between Fantasyland and Westernland – carved out of the tiny area when Splash Mountain was created. It’s an almost unbelievable feat that the land was able to fit here, but it’s done so well, it seems as it has existed since Day 1. Here as the central focal point, is the world’s best version of Splash Mountain, an Imagineering marvel that from incredible queue to perfect finale is an idealized version of the attraction. But that’s not all. The mountain itself was super-sized, and contains Grandma Sarah’s Kitchen, and impossibly elaborate and fantastically themed counter service restaurant, with a delicious menu to boot. It’s the type of Disney dining experience that completely immerses, and it blends perfectly into the Splash Mountain vibe. Outside, Rackety’s Raccoon Saloon also offers great snacks and sips, accompanied by a couple of nice retail outlets. Beaver Brother’s Explorer Canoes is more or less the same experience as found in California, but through Tokyo’s beautiful and unique riverways. Ultimately, it’s a consistent and fantastic land from rides to shops to food, and it’s without a doubt the best version of Critter Country on the planet.