Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree’s expanded lower-level patio is now open at Disneyland, transforming former planting beds into additional dining space beneath and alongside the restaurant’s upper deck.
Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree Seating Patio Now Open
We first spotted construction walls around the area on May 20. Crews subsequently removed landscaping and excavated the ground, with stone-patterned paving and retaining walls taking shape in October. The fully realized project substantially increases the restaurant’s seating capacity.
Hungry Bear already offered downstairs dining before this project, though it was significantly smaller compared to the elevated dining space. Our 2024 tour of the restaurant shows tables beneath the deck, with net fencing separating portions of the seating area from adjacent landscaping. The expansion brings tables into space previously occupied by planting beds, broadening the patio beyond its earlier boundaries.
With construction walls removed, the expanded footprint is particularly apparent from the walkway beside the restaurant. Rows of tables now stretch along the plantbed on the walkway’s edge, with seating beneath the upper deck and additional tables under green and tan umbrellas.
A short stone staircase provides access from the walkway. Nearby, a sign topped with two beavers directs guests toward the wheelchair-accessible ramp.
The tables are paired with rustic chairs featuring branch-like backs and cushioned seats. Stone-patterned paving covers the patio, while wood-look sections surround several support posts.
Low stone walls, wooden rails, and planted borders frame the dining space. Decorative lanterns are positioned on several new lamp posts, featuring bear silhouettes and small bear figures.
The expanded seating area extends below the entire upper deck of the restaurant, with a wheelchair-accessible ramp available along the area’s left edge relative to guests in the adjacent walkway.
Underneath an overhang, a cave structure of rocks with a small brown wood door has been added. The gray mailbox nearby has the name “Rufus” printed on it, a reference to Rufus the Bear. Back when Bayou Country was Bear Country at Disneyland, Rufus could be heard snoring from his cave along the entrance path into the land.
More tables with umbrellas can be found further down in the seating area. The support posts are surrounded by wood plank detailing instead of stone pavers.
A yellow beehive can also be spotted on one of the rafters above the accessible ramp.
Near the new center of the lower area—what used to be one end corner of the prior seating arrangement—the companion restroom is identified by a blue “The Sun Bonnets’ Family Den” sign above its red door, which predates the new expansion.
Though this companion restroom remained open throughout the development of the seating expansion efforts, its exterior does appear visually refreshed. Most notably, a new framed Five Bear Rugs illustration now hangs to the right of the restroom entrance.
More bear detailing can be found on the other antique lamppost, and some guests were readily enjoying the updated seating options during our first visit to the new space.
Updated landscaping has also been added in this area, showcasing a variety of green and brown shrubbery. The planter area is enclosed with brown wood fencing.
You can get a sense of the sheer scale of the expansion from the before-and-after photos above. Note the green and tan umbrellas in the background, showing the extent of added seating options.
Hungry Bear Restaurant became Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree in October 2024, introducing a barbecue-focused menu and additional Country Bears decor. This latest project further develops the lower level while giving guests more room to sit down for a meal.
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