Disaster 
I just took my bear out of the oven and first thing that happened, it didn't rise all the way up..so there was no feet...I used 6 cups as per the directions..So, I thought I would build it up with icing to fix..
Then after letting it sit per the directions and loosening it up to let the steam out....then, when I tried to take top pan off, the ears came off and then when I tried to remove the core, the bear broke in the tummy area....I am so frustrated...
I greased the pan and floured...was I correct in using flour or should I have just grease it ...or, should I just get a fake teddy bear and forget all this stress..
I am so sorry about your frustration, we have all been there at some point. Most of my disasters have occured because of the flour and grease method. So now, I use spray that includes olive oil and flour, works every time. As for disaster control, I'm not sure what your design plan or celebration is, but I would fix it by molding a cute bear out of fondant as a cake topper.
I hope this helps 
I had the same problem with the bear pan. I gave up after the 2nd try. Just to frustrating to figure it out.. 
I'm sorry your bear didn't turn out Ranbel, really I am; however, I can't help but giggle at the vision in my head of a footless, earless bear with a slightly disfigured tummy! heheheeee! 
I know, I know, I'm not helping! 
I say decorate the bear as he is and sell him as a "challenged" bear!! 
Or you could make cake balls out of him! Just a thought.
What recipe did you use? A firmer cake like a pound cake works best in the stand up pans. But that said, I've had it happen with that one, too! I really think it's a hit or miss proposition. I'm sorry this happened to you! I know it is frustrating! Good luck!
Bunniefluf, "sell him as a challenged bear"...too funny!!!
I had the same problem the first time I made the bear - not with the ears coming off, but with not enough batter. I put 6 cups of WASC in the bear's body and 2/3 cup in the core, as directed. When he was done baking, I cooled the bear as instructed - taking the front off, then the back, etc. I had no problems with that part, but I did have a cake-less gap in the neck area - not a huge gap - which I noticed when I pulled out the core (and it wasn't from cake coming out with the core - I guess batter just hadn't settled in there). But he was shy of two full-sized feet. Next time I bake him, I'm putting in more batter, so it rises to fill the feet all the way. Sorry you had so much trouble.
You might try filling him up to when you insert the core cake batter is squished out. Have made him 6 times doing this and have not had a problem. I used a combo of a full batter of pound cake with a little regular cake batter mix in, like 1/2 the batter of a box mix to a full mix of pound cake.
Sorry you've had so much trouble.
Thanks for the laugh bunniefluf, I feel better now.
I combined a pound cake mix with a regular cake mix as per the instruction....
So, if I try the spray on oil, do you think it might work better? I think I will give it one more try tomarrow and if it doesn't come out, then I might try making a fondant bear. But, it needs to be pretty large, since it will be placed on top of a 10in cake.
Of well, my DH and son are ejoying the footless, earless, hole in the tummy bear as we speak...taste pretty darn good...
I used the Wilton cake release when I made the bear. Again, I didn't find sticking a problem when I used that. It was the insufficient amount of batter that presented a problem for me. Good luck with your next one!
So jo_ann, you have success without the heating core??
does you cake get done thru out.. I was thinking of trying it without the core myself.
For those who use the core, have you left it in and decorate you bear..the instructions say that is an option. if so, does your bear sit up straigtt??
Thanks guys..I am going to begin to bake again here shortly..I'll let you know if it turns out this time.
If you're wanting to use a heating core use a flower nail (turned upside down) and greased of course! I use the Crisco spray w/ flour (in a blue can) & love it more than Wilton pan release. Never used the bear pan, but I feel your pain!
bethola, great idea...never thought of that..I personally love home made rice krispy treats...and that would be a change in just haveing cake...
I am about to try and rebake this cake and if it don't turn out this time.. I am definately going with the rice krispy idea...beside, that will not give me any breaking problems.. 4 sure...
thanks, you have put a smile back on my face
This cake I am doing is for my step-daughter's baby shower and this is my first grandchild..so it is very special and of course, I want it to be perfect in every way...
jo_ann, thank you, thank you... I did not use the core and added more batter. Prbably could have used about a cup more, but I did use the full recipe that comes in the box...I think Wilton needs to go back and retest their measurements...because they are definately WRONG. 
I just took teddy out and remove the pans...and he turned out beautiful... 
And thanks to whom ever posted the note in regards to the no stick recipe...worked perfectly...the pans just fell off of him and NO STICKING..
and I have ears and feet. Well, most of the feet, but nothing building up the icing can't fix. 
AGAIN, THANKS.... CC and it's members are number 1 in my kitchen.
I've never had a problem with the bear pan AND using the core!! I don't use any fancy recipes, just DH brand. The pan DOES tell you the amount of cups of batter to use though. Make sure you used enough.
Sorry about your mishap. Make cake balls! and try again.
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