After our pillaging and plundering fun was over on Pirates of the Carribbean, we headed over to another of the kids' favorite attractions: The Country Bear Jamboree! I mean, who doesn't get excited to see a giant grizzly bear in ill-fitting overalls playing a harmonica? But I'm getting ahead of myself here.
When we arrived, the countdown clock outside said there were about 10 minutes before the next show. So we all settled down and got comfortable inside the queue area. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Horace Horsecollar walking along the street outside. Now, it's not uncommon to see characters walking around Disney World, but it was certainly uncommon to see
this character.
A few seconds later, I saw Brier Bear walking over to Horace. Now this sparked my attention, and I asked if anyone wanted to go see what was going on. Madison jumped at the chance, but Evan wanted to stay and wait for the show.
We went outside, expecting to see some kind of meet & greet set up. So far, it was just a few characters milling around, waving at kids.
I looked over my shoulder, and noticed Big Al and Brier Rabbit coming over to join their friends.
And that, my friends, is when things got
funky. Music started playing, random cast members abandoned their stores, snack carts and kiosks to start a hoedown!
They were line dancing and two stepping to some western swing.
It was like a Disney Flash Mob!
Every few seconds, more and more cast members and characters just appeared and jumped right into the choreography.
And you know it can't be Disney with a little audience participation. And there can't be audience participation with out Madison!
After some Texas Two-steping, everyone formed a big circle for more dancing!
They then broke into smaller groups and did the Hokey Pokey. Everybody put your left hand in! Madison, your left hand. No, your other left. Whatever, you've got a hand in and you're having the time of your life. Just go with it!
(oh, and when Brier Bear puts "his whole self in" - he really goes for it. He charged the group and almost bowled them all over!)
Right about this time, we realized we were late for the Country Bear Jamboree, and that Bambi, Grandma & Evan were waiting for us. We dashed inside to find - the doors already closed. The show had begun without us. Madison got pretty upset because Evan was in there. She's very protective of her little brother and she was worried. I told her that mom and grandma were in there with him and he'd be fine. She was still pretty upset (to the point of tears), so I suggested some more dancing.
We went back outside, and who do we find right outside the door, just looking for a dance partner? Briar Rabbit!
Nothing cheers that girl up like a little dancin'
But all too soon, it was time for one last picture, then to say good bye.
...or so we thought.
Briar Rabbit took Madison by the hand and started walking down the street with her.
How's that for a 1000 watt smile?
They walked (neigh,
skipped), hand in hand, all the way back to the back stage entrance next to Splash Mountain. Brier Rabbit gestured to his handler that he wanted to take Madison back home with him. Madison, of course, was all for it, but his handler reminded him that he only had enough carrots for one, and that she didn't want Madison to go hungry. So they gave one last hug, and Brier Rabbit went on his way.
One last hug for Horace, and we made our way back to the Jamboree, foating on air and just busting at the seams to tell mom, grandma & Evan what they had missed.
Coming Up Next: Regular Stuff. I can't top what just happened, so why even try...
...or can I?
<--tears of pride.
