I am very sad about the potential that the Country Bear Jamboree will be removed from the Magic Kingdom. With Disney’s recent push back to the rumors regarding the Enchanted Tiki Room (using language conveniently still leaving room for a Moana overlay), and with no similar response for The Country Bears, I fear these rumors are very true. I recently completed a year long CP and in that time, the Jamboree became my favorite classic attraction in the parks. I’m from Tennessee and growing up spent many summers going to Dollywood, so the Country Bears felt like a little slice of home.
I think the show still holds up. The bears are still funny and when they seem risqué, it can be a welcome break from the sweetness of the park’s other offerings. The music is a wonderful, old fashioned kind of country music. I’m more inclined to revisit the Jamboree’s soundtrack than any of the other attractions on property, but this is admittedly probably due to my overwhelming fondness for the show. Since returning home, I haven’t listened to HEA once— but the Jamboree soundtrack I’ve gone through several times.
However, on most of my visits to the attraction it was fairly deserted and “bear-ly” occupied (I’m actually surprised by the number of people here and other places who claim the theatre is usually packed as that was almost never my experience and I went many times) and with the push for more movie IP in the parks, I sadly suspected its days were numbered. However, it is especially heartbreaking that this important and uniquely Walt Disney World attraction may be moved out to “celebrate” the park’s 50th anniversary. I am glad I got to experience the show as many times as I did, and I’m thankful YouTube exists so that I can still revisit the attraction when I inevitably turn sentimental. “Well there he goes, he hardly knows the heart he’s breaking...”
I think the show still holds up. The bears are still funny and when they seem risqué, it can be a welcome break from the sweetness of the park’s other offerings. The music is a wonderful, old fashioned kind of country music. I’m more inclined to revisit the Jamboree’s soundtrack than any of the other attractions on property, but this is admittedly probably due to my overwhelming fondness for the show. Since returning home, I haven’t listened to HEA once— but the Jamboree soundtrack I’ve gone through several times.
However, on most of my visits to the attraction it was fairly deserted and “bear-ly” occupied (I’m actually surprised by the number of people here and other places who claim the theatre is usually packed as that was almost never my experience and I went many times) and with the push for more movie IP in the parks, I sadly suspected its days were numbered. However, it is especially heartbreaking that this important and uniquely Walt Disney World attraction may be moved out to “celebrate” the park’s 50th anniversary. I am glad I got to experience the show as many times as I did, and I’m thankful YouTube exists so that I can still revisit the attraction when I inevitably turn sentimental. “Well there he goes, he hardly knows the heart he’s breaking...”
