Pigeon Forge, TN-Black Bear Jamboree or Dixie Stampede!

[bethie]

Which one do you recommend? We will be visiting in August I would love to do one or the other. What do you think?

 

[Sugarfoot]

We went to the Black Bear Jamboree and thought parts of it were cute, some was kind of hokey. If you have kids they'd probably like it. We thought the dinner was pretty good. Didn't go to the Dixie Stampede, but would like to next trip, hopefully in the spring.

 

[bethie]

Thank you. Keep the opinions coming!

 

[eeyorefan74]

We did both a couple of weeks ago and had a great time at both. I guess it depends on which type of show you prefer. The food is very similar- creamy vegetable soup, roll/biscuit, chicken. The BBJamboree had ribs and a chocolate mousse type dessert, while the Dixie Stampede had a piece of pork tenderloin, and an apple turnover dessert. Dixie Stampede doesn't give you silverware. BBJamboree offers chicken fingers for the kids.

The shows are completely different. BBJamboree is singing and dancing, with some Country Bear Jamboree type bears on the sides of the theater that tell jokes and interact with the performers. You eat before the show. If you can, get a table close to the stage. DD6 was right next to it, and loved seeing everything up close.

Dixie Stampede is more of a rodeo. You sit in a row at long tables and they bring each food out to you one by one. There's lots of horseback riding and tricks, longhorn cattle, ostriches, chickens, pigs, and more, and the audience participates by being on the North or South side and cheering the performers on. It's more expensive than the BBJamboree, and while we were there, kids were free at BBJamboree. Like I said, we loved both, but if I could only do one, I think I'd pick the Dixie Stampede, but that's mostly because DD is an animal lover.

 

[truedisneyfan]

We went to the Black Bear Jamboree in 2003 on our honeymoon. Dh and I thought it was really good. We have thought about going to TN on vacation and doing it again, but WDW is calling to us. We have not been to the other one, but we don't think that one is for us.

 

[Alicia87]

We go to the Smokies usually twice a year. For the age of your kids, I think Black Bear Jamboree would be more enjoyable for them.

 

[MinnieMe87]

Dixie Stampede was so much fun! I loved it. I agree with a previous poster that your children may enjoy the other show better, but there were tons of kids of all ages at the Dixie Stampede when I went. Enjoy your visit there, it's a gorgeous area!!

 

[tinatark]

Black Bear is a local production -you can find a Dixie Stampede in Orlando, Branson (I think) and Myrtle Beach as well as the one in PF. Both are great shows, but you can only "see" the BB in Pigeon Forge. I would go to the Black Bear.

 

[GoofieRuthie]

I've been twice to Dixie Stampede. I enjoyed it but I'd really like to try the BBJamboree. I also really enjoyed the Comedy Barn. It doesn't serve a meal but it is pretty funny and great for the entire family.

I will warn you though. If you have anyone with asthma in your family they may have some problems at Dixie Stampede. I'm not sure if it was the animals or the stuff they use on the floors, but my daughter had a very bad asthma attack at the one in Orlando. The dust on the floor is supposed to be hypoallergenic, but something really got to her. This happened before she had been officially diagnosed with asthma so we didn't have an inhaler for her. Thankfully one of her classmates (we were on a school trip) had one.

 

[BellvilleDad]

We love the Dixie Stampede, but Black Bear Jamboree is fun, too. If I had to choose, it'd be the Stampede, for sure. My kids (10 & 7) love it, too.

And I agree with the earlier poster, The Comedy Barn is GREAT! No meal, but a wonderful family-friendly comedy show.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I grew up less than 2 hours from Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg.

I am gonna give my honest opinion here, and I will say that there is NO comparison in the scope and magnitude of these productions...

Dixie Stampede is MUCH MUCH more of a production!!!!

Have seen both....
Have seen Black Bear Jamboree ONCE... it is GOOD... The animatronic bears are cute... (think of small scale Disney Country Bears....) really, but just another musical dinner show... local talent... To those who have seen it.... I am sure you can hear this in your head right now... "My faaaavorite foooood!!!"

Have seen Dixie Stampede TWICE... it is an incredible production... I would easily go back again!!! If I had guests that I wanted to take out for a night of entertainment on their vacation... It would be Dixie Stampede.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Another tip for Dixie Stampede...
First, get your tickets well in advance!!!!
My tip is to request the back row, center (50 yard line). I am thinking that the seating is only 5 levels, so you are still plenty close. The reason that I mention this is that the arena is surrounded by bench-row type seating. If you are in the back, you are not crammed in on the bench, but you have a real chair to sit in. I like this much better!

At Black Bear Jamboree, it is real tables and chairs... but the are long tables, so that you will also probably be sharing a table with others.

 

[bethie]

Loving this opinions. I am so torn. My husband's boss said nix to the stampede and yay to the jamboree. LOL!! I don't know!!!

 

[tinatark]

BBJ is not local talent - it's a local production. The Fee/Headrick company owns BBJ, Comedy Barn, Magic beyond belief and The Miracle theatres.

They recruit actors/singers/dancers for their shows from all over.


I would rather see a top notch show I can only see in a specific area than one that you can see in many places.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I think I see why you are still undecided... It is not "which is best", but an opinion on WHICH WILL WE ENJOY THE MOST!!!!

As mentioned, they are two very different shows... no direct comparison can really be made! Black Bear Jamboree is more like a dinner-show, with regular tables and chairs (which can seat two or three parties...), and a stage.... A combination of the animated bears, and live musical stage performances...

Dixie Stampede is a major experience... A totally different 'arena' experience. It is everything from funny and exciting.. to dramatic.... with lighting, smoke effects, ariel effects, costumes... (from old west w/covered wagons to bright sequined modern rodeo circus riding...)

My advice to you is go to each web-site and just judge your own personal reaction.. Which kind of evening is more "YOU"!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Tina, that is assuming that the OP is actually GOING to the other places where she can plan to see Dixie Stampede. (is the one in orlando still operating.. I recently heard that it was shutting down...)

Also, it has been a while since I saw these shows... I guess by 'local talent' I I mean talent that is not widely or nationally known/recognized.... I do not remember there being any huge names that I was familiar with. I am not knocking Jamboree at all!!! It is also a great dinner show!

I know that Dollywood brings in some nationally known names.
One of their shows featured a runner up from American Idol.

The biggest thing is that the OP pick the entertainment choice that is right for THEM. That should be the only factor!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I got curious and did a search...
Here is an excerpt from an article about Black Bear Jamboree and their new show. (I saw the original a couple years ago.)

PIGEON FORGE - The Black Bear Jamboree has undergone some major changes with a new musical revue show for its sixth season.


The show features movie tunes from Hollywood, country music favorites, disco dance hits from the ’70s and a finale featuring patriotic and gospel songs.

There is also an enhanced stage, surround sound, new lighting and more than 250 costume changes.

A family of animatronic black bears watching Hollywood directors making a movie called “The Legend of the Black Bear Jamboree” is the show’s new storyline, featuring the main characters of Mr. Schlemielberg, a star Hollywood director (played by Pigeon Forge theater veteran Jimmy Bryant), and Dexter, the nerdy assistant director who aspires to be a star (played by longtime Dollywood performer Stacy Mitchell).

“Dexter is probably me in real life,” Mitchell said with a laugh. “I really snort when I laugh like he does, which is embarrassing. He’s a combination of Jerry Lewis and (Steve) Urkel (from “Family Matters”).”

A Knoxville native and University of Tennessee graduate, Mitchell performed at Dollywood for six years. He auditioned for season four of “American Idol” and made it to the Hollywood round before being eliminated in the third stage.

“That was a great experience,” he said.

He added that being able to sing gospel music during the show fulfilled his dreams. “It was a real blessing,” Mitchell said. “I’ll just continue to go wherever the Lord leads me.”

I would hope it is the same guy who plays Dexter!!!! (local talent from Knoxville) He was one of the BEST things about the Jamboree when we saw it!!!! He is a small thin guy with dark hair if I remember correctly... And he really made an impression!!!

He spent the whole show 'in character', but broke for about 60 seconds at the beginning of one piece and showed that HE CAN SING!!! Wow...

 

[bethie]

Well, once again, thank you all. I have a then ten year old and a three year old. I am trying to figure out which would hold my three year old's attention the most. Also, although price is not a big concern, it looks as if the BBJ is cheaper and with the better food, oh a child's plate too. I am leaning towards the BBJ.

I love to hear from anybody and everybody though!!!!!!

 

[Mkgaapril]

here is something to think about.....dixie stampede has a much better show, and the seating is much nicer....its in a u shape, the north vs. the south....there is an excellent amount of room and no heads to look over , noone to kick you...

black bear stinks...long tables, bench, and lots of heads to look over for the little ones.....(or short people)

Hands down,,,,Dixie Stampede and the food is good too

 

[Sugarfoot]

At Black Bear Jamboree, it is real tables and chairs... but the are long tables, so that you will also probably be sharing a table with others.

DH and I saw the Black Bear Jamboree a year and a half ago, and you did not have to share a table with others. There were plenty of larger tables, but also plenty of tables for 2, 4 and 6. You mentioned two children, so are you a family of four? Then you would most likely have your own table, just for 4. The larger tables are on the main floor and the 2's and 4's are tiered. I'm short, only 5' and had no trouble seeing the show. And we had regular chairs, not benches, to sit on.