Rumor: No Country Bear Christmas Special again this year

[Brian_WDW74]

From Screamscape:

Park News - (9/25/07) Screamscape has been informed that the management at the Magic Kingdom has decided once again to not run the Christmas version of the Country Bear Jamboree for the second year in the row. The lower level management protested of course, reminding them of all the complaints they had last year when the Christmas show was given the budget ax, but apparently this was shrugged off because those were just ‘verbal complaints’. Apparently Disney management feels that verbal complaints hold less water since they carry no physical presence and are often made hastily, while anyone who sends in a written complain is taken more seriously since they have the paperwork to deal with as well as the fact that the guest took the extra time to actually write something and send it in.

Since this is the second year in a row that they have tried to skip out on the Christmas show, it pretty much leads one to conclude that they are ready to get rid of the show forever and may never bring it back if something isn’t done. So if you would like to see the Christmas version of the Country Bear Jamboree show brought back to the park then please send your written comments to:

Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Let's hope that this is not true. I missed seeing the Christmas version last year. I don't think that I am the only one who prefers this version to the original one.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Let's hope that this is not true. I missed seeing the Christmas version last year. I don't think that I am the only one who prefers this version to the original one.

From what I'm hearing, its true. There's been some information which indicates the problem is Disney's license to use "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" in the show expired last year and they have not been successful in obtaining permission to continue to use the song. I don't if this is true of not. It could be just an excuse on Dinsey's part so they don't have to go through the expense of changing over the show. My guess its that the Christmas version will not be shown again as a cost cutting measure. I wrote WDW last year when the Christmas version was cancelled and was told that most likely it would return in 2007.

 

[Glenn]

The only reason I can see for Disney having problems with being able to use a song is that they dont want to pay royalties any more. Basically they're CHEAP and are looking for any way to increase the bottom line no matter how little. The cutbacks continue even with tremendous increases in park attendance.

 

[raidermatt]

There have basically been two versions being reported by those who claim to be insiders.

One version was that the Christmas Bears were definitely coming back this year and the only reason they didn't happen last year was copyright issues over Rudolph, and those issues had been resolved. Now that rumors are circulating that the Christmas Bears will not be back, the story is that the copyright issues weren't resolved after all.

The other version is that copyrights really had nothing to do with it. The Christmas Bears didn't happen last year primarily because of budget issues. This version also said the show would NOT return this year because there just weren't enough complaints about the missing show last year.

I never really bought the copyright thing. Yes the song is copyrighted, but it doesn't seem to be a problem for anybody else to secure permission to record/perform it, so I'm sure Disney could have taken care of it if they really wanted to, if indeed it was an issue at all.

So either way, it boils down to Disney just not being very motivated to make it happen.

 

[DancingBear]

It breaks my heart that this attraction has been allowed to decline, even while country/bluegrass/roots music has been huge. They could have done a quality update over the years.

 

[Cobra B.]

If there weren't enough complaints then maybe we should complain a little here or start a poll or something?! I don't know how to do the whole poll thing but I know how to complain. I know they monitor these boards. I missed this show last year and I was really hoping to catch it this year. I will be writing to this address and consider this a complaint also. Stand up and be heard.

 

[Another Voice]

If only Disney had a country music label that's actually going very well (unlike their "mainstream" music division)...you know, with acts like Rascal Flats and SheDaisy that might be able to add songs and/or voices to the bear band show. If Disney was just interested in synergy, having one bit of the company hock products from the other bits. If only Disney had something that would keeep Country Bear Jamboree fresh and revelant!

Oh wait...
http://hollywoodrecords.go.com/lyricstreetrecords/

 

[raidermatt]

I think I figured out the real reason for the show not coming back... apparently some of the bears ran off and have been playing defense for the Chicago Bears.

 

[YoHo]

That was a terrible joke. Still, can they play cornerback? cause if they can, we'll take em.

 

[mrsR123]

Don't you two have a sports board somewhere you could bicker on?

 

[YoHo]

I'll bicker anywhere I want to.
bicker bicker bicker..

O shoot, Beetlejuice.

 

[mrsR123]

LOL.

Glad to see you're back on the regular coffee.

 

[JPN4265]

The Bears have a football team?