MK Country Bear Jamboree is getting new songs and acts

[Surferboy567]

That really seems like something fans who hadn’t been beaten down by lackluster IP overhauls brought to the show. The jabs came from Iago, who… is a jerk. That’s his character. I’m not sure how removing every song, including the very familiar theme, shows more meaningful respect for CB then Management did for Tiki. Is turning CB into a derivative IP showcase respectful?

What you are missing here is that the CB DNA is preserved. Reverence is shown for the previous shows.

Also…how about not replacing the OG Tiki room song with Gilbert singing (as much as I love Aladdin it’s my favorite Disney film) his voice is not great to listen to for an extended song.

Another thing, they left the original ending song in so no, not every song was removed. They also kept a lot of similar beats the slideshow, big Al joke, trixie, bonnets, etc.

 

[J.E.Smith]

Well I like that the lobby now looks like Tokyo's with brand new memorabilia with the bears' history.

I like the new programming and effects. I think the main negative for me is Peter Renaday not coming back as Henry or Max. Perhaps someone at the D23 showings can ask the Imagineers on why they didn't get him back,. Even if Pete couldn't pull off all the singing for Henry, they could have at least had him come back to do Max's quips.

 

[mickEblu]

There could be something big and furry heading to Cali in the next few years. Won't be a show.

That’s what I was thinking. Something like a Big Al being added to GRR. Or maybe a few of the Country Bears And they rebrand the whole ride. I’m guessing they put that Big Al statue out there to gauge interest. While I’m not crazy about the new iteration of the bears I’m all for it if it saves Grizzly Peak and the Grand Californian from being rethemed (or demo’d) by/ for whatever IP non sense they can imagine there. And aside from that we could do a whole lot worse than a (still kinda) charming AA show paying homage to Disneylands past.

 

[Surferboy567]

That’s what I was thinking. Something like a Big Al being added to GRR. Or maybe a few of the Country Bears And they rebrand the whole ride. I’m guessing they put that Big Al statue out there to gauge interest. While I’m not crazy about the new iteration of the bears I’m all for it if it saves Grizzly Peak and the Grand Californian from being rethemed (or demo’d) by/ for whatever IP non sense they can imagine there.

Country Bears Musical River Rapids actually sounds pretty fun.

 

[mightynine]

I think Big Al singing “Remember Me” is more tasteful than the Tiki Birds singing “Hot, Hot, Hot.”

That was one of the things that fell flat for me. "Remember Me" brings to mind the beautiful ending of Coco, which stirred up some manly tears, and a ballad country version of that makes sense - possibly even better than "A Whole New World". Using that song for humor doesn't quite work for me.

 

[mickEblu]

Country Bears Musical River Rapids actually sounds pretty fun.

Country Bear River Rapids Revue. Lol.

 

[aladdin2007]

That was one of the things that fell flat for me. "Remember Me" brings to mind the beautiful ending of Coco, which stirred up some manly tears, and a ballad country version of that makes sense - possibly even better than "A Whole New World". Using that song for humor doesn't quite work for me.

it was over as soon as it started, has to be the shortest act in the show?
I would have loved to have seen teddybeara sing "baby mine" instead, or trixie.

 

[The Leader of the Club]

That really seems like something fans who hadn’t been beaten down by lackluster IP overhauls brought to the show. The jabs came from Iago, who… is a jerk. That’s his character. I’m not sure how removing every song, including the very familiar theme, shows more meaningful respect for CB then Management did for Tiki. Is turning CB into a derivative IP showcase respectful?

Removing Bear Band Serenade is more respectful than cutting off Tiki Tiki Tiki Room after a verse. Nobody in this show remarks how old and tired the old show was. It doesn’t try to be in your face with pop music. It feels like an extension of vacation hoedown or the Christmas show. If this show had happened 30 years ago, we’d all say it was a classic akin to those.

 

[Casper Gutman]

The current hosts of Bears aren't actively taking the out of it, saying the old show was 'boring' or 'dull' and playing radio pop songs.

Disney songs in Disney World? Fine. But Under New Management relied on songs that you could find on the radio mostly.

Under New Management was a cynical mess trying to one-up the original, this feels like a respectful continuation of the original show.

The original Country Bears relied on many songs you could have heard on an old radio station. But here’s the thing - they BECAME “Disney” songs because their role in CB gave them longevity far beyond their normal lifespan. This new show is a symptom of just how shallow and limited Disney’s understanding of IP is.

Stuffing Disney film tunes into CB, where most of them absolutely don’t fit, feels massively more cynical then Management. It’s a more elaborate and drawn-out version of Star Lord mentioning that he loved classic EPCOT.

Are Disney fans so thin-skinned that the mild barbs from a VILLAIN hurt their feelings? That seems very strange to me.

 

[Surferboy567]

I think Big Al singing “Remember Me” is more tasteful than the Tiki Birds singing “Hot, Hot, Hot.”

It’s been so long since I’ve seen under new management I’m so happy I blocked that out of my mind. Genuinely forgot that was a thing.

 

[Surferboy567]

Country Bear River Rapids Revue. Lol.

Alliteration win!

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

I think the show is okay overall. LOVE the improvements done to the AAs movement & fur wise. But I gotta say, I’m absolutely ‘baffled’ Peter Renaday wasn’t brought back to voice Henry. Just.. why?? I’m hoping it was just a case of not knowing he was right there.. He’s absolutely still around and can do the voice perfectly still. He’s even been brought onto D23 presentations that showcase the fact he ‘is’ (well.. was, now with this new show) Henry. Honestly saddens me they would even think to recast him to begin with. The one key role he’s had at Disney besides Mickey Mouse in the 70s-80s in Records & Toys, working at the company when Walt was still alive. Truly dumbfounded by the decision to recast Henry, really.
But overall, I’m just glad the bears weren’t axed and have a show to perform.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Nature is back in balance. The expected ones hate it. The majority are positive or neutral. May peace long reign.

It was and always will be silly for any of us to be monoliths

Judge things on their merits.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Overall I think the show is okay overall.

I think this is the problem

 

[Casper Gutman]

What you are missing here is that the CB DNA is preserved. Reverence is shown for the previous shows.

Also…how about not replacing the OG Tiki room song with Gilbert singing (as much as I love Aladdin it’s my favorite Disney film) his voice is not great to listen to for an extended song.

Another thing, they left the original ending song in so no, not every song was removed. They also kept a lot of similar beats the slideshow, big Al joke, trixie, bonnets, etc.

Yes. They kept the original beats. That’s more or less the only humor in the show. Despite this, the old jokes - Big Al, the slide show, etc - are now presented in a way that doesn’t work. It’s cynical pandering rather then an actual attempt at a refresh - it’s Figment in the modern Journey.

The old songs used to be funny in themselves. The new batch, with the very notable exceptions of Kiss and Super, just sit there. Those are the only two numbers that try to be funny and the only two that bring anything new to the show.

 

[SplashJacket]

Was shocked to see any positive reaction let alone a positive consensus.

Then I watched it.

I actually think they did a good job with it and made it more interesting for the present.

 

[mf1972]

we’re not country music fans so we don’t watch the show on every trip, but it was always a good show. although i’ll admit the animatronics here are good & the smoking fiddle & big al are funny & well done, i’m kind of meh on this update. i’ll still watch it in person for a different perspective, but hearing country versions of disney songs isn’t doing it for me so far. just my opinion.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I'm glad the Bears are looking their best. I'm glad they kept some of the humor.

This show is WORSE than the original. But it's better than it not existing. My niece and nephews will enjoy this, for much of the same reason I enjoyed the original.

I do think, however, this change was completely unnecessary.

At least the fiddle smokes.

Try Everything is a waste of those four bear characters. The Trio deserve to be their own thing, not back-up singers. Trixie used to be a humorous character with her wine glass.

Pete Renaday should be in this. It's borderline disrespectful that he's not.

Bear Band Serenade should have been in there. I feel no connection with those bears without their humorous introductions. When I was little, I felt like they were real characters. I sympathized with Fred, who played mouth harp kind of sad. It made me ask questions...why is he sad? Would he be happy by the end of the show? etc. Now he's just standing there, and he's definitely not sad.

To those hinting about something coming to DLR, if it's not a show...are we thinking Turtle Talk with Big Al?

@wdwmagic How long ago did you see the Zip storyboard? Is this a recent cut or was it early in the process?

OVERALL GRADE: B-

 

[J.E.Smith]

Is anyone on this board going to do the D23 showings, or know someone? Maybe someone could ask the Imagineers who will be at those why Peter wasn't brought back.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I can imagine some people with nostalgia missing the old show but I absolutely think the typical park guest will enjoy this show far more than the old one.

The “typical” park guest doesn’t have nostalgia?