The Country Bear Jamboree

[RiversideBunny]

Regarding relating, I sometimes can't figure out how children now relate to the main Disney characters like Mickey, Donald, Pluto, Goofy, etc.
Obviously they do but maybe these days those characters are associated only with the Disney parks.

When I was growing up The Wonderful World of Disney was on TV on Sunday nights with Walt as the host. The characters were prominently featured. There were also Disney movies with the characters in actual theatres and Disney cartoons.
The parks came along later. People went to the parks to experience the characters that they already knew.

 

[wdwmagic]

The audio was drastically improved during 6 month refurb in 2008. Here is a post refurb video http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Country-Bear-Jamboree/Video.htm

It sounds to me as good as it probably can do for a recording made in the late 60s/early 70s.

 

[David]

We had never seen the show prior to our trip a couple of weeks ago. It was a little on the chilly side and we were right there, so we decided to see it. I'll have to admit, it was not nearly as bad as I thought it might be. Granted it is corny, but that is the intention. As far as folks sleeping, I've been known to miss a few seconds of Carousel of Progress, American Adventure, Hall of Presidents,even Ellen's Engergy Adventure, ---and I enjoy all of those. If it's a long hot day, and you've going commando, a person might catch a few zzz's, no matter how well done a show is.

 

[xdan0920]

"Keep Moving Forward"

I understand this show holds a lot of sentimental value to people, but it is time to go I think. The show does not draw anymore, even little kids are not amused by it. I think they should add a new show there, not sure what direction to go with it though.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

"Keep Moving Forward"

I understand this show holds a lot of sentimental value to people, but it is time to go I think. The show does not draw anymore, even little kids are not amused by it. I think they should add a new show there, not sure what direction to go with it though.

"Keep moving forward" doesn't have to mean "rip and replace". It can mean "keep improving and plussing".

My kids love the country bears. And they're 12, 11 and 1. :shrug: I'd be careful with the broad generalizations.

And a comment on the music being out of date and "old time" country... The attraction is in Frontierland. I've got no problem with it. It's meant to be a "foot stompin' and hand clappin'" kind of show.

 

[dxwwf3]

"Keep moving forward" doesn't have to mean "rip and replace". It can mean "keep improving and plussing".

Well said :sohappy:

 

[rct247]

When I last saw it back in June 2008, it reminded me of the shows at Chuck E. Cheese (or Showbiz as it was called back in the day).

Yes, it is a classic. Yes, it is an important piece of Disney history and culture. Yes, some guests do still like it. Yes, it should remain.

I does need an update though. As said previously, the audio could use a boost. The AAs were clicking and moving slow and could use an update. Finally, the show needs to be redone. The current show showcases a variety of styles of country from the 1970s while being witty and entertaining, but it is losing its audience.

Why not look over the script and see what still works and what could be updated? Why couldn't the Country Bears showcase not only the classic country but a little of the newer stuff? Why can't the bears' movements be smoother and more realistic?

In fact, why couldn't the country bears sing actually portions of real country songs? Couldn't you see the Country Bears singing "Play me some mountain music..." by Alabama? What about Liverlips McGraw singing Achy Breaky Heart? Mix in a little Dueling Banjos, maybe some Rocky Top or some Johnny Cash. Even Trixie could sing some LeAnn Rimes. Just use songs that fit the current sound, nothing like Honky Tonk Badonkadonk and stuff like that.

The only issue with this is getting the rights to the music, but it could become more of an America Sings of country. People could still stomp and clap. It's still true to the attraction, and people could probably relate more to the songs.

 

[RiversideBunny]

I think they shouldn't whoop Little Buford.

 

[monkeysammich]

When I last saw it back in June 2008, it reminded me of the shows at Chuck E. Cheese (or Showbiz as it was called back in the day).

Yes, it is a classic. Yes, it is an important piece of Disney history and culture. Yes, some guests do still like it. Yes, it should remain.

I does need an update though. As said previously, the audio could use a boost. The AAs were clicking and moving slow and could use an update. Finally, the show needs to be redone. The current show showcases a variety of styles of country from the 1970s while being witty and entertaining, but it is losing its audience.

Why not look over the script and see what still works and what could be updated? Why couldn't the Country Bears showcase not only the classic country but a little of the newer stuff? Why can't the bears' movements be smoother and more realistic?

In fact, why couldn't the country bears sing actually portions of real country songs? Couldn't you see the Country Bears singing "Play me some mountain music..." by Alabama? What about Liverlips McGraw singing Achy Breaky Heart? Mix in a little Dueling Banjos, maybe some Rocky Top or some Johnny Cash. Even Trixie could sing some LeAnn Rimes. Just use songs that fit the current sound, nothing like Honky Tonk Badonkadonk and stuff like that.

The only issue with this is getting the rights to the music, but it could become more of an America Sings of country. People could still stomp and clap. It's still true to the attraction, and people could probably relate more to the songs.

I could get on board with this. That sounds like a good update to a dated attraction.

 

[RiversideBunny]

Maybe the contemporary country singers should start including some of the Country Bear songs on their albums.

 

[DisneyNut2007]

The show does not draw anymore, even little kids are not amused by it.

Sorry, but you're wrong.

The show still does pack them in and kids are still amused by it.

 

[MarkTwain]

Maybe the contemporary country singers should start including some of the Country Bear songs on their albums.

This.

And the Country Bears can never be removed. It was one of the last projects Marc Davis worked on at WDI, and if he were alive today and the show was removed, it would break his achy breaky heart.

CBJ is also, indirectly, one of the last projects Walt Disney worked on, in that it is the only direct product of the unsuccessful Mineral King Lodge project. From Wikipedia:

The Country Bear Jamboree was originally intended by Walt to be placed at Disney's Mineral King Ski Resort which he was trying to build in the mid 1960s. Walt knew he wanted some sort of show to provide entertainment to the guests at the resort, and he knew he wanted the show to feature some sort of bear band. The project was assigned to Imagineer Marc Davis.


Davis, together with Al Bertino came up with many bear groups, including bear marching bands, bear mariachi bands, and Dixieland bears. One day Davis was working on drawings of the characters in his office. Walt Disney walked in and saw the drawings and laughed because he loved the characters. On Walt's way out he turned to Marc Davis and said "Good Bye", which Walt was known never to say. A few days later he died on December 15, 1966. It was the last time Marc saw Walt.

I hope the Country Bears never closes... and considering it still packs the house and is pretty popular, why should it? And I wouldn't take the chance of seeing what Disney would replace it with anyway...

 

[Mansionfan]

In fact, why couldn't the country bears sing actually portions of real country songs? Couldn't you see the Country Bears singing "Play me some mountain music..." by Alabama? What about Liverlips McGraw singing Achy Breaky Heart? Mix in a little Dueling Banjos, maybe some Rocky Top or some Johnny Cash. Even Trixie could sing some LeAnn Rimes. Just use songs that fit the current sound, nothing like Honky Tonk Badonkadonk and stuff like that.

The only issue with this is getting the rights to the music, but it could become more of an America Sings of country. People could still stomp and clap. It's still true to the attraction, and people could probably relate more to the songs.

Actually they have done so with Country Bear Jamboree - well, at least the one in Tokyo Disneyland. A friend sent me video of their version (although admittedly it's not actually the original CBJ show, but instead the Vacation Hoedown one) and Trixie can be heard belting out "Achy Breaky Heart" at one point...

 

[disneyny]

I have not been on these boards a long time but long enough to know that if Disney ever does close this attraction these boards will come alive. People will start angry threads and wage campaigns to save the attraction. Then forever going forward people will blast Disney for its foolishness in getting rid of a beloved attraction- ala Mr. Toad. If you don't like the show don't go see it. There is plenty of space to expand elsewhere in the world without closing this one attraction that many, including my 3 year old nephew, still enjoy. Part of the charm and character of the show are those "problems" many of you discuss. You know you are seeing a piece of the past and something special- not everything has to feel modern and be flashy. Love it for what it is- a piece of history and think about how you would really feel if Disney decided to forget history and modernize everything.

 

[richiericher22]

Can someone help me to understand why this is still around?

We went to it during our last visit and at least half a dozen people fell asleep during the show, no one was smiling, there was hardly any clapping along... it just seems like its a very dated concept ... and very dated execution.

In fact, as we were waiting on the dock for Tiana's, my wife overheard a few of the CMs talking to each other about how disappointed everyone looks when walking out of CBJ.

This show needs to go... there's no way to update it to make it enjoyable to this generation (unless you added taylor swift?).

Thoughts?

Agreed. It's way past it's time. If they were to update it than it would just be an upgrade of the AA's. It is a classic, and I guess thats why they're keeping it around?