The Country Bear Musical Jamboree reopened to guests on July 17th in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom with a brand new show. The longstanding original animatronic hootenanny featuring a series of whimsical bears was recently changed to inject Disney IP songs into the show. When it reopened, guests crowded the benches of Grizzly Hall once again to see if Disney’s recent changes were good (like the time they added Captain Jack Sparrow to the Pirates of The Caribbean) or bad (like the time they turned Splash Mountain into a new attraction that can’t function for a full day without breaking down).
Five Bear Rugs in Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Walt Disney World via Disney Parks blog
But on July 19th, panic erupted in the theater when smoke began to rise from one of the animatronic figures. The show was immediately stopped and guests were led out through the exit by cast members. No one was hurt and there was no fire, but many were left wondering what actually happened within Grizzly Hall on that fateful day.
It hasn’t even been a full week 😬
The Under New Management curse is rearing its head! pic.twitter.com/D6myjJp7Vq
— Universal Dorks (@UniDorks) July 18, 2024
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Apparently the brown bear Ernest is supposed to have a smoke effect as he plays his fiddle. So the smoke wasn’t actually the issue. However, a malfunction within the animatronic caused too much smoke and the cast members stopped the show just in case something worse was going on.
There was no fire and no one was hurt, but this was one of the first instances of the Country Bears being evacuated that this reporter can recall.
Henry in the Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Walt Disney World via Disney Parks blog
The Country Bear Jamboree is an opening day Walt Disney World attraction located in Frontierland. It was also once a part of Disneyland’s Critter Country (formerly known as Bear Country) before being closed down in 2001 to make room for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
In the Magic Kingdom, the attraction has gone through many changes over the years. In 1986 it was transformed into the Country Bear Vacation Hoe Down, which features contemporary songs like “On The Road Again” before returning to its original incarnation in 1992. It also once had a popular Christmas overlay that has since been discontinued.
Big Al in the Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Walt Disney World via Disney Parks blog
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The original version of the attraction played songs like “Davy Crockett,” “Blood on a Saddle,” “All the Guys Who Turn Me On Turn Me Down,” and “Mama Don’t Whip Little Buford.”
The new version of the attraction features Disney IP songs like “The Bare Necessities,” “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” and “A Whole New World.” It also features the song “Kiss the Girl” from The Little Mermaid, however it’s not the original version from the 1989 animated film. It’s the new edited version from the 2023 live action remake, in which the lyrics were altered due to perceived “problematic” elements regarding consent.
Ursus H. Bear in the Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Walt Disney World via Disney Parks blog
Will you be attending the new Country Bear Jamboree in the Magic Kingdom? What’s your favorite country bear song? Do you agree with injecting Disney IP music into this iconic attraction? Let us know in the comments!
Marvin the Movie Monster is a YouTube commentator and personality specializing in movies, TV, video games, and professional wrestling. He can be found on his channels Tooney Town TV and Tooney Town Wrestling with daily content and weekly livestreams. He can also be found on That Game Place, the That Park Place video game channel.
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