Country Bear Jamboree Final Day Ends With Large Crowds and No Shows. We hope that you’ll be comin’ back again. That you’ll drop in to see us now and then. We’ve had such fun, we’re gonna cry. We just can’t “bear” to say goodbye! Unfortunately, there is no going back and seeing them again. At least not how we have seen them in the past 43 years.
The Country Bear Jamboree is now officially closed for an “exciting refresh”. Which you can read about below. Regrettably, yesterday’s last day of operations ended on a very sour note, with crowds waiting for hours and then finally being told by visibly upset Cast Members there would be no more showings and the attraction would not be able to work.
Guests were not actually turned away. The Cast Members at Disney did give a consolation prize to those who waited for hours. Guests got to at least walk through the attraction in a remarkable queue system that went through the whole attraction, so guests could get one final look and pictures or video. Guests also walked away with a brand new The Country Bear Musical Jamboree Coming in 2024 Poster (See Below)
Related: Country Bear Musical Jamboree Details Just Released Closing January 27th, 2024
“Hold your horses! Cast members may be saying farewell to Grizzly Hall for now, but we can’t wait for our singin’ bears at Country Bear Musical Jamboree to return this summer with a brand-new set list sure to bring out the knee-slappin’ and toe-tappin’ in all of us. Thanks for “bear”-ing with us in the meantime!”
Last night’s issues started around 8:20 PM during a performance. Henry and another animatronic just stopped. Frozen. Technicians were brought in to fix the attraction, while a larger and larger crowd gathered outside.
Disney Cast Members shut down the queuing at 8:48 PM and started turning guests away. Those who were in line, were in for a long night as Cast Members were seen scrambling in and out of the attraction, and those Cast members outside unfortunately not kept in the loop were badgered by guests.
By 10 PM the line had not moved and we started receiving messages from friends waiting that they had not moved and did not know what was going on. Finally, at 11:00 PM, Park closing time, guests were informed that the attraction would not be running and they would be compensated with a poster, a lightning lane for the following day, and a chance to walk the attraction one final time.
Seriously, that was amazing for Disney to do. I cannot think of another time they would go out of their way to do something like that. Had it been almost any other ride closing, they would not have been able to do that.
Our own story was much better since we got to watch the first 5 showings of the morning. Cast Members opened the attraction about 45 minutes earlier than the posted time of 11:00 AM. Everything worked perfectly, and the crowds were loud and boisterous. Singing along, and clapping when Big Al or certain other Bears made an appearance. It put the Wild in the Wild West.
I tell you what though, 5 times is about 4 times too many. We watched the show with various other guests, some were very polite and wanted to enjoy their final goodbye to this beloved attraction, while others didn’t know how to not repeat every word like they were the bear onstage. Or my favorite was the people dressed as the Bears, and are obviously huge fans, but ruined it for everyone around them by talking, no-stop camera clicking, and flashbulbs going off.
One interaction made me cringe. Hearing a little child sing the words to “All the guys who turn me on, turn me down” was a little gross. That right there proved to me, that this needs to be redone.
We did get to say goodbye, and I personally thought I would have more of a nostalgic feeling, instead, I left hopeful for the updates that are coming.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree
Get ready to knee slap and toe-tap to a little country twang this summer!
If you’ve been too busy trottin’ through the Wild West and have missed the news, the Country Bears are getting ready to put on a new show that pays homage to the Opry-style shows of Nashville.
While the Country Bear Musical Jamboree will include easter eggs from the beginning to the end including a familiar tune fans may remember, the bears will sing new, reinterpreted Disney tunes in different genres of country music – like bluegrass, pop-country, Americana, rockabilly, and other styles. Here’s a look at one of the clips we shared at Destination D23.
This Hootenanny is a Real Hoot
Step inside the rustic theater known as Grizzly Hall and take your seat before the lights dim. Clap along as 18 Audio-Animatronics hillbilly bears play and sing during this 16-minute, foot-stompin’ cele-bear-tion. You’ll hear a medley of original and classic tunes—all performed by the zaniest critters in the woods.
Overflowing with humor, heart and a few surprises, this crowd-pleasing show features a down-home, southern sensibility you and your cubs will love.
Walt Disney’s Pawprints
Country Bear Jamboree is one of the very last attractions that Walt Disney personally helped develop. Originally planned for a never-built Disney ski resort in Mineral King, California, the show with the singing bears happily moved out to Florida in 1971 and has been performing daily at Magic Kingdom park ever since.
