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Disney World closes iconic Country Bear Jamboree to make way for new-look revamp
Attendees will have to wait several months for the iconic Country Bear Jamboree to return to Walt Disney World, Florida.
The Country Bear Jamboree has been a staple in Florida since 1971, but visitors to Walt Disney World will be without the company of the Magic Kingdom’s musical mammals for the foreseeable future.
Walt Disney World closes iconic Country Bear Jamboree
“Bear with us”, came the cry from Disney, as they announced a temporary halt to the Walt Disney World attraction.
Located in the Florida-based Magic Kingdom park, the Country Bear Musical Jamboree is a 16-minute family-friendly show in which a group of animatronic ‘hillbilly’ bears perform a number of classic singalong tunes.
And while the attraction is not closing permanently, fans can expect to be without the bears for at least the next few months, while Disney revamps the performance, bringing the attraction up to a pace more suitable for 2024.
The last showing of the bears as we know them took place on January 27, with no official re-opening date scheduled at the time of writing.
What to expect as Disney reveals insight into Country Bear recording process
Although the bears that Disney fans have come to know and love over the years will still be the attraction’s main feature, the new show will look rather different.
Paying tribute to the Opry-style shows associated with Nashville, Tennessee, the bears will be expanding their range – in a new set that will include subgenres of country music such as Americana, Bluegrass and Rockabilly.
There will be a combination of hits, new and old, culminating in an accessible setlist that family members both young and old will be able to enjoy in equal measure.
At risk of ruining the magic, Disney has released exclusive footage of the talented cast recording a very well-known bear-themed song we can expect to hear in the new-look performance:
Disney fans react to Country Bear Jamboree news
A small number of fans came together to react to the announcement about the revamp of the Country Bears, and it would appear the response has been somewhat mixed.
One dejected fan expressed their dismay at the lack of warning given by Disney, writing: “You gave us such short notice to see the original version that people that actually love the show, the fans, will never get to see it again.”
Another Disney enthusiast stressed a need for the new show to focus on original music, noting: “Fans dont mind having some Disney intellectual property songs as part of the show but the majority of the songs need to be originals. What makes the attraction so great is the whimsical songs and laughter it provides.”
“I am looking forward to an updated show,” added another commenter. “I really hope you find a way to incorporate some of the older, adult-skewing tunes like this one!”
