Originally Posted By wedroy1923 In defense of the Country Bear Jamboree: I think the attraction is the consummate Disney theme park experience because it is an attraction that every member of the family - child, parent, grand-parent - can possibly enjoy together. It does not rely upon previous knowledge of the characters to understand it, the fact that you know who Stitch is plays into the construction of Stitch's Great Escape. The attraction contains its own universe. It is also a Marc Davis classic - in the same lineage as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion - in that Davis has the ability to convey "character" and comedy in a short amount of time. I certainly think the attraction deserves some TLC - but I can't imagine it's even on the back burner at the moment. But it adds to the mix / variety of experiences at the Magic Kingdom, which I think is what makes it distinct from Six-Flags. Just some thoughts -
Originally Posted By brotherdave The Country Bears are a must on every WDW trip for us! I hope that they get the TLC they deserve soon!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Amen - to me I'd rather see the bears than ride any of the mountains! I can do coasters anywhere, but there are only two places in the world where I can see the bears, and as I don't speak Japanese, WDW is THE option. The Bears are in my top 20 attractions at WDW and are a must on every visit to Florida.
Originally Posted By FiveBearRugs Actually the Country Bear shows in Tokyo are a mix of English and Japanese. I've said it many times before, my vision of a new show would be called "Country Bear TOCKS, er, ROCKS!" and it would be the entire cast singing popular country/rock songs from the past 20 years; Alabama sang "Mountain Music" at DL's 30 Anniversary special, and it's used in the Tokyo version of the Vacation Hoedown; I think it would be cool for the American bears to sing it). The Sun Bonnets could do The Dixie Chicks, while Trixie and Teddi Barra sample Reba McEntire and um...Dolly Parton or Faith Hill. The Five Bear Rugs could do Alabama and the Oak Ridge Boys. Samples from Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers and Toby Keith could be used as well. Liver Lips McGrowl would also retain his Elvis persona, and either Sammy the Raccoon or Randy the Skunk can show up in the end. You know what...maybe Big Al could do "The Gambler" with a poker motif; if not, give it to Ernest.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo That sounds fantastic 5BR. I would also love a Lonestar number from the 5BRs. And maybe some of the contemporary music from the CB movie (I love that John Hyatt (SP?) soundtrack).
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Bet you guys a Dream Lanyard (all of you) that the MK is too cheap to install the Bears Christmas Show again ...
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Saw that coming when the precident was set last year. Shame they can't take the savings from last year and this year to refurb it!!! Damn I hate the management at WDW.
Originally Posted By DlandDug By the time I started regularly visiting Disneyland, the Bears alternated between Vacation Hoedown and the Christmas program exclusively. I never saw the original Country Jamboree until I finally got to WDW. I am not all that enthusiastic about the original show. I find it odd, disjointed, and kind of... unbearable. I do appreciate its place in Disney history. But I also feel that the pace and content of the show are of another time, a time that has passed. Just my opinion.
Originally Posted By OdorFree If the CBJ is worth saving, then they need to go in another direction and upgrade the show to contemporary standards. Rap music would be brilliant for this production along with appropriate props and dancing. Most of the current animatronics could be used although Big Al would have to be dropped from the show. There are lots of wonderful opportunities for this type of updated show.
Originally Posted By danyoung >Rap music would be brilliant for this production along with appropriate props and dancing.< Oh my sweet stars and garters I hope you're kidding!!!!!!
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 I'm with danyoung!!! If it was rap, would I be able to understand the words? Or worse, would I WANT to understand the words?
Originally Posted By brotherdave WHAT! RAP MUSIC in the CBJ??? You can't be serious! It is in FRONTIERLAND, not URBANLAND! Country music IS much more contemporary today than when the show was originally created! (And I don't even consider myself a huge country fan). Just look at all of the huge country stars that have become more mainstream. I really like FiveBearRugs' updating idea much more. And to eliminate Big Al? Come on, he's the highlight of the show for most guests. My suggestion to OdorFree is to avoid Grizzly Hall when visiting WDW, and let the Country Bears remain COUNTRY!
Originally Posted By DlandDug Although rap could be made to work. Out here in Disneyland Billy Hill combined Country and Rock, and calls the results Crock. He also claimed that Country and Disco work well together. Calls it Crisco. So one could combine Country and Rap. I just can't imagine what to call it, though. (Ba dum pum!)
Originally Posted By OdorFree >Country music IS much more contemporary today than when the show was originally created!< That is precisely the point. They can’t hope to keep up nor should they try. Instead they need to cut into new and exciting territory. A new frontier for animatronic animals. Breakdancing Bears and Hip Hop go together perfectly. Pimp my cave! Yo brotha, they could be jacking picnic baskets just like real bears! Word up homey. The bears could be showin’ us some bling bling. Big Al would be beat down and Gangsta Al would be the new Mack Daddy.
Originally Posted By Boomerbilia <<Bet you guys a Dream Lanyard (all of you) that the MK is too cheap to install the Bears Christmas Show again...>> I'll take you up on it.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Then if you have that much power (and we'll hold you responsible for it).. I propose you bring back the Vacation Hoedown show as well... After all, TDL still rotates all three Bear productions thru the year... so why not WDW?
