The Country Bears: A Long and Paw-some History at Disney Parks
For over 50 years, the Country Bears have been a beloved staple at Disney Parks, entertaining guests with their toe-tapping tunes and goofy charm. But the journey of these musical bears began much earlier, with roots dating back to the mid-1960s!
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Walt Disney himself dreamed up the concept of a performing bear band for a proposed ski resort in California. Imagineer Marc Davis was tasked with bringing this vision to life, crafting unique personalities and voices for each bear. While the ski resort never came to be, the Country Bears found a new home at Walt Disney World in 1971.
Related-The Country Bear Jamboree: A Disney Parks Classic
The Country Bear Jamboree, featuring classic country tunes and original songs, quickly became a Magic Kingdom favorite. Its success led to a 1972 opening at Disneyland, and later, in 1983, at Tokyo Disneyland, marking the first international Disney park.
The Country Bears weren’t content with just one show, though. In 1984, they donned festive attire and sang Christmas carols in the first-ever seasonal overlay for an Audio-Animatronic attraction – the Country Bear Christmas Special. This tradition continued in both Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland.
Looking to broaden their horizons, the bears hit the “vacation trail” in 1986 with the Country Bear Vacation Hoedown. Guests joined them on a musical journey through various landscapes, singing about the “Great Outdoors” and the joys of being “On the Road Again.”
Fast forward to 2024, and the Country Bears are back with a bang! The newly reimagined Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Magic Kingdom features the bears we know and love, singing classic Disney tunes reimagined in various country music styles. From Americana to bluegrass, pop-country to rockabilly, there’s something for everyone. They even sport flashy new outfits and a catchy original song, “Country Bear Musical Jamboree,” keeping the show as fun and silly as ever.
So next time you visit a Disney Park, be sure to catch a performance by the Country Bears. They’ve been entertaining audiences for over five decades, and with their new show, they’re sure to continue delighting guests for years to come!
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