History of Country Bear Jamboree – Disney’s Musical Legacy

Today, January 26, 2024, is the final chance to experience the original Country Bear Jamboree at Walt Disney World. As we say farewell to this beloved attraction, let’s explore its rich history and lasting legacy.

The Origins of Country Bear Jamboree

What do Mineral King, X Atencio, Winnie the Pooh, Marc Davis, and A Vacation Hoedown have in common? They all played a role in shaping the Country Bear Jamboree we know today.

In 1965, Disneyland celebrated its 10th anniversary, while the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair introduced new attractions soon heading to Disneyland. At the same time, Walt Disney had another bold vision in motion. While the Florida Project was secretly progressing, he turned his attention to a new opportunity—a ski resort in California’s Mineral King Valley.

Walt Disney’s Mineral King Resort Vision

The Sequoia National Forest invited proposals for a ski resort, and Walt Disney Productions submitted an ambitious plan. His concept, called an “American Alpine Wonderland,” featured:

• A five-story hotel with over 1,000 rooms
• A movie theater, general store, pools, ice rinks, tennis courts, and golf courses
• A ski complex with 22 lifts, gondolas, and four-mile-long ski runs
• 10 restaurants to serve guests in the winter destination

In December 1965, the U.S. Forest Service selected Disney’s proposal, allowing development to begin. Walt saw this project as more than just a ski resort. He wanted it to offer immersive entertainment, much like Disneyland.

Marc Davis Joins the Project

To bring his entertainment vision to life, Walt turned to Marc Davis, a legendary Disney animator turned Imagineer. Walt wasn’t sure exactly what the resort’s entertainment should be, so he tasked Marc with brainstorming ideas.

Imagineer Wathel Rogers later recalled a pivotal conversation with Walt:

“We are going to have a bear band and have them perform two or three programs. We’ll say the bears came out of the Sequoias, and we trained them to be entertainers.”

Marc developed multiple bear bands, including a Marching Band, Mariachi Band, Circus Band, and Dixieland Band. The designs excited Walt, but sadly, these were among the last attraction concepts he would ever review.

In December 1965, Disney’s proposal was selected as the winning bid, allowing plans to move forward. Walt envisioned the resort as more than just a ski destination—he wanted it to include immersive entertainment. To bring this vision to life, he turned to one of his Nine Old Men, animator-turned-Imagineer Marc Davis. Although Walt wasn’t certain what the entertainment should be, Imagineer Wathel Rogers later recalled a key conversation that helped shape what would become a Disney classic.

“Walt had an idea for entertainment after people had been skiing, Walt said… we are going to have a bear band and have them perform two of three programs…  We’ll say the bears had come out of the sequoias and we trained them to be entertainers”

Marc, along with other Imagineers, developed several bear-themed musical acts, including a Marching Band, Mariachi Band, Circus Band, Dixieland Band, and even a one-bear band. Walt loved the characters and concepts, but sadly, these early sketches were among the last attraction ideas he reviewed before his passing.

Reflecting on this final interaction with Walt, Marc shared in a 1998 interview:

“The drawings that Walt saw had all kinds of bears, not just a country band but a jazz band, a circus band. A lot of choices. I had a one-bear band in a red outfit with all these instruments he was playing,”

Walt passed away in December 1966, just a year after Disney was awarded the Mineral King project. Despite this, Marc Davis and his team continued refining the Bear Band Restaurant Show, developing character designs, backstory, and music, including the Bear Band Serenade Demo. However, Walt’s passing, combined with ongoing controversy surrounding the resort, ultimately led to the project’s cancellation.

But if you know Disney history, you know that no great idea ever truly disappears.

From Ski Resort to Magic Kingdom

When Roy O. Disney came out of retirement in 1967 to oversee The Florida Project, it was all hands on deck to fulfill one mission—open Walt Disney World in 1971. With Frontierland lacking major attractions beyond the Shooting Arcade, Mike Fink Keel Boats, and Diamond Horseshoe Revue, Marc Davis’ bear band concept was quickly revived.

Imagineer X Atencio and Mac Davis teamed up with composer George Bruns to craft the show’s music and storyline. While some original songs, like “Bear Band Serenade” and “Come Again”, were written for the attraction, most of the show featured classic country and folk song covers, including:

• “My Woman Ain’t Pretty”
• “Mama Don’t Whip Little Buford”
• “Tears Will Be the Chaser for Your Wine”
• “Blood on the Saddle”
• “Ole Slew Foot”

A Wildly Successful Disney Attraction

The Country Bear Jamboree debuted with Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971, becoming an instant hit. It was so popular that Imagineers replicated the show for Disneyland—the first time a Walt Disney World attraction was duplicated in California.

• Disneyland’s version opened in March 1972 in the newly created Bear Country (later renamed Critter Country).
• Two identical theaters were built to double capacity compared to Magic Kingdom’s version.
• In 1983, Tokyo Disneyland introduced a modernized version with enhanced animatronics and effects.

Seasonal Overlays & Changes Over the Years

In 1984, Country Bear Jamboree made history with Disney’s first holiday attraction overlay, the Country Bear Christmas Special.

• 1986: The original show was replaced with Country Bear Vacation Hoedown.
• 1992: The original show returned to rotate with the Christmas overlay until 2012.
• 2012: The attraction underwent a two-month refurbishment, with updated animatronics, new fur, costumes, and a shortened runtime.

The End of Country Bear Jamboree at Disneyland

At Disneyland, the show closed in September 2001 to make way for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. However, a hidden tribute remains—next time you ride Winnie the Pooh in Disneyland, look behind you to find Melvin, Buff, and Max, still watching over the show’s legacy!

Original Country Bear Jamboree Characters and Their Backstories

Henry (Master of Ceremonies)

Henry, the six-foot-tall host of Country Bear Jamboree, once played football for the Goose Creek Bruins. However, after a failed hidden ball play, he transitioned to music—though finding a melody proved just as tricky. His charm and love for honey and harmonies won over audiences, and he now proudly sings the “Ballad of Davy Crockett” with Sammy, his raccoon sidekick.

Gomer (Piano Player)

Originally trained in classical music, Gomer’s favorite composition was “Night on Bear Mountain.” However, after being dubbed the “Lard of Juilliard,” he left the concert stage for the hills of Frontierland. He is respected by fellow musicians because he can play in a key other than C.

The Five Bear Rugs (Zeke, Zeb, Ted, Fred, and Tennessee)

This family band has been playing together since first grade, though 15 years later, they were still in fourth grade!

• Zeke (banjo) – The only one who can read music
• Fred (mouth harp) – Carries the tune (his wife says it’s the only thing he carries)
• Ted (jug) – Blows the white lightning jug
• Tennessee (one-stringed instrument) – Dreams of adding more strings
• Zeb (fiddle) – Brings his son, Oscar, on tour while his wife models fur coats

Wendell (Mandolin)

Wendell aspired to be an athlete, but his small size led to constant mishaps—mistaken for second base in baseball and a football during a game. After Henry took him in, Wendell embraced music, proving size doesn’t matter when it comes to singing.

Liver-Lips McGrowl (Guitarist)

A traveling performer, Liver-Lips found success in radio, TV, nightclubs, and the circus. Despite performing worldwide, he prefers being home in Miami, where he can enjoy home-cooked meals and whittling. Among his creations are a rain barrel, bathtub, pig trough, and sump pump.

Trixie (Singer)

A Western music hall legend, Trixie once performed under various names, including The Calgary Charmer, Alaska Allurer, and Tacoma Temptress. After visiting Florida, she settled there, earning the title “The Tampa Temptation.” She spends her spare time writing her memoir, I Bearly Remember.

Terrence (“The Vibrating Wreck from Nashville Tech”)

Once a Shakespearean actor, Terrence performed with the Bearrymores before a fall from a balcony ended his stage career. His tent-show version of Cyrano de Beargerac was famous, as he played the role without needing a false nose. He now strums his guitar instead of reciting soliloquies.

The Sun Bonnets (Bunny, Bubbles, and Beulah)

These triplet singers started their careers in Miss Grizzly’s class in Clint, Texas, before being discovered on Major Bear’s Amateur Hour. While backstage at Grizzly Hall, they study their lessons and knit a scarf for Big Al, which they hope to finish in three years.

Ernest (Fiddle Player)

Known as “Ernest the Dude,” he is a fashionable bear-about-town. Carrying his wardrobe everywhere he goes has been difficult—after all, not many motorists will pick up a bear hitchhiker with 17 trunks of clothes. He owns 30 coats, 40 slacks (some of which fit), 60 shirts, 47 shoes, 20 hats, and a pair and a half of underwear. Despite his fashion sense, he remains perplexed why he never makes the Ten Best Dressed list.

Teddi Barra (The Last of the Big-Time Swingers)

Teddi Barra was discovered on a soda fountain stool in a small-town ice cream parlor. Her meteoric rise made her The Jewel of the Dakotas, though she longed to be a serious actress. Fans, however, love her boa and parasol, which she has promised to Benton County Western Museum when they wear out. She descends from the ceiling to perform “Heart, We Did All We Could.”

Big Al (Guitarist & Balladeer)

Born in a cave near Pocatello, Idaho, Big Al has been strumming his guitar since childhood. Despite growing too big for his instrument, he continues playing. He never littered his cave with trash—he ate it instead. Before moving to Grizzly Hall, he sang in the swamp, much to the relief of the local badgers and alligator.

These iconic bears have entertained guests for decades, making Country Bear Jamboree a Disney classic that remains beloved by fans! 🐻🎶