Country Bears shortened

[Tom Morrow]

Country Bear Jamboree shortened at Magic Kingdom

New Country Bear Jamboree opens at the Magic Kingdom Laughing Place The newly updated Country Bear Jamboree reopened at the Magic Kingdom. The show is largely the same but it has been shortend with a couple of segments and several lines removed. One segment has also been moved to a new position. Below is a complete video we've taken of the new show and a video of the old show found on YouTube. We've also taken a transcript of the original show and did a strikeout on all the removed lines and sections. continue LP Lotion complete article

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Submitted by Ezra

[Horbigast]

I've got to admit that I'm a bit upset by this. I usually understand when the Imagineers feel the need to replace aging attractions in favor of updated ones, and I'm sure the CBJ is suffering the same problems that its' departed Disneyland counterpart was, in that it's just not drawing a crowd anymore. As much as it pains me to say it, that's when the attraction needs to go to Yesterland, and not undergo some cosmetic butchering in a vain attempt to customize it to today's miniscule attention spans. DLR has done the same chopping of the Billy Hill & the Hillbillies show and I was honestly disappointed. Im assumed, however, that it likely had something to do with the fact that BH&tH was performed live each time, and perhaps the actors were needing it abbreviated after years of performing the same routine over and over. Now I wonder if there's some chapter of the Imagineering team in charge of "dumbing down" the Parks' shows. Did they learn nothing from the "Under New Management" debacle in the WDW Tiki Room?

Walt was in full support of making changes in favor of updated technology and more relevant material, but I can't believe that this "botox procedure" is something he would have supported.

Maybe I'm crazy. I love the CBJ, and make a point of seeing every chance I get, but I also understand that not too many people feel that way. Seriously, is there anyone out there who walked out of the CBJ thinking, "That was fun, but it was too darn long!"

[PhineasTheGhost]

I have so many pictures for this...


Emo Ted


The effects of drug abuse




Hipster Gomer

[monkey4057]

I don't think I'd mind as much if this was a new version for DCA or something like that. As is, though, I'm not entirely for this. Okay, I did like how that spot roamed around and then stopped on the curtains, which then opened to show Henry. Aside from that, I'm going into full-on fond-WDW-nostalgia-no-changes mode. CBJ is something I can only experience there and I don't know when I can again. Whenever it is that I do, it's not gonna be the same (of course, that applies to a lot of things in life). In addition, I feel a few elements were handled clumsily: Wendell seems more like a random bear who shows up for a few seconds and Max, Buff, and Melvin, who were already underused, are even more underused. Also, while most of the character refreshments aren't too bad, Liverlips looks a little too crazy and Gomer......GOOD GOD GOMER WHAT DID THEY DO TO YOU?!

But hey, that's just the personal opinion of a nostalgic.

EDIT: Phineas, you have my utmost respect.

[bodhran105]

it's just not drawing a crowd anymore.

I'm gonna call bull.

In my last few trips to Walt Disney World they've been during the lowest of the low times of attendance in the parks. I WALKED onto Soarin' EVERY TIME! Yet, every time I went to see Country Bear Jamboree, my group or even just myself as a single member, was asked to wait for the next show! It fills up! So, I don't know what you've seen, attendance wise, or what you've been told about CBJ. But, I can tell from the last few years of personal experience, that attendance is through the roof for that attraction.

It was just last February that I went to see the show twice. Once in a group of 5, and once by myself. Both times, there wasn't enough room for everyone trying to get in. So unless pretty much half the park (yes, that's basically how low attendance is in the late winter) decided to see CBJ at that one moment, attendance is not low for that attraction.


Which then makes me wonder why they needed to update if it get's so much attendance.

But I tell you, CBJ does not have an attendance problem. (Unless there's just a huge number of CBJ fans that only come exactly the same time of year as me...)

[Horbigast]

I'm gonna call bull.

In my last few trips to Walt Disney World they've been during the lowest of the low times of attendance in the parks. I WALKED onto Soarin' EVERY TIME! Yet, every time I went to see Country Bear Jamboree, my group or even just myself as a single member, was asked to wait for the next show! It fills up! So, I don't know what you've seen, attendance wise, or what you've been told about CBJ. But, I can tell from the last few years of personal experience, that attendance is through the roof for that attraction.

It was just last February that I went to see the show twice. Once in a group of 5, and once by myself. Both times, there wasn't enough room for everyone trying to get in. So unless pretty much half the park (yes, that's basically how low attendance is in the late winter) decided to see CBJ at that one moment, attendance is not low for that attraction.


Which then makes me wonder why they needed to update if it get's so much attendance.

But I tell you, CBJ does not have an attendance problem. (Unless there's just a huge number of CBJ fans that only come exactly the same time of year as me...)

Since I don't get the chance to go to WDW very often, fair enough. I assumed that's why they felt a need for the change, since that's what I was told was the reason that Winnie the Pooh replaced the CBJ in Disneyland. If the CBJ is constantly bustling with attendees as you say, why do you think they changed it?

[bodhran105]

^My personal opinion?

It's this convoluted mantra they have at Imaginearing: Plussing.

Ha! More like dumping. Look around at the parks and try and spot all the "plussing."


The Seas addition of Finding Nemo - Plussing

Restricting jokes on Jungle Cruise - Plussing

Personal Future on Space Mountain - Plussing

Fiber Optics in pathway besides fixing Fountain of Nations - Plussing

Habit Heroes - Remember that plussing failure?

Ellen's Energy Adventure - *Singsong* PLUUUUUUUUUUSSIIIIIIIIIIINGGGG!

Journey Into Imagination with Figment - Gaaah! Oh, that wonderful joy of Plussing!

Grand Fiesta Tour - Plussing

Chester and Hester - Plussing to the max, ain't it wonderful?!

Sorcerer Mickey Hat - Plussing (I like the hat, kind of. Yet to call it "plussing" only because you got yelled at for using the Chinese Theater as an icon...)

Sounds Dangerous - Plussing

Shortening the Backlot Tour and removing a lot of props - Plussing

Enchanted Tiki Room - Under New [Plussing] Management. (Replace plussing with another word.)


I think my list is pretty well populated. If anyone else can add- Besides the now shortened, flipped, swapped, flopped, and rerouted out to the [Sure Kill] Expressway and back Country Bear Jamboree- I'd love to hear it.

This plussing has- Now, yes, has done a pretty good amount of good over the years- ruined some of the best attractions in the parks. So, maybe you might disagree with a few of the things on that list, but in my personal opinion have been sabotaged from the inside. I might be a bit conspiracy theorist on it, but this plussing is pretty horrible sometimes. The Imaginears THINK it's for the best and just keep repeating that you'll see it in the end.

Doesn't matter for me really. I'm perfectly fine watching my VHS, DVDs, and YouTube videos. Along with my soundtracks and singles.

[MANEATINGWREATH]

I'm going to be the odd man out and say this. Be grateful. The Country Bear Playhouse at Disneyland WAS my childhood...okay, not my entire childhood, but it was one of the only places in Disneyland that didn't scare the hell out of me (even Small World got to me). So many memories of nostalgia and magic come from sitting in that rustic lodge interior, clapping my hands, stomping my feet, and trying to keep right with 'em. I remember nearly every last detail about that show, right down to each and every last movement of Max, Buff, and Melvin. At the time, I didn't think too much of the show closing back in 2001. I was seven-years old at the time, and to a seven-year-old kid it wasn't that much of a catastrophe. With the advent of the internet, I soon realized how important the show was to me. Although I may be one of the few people in the world who actually enjoys the Pooh replacement, Disneyland will never be the same without the Country Bears, whether it be the original Jamboree, Vacation Hoedown, or my personal favorite, the Christmas Special.

In 2002, my family was ecstatic to see the Country Bear Jamboree at WDW. What an incredible show! It brought back so many memories and was a first for my younger brother remembrance-wise (he had seen the DL show just before it closed, but he was only one). He slapped me right across the face when I asked him midway during the show how he liked it. All the creepy 1970's CBJ footage comes from WDW, and thinking back on it, I've been lucky enough to see it - the original. It's truly a miracle that it's still around, edited or not.

Not all of the changes are bad. I for one actually appreciate the makeovers for some of the characters, Liver Lips, Gomer, Terrence, the works. The removal of much of the trophy heads' dialogue is a bummer, but it's something I can live with. The show may seem a bit abrupt and fast, but think about it this way - you're lucky. We're ALL lucky to still have it. Even if you don't like the changes just be grateful that it's still alive and receiving TLC. It's a promising sign that the show will be around for much longer than expected. And what would you prefer? An edited CBJ? Or no CBJ. Think about it.

[bodhran105]

^Would you like a Disney Channels Rocks parade or no parade?

Apples and oranges. Agree to disagree. Every debate comes down to it.

[MANEATINGWREATH]

It's just the matter of WDW still having the Country Bears. That's practically a luxury for you guys. Whether it's been cut down, refurbished, or what, you still have it, and that is enough reason to rejoice. This is just coming from one who misses the DL bears dearly though, so it doesn't really matter.

[Horbigast]

And hey, at least they didn't overhaul it to reflect the 2002 movie, right?

[bodhran105]

And hey, at least they didn't overhaul it to reflect the 2002 movie, right?

Ha! Alright. You got me. I guess that just nails the final nail in the coffin on the debate. I would have to thank some higher power (In the business or theological) for not "plussing" it into an even worse disaster as the film.

P.S. Weren't there two CBJ films? Or am I just thinking the world is worse than it truly is?

[MANEATINGWREATH]

There was only one CBJ movie which was a box office bomb. Lol, I feel bad for the people who worked on that movie.

[TaylorChandler]

Booooo!

[Big Disney Fan]

Ha! Alright. You got me. I guess that just nails the final nail in the coffin on the debate. I would have to thank some higher power (In the business or theological) for not "plussing" it into an even worse disaster as the film.

P.S. Weren't there two CBJ films? Or am I just thinking the world is worse than it truly is?

No, there was only one movie, and a bad one at that. There were, however, several versions of the Country Bear show. In addition to the regular show, there was also the Christmas show and the Vacation Hoedown show, which was first introduced in 1986 and used at both parks until 1992, when the original show was restored to Florida, while the Vacation Hoedown show ran at Disneyland until the end of its run in 2001.