Marquee Unveiled for New Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Walt Disney World

Charlie The Chatbox Ghost5 days ago

Is this secretly the account of Marc Davis's Ghost? He famously hated both seasonal overlays because they "ruined" the bears, even though imo I think all three overlays do a great job at keeping the characters consistent- maybe except Liver Lips/Romeo, since the Elvis thing comes out of nowhere- though I always saw it as a "modernized" version of the Vaudeville-ian Crooner/Serenader archetype LL originally was. People really are missing the forest for the trees here. It could've been Under New Management 2.0 (or the Marvel Small World for a contemporary comparison), with the IP just stapled on. Concept art originally showed Henry wearing Mickey Mouse ears on his top hat, the three mounted heads had theme park hats (Max notably had an Olaf hat), Big Al was dressed as Hector Rivera complete with a Coco backdrop. But instead we got a show that has the same philosophy as the other two overlays- the bears are a troupe of performers who cover songs. The characters all feel like the same exact characters we've seen in three other shows in the last 50 years, they nailed their personalities and individual song themes/choices. Even the voices are pretty accurate to the past three shows (shame we didn't get a voice for Ernest though). The "Disney" part of this was treated less as a tangible thing that gets namedropped and just as a music genre. The fact the word "Disney" or any of the movie names aren't said at all shows the respect they put into this. You could've had Trixie cosplaying as Elsa but instead we got entirely original costumes, a refreshed stage, sound, and lighting package, modern day AAs that look and work even better than anything on TBA, and a show that knew what was on the line here and did it's best to meet expectations. Is it perfect? No. I personally would've chosen different songs in some places. Is it better than the original? Of course not. Is it awful? Definitely not. This show just saved the bears from becoming another defunct classic, and showed Disney sees them valuable enough to keep (probably after they got lots of fan mail from people asking them to not remove them), likely until the day the park is literally underwater. Just a few days ago a friend of mine, another CBJ megafan like myself, saw the show for the first time. He loved it, and he even said the theater was packed full- they even had to wait to get in. Everyone was clapping and stomping along, and kids seemed engaged and excited. This is the first time the show has had crowds like this arguably since the early 70s, not counting the final days of the (2012 version of the) original having huge lines. If they bring back seasonal overlays or even add new songs to the current show and add a randomization feature like Star Tours, that'll really keep the momentum going. Really, the biggest mistake Disney has made is not having merch for this show. Where are the teddy bears? Where are the pins? Where's all the random stuff with the same art plastered on it? All we got was a generic t-shirt that, as far as I'm aware, is gone now. Not having a Big Al plush is effectively the same as throwing away money.

Kevin_W12 days ago

There was audible excitement in our show when Big Al started playing.

Tony the Tigger14 days ago

I don’t know where that narrative comes from.

Nobody nobody14 days ago

I’m glad that with everything slated for Frontierland, let alone Walt Disney World, that they decided “this his has significance to the park and resort’s history, we need to find a way to save it”. It really did deserve it, and to me it proves that imagineering does care about park history, individuality, and all the stuff we love, they’re just stuck with management who doesn’t.

Tony the Tigger14 days ago

Clearly, you’re entitled to your opinion and your interpretation of the room. I’ve seen it several times now, including twice last week, and I love it. It is much tighter than the most recent version. The most recent version hasn’t been the original in a long time, since it was chopped up. Most notably, my boys on the wall seemed to have a disjointed part in the old version. Now they are fully integrated once again and make more sense. I don’t know half the songs, and I don’t care. I didn’t know any of the songs in the last one before I saw the show. “Blood on the saddle“ was perfectly replaced. The songs were good choices in my opinion, and the ones I did know landed very well. I’ve yet to see a showing without audience clapping when “You’ve got a friend in me” comes on. The characters have a more modern country vibe with the sequins and all. OK, they are in frontierland, so I don’t know that technically fits, but it is relatable to modern audiences. If we’re being picky, bears can’t sing or play instruments, either. I see just as much engagement as the old one, no more no less, from my visits. Sometimes it depends on how crowded the theater is, sometimes it depends on one family getting into it and getting the clapping started, and everyone else joins in. This was an excellent move. This was an excellent business decision. Probably not too costly, completely revamped a beloved show while maintaining the integrity of individual characters and the show itself. Well done. Bravo.

Touchdown15 days ago

I Believe in Santa Claus, I Believe in Santa Claus! I believe there’s always hope when all seems lost! and I Believe in Santa Claus! The country bear thread of all places should follow the advise of Kenny and Dolly.

Nobody nobody15 days ago

As a country bear fan, i think we should all be more greatful for this redo. It was never gonna be perfect but with how beautiful grizzly hall and the bears themselves look now, the fact the voices of the bears don’t have “wrong sounding muppets” syndrome, and despite ip, we got a competent, respectful, and at times funny show that wasn’t overbearing on the Disney part, this is probably one of if not THE best case scenario under todays Disney. It could have been SO MUCH WORSE.

Disgruntled Walt15 days ago

I believe in Santa Claus, like I believe in love. I believe in Santa Claus, and everything he does. There’s no question in my mind that he does exist. Just like love, I know he’s there, waiting to be missed.

Admiral0115 days ago

I have seen both - and see the vacation version when I am in Tokyo in the summer - but both were/are temporary. This new show at MK is permanent.

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ16 days ago

Eh, I don't know. "Milky Milky Coco Puffs" are some quality lyrics. This checks out.

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ16 days ago

He's beloved throughout the world. Believe what your heart tells you, son. You don't have to listen to those older kids.

Charlie The Chatbox Ghost16 days ago

Wait, Santa's not real?

Jrb197916 days ago

That makes sense as a lot of people who visit the parks now don't have any attachment to the older attractions. Add in hearing songs they know makes it a better experience.

Purduevian16 days ago

You don't say... (I haven't seen it yet)