A new version of an old classic has arrived at Walt Disney World! In this edition of Music Behind the Ride, I'll be skipping straight to the new Country Bear Musical Jamboree!
The updating/changing of an original Disney attraction is always risky business. The Country Bear Jamboree opened with Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in 1971. It previously had a holiday overlay (Country Bear Christmas Special) and update (Country Bear Vacation Hoedown). But now, this 2024 refresh has a new script, new versions of songs and updated animatronics. [Those missing the original can still see it in Tokyo Disneyland].
Here's the rundown of this newest revamp. Once through the queue filled with fun easter eggs of past Jamborees, you enter the main seating area. The opening spiel is still given by the mounted heads of Melvin, Buff and Max.
Henry, the emcee bear introduces himself and piano player Gomer. The curtain opens to The Five Bear Rugs band as they perform "Country Bear Musical Jamboree" - the original song for this show. Next is Trixie (with backed singers Bunny, Bubbles and Beulah). She sings Zootopia's "Try Everything" with a slideshow showing humorous drawings of her trying everything.
Henry introduces Romeo (formerly Liver Lips) singing The Little Mermaid's "Kiss the Girl". The next performer is Ernest playing Mary Poppins' "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" on his fiddle so fast that it begins to smoke. Gomer appears under the moonlight as Wendell sings Aladdin's "A Whole New World" and then is joined by Teddi Barra on her swing.
Melvin, Buff and Max introduce the next bear, Shaker, with a short intro of Frozen's "Fixer Upper". Big Al appears singing a sad version of Coco's "Remember Me" before crying and moving on. Henry next accompanies himself (and little racoon Sammy) Toy Story's "You've Got a Friend in Me". He calls the entire ensemble together to sing The Jungle Book's "The Bear Necessities". Big Al tries to continue his solo of "Remember Me" before the last number. As you exit the auditorium, they jump into a bit of "Come Again", a song written for the original show.
Depending on your love/nostalgia of the original show, this reimagining is a welcome change to a show that has been dwindling in popularity or another recent misstep of shoe-horning Disney characters into a classic show (see: Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management).
That said, I don't quiet understand the song selection. Some of the choices match the characters of the previous show which if you're too young, you have no idea what they're references. Maybe they looked at popular Disney songs and what arrangements would work in the country styles. I do like most of the arrangements, but they don't feel that distinct - just given a little bluegrass flair.
The show album expands the songs with arrangements and vocals different than the show, it definitely works better on the album. While you get all the full songs from the show, for some reason, "Remember Me" isn't included and "Fixer Upper" is instrumental.
However you think of it, Country Bear Musical Jamboree is a refresh of a show that wasn't getting the attention it deserves. Thankfully the animatronics got another life with updated motions as they perform the jukebox style Disney numbers. We'll see if this new version lasts and is a hit with current audiences.
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