Why Country Bear Jamboree Might Be Due For a Retheme

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Country Bear Jamboree

Credit: Disney

As The Walt Disney Company continues to celebrate and incorporate diversity into the parks and update rides that they deem outdated, will Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom be the next retheme at Walt Disney World?

We do want to make note that rumors have circulated about Country Bear Jamboree being replaced in the past, but Disney was quick to shut those down. However, with that being said, a lot has changed since then, and other attraction reimaginings have been announced.

Please keep in mind that this article is pure speculation and Disney has not announced a retheme for Country Bear Jamboree. 

Country Bear Jamboree
Credit: Disney

Is Country Bear Jamboree Outdated?

First, let’s start with why some feel that this attraction is outdated and is in need of a desperate retheme or, at the very least, some updates.

When listening to some songs included in the show, it’s safe to say that certain lyrics are considered to be inappropriate, especially for children. The prime example being the famous blood on the saddle reference from Big Al:

There was blood on the saddle,
And blood all around,
And a great big puddle
Of blood on the ground.

The song lyrics aren’t the only things to be considered outdated. There is also certain dialogue that the bears say that can be considered offensive to some as well as the animatronics being pretty old (and a bit creepy). So even if Disney does not retheme the entire show and turn it into a completely different attraction, at the very least they could update some of the audio-animatronics.

Country Bear Jamboree
Credit: Disney

Disney Parks Celebrate and Incorporate Diversity

So why could Country Bear Jamboree be the next attraction to receive a major update? Well, The Walt Disney Company is continuing to make an effort to celebrate and incorporate diversity into the Disney Parks. We have seen this in action with the recent attraction updates and announcements, such as Redd the Pirate in Pirates of the Caribbean, the soon-to-be retheming of Splash Mountain into a Princess and the Frog attraction, and reimagined scenes in the classic attraction Jungle Cruise.

Therefore, as the company continues to make some changes — large or small — to Disney Parks attractions, Disney could end up deciding to make some updates to Country Bear Jamboree, either updating the attraction to make it more modern and family-friendly or retheming it entirely. Keep in mind, though, that this is just a prediction and hasn’t been announced.

country bear jamboree
Credit: Disney

Disney Surveys Guests

Back in July 2020, a survey from Walt Disney World was making its rounds to Disney World Guests, and it included a variety of questions about the Country Bear Jamboree attraction. The questionnaire asked Guests if they thought or felt like the attraction was boring, exciting, inspirational, and more.

This could be an indication that Disney was trying to find out if Guests feel this attraction is offensive, outdated, and in need of an update, or if Guests love the attraction the way it is. Again, this survey was sent out last summer and there is still no word on if Disney is considering making changes to Country Bear Jamboree, but Inside the Magic will update you as we get information.

country bear jamboree
Credit: Disney

Related: Spaceship Earth Reimagining, Mary Poppins Projects Postponed at EPCOT

More on Country Bear Jamboree

The Country Bear Jamboree attraction is located in Frontierland of Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. It’s been around for quite some time and some even consider it a classic Disney attraction.

The attraction was also located at Disneyland in California for quite some time, but it closed in 2001 as it was replaced with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

Related: Did You Know Magic Kingdom Used to Have a ‘Bar’?

country bear jamboree
Credit: Disney

You can read the official attraction description of the Country Bear Jamboree attraction at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom here:

Country Bear Jamboree
Have a knee-slappin’ good time at this jolly country-and-western musical revue starring a cast of singing bears.

This Hootenanny is a Real Hoot
Step inside the rustic theater known as Grizzly Hall and take your seat before the lights dim. Clap along as 18 Audio-Animatronics hillbilly bears play and sing during this 16-minute, foot-stompin’ cele-bear-tion. You’ll hear a medley of original and classic tunes—all performed by the zaniest critters in the woods.

Overflowing with humor, heart and a few surprises, this crowd-pleasing show features a down-home, southern sensibility you and your cubs will love.

Walt Disney’s Pawprints
Country Bear Jamboree is one of the very last attractions that Walt Disney personally helped develop. Originally planned for a never-built Disney ski resort in Mineral King, California, the show with the singing bears happily moved out to Florida in 1971 and has been performing daily at Magic Kingdom park ever since.

Country Bear Jamboree
Credit: Disney

Related: OpEd: Why Country Bear Jamboree is Overrated and Needs to Be Replaced

Do you think Country Bear Jamboree is outdated? Should Disney retheme this attraction next? Let us know in the comments below.

Editor’s Note: The opinions reflected in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Inside the Magic overall. 

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