The Country Bear Jamboree (1972–2001) was a foot-stompin’, knee-slappin’ animatronic show in Disneyland’s Critter Country (originally Bear Country), featuring a cast of singing bears belting out country tunes with a side of corny humor. This beloved hoedown delighted guests for nearly three decades until declining popularity and a shift toward recognizable Disney IP led to its replacement by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Here are 10 fun facts about this bear-y special attraction:
- Bear Band Beginnings: The Country Bear Jamboree debuted on March 4, 1972, as the centerpiece of Bear Country, Disneyland’s new land (later Critter Country). It was a near-identical import from Walt Disney World’s 1971 original, designed by Imagineer Marc Davis.
- 18 Singing Stars: The show featured 18 animatronic bears, from headliner Henry to banjo-plucking Liver Lips McGrowl and lovesick Teddi Barra. Each had a distinct personality, voiced by country singers and comedians, delivering a 15-minute mix of songs and skits.
- Toe-Tappin’ Tunes: The setlist included country classics like “Blood on the Saddle,” “My Woman Ain’t Pretty (But She Don’t Swear None),” and “The Ballad of Davy Crockett,” plus original songs. The finale, “Come Again,” had bears popping out of the walls for a raucous send-off.
- Walt’s Last Laugh: Walt Disney greenlit the concept before his 1966 death, envisioning a musical bear band for a ski resort project. After his passing, Imagineers brought it to life, with X fans calling it “Walt’s final gift” for its homespun humor.
- Theater in the Woods: The Bear Country Playhouse, with its rustic log-cabin vibe, sat 350 guests under a starry ceiling. Talking trophy heads—Buff, Max, and Melvin—bantered with host Henry, adding a cheeky layer to the show’s charm.
- Seasonal Twists: In 1986, Disneyland introduced the Country Bear Christmas Special, a holiday overlay with bears singing carols like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” A summer Vacation Hoedown version, with beachy tunes, ran in the late 1980s, keeping the show fresh.
- Fading Paw Prints: By the 1990s, the Jamboree’s old-school country vibe and dated humor struggled against flashier attractions. Declining crowds, especially after Critter Country’s 1988 retheme, led to its closure on September 9, 2001.
- Pooh’s Takeover: The Playhouse was gutted for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, which opened in 2003 to capitalize on the popular IP. Some bear animatronics were repurposed as Pooh characters, but Reddit fans grumble, “We lost hillbilly heart for honey pots.”
- Global Bear Hugs: The show thrives at Tokyo Disneyland, where it’s still a hit, and Walt Disney World ran it until 1986. Disneyland’s bears inspired merch like plush Henry dolls, and X posts share vintage photos of the Playhouse, fueling calls for a revival.
- Teddi Barra: Teddi Barra’s dramatic descent on a swing, dressed in a feather boa, was a showstopper, earning cheers nightly.
