Walt Disney World has introduced a brand new reimagined stage present will exchange Nation Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom. This submit shares all the pieces we find out about modifications to the enduring attraction: CBJ’s opening timeframe, and idea artwork. Plus complete commentary and our conflicted emotions in regards to the Bear Band doing a brand new act. (Up to date April 22, 2024.)
This information of a reimagined Nation Bear Musical Jamboree was first introduced throughout final yr’s Vacation spot D23. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro supplied a sneak peek at idea artwork for the long run as well as and teased what was to come back in a number of years.
Throughout Vacation spot D23, Imagineer Chris Beatty shared that he and his group love the Nation Bears, which is why they’re bringing an all-new act to Grizzly Corridor for the Bear Band to carry out. The brand new present is coming in 2024, and can be referred to as Nation Bear Musical Jamboree.
When Nation Bear Musical Jamboree debuts, the Bear Band can be reinterpreting favourite Disney songs in several genres of nation music. Imagineers are envisioning the brand new expertise as a homage to the traditional musical revues in Nashville they usually’re working with Nashville musicians to get the genuine nation sound.
The Nation Bear Jamboree will nonetheless have the enjoyable and pleasant tone followers take pleasure in with the identical well-known characters just like the loveable Trixie, Huge Al and others. Right here’s a have a look at the concert-style poster artwork Imagineering created to advertise the reimagined Nation Bear Musical Jamboree:
April 22, 2024 Replace: There’s been a bunch of exercise inside and outdoors Grizzly Corridor since Nation Bear Jamboree closed this winter for transformation into Nation Bear Musical Jamboree.
Work is underway on the outside at Grizzly Corridor, with the attraction marquee now behind a tarp. That is presumably to swap out the present signage with a brand new one which provides ‘Musical’ to the marquee. We’re hoping that not a lot else modifications with the signal because it was just about good earlier than, however we might see one thing indicating the Disney songs which might be carried out to entice households inside.
An inventory of songs or films featured in Nation Bear Musical Jamboree may be hooked up to one of many poles at eye degree. A method or one other, we count on Disney to focus on that as a option to differentiate the brand new present from its predecessor. Although we love the unique, it has a sure word-of-mouth status amongst first-timers and rare guests that’s not fairly as constructive. Making it clear that Disney music is now carried out looks as if a given.
Inside Grizzly Corridor, Walt Disney World has filed a new allow to “set up set components and piping.” This allow is assigned to Thermetrics Company, which specializes within the upkeep, restore and set up of business chillers and HVAC techniques. I can’t discover any report of their previous work with Disney within the DTB Archives, however I’m guessing they’re merely doing one thing with the constructing’s HVAC. It’s unclear why “set components” is listed within the permits except Thermetrics has began diversifying their enterprise with the bears.
On a be aware that must be far more attention-grabbing, it’s our understanding that the Audio Animatronics in Nation Bear Jamboree are being up to date to the latest A-1000 Audio Animatronics era. These debuted with Hondo Ohnaka in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and continued with Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast at Tokyo Disneyland in addition to Frozen Ever After at Hong Kong Disneyland. Most notably, they’re the identical sorts of wonderful Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Journey, which opens this summer time at Magic Kingdom.
Whereas we wouldn’t count on the bears to be fairly as superior because the headliner AAs in Tiana’s Bayou Journey, they need to be a marked enchancment. This implies no extra clicking sounds or abrupt actions, and extra fluidity. Most significantly, a minimum of for Nation Bear Jamboree followers, is that it provides the attraction a brand new lease on life and just about ensures it one other decade (if not two) of existence. For an attraction that has been on borrowed time for the reason that daybreak of the brand new century, it is a welcome reduction.
Talking of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, we’ve heard from lots of you questioning whether or not Nation Bear Musical Jamboree will open concurrently with that reimagined trip simply across the bend. It’s our understanding that was the authentic objective, as it might’ve given company two causes to plan a trip to Walt Disney World and in addition helped absorb crowds.
What we’ve heard suggests that is not possible. Between Tiana’s Bayou Journey transferring ahead and now seemingly opening in late June 2024 and Nation Bear Musical Jamboree taking longer than anticipated, it’s simply not practical for the reimagined points of interest to debut collectively.
Word that that is rumor and was accompanied by a level of uncertainty once we heard it, so take it with a grain of salt. It’s doable that work on Nation Bear Musical Jamboree begins transferring quicker and manages to make a mid-summer opening…however we’re extremely skeptical. Our greatest guess at this level is that late July 2024 is the earliest practical opening date for Nation Bear Musical Jamboree.
Purely speculative, however we predict that date is extra more likely to be additional delayed than moved ahead. And in some unspecified time in the future, Walt Disney World will wish to weigh whether or not it’s “value it” to open Nation Bear Musical Jamboree within the late August to September low season, or if it may make extra sense to delay it to an October 1, 2024 opening. That might be a significant date because the anniversary of each Magic Kingdom and Nation Bear Jamboree. I might positively see Disney taking that strategy, and I welcome Imagineers taking further time to present the bears TLC (and in addition correct tribute with that anniversary opening).
After all, that is all rumor and hypothesis and may very well be unsuitable and/or is topic to alter. It’s additionally solely doable that Walt Disney World has been dragging its ft on an official opening date on Tiana’s Bayou Journey as a result of they need Nation Bear Musical Jamboree to a degree the place a simultaneous opening is attainable. I doubt it, however it’s doable.
Previous to this newest replace, Walt Disney World shared particulars and a gap timeframe for the reimagined Nation Bear Musical Jamboree, together with different particulars:
“Get able to knee slap and toe-tap to a bit of nation twang this summer time! In the event you’ve been too busy trottin’ via the wild west and have missed the information, the Nation Bears are on the brink of placed on a brand new present that pays homage to the Opry-style reveals of Nashville.
Whereas the Nation Bear Musical Jamboree will embrace easter eggs from the start to the tip together with a well-recognized tune followers could bear in mind, the bears will sing new, reinterpreted Disney tunes in several genres of nation music – like bluegrass, pop-country, Americana, rockabilly and different kinds.”
Right here’s a have a look at the behind-the-scenes teaser clip Walt Disney World has shared for Nation Bear Musical Jamboree:
Nation Bear Jamboree closed on January 27; the attraction will reopen as Nation Bear Musical Jamboree later in Summer season 2024.
Walt Disney World additionally teased this: “However maintain your horses, we’re not executed but. Now we have a number of development and funding deliberate for our theme parks within the coming years and sit up for sharing extra bulletins about Frontierland … so y’all come again now, ya hear?”
That final line is both a reference to Past Huge Thunder or Tiana’s Palace Restaurant changing Pecos Payments or one thing else solely. Who is aware of at this level.
Turning to commentary, it is a powerful one. There’s virtually actually dramatically completely different reactions between the longtime and diehard Walt Disney World followers who have been attending Vacation spot D23 in-person versus extra informal and newer followers.
For lots of you, Nation Bear Jamboree is nothing particular, a relic of one other time that has aged poorly and is lengthy overdue for alternative. That describes lots of people, and to them, this transformation will undoubtedly be embraced with enthusiasm and cautious optimism, at minimal. For others, not a lot.
It’s no secret that we’re Nation Bear superfans, often encouraging readers to make a bearline to Magic Kingdom’s UNESCO World Heritage Web site, Grizzly Corridor. That’s the place they will discover Nation Bear Jamboree, a present that’s greatest appreciated by audiences with subtle senses of humor, beauty, and nice style in points of interest and animals.
Joking (however probably not) apart, we completely adore Nation Bear Jamboree but in addition, we’ve anticipated it to be eliminated and changed for years. We’ve been saying for over a decade that that is the kind of attraction that may by no means be made right now, and never simply because it’s a stage present with a number of Audio Animatronics. Nation Bear Jamboree incorporates a distinctive model of irreverent humor, and a few of the lyrics elicit audible reactions from the viewers as a result of they’re surprising from a Disney attraction.
It’s going to take some time to assemble my ideas about this information, so for now, I’ll share what I wrote earlier this yr in Reimaginings Contained in the Park and ‘Past the Berm’ Growth at Magic Kingdom:
As a lot as I hate to confess this, Nation Bear Jamboree is on borrowed time. There are a quantity of the reason why Walt Disney World may wish to do one thing with the beloved bear band. I like Nation Bear Jamboree and can defend it till the tip (if something, I sincerely consider it has gained appreciation in the previous couple of years, too!). However I’m additionally a realist.
Nation Bear Jamboree just isn’t going to exist in its present type ceaselessly. A decade from now, I’ll be happy if the Audio Animatronics bears merely nonetheless exist…however are singing completely different songs. That’s in all probability the most effective case and most practical state of affairs, barring a disaster for the corporate, financial system, or tourism tanking in a method that basically causes the parks to freeze in time. (No injury inflicted, but in addition no improvement executed–we name that the “Disneyland Paris Impact.”)
To be abundantly clear, this doesn’t imply that I’m on board with reimagining Nation Bear Jamboree. Once more, it is a matter of (making an attempt to) come to phrases with actuality, and the small miracle of the Nation Bear Jamboree and people songs nonetheless being sung in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World within the yr 2024.
For me, this announcement mirrors discovering out IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth was being changed. I knew it was an inevitability for years, and greater than anything, was grateful that we received to see it so many instances earlier than it was retired. Like that, Nation Bear Jamboree has had an awesome run. Additionally like that, I want it might stick round Walt Disney World ceaselessly, however ‘get’ why that’s unrealistic.
In contrast to IllumiNations, this attraction will dwell on with the Nation Bears sticking round, which is greater than I truthfully would’ve anticipated even a number of years in the past. Frankly, that may be a colossal distinction between the 2 modifications. If features of IllumiNations have been modernized and reimagined to be included right into a extra crowd-pleasing nighttime spectacular, I in all probability would’ve been personally unhappy however fully understanding. That’s the crossroads, of types, for me with this Nation Bear information.
In some unspecified time in the future, I’ll acquire my ideas and supply extra complete commentary about what makes Nation Bear Jamboree so particular. (Or maybe not–I might by no means carry myself to do an IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth tribute submit.) For now, right here’s what I wrote a number of years again in My High 10 Walt Disney World Points of interest:
For thus many individuals I’ve encountered, enjoyment of Nation Bear Jamboree hinges upon whether or not they take pleasure in people or nation music. In the event that they don’t, all the bears on this planet can not save this attraction for them.
Bob Dylan’s forays into them apart, these musical genres are usually not my jam. The factor is, Nation Bear Jamboree just isn’t a easy nation music live performance carried out by robotic bears. As an alternative, it’s concurrently a love-letter to the style, and a send-up of stereotypical Southern life. It borders on social satire, and within the course of comprises a few of the greatest witty and irreverent humor ever showcased in a Disney theme park.
Most significantly, its irreverent humor is delivered in a playful and enjoyable method. At the same time as Nation Bear Jamboree spoofs hillbilly tradition, it does so in method that’s unlikely to offend. I grew up in rural Michigan and lived in Indiana for years, and relatively than discovering this humor offensive as a result of it hits too near dwelling, I snigger at its astuteness.
Maybe I simply take pleasure in self-deprecating humor, however I believe Nation Bear Jamboree is a hoot, and one which makes me nod silently whereas laughing. When Huge Al first seems, I believe all of us can relate. Who amongst us has not sat on our porch shirtless and shoeless, with jugs of empty moonshine scattered round our sofa whereas watching the automobiles go? (No? Simply me. Okay then.)
Past Nation Bear Jamboree’s catchy music and irreverent humor, the characters are wonderful. Although the runtime is pretty quick (and shorter now than it was once!), the character improvement is robust. By the tip of the present, you’ve got a great sense of every bear’s character and their quirks.
Once I consider the most effective theme park characters from Walt Disney World, Figment, Dreamfinder, Sonny Eclipse, and about 8 of the Nation Bears come to thoughts. Speak about a powerful ensemble! Nation Bear Jamboree is just like the Moist Scorching American Summer season of theme park attraction casts.
On the finish of the day, none of this could actually be vital to steer you that Nation Bear Jamboree is among the many greatest points of interest at Walt Disney World. In the event you’re towards singing, robotic bears, you might be towards America. It’s so simple as that.
In the end, the jury continues to be out on the Nation Bear reimagining information for us. On some private degree, we can be unhappy to see the present Nation Bear Jamboree go. That a lot is a given, as we love the irreverence and humor of the present collection of songs, and have infinite nostalgia for the present present. It’ll be powerful to say goodbye to Nation Bear Jamboree in its current type.
Nevertheless, how troublesome that’s actually relies upon upon the execution of the alternative. If Imagineering is ready to exchange the present present whereas sustaining the Bear Band’s humorousness, character, and appeal will go a good distance for us. If Nation Bear Jamboree’s successor manages to be the identical ‘ole bears however performing completely different tunes, it’ll find yourself being fairly simple to simply accept this transformation.
That’s notably true if the brand new present truly finally ends up being each good and in style, drawing bigger crowds. Though we (selfishly) take pleasure in with the ability to simply seize a last-minute seat at Nation Bear Jamboree and have loads of area round us, there’s nothing we’d love greater than the Nation Bears enjoying to packed homes, having to attend in 15 minute lengthy traces to see them, and have the Bear Band stick round for many years to come back. If a brand new era of Nation Bear followers is cast within the means of this reimagining, that’s an enormous win in our e book.
In different phrases, that is a type of uncommon issues that’s probably each a private destructive and greater image constructive. There’s virtually no world through which a alternative for Nation Bear Jamboree improves upon the unique for us. On the identical time, we notice it’s a present of a special period, and overdue for a modernization to make it extra interesting to trendy audiences and new generations of Walt Disney World company. If Imagineering is ready to thread the needle and supply one thing that satisfies each the informal diehard and diehard demos, it’ll be a bittersweet success.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study motels on our Walt Disney World Resorts Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces it’s essential to know!
Your Ideas
What do you consider the reimagined of Nation Bear Jamboree introduced for Magic Kingdom? Are you a dissatisfied diehard, cautiously optimism, or overtly passionate about this information? Or, are you in wait and see mode with this? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
