My Thoughts on The Country Bear Jamboree

 

 

By Lisa Green 

 

 

The jokes are lame, the songs are cheesy and I love every single moment of the Country Bear Jamboree!  From the waiting area in the lobby to the ornate theater to the talking huntin’ trophies, this attraction’s a riot! Even if you’re not a huge fan of the Jamboree’s style, you have to admit its a pretty clever show, especially considering how long the gang’s been around.  If you’re looking for one of the Disney-est Disney World attractions you can find, you can’t beat the Bears.  It does happen to be one of the last attractions Walt Disney himself helped develop.

On one recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, I announced to Raymond in my most cheerful voice, “I really want to see the Country Bears!” What I got in return was a look. This look spoke volumes. Raymond’s a man of few words to begin with and after 25 years of marriage he communicates with me silently much of the time. At that particular moment Raymond’s look said, “I’d rather not, but if you’re that excited about it, we can go…but only because you’re so cute and lovable.” And just like that, off we went to Frontierland’s Grizzly Hall.

In my mind I think of the Country Bears as old (the show premiered on October 1, 1971) so while I was waiting to enter the theater, I was picturing worn, mangy-looking fur coats and rusty, out of date animatronics. Boy, was I surprised! Those critters are in excellent shape and their movements are fluid and, well, I’d say “realistic” except they’re bears playing musical instruments and singing songs.  I wouldn’t change a single thing about the entire experience.

 

From my most favorite bears, like Baby Oscar and Henry, the Master of Ceremonies, to the fancy hat-bearing Sun Bonnet Trio (sorry, can’t help myself), I thought the show was grand. If Animal Planet and Hee Haw got married and had a baby, it would be the Country Bear Jamboree.  What a show!  I completely agree that a hoedown might not be an enjoyable hootenanny for everyone, but the charm of the Country Bear Jamboree lies in its perfect theming for Frontierland, its quaint and sometimes irreverent dancehall humor, and the well-paced and surprising variety of acts.  How can anyone not find Liver Lips McGrowl at least a little bit interesting?

I adored every hair on the Country Bears’….well, everything, I suppose.  I know there are a lot of haters, but honestly, the Country Bear Jamboree is so iconic, so classically Disney, I hope they’ll be around for many, many years to come.

 It’s your turn – Love ’em?  Hate ’em?  Tell me what it is about the Country Bear Jamboree that makes you feel the way you do about it.

This article was originally posted on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.
She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

Please be sure to check out Lisa along with me and David Hodges on The Disney Exchange Podcast!

  

My First Solo Walt Disney World Trip : Day 5

By Nick

Tuesday, January 5th, 2016

Up early and at the Magic Kingdom by 745am for an 815am ADR for breakfast at Be Our Guest.
Getting an early morning ADR is great because you can get photos of the Magic Kingdom relatively empty.

Breakfast at Be Our Guest was very good, and I'll have a full review on a future post.

Another reason why the early morning breakfast is a great option, as Be Our Guest is very close to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, I was able to ride that before the crowds made it back at 9am, and got over to Big Thunder Mountain and rode 3 times before a 10 minute line formed.

After riding Pirates I walked around taking photos of a still relatively empty Adventureland before heading over to the just recently opened Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen, and a full review of this excellent new restaurant can be found here.

I timed it right that I had a FastPass for The Jungle Cruise immediately after lunch. It was still decked out with the Jingle Cruise holiday overlay.

I got a text from a Facebook friend, George, who said he and his family were in Tomorrowland, so I headed over to meet him, his wife Kristin, and their kids, and together we did several attractions, including The Country Bear Jamboree. I had a wonderful time and I hope to visit with them again in the future.

After Country Bears we said goodbye, and I headed back to the Polynesian where I had a very good dinner at Trader Sam's, a cocktail or 3, and watched Wishes from the beach before heading in for the evening.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

Songs of Disney's Country Bear Jamboree

By Nick

Once again, the Country Bears rear their ugly heads.

Okay, maybe they aren't really all that ugly, but I couldn't resist that opening line.
On Episode 26 of The Disney Exchange, we discuss kid friendly attractions at Epcot and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and I ask my co-host Dave and guest host Heather if they thought the song lyrics of the Country Bear Jamboree are appropriate for young children, as some of  the songs are actually fairly twisted.
They said they never really paid attention, which got me thinking. How many people actually do listen to the lyrics?

I thought it would be interesting to break down some of the more questionable songs lyrics, (found on wdwsongarchive.blogspot.com).

The first few songs are fairly innocuous. Then we come to what, in my opinion, is the funniest song in the show, My Woman Ain't Pretty (But She Don't Swear None) sung by Liver Lips McGrowl. It references swearing, but to the songs benefit, sings about the virtue of NOT swearing.

I got a woman, she's got me.
Whatever we do, we both agree.
She ain't pretty, but I ain't too.
The things we like are the things we do.
My woman ain't pretty, but she don't swear none.
She's kinda heavy, don't weigh a ton.
She's my woman, through and through.
I lover her only 'cause my heart is true.

This is followed by a song called Mama Don't Whip Little Buford sung by Wendell.

Mama don't whip little Buford.
Mama don't pound on his head.
Mama don't whip little Buford.
I think you should shoot him instead.

Is Buford a pet? Wendell’s sibling? A neighbor child? Whichever, it’s about abuse of some form or another, as well as suggested homicide.

Even Henry says “Yes, folks, we only have high class stuff on this show.” following this ditty.

Next up is Trixie who sings, Tears Will Be the Chaser for Your Wine, apparently, about a love who has threatened to leave, and who will wind up drowning their sorrow in wine if they follow this course of action.

Tears will be the chaser for your wine.
After you leave this love of mine.
Bright lights and taverns,
That's where you'll spend your time.
And tears will the be chaser for your wine.

We then get another song about abuse, this one clearly of the spousal variety, sung by Zeke, called Pretty Little Devilish Mary.

When I was young and in my prime,
I thought I never would marry.
But I fell in love with a pretty little gal,
And sure enough we married.
Ring-a-ding-ding Mary,
Prettyiest little gal, I ever did see.
Her name was Devilish Mary.
Hadn't been married but about two weeks,
She got as mean as the devil.
And every time I looked cross-eyed,
She'd hit me on the head with a "shevil."
Ring-a-ding-ding Mary,
Prettiest little gal, I ever did see.
Her name was Devilish Mary.
Her name was Devilish Mary.

A short song follows, and then we have The Sun Bonnets, Bunny, Bubbles, and Buelah singing
All The Guys That Turn Me On Turn Me Down, which is about, well, you can figure that out from the lyrics.

Everytime I meet a guy who gets me shook,
All I ever get from him's a dirty look.
It's the same way, everywhere I've found.
All the guys that turn me on, turn me down.
All the guys that turn me on, turn me down.
Nothing works for me that I found.
It's the same way everywhere I see.
Nothing ever seems to work for me.
Nothing ever seems to work for me.
Doodle doodle do-do-do bum bump.

This song is followed by a tune from Ernest,  If You Can't Bite, Don't Growl about carousing with go-go girls, yep, go-go girls. But at least Ernest appears to remain faithful, though it is left somewhat open ended.

One night I left the wife at home,
And went out with the boys.
I was acting like a Don Juan,
And making a lot of noise.
A go-go girl caught my hand,
I said, "I can't. I'm a married man."
She said "If you ain't gonna steal,
You better not prowl."
Don't do-si-do with a go-go.
If you can't bite, don't growl.
If you can't bite, don't growl.

Finally, I’ll bring up perhaps the most covertly, or perhaps, overtly, violent song of the show, one that scarred my wife for life as a young sensitive girl, Blood On the Saddle, sung by Big Al.

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

Yes. I realize the songs are tongue in cheek, and all in good fun, in fact, I consider watching this show at 11pm one evening with my 2 friends during my last trip a highlight, as we were over tired and just laughed hysterically. It is a fun show, but, maybe, if you have a sensitive and attentive child, watch the show online and determine if you want to bring them and possibly have to explain where the Blood on the Saddle came from.

This article was originally posted on The Disney Exchange Blog, home of The Disney Exchange Podcast which is co-hosted by yours truly, along with David Hodges and Lisa Green.

Walt Disney World's Country Bear Jamboree

By Nick and Barbie 

The Country Bear Jamboree is a Walt Disney World classic, opened along with the Magic Kingdom on October 1st 1971. It was one of the last projects Walt Disney himself was involved with. In fact it is sometimes referred to as Walt’s Last Laugh.

But I know of at least one person who doesn’t laugh at this beloved attraction. Episode 14 of The Disney Exchange Podcast focused on the Magic Kingdom, and I talked about my wife Barbie’s thoughts on The Country Bears.

I’ll let her express her feelings in her own words:

“Well, anyone who knows me, knows I hate the Country Bear Jamboree.
I’m not sure why more people don’t feel the same way.

When we were young, my Dad took us down to Florida to visit family and we got to spend one afternoon in Walt Disney World. The Country Bear Jamboree is one of the few memories I have of the trip, and they aren’t good memories. I don’t get it to this day!

Oh yeah, dress them up all cute and all of a sudden they aren’t so scary,

but they’re still looking at YOU like a prime piece of beef!

Big Al singing “Blood on the Saddle“:


REALLY? Whose blood? Was Al going to hit me over the head with that guitar, throw me over his saddle and use me as a snack after the show?
Did someone die, were they murdered?

As a sensitive kid I was extremely aware of the words to that song and couldn’t get it out of my mind, in fact I still can’t. Were they hurt, maimed, did they get separated from their party? I still don’t understand. Can someone explain that one to me?

Well, I swore up and down that no one could get me into that attraction again, but Nick dragged me in there a few years ago to relive the horror all over again. Let me just say now, it’s no better now than it was back in the 70’s! Stay away! Those bears are out for blood and they’ll get it somehow!”

There you have it!
What is your opinion of the Country Bear Jamboree?

Walt Disney World Pop Up Book from Hallmark

A Fun Filled Visit to Walt Disney World with Mickey Mouse: A Hallmark Pop-Up Book.

..

By Nick

Like much of my collection, I cannot recall when and where I got this book. It’s copyright is 1972.

It isn’t in the best condition, with stains and tape marks, but the pop-ups all work pretty well.



Our first pop-up is the Ferry Boat to the Magic Kingdom. But that isn’t how we are getting to the park.



We’re taking the Monorail with Mickey. Lift the door tab, and Mickey gets on board.

Interestingly, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea has been reduced to just “Submarine Voyage” here. There is a rotating wheel that rotates and shows wreckage, treasure and sea life.





Next, the Country Bear Jamboree pop-up.



It’s a Small World. Pull the tab on the right, and the drummer drums while the camel nods in unison.

The Mad Tea Party. pull the tab to see Mickey “Spin”. On one side he’s smiling, on the other, he looks as if he may be ill, which is the same reaction I have as this ride goes on.



A Jungle Cruise pop-up.



The Mickey Mouse Revue, which was housed in the space that is now home to Mickey’s PhilharMagic. Pull the tabs and the whole gang rocks out while Mickey orchestrates.



The Swiss Family Tree House. Lift the flap and see the Jungle Cruise Ruins in the distance.
Not very exciting.

Maybe the creator of this book was lulling you into a false sense of security, and then, wham!
Pull the tab on the Haunted Mansion page, and a ghost pops up! Thrilling.



And to cap off a fun filled day at the park with Mickey, fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle.




I hope you enjoyed your time with Mickey Mouse.

The Country Bear Jamboree

What are you going to do, hit me over the head with that guitar,
throw me over your saddle and use me as a snack after the show?

Well, anyone who knows me, knows I hate the Country Bear Jamboree. It's something I was born with. I'm not sure why more people don't feel the same way. When we were young, my Dad took us down to Florida to visit family and we got to spend one afternoon in Disney World. The Country Bear Jamboree is one of the few memories I have of the trip, and they aren't good memories. I don't get it to this day!

Oh yeah, dress them up all cute and all of a sudden they aren't so scary,

but they're still looking at YOU like a prime piece of beef!

Blood on the saddle?! REALLY? Whose blood? Did someone die, were they murdered? As a sensitive kid I was extremely aware of the words to that song and couldn't get it out of my mind, in fact I still can't. Were they hurt, maimed, did they get separated from their party? I still don't understand. Can someone explain that one to me?

Well, I swore up and down that no one could get me into that attraction again, but our friend Marilyn and Nick drug me in there a couple years ago to relive the horror all over again. Let me just say now, it's no better now than it was back in the 70's! Stay away! Those bears are out for blood and they'll get it somehow!

 No, I will never go in there again!

This is the only other memory I have of the trip. My dad trying to make it up to me.