Changes

The Country Bear Jamboree opened with the park on October 1, 1971. The plans for the attraction however, date back to 1966 and Walt Disney himself. In 1966, Walt decided that he would need some sort of attraction for his Disney's Mineral King Ski Resort. He tasked Imageneer Marc Davis with creating a show based on Audio Anamatronic Bears. Davis, and fellow Imageneer Al Bertino came up with many ideas including, marching band bears, mariachi bears, and Dixieland bears. Walt Disney was said to have like Marc Davis' drawings of the bears so much that they made him laugh. The Country Bears would be one of the last attractions that Walt had a direct involvement with.

After Walt's death on December 15, 1966, plans for the bear show carried on. It was decided that the bears would perform at the Bear Band Restaurant Show in the resort and that they would sing with a "country twang". While the Country Bears were still being developed. , the plans for Disney's Mineral King Ski Resort were scrapped. Imagineer X Atencio and musical director George Bruns were brought in to write songs for the bears. Since the Mineral King Ski Resort was not going to be built, Imagineers decided to use the Country Bear show in Walt Disney World.

When the Country Bear Jamboree opened, it was so popular that another one was built for Disneyland. Starting in 1982, the County Bear Jamboree was given a new show during the holiday season called Country Bear Christmas Special. The show would return annual annualy around Christmastime until 2005. Due to the popularity of the Country Bears, a new show was created in 1986 called the Country Bear Vacation Hoedown. The new show featured the bears in their vacation outfits and also featured them singing new songs such as Ghost Riders in the Sky and On The Road Again. Due to attendance struggles the the new show only lasted for six years. In 1992 as part of the Magic Kingdom's 20th anniversary celebrations, the Country Bear Jamboree was reverted back to it's original form.

The Country Bear Jamboree is a "hoedown" style show that features almost constant singing. The show begins with Buff, Melvin and Max (mostly Buff) Telling Henry that its time to start the show. The show takes place on five stages: a far right, a center right, a center, a center left and a far left.

In the first song the attraction Henry welcomes guests to the Country Bear Jamboree. He then introduces Gomer who's on the center stage, who plays piano while Henry sings. Henry wears a grey top hat, starched shirt front, and a string tie. Gomer wears a blue color and tie, and always as a honeycomb on his piano.

After the Bear Band Saranade, the curtain closes on the Five Bear Rugs and Gomer. Then, Wendell a golden brown bear emerges on the right-center stage. Wendell wears a blue bandanna around his neck and has a light brown hat. He is also easily recognizable because of his large overbite and buck teeth.

Wendell begins to pick his mandolin before telling Henry (who is not now on the right-center stage) to hurry up and play, which Henry does.

After "Mamma, Don't Whip Little Buford ", Wendell once again leaves the stage. Henry then proceeds to introduce Trixie, a very large brown bear who wears a bow in her hair and a blue tutu on her waist. Trixie plays no instrument, and is holding a blue handkerchief and a glass of wine in her hands.

Following Trixie's song, Henry compliments her on how big her song was. Hearing that , Buff, Max, and Melvin inturupt the show (starting with Buff commenting who comments that the song wasn't all that's big). Henry tells them if they're quiet, the bears might dedicated the next song to them (which they do). The Five Bear Rugs then reappear on center stage, with Zeke singing lead.

Following the end of the song, the curtain once again closes on the Five Bear Rugs, Shaker (also known as Terrance) appears on the left-center stage. Shaker is a tall, tan bear who wears a minor cap and plays guitar.

After Shaker sings his song, Henry reappears on the right-center stage. He itroduces the next act, three identical girls from Florida: Bunny, Bubbles and Buelah. Together the three sisters are known as the Sun Bonnet Trio. All three girls have brown fur and wear blue dresses and bonnets. On stage the girls are joined by Gomer and . Bunny stands in the middle with Bubbles on her left and Buelah on her right. Behind the girls a slide show illustrates the lyrics as they sing.

Without any introduction a large spotlight shines of the far left stage, slowing getting bigger. When the curtain lifts guests get their first view of Big Al. Big Al is the fattest of all the bears and he plays an out of tune guitar. He is grey with a light grey belly and wears a tan hat and a red vest.

As Big Al finishes his song with a laugh, Henry appears on the far right stage. On his head, is Sammy , a raccoon who actually makes up Henry's hat. Together they begin to sing The Ballad of Davy JonesCrockett.

Right in the middle of "The Ballad of Davy Crockett", Big Al reappears on the far left stage, once again singing "Blood On The Saddle". As Henry tells Big Al to stop, Sammy begins to realize the situation is hopeless. He tells Henry that there going to need help. Henry cues that the gang, and all the other bears (except Earnest and Trixie) appear on stage. Together they sing the shows finale, Ole Slew-Foot. Big Al undaunted by the singing continues to sing "Blood on the Saddle". At the conclusion of the song the stage gets dark and a crashing noise comes from Big Als stage.

Well, heWe hope that you's big around the middle,ll be coming back again.And heThat you's broad across the rumpll drop in and see us now and then.Running ninety miles an hour,We've done our very best to please.Making thirty feet a jumpWith just the "bear" necessities.We hope that you'll be coming back again.

He's never been cornered,Come again.And he's never been treedCome again.Some folks say he looks a lot like meThe welcome mat is always out,'Cause seeing you is fun.

High on the mountain,We hope that you'll be coming back again.Tell me what do That you 'll drop in to see?us now and then.Bear tracksWe've had such fun, we're going to cry.We just can't "bear tracks," to say goodbye.Looking We hope that you'll be coming back at meagain.

Better get Don't forget to gather your rifles,Before it's too late.Bear's got a little big,And he's headed through the gatebelongings.

He's big around the middle,And he's broad across the rump.Running ninety miles an houryou husbands,Making thirty feet a jumptoo.

HeIt's never been cornered,And he's never been treedgood to have you.Some So long, folks say he looks a lot like me.

'''Wendell'''- Wendell is a golden brown bear who plays the mandolin. He wears a blue bandanna around his neck and a light brown hat. He is recognizable for his overbite and buck teeth. He is voiced by Bill Cole and appears on center stage. Wendell sings "Fractured Folk Song" and "Mamma, Don't Whip Little Bufford" with Henry. He also joins the bears to sing the finale, "Ole Slew-Foot".

'''Teddi Barra'''- Teddi Barra is the only Country Bear that does not appear on stage. Instead she comes down from the ceiling on her swing, which is decorated with pink roses. Teddu Teddi is a brown bear and wears a blue hat with a pink feather as well as a long pink bow around her neck. She is voiced by Roni Stoneman. Teddi Sings "Heart We Did All That We Could" and also joins the bears to sing "Ole Slew-Foot".

'''Trixie'''- Trixie is a very large brown bear who wears a blue bow on her head, a blue tutu around her waist. She appears on the far right stage, and holds a blue handkerchief and wine glass in her hands. Trixie is one of the few bears that does not appear in the finale of the show. She is voiced by Cheryl Poole. Trixie sings "Tears Will Be The Chaser For My Wine".

'''Big Al'''- Big Al is the fattest bear in the Country Bear Jamboree. He is grey with a light grey belly and wears a tan hat and a red vest. He plays an out-of-tune guitar and is located on the far right stage. Big Al sings "Blood On The SaldeSaddle". His instance insistence on singing the song a second time leads to the grand finale of the show. Big Al is voiced by Tex Ritter.

'''Gomer'''- Gomer is a tall brown bear who wears a collar and a blue tie. Gomer is the only country bear in the show (with the exception of Baby Oscar) who does not sing. Instead Gomer plays his piano which has never sings but instead plays his piano, which has a honeycomb on top of it. Gomer appears on center stage and performs on the songs, "Bear Band Saranade", "Tears Will Be The Chaser For My Wine", "All The Guys That Turn Me On Turn Me Down" and the shows finale, "Ole Slew-Foot".

 * '''Zeke'''- The Five Bear Rugs lead singer, Zeke plays a banjo and taps on the dishpan with "a real ol' country beat". He is a grey bear with glasses who wears a tan top hat. He was voiced by Dallas McKennon from October 1971 until July 1975, when Randy Sparks rerecorded his vocals. He is located in the center of the band.

From 1984 until 2005, the Country Bear Jamboree was given a special show for the Christmas season, called the Country Bear Christmas Special. The show featured with the bears singing such holiday classics as “Deck the Halls,” “Let It Snow,” and “We Wish You a Merry ChristmasChristmas”,” as well as new original songs like “Hungry as a Bear”. The show also featured a previously unknown bear, Rufus who works on the lighting and projection for the show. In 2005 it was announced that the Christmas Special would not return. The Christmas show was marked the time that an Audio Anamatronic show became interchangeable during the year.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Country Bears, a new show was created in 1986called the Country Bear Vacation Hoedown. The show featured the Bears wearing their "vacation clothes" and singing new songs. Included in the show were popular songs including, Singing In The Rain, On The Road Again, Ghost Riders In The Sky, Thank God I'm A Country Boy and the popular opening The Great Outdoors. This was the only show not to feature Buff, Melvin and Buck starting off the show. The Vacation Hoedown proved unpopular with guests and in in 1992 the show was reverted to its original form.

*Grizzly Hall, the home of the Country Bear Jamboree was built in 1898.

*The attraction was sponsored by Pepsi-Cola from 1971 until 1981.