Country Bear Jamboree, one of the last attractions that Walt Disney helped develop, will reveal its transformation this Wednesday. The project was originally announced at Destination D23 in September 2023. Disney Imagineers have been pouring their hearts into the work to revamp the attraction at Magic Kingdom Park ever since. In partnership with some modern country music stars, Country Bear Jamboree now embraces more diversity while maintaining its multigenerational appeal.
“It was an honor to work on a show with such a legacy. It’s a show that means a lot to a lot of people, including myself,” said Jake Ellis, Principal Audio Media Designer, Walt Disney Imagineering. “One of the first memories I have at Walt Disney World was sitting on my mom’s lap in the back row at Grizzly Hall and watching the Country Bears perform.”
The show now features interpretations of Disney songs in various genres, including Americana, bluegrass, pop country, rockabilly and more. For years inside Grizzly Hall, the beloved Audio-Animatronic® hillbilly bears have performed original and classic tunes, but now their repertoire will include a trio of countryfied Disney songs. They are:
- “The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book featuring Mac McAnally
- “Try Everything” from Zootopia featuring Emily Ann Roberts
- “A Whole New World” from Aladdin featuring Allison Russel and Chris Thile
Roberts, who lends her vocals to Trixie St. Claire, is so excited for this transformation to be made public. “It’s so crazy seeing Trixie singing with my voice coming out,” Roberts said. “It’s something that I never, ever dreamed would be a reality in my life. And she just looks so cute! I could not be more thrilled with how everything turned out, and I’m so honored to be a part of it.”
“It’s been so neat being able to work with all these other incredible folks who are lending their voices and their talents to the Country Bear Jamboree,” Roberts continued. “Everybody brings something different to the table, and that’s what makes it so cool. We have our own influences, and we’re all coming together to make something really special.”
For more information on Country Bear Jamboree, visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/country-bear-jamboree/.