After months of anticipation, Magic Kingdom Park guests can now meet one of the most iconic characters from the newly reimagined Country Bear Musical Jamboree: Romeo McGrowl. This character’s long-awaited Walt Disney World Resort debut follows the reworking of the beloved Frontierland attraction, which initially closed in January 2024.
The Country Bear Jamboree, which first opened in 1971, was revamped in July 2024, becoming the Country Bear Musical Jamboree. The updated version of the show features the same bear characters, albeit with new costumes and improved animatronics. It also incorporates a modern twist, with the bears now performing countrified versions of popular Disney and Pixar songs in a Nashville-style musical revue.
Though the cast of characters remained largely unchanged, one notable exception was Liver Lips McGrowl. As part of the redesign, this character was renamed to Romeo McGrowl, an important decision made by Disney in response to the cultural sensitivity of the original name. According to Disney, “Liver Lips” was considered problematic due to its association with the term “liver lips,” which has been tied to negative stereotypes related to people who struggle with alcohol abuse.
When the Country Bear Musical Jamboree reopened in July 2024, many of the walk-around bear characters, including Big Al, Shaker, and Wendell, returned in their new costumes. However, Romeo McGrowl was noticeably absent from the character lineup, leaving fans wondering when they would see this updated bear in the park.
That mystery was solved on May 5, 2025, when Walt Disney World Resort took to social media to announce that Romeo McGrowl would finally be available to meet guests in Frontierland. The renamed character is now roaming the area with other bears, taking photos and signing autographs for fans throughout the day. See the announcement video from X (formerly Twitter) below:
A little commotion for Romeo McGrowl, please! 💋🎶🌹 #DisneyWorld #CountryBears
A little commotion for Romeo McGrowl, please! 💋🎶🌹 #DisneyWorld #CountryBears pic.twitter.com/7lJptb8YbC
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) May 5, 2025
The Country Bears don’t have formal meet-and-greet sessions like other Disney characters. Instead, they roam Frontierland freely, allowing guests to approach them for spontaneous interactions. While PhotoPass photographers are often absent from these roving encounters, character attendants are typically present to help facilitate the experience. Keep in mind, however, that since the bears don’t have designated lines, they may move on quickly, so if you miss one, don’t be afraid to try again later!
What do you think of Liver Lips McGrowl’s transformation into Romeo McGrowl? Disney Fanatic would love to hear from you in the comments!
