Walt Disney World Has Another Bear Problem

It’s a bad time to be a bear in Orlando.

Disney’s War on Bears

First, Walt Disney World Resort decided to change Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

And with that change comes the removal of Brer Bear, including multiple animatronics on the ride, merchandise featuring the character, and perhaps even a costumed version of the character.

Related: Disney World Brings Back Popular 1982 Policy

Then came a bear that wandered into Magic Kingdom Park last year. After having to shut down massive sections of the theme park, officials were eventually able to subdue the bear and safely remove them.

The Country Bear Jamboree

But even though we are in a new year, Disney’s “war on bears” continues. Walt Disney World Resort is shutting down the Country Bear Jamboree and retooling the show to focus on songs from Disney movies.

Related: Shocking Facts About the Country Bears

The Country Bears show was initially designed as an attraction at a California ski resort that Walt Disney hoped to open in the 1960s. However, the resort was never fully developed.

But the Country Bear project wasn’t lost. In fact, it was decided to move the audio-animatronic attraction to Magic Kingdom Park for its grand opening in 1971.

Related: Disney World’s Limited Time $73 Ticket

The audio-animatronic bear show will shut down on January 26 and currently has no re-opening date. The new show will be called “Country Bear Musical Jamboree.”

Disney said the new show will feature a “familiar tune fans may remember,” and ” the bears will sing new, reinterpreted Disney tunes in different genres of country music.”

NEW: The Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom Park will close for refurbishment on Jan. 27 and reopen with a new show this summer. No specific opening date provided. pic.twitter.com/hMSSKgGiXh

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) January 9, 2024

Many Walt Disney World Resort, Magic Kingdom Park, and Country Bear fans may be sad to hear this announcement. However, it’s worth noting that the show has undergone many changes through the years.

The Disney Country Bears History

The original show was 23 minutes long and is currently just under 16 minutes. Aside from the seven minutes of content removed through the years (most notably during the 2012 refurbishment), it has also had other versions.

The “Country Bear Vacation Hoedown” once ran from 1986 to 1992. And Christmas overlays change the show as well.

Related: The 10 BEST Disney Bear Reactions

That being said, it’s also worth noting that we may be losing some important parts of Walt Disney World history. Late voice actors in the original audio-animatronic show also lent their voices to original versions of the Hall of Presidents, the Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Although many Disney Park fans expect the theme park resorts to change over time, we must remember to honor the park’s history, the brand, and the man who started it all.

Related: Wild Bear Found in Magic Kingdom, Half of Park Shut Down

Hopefully, the new Country Bear Jamboree show does just that. If not…they may have another bear problem at Magic Kingdom Park.