Most theme parks change pretty steadily. Rides rotate in and out and sometimes an attraction gets new theming even as it stays essentially the same.
Sometimes that's because intellectual property gets a little old and younger theme park visitors may now know the attraction. You can argue that's why Comcast's (CMCSA) Universal Studios got rid of its "Jaws" and "Back to the Future" rides.
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Those movies may be timeless classics to people of a certain age, but their kids simply don't hold them in the same affection. Walt Disney, of course, owns some timeless classics. Many of its properties have stood the test of time and become sort of part of the American story.
At its theme parks, Disney also has the advantage that many classic Disneyland and Disney World rides may be based on characters that aren't starring in a recent hit movie, but parents have such a deep affection for them that they can't wait to share them with their kids.
Magic Kingdom could arguably be called Disney's nostalgia park. It has a number of attractions that were created (at least partly) by Walt Disney himself and countless rides that parents want their kids to experience.
"Haunted Mansion," "Pirates of the Caribbean, and "Jungle Cruise," for example, may lack some of the pizazz of more modern rides, but they remain huge hits due to nostalgia. Now, Disney World is bringing back a day-one attraction to Magic Kingdom but in a completely reimagined way.
Image source: Mariah Wild/Disney Parks via Getty Images
Disney's Country Bears have a long history
Disney embraces Walt Disney at Magic Kingdom because the park was built from his vision and the company has been stubborn in keeping certain things. You can only get a very limited selection of alcohol at the original Disney Florida theme park, even though alcohol is clearly emphasized at Epcot, its second Florida park, and its readily available at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
Magic Kingdom has also clung to attractions/rides like "Carousel of Progress," an original attraction that ended its progress in maybe the early 80s. The "Enchanted Tiki Room," and "It's a Small World" are similarly dated, although they remain popular.
The Country Bear Jamboree was a day one attraction at Magic Kingdom. It traces its roots to Walt Disney himself.
"Country Bear Jamboree is one of the very last attractions that Walt Disney personally helped develop. Originally planned for a never-built Disney ski resort in Mineral King, Calif., the show with the singing bears happily moved out to Florida in 1971 and has been performing daily at Magic Kingdom park ever since," the company shared on its website.
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Country Bears make a Magic Kingdom comeback
The original Country Bears Jamboree was, like the original "Jungle Cruise" storyline, a ride that was out of touch with modern times. It was closed in January and, while Disney said it planned to bring the iconic show back, that never seemed like a certainty given its subject matter.
"Step inside the rustic theater known as Grizzly Hall and take your seat before the lights dim. Clap along as 18 Audio-Animatronics hillbilly bears play and sing during this 16-minute, foot-stompin’ cele-bear-tion. You’ll hear a medley of original and classic tunes — all performed by the zaniest critters in the woods," the company posted on its website.
A new take on the famed bears will open in Frontierland in a redesigned Grizzly Hall featuring a new take on the Country Bears and reimagined music.
"While the Country Bear Musical Jamboree will include easter eggs from the beginning to the end including a familiar tune fans may remember, the bears will sing new, reinterpreted Disney tunes in different genres of country music – like bluegrass, pop-country, Americana, rockabilly and other styles," Disney shared.
There will, of course, still be lots puns and plays on words using the word "bear," but the new show will be a modernized new attraction.
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