LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Music has a way of connecting with different generations and what better way to connect with Disney fans than with transformed Disney songs?
Walt Disney World guests will soon be able to sing along to some classic Disney songs that have gone country at Grizzly Hall.
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Some singing bears are coming out of hibernation. What was the Country Bear Jamboree is now the Country Bear Musical Jamboree at the Magic Kingdom. The new show is a country-twang celebration that pays homage to the Opry-style shows of Nashville.
The show features a brand-new lineup of songs.
“This show is truly authentic country, said Ken Ricci, manager of Technical Show Quality at Walt Disney Imagineering. “Mac really put his heart and soul into the songs and touching various genres of country. I love these songs more than their originals.”
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Walt Disney Imagineering turned to popular and upcoming country music talent to provide the vocals for the new setlist. Featured artists include record-breaking 10-time CMA Musician of the Year Mac McAnally who sings “Fixer-Upper” from “Frozen” and “The Bare Necessities” from “The Jungle Book.”
Country singer Emily Ann Roberts lends her voice to Trixie with a rendition of “Try Everything” from “Zootopia.”
For Roberts, knowing that her voice will live on at Grizzly Hall for years and years to come is a full-circle moment.
“The first time I ever came to Disney, I was just a teenager, and I came in my youth group and I got to sing at the American Idol experience,” said Roberts. “I ended up winning that day. It was such an incredible moment that I look back on with such fond memories.”
Roberts was on tour with Blake Shelton when she was contacted by Imagineers informing her that she was being considered for the voice of Trixie. It wasn’t long before she was in the studio and providing vocals for the rip-roaring track.
All the new and reimagined songs in the #CountryBearMusicalJamboree 🎻🤠🐻 pic.twitter.com/zlfnhigglz
— Haley Coomes (@Haley_Coomes) July 10, 2024
Music isn’t the only thing that was tailored. Some of the bears are sporting new wardrobes.
The inspiration draws from a tour stop in Nashville and the designers took them into the 21st century.
“With the costumes, we brought in those new fun elements with all the sparkle and the embroidery and rhinestone, but we also kept some of the original opening day,” said Sara Landesberg, costumer with Disney Live Entertainment. “Like Big Al. He got a little upgrade, but he’s still really reminiscent of his original costume which we know our fans really love.”
Some of that sparkle shines on Henry’s new white jacket, who is the master of “bear-emonies”. Then there are the bear triplets. Formally known as The Sun Bonnets, the girls have swapped their turquoise bonnets for pink Stetsons.
Guests will also notice a new but familiar bear in the show. Liver Lips McGrowl is now Romeo McGrowl. The rockabilly singer has his own version of “Kiss the Girl.”
Country Bear Jamboree was one of the last attractions Walt Disney personally helped develop before it opened with the park on Oct. 1, 1971. The Country Bear Musical Jamboree opens to the public on July 17.
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