In May of 1986, the Country Bear Vacation Hoedown debuted at Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, replacing the original Country Bear Jamboree. This seasonal overlay featured the same beloved animatronic bear cast, now dressed in vacation-themed attire—from Hawaiian shirts to camp gear—and performing songs celebrating summer, road trips, and the Great Outdoors.
The show was inspired by the success of the Country Bear Christmas Special and was part of a broader effort to keep the attraction fresh and engaging for repeat guests. While the core cast remained the same, their personalities were reimagined to fit the vacation theme, and the musical selections shifted to reflect a more lighthearted, seasonal vibe.
🎵 Character Highlights and Costume Changes
- Henry wore his old Camp Grizzly T-shirt and a scoutmaster’s hat, setting the tone for the show’s rustic charm.
- Liver Lips McGrowl transformed into a mountain-climbing Elvis impersonator, complete with a flashy shirt, blue lederhosen, and a portable amp.
- Wendell donned a vacation shirt and hat, carrying a camera and presenting a slide show of his road trip adventures.
- Teddi Barra appeared in a yellow raincoat and galoshes, holding an umbrella for her solo number.
- Shaker wore a scuba mask and snorkel, with seaweed draped over his shoulders and a cameo from his octopus girlfriend, Delores.
- Ernest used a fly swatter as a fiddle bow, and in the finale, could be heard snoring offstage as guests exited.
The Vacation Hoedown ran continuously at Magic Kingdom until February 1992, when the original Country Bear Jamboree returned to regular operation. The overlay remained popular at Disneyland until the Country Bear Playhouse closed in 2001, and it continues to appear seasonally at Tokyo Disneyland, where it’s known as the Vacation Jamboree and includes additional dialogue and songs in Japanese and English.
🎩 Fun Facts and Trivia
- Park guidebooks and signage occasionally lagged behind the show changes—some continued to display Jamboree-era photos well into the Hoedown’s run, and even after its removal.
- The Vacation Hoedown featured new voice recordings, though some characters retained their original performers—Pete Renaday continued as Henry, and Thurl Ravenscroft reprised his role as Buff.
- Sammy the raccoon, a side character from the original show, was reimagined as a skunk in this version.
- Merchandise was updated to reflect the new theme, including a plaid-shirted Big Al plush with a miner’s hat.
