Country Bear Jamboree

Disney attractions fall into one of three categories.*

1. Absolutely must ride - These are the rides people wait in line for.  No matter what you have to do, it's a ride you really want to experience.  
2. Take it or leave it - Rides in this category tend to be good but not necessary.  You see a short line, you get in it.
3. Rather not ride - There are rides at Disney that you have done once so you can cross them off of the list but would rather just skip in the future.  For me, a lot of shows fall in this category. 

For me, the Country Bear Jamboree falls into category three.  While it is a classic attraction, once is generally enough.  I don't mean once a trip; I mean once ever.

The Country Bear Jamboree was recently down for a re-vamp.  Aside from renewing the coats of some of the stars, the show was changed up.  The songs have been trimmed down, resulting in a shorter, tighter show.  I only have good things to say about these changes.

While the Country Bear Jamboree used to be very long, it is now a more acceptable length.  I know there is a great deal of complaining about people having shorter attention spans, but for a theme park attraction, this show may have been too long to start with.  When you factor in the type of music, a shorter show is most definitely a good idea.  This type of country music isn't terribly popular nowadays.

During my most recent viewing of the show, I was just over-whelmed.  My first thought was that it was purely nostalgia causing my reaction, but I never really looked on that show that fondly.  I think it was a combination of being with my parents solo for the first time in forever and missing my grandfather.  There is something about Big Al that reminds me of Papa J that probably only makes sense to me.  Since I was a kid, I associated the two.**  I was just hit with such a sadness that he was gone while being equally over-joyed to be with my parents, who I hadn't seen in over ten months.

I don't think the Country Bear Jamboree will ever fall into category one for me, but it may get upgraded to category two.  I now have a new happy memory to associate with it.  The fact that the show is much better is just icing on the cake.  Frankly, they added in some great touches that endear the show to me.  There are three heads on the wall, Buff, Max, and Melvin.; they now interact with each other throughout the show.  Even if you can't hear them, it's clear they are talking to each other, much like you do in a theater.  I just love it.

*Where rides fall for me is probably different than yours.  As a matter of fact, it can change from trip to trip.

**For a bit of extra background for those that don't know, my grandfather passed last year.  It's been a bit since it happened, but it's weird when we miss people.  I can't explain it.