The Five Bear Rugs - Zeke, Zeb, Ted, Fred and Tennessee - with lil' Oscar.

After each bear's performance, the audience would give a loud ovation showing their appreciation for the service that the characters provided through three shows - the original Country Bear Jamboree, the Christmas show and the Vacation Hoedown, which would be the variation of the show that Country Bears closed with. As each show closed with the "Thank God I'm a Country Bear" medley sung by the entire chorus of bruins, the crowd gave an extended session of applause before they slowly exited the auditorium. Upon re-entering Critter Country after making the extended walk down the exit corridor, many guests read with irony the "Y'all Come Back" sign that still hung above the exit.

The crowds continued to grow larger as the day wore on. It was announced that the final performance would actually be final performances, plural, as both theaters would be utilized for simultaneous shows at the park's closing at 9 p.m. It was unclear whether all of the guests waiting in line would be able to see the show but they were all packed in to a standing-room only situation and reportedly gave the bears a two-minute standing ovation at the conclusion of the shows.

Big Al and Henry delight the crowd during the final performances of the Country Bear Playhouse.

Besides final performance buttons that were given to cast members (in full view of and much to the chagrin of Disneyland guests), there was no farewell merchandise made available for the closing of the Country Bear Playhouse. Some guests took extra souvenir maps and guidebooks that mention the closing of the show. Others made their pressed pennies. The only merchandise for sale was the Country Bears postcard that could be found throughout the park. Most of the other Bear merchandise had been gone long before the announcement of the attraction's closure two-and-a-half weeks before the final performance.

A sign still beckons visitors to return though performances would be ending forever.

It is still unannounced as to what attraction will be replacing the Country Bears. It is widely believed that an advanced version of the Winnie the Pooh attraction from Walt Disney World's Fantasyland will be the replacement. It is rumored that the attraction will exit into an Emporium-sized Winnie the Pooh store, probably where the long-closed Brer Bar, Teddi Barra's Arcade and current Winnie the Pooh shop are presently located. There are whispers by some hopeful fans that the Country Bear Playhouse will be re-themed to mirror the Country Bear movie that is scheduled for release next year - with the bears resembling the Henson-created creatures of the film.

The Bears farewell is mentioned on souvenir maps and cast member buttons.

Whatever the final decision, the closing of the Country Bear Playhouse marks an end to an era at Disneyland. Though the show originated at Walt Disney World before making its debut at Disneyland, it is an attraction that spawned an entire land in Bear Country - a honey of a place since '72. As the attraction takes its place in Yesterland, the crowds that came for the Bears' final day will always make sure that they will never be forgotten.

- Story and Photos by Matthew Walker
Posted September 10, 2001

E-mail Matthew at matt@startedbyamouse.com, discuss this story in the StartedByAMouse.com Disney Discussion Forums or use the Talkback feature below.

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