The Country Bear Musical Jamboree has long stood as one of Walt Disney World’s more eccentric attractions, balancing broad comedy with a dose of nostalgia. First staged in 1971, the show continues to draw repeat audiences in Frontierland even as other parts of the park undergo rapid change.
That consistency was briefly tested earlier this month when visitors noticed one of the show’s key figures had suddenly vanished.
A Character Returns
Originally introduced as the Country Bear Jamboree, Walt Disney developed the attraction for a ski resort that never opened. It was later reworked for the Magic Kingdom, with Audio-Animatronic bears performing inside Grizzly Hall. The show was successful enough to inspire versions at Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland, though only Tokyo’s remains of the two today.
In 2024, Disney updated the Magic Kingdom production with a new title and setlist, incorporating country-style covers of familiar Disney songs. The refreshed lineup features “The Bare Necessities,” “A Whole New World,” and “Try Everything,” performed by classic characters such as Henry, Big Al, and Ernest the “Dude.”
This month, however, Teddi Barra disappeared from her usual scene. Known for descending from the ceiling on her swing, she typically performs “A Whole New World” with Gomer and Wendell before joining the cast finale. Her voice remained in the show, but the animatronic was gone.
Teddi has now returned to the stage. Disney has not explained the absence, though it appeared to be a temporary removal for maintenance.
Frontierland in Transition
Her reappearance coincides with a period of extensive change for Frontierland. Splash Mountain reopened in 2024 as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, marking one of the most significant overhauls in the park’s recent history.
Other long-running attractions — Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat — closed this year to make way for Piston Peak National Park, a new land inspired by Pixar’s Cars.
Disney is also developing Villains Land, a large expansion that will introduce new rides, dining, and shops themed to its most prominent antagonists. Meanwhile, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for refurbishment until 2026.
Through it all, the Country Bear Musical Jamboree remains in place. With Teddi Barra restored to her swing, the full lineup of bears continues a tradition that has endured for more than five decades.
What’s your favorite part of the Country Bear Musical Jamboree?
