Making its debut in late 1984 at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, The Country Bear Christmas Special opened as a seasonal overlay to the immensely popular Country Bear Jamboree attraction.
A few baubles of the Disneyland and Magic Kingdom shows’ past are safely guarded in the Walt Disney Archives collection.
Listen to the Soundtrack to the Country Bear Christmas Special ►
Disney Legend and Imagineering great X Atencio entered in the creative mix for the show, lending his artistic hand to a particularly memorable scene in the show. The master artist created several pieces of original art for the “projector slides” that were featured during the Sun Bonnet trio’s rendition of “Sleigh Ride.” The humorous compositions showcase what happens when a cuddly sleigh ride goes horribly wrong, ending in a “splash” that would surprise even the most experienced of travelers.
After polishing rough ideas submitted by the creative team, Atencio’s finished art quickly became a highlight of the show, for show creators and guests alike. In a recent interview, Feiten remembered how X picked up the work on the project: “I had moved over to the WDI building, and X Atencio was up there in the same office, right across the hall from me. I had sketched out those same drawings, just roughed them out real quick as a storyboard. He wasn’t doing anything at the time and said, ‘Yeah! I’ll do it!’ So, we were really happy because it turned out so good, and he just totally enhanced it.”
When The Country Bear Christmas Special Made the Holidays “Beary” Merry ►
Enhancing the already wonderful attraction was something that the show runners focused on. All of the “bear actors” received festive new costumes that fit their acts, as well as highly detailed props to accompany their performances. Terrence even brought along a new penguin friend to join the show!
See Swingin’ Teddi Barra’s Country Bear Skis in the Walt Disney Archives ►
The décor of Grizzly Hall and Country Bear Playhouse were enlivened for the holidays as well, by way of rustic decorations including strands of twinkling lights, evergreen sprigs, and beautiful new painted show backdrops to fly behind the band of bear performers. These detailed backdrops were painted and finished by the artisans at Paramount Studios, after taking design direction from the Imagineers. Quite the Hollywood connection!
Right from its initial release, the show became a seasonal favorite, quickly earning an expectation that it would be brought back year after year to the delight of guests. Coupling a zany sense of fun and sparkling zeal for showmanship, the Country Bears brought out the silliest and best in the holidays – from Big Al’s New Year’s headache, to Gomer and Liver-Lips’ loud fashions, to Max, Buff, and Melvin’s family-like banter.
Liver-Lips’ Christmas Tree-Shaped Guitar Finds New Home in the Walt Disney Archives ►
Incorporating humorous imagery in a familiar style and tone allowed guests to easily bridge the 12-year gap between this new fare and the original version of the show.
Being the ever-trusty master of ceremonies that he is, Henry reprised his leading role, donning his holiday best for a rip-roaring romp filled with the most energetic performances his Audio-Animatronics® “bear”etheren could muster. Performed by versatile voice over artist and actor Pete Renoudet, Henry’s inviting and familiar baritone helped make “tracks in the snow” from the stage to theme park goers’ hearts.
Though Country Bear Playhouse at Disneyland closed in September 2001, the show ran on at Magic Kingdom Park until 2006. A similar show titled Jingle Bell Jamboree has run seasonally in Westernland at Tokyo Disneyland since December 1991, delighting a whole new international audience of holiday visitors.
