[Question] How did CBJ work?

[Disney Analyst]

So, I have had this question on my mind for a long time, and I feel as if this was discussed years ago on this board... But I'm curious if someone could explain, how did Country Bear Jamboree work or function? How were the animatronic stored, how did they switch them? Anyone know? Anyone have diagrams?!

[mycroft16]

Re: How did CBJ work?

It worked very similar to Tiki Room. The animatronics were stored where they were shown. Some either raised or lowered, but that's about it. The show computer turned them on and off just as Tiki Room does.

[DisneyChrisDotCom]

Re: How did CBJ work?

I thought they were real bears - no?

[MickeyM]

Re: How did CBJ work?

The bears on the smaller stages were on turntables (much like the small stages on the Carousel of Progress). The Five Bear Rugs were on a moving stage on the main stage. Other bears were "hidden" below the main stage, while Teddi Berra decended from the ceiling.

The CBJ at Disneyland, unlike the one at the Magic Kingdom, contained two identical theaters. (FUN FACT: When the last CBJ was played at Disneyland, it was reported that the operators in both theaters synchronized their watches and started both shows at the exact same time, so both audiences could say they saw the "last" performance.)

[Kat95242]

Re: How did CBJ work?

I really liked CBJ, and still can't figure out why they'd replace a good attraction like that with Winnie the Pooh. Boo!

[sbk1234]

Re: How did CBJ work?

I'd say it worked pretty darn well!

[mratigan]

Re: How did CBJ work?

Did not know about that DL fun fact

[Benny]

Re: How did CBJ work?

I wonder if the audioanimatronic bears were repurposed, and if so, to what?

[DisneyChrisDotCom]

Re: How did CBJ work?

Side note - My favorite bear was (and is) Oscar, the little cub who sits on the edge of the Five Bear Rugs platform and honks his teddy bear. I love his sour puss face. So cute.

[von Drake]

Re: How did CBJ work?

I wonder if the audioanimatronic bears were repurposed, and if so, to what?

I've heard (but can't vouch) that Big Al was repurposed into Oogie Boogie in the HM holiday overlay. Any hyper-infomed folks want to confirm?

[ohmyjustin]

Re: How did CBJ work?

I thought they were real bears - no?

This is correct. The ones in Florida are the animatronics. I think for the sake of the question, people are posting about the WDW mechanics.

[TTN]

Re: How did CBJ work?

The CBJ at Disneyland, unlike the one at the Magic Kingdom, contained two identical theaters. (FUN FACT: When the last CBJ was played at Disneyland, it was reported that the operators in both theaters synchronized their watches and started both shows at the exact same time, so both audiences could say they saw the "last" performance.)

Not sure if I believe that. I always understood that the last few years of operation they only used one theatre at a time at DL due to its popularity waning, and one theatre became the Christmas special permanently and the other was the Vacation Hoedown version permanently. If that's true I don't know if both theaters were running anymore by the time it closed (of course they could have brought both theaters back into operation right before closing), so it makes me doubt that...

[Giant Panda]

Re: How did CBJ work?

I've heard (but can't vouch) that Big Al was repurposed into Oogie Boogie in the HM holiday overlay. Any hyper-infomed folks want to confirm?

I heard Big Al got into the Internet and launched something called MiceAge and MiceChat