Country Bears returning to DCA?

[Big Drunk Dave @ DL]

I was watching the EAC Country Bear's DVD and it said it was rumored that the bears where kept in storage after the opening of the Pooh ride for a possible move to California Adventure.

Now is it just me or does that sound like a good idea? The theater, if room is provided, could go between Soarin' and the base of GRR (to keep with the "bear" theme) maybe around the Brother Bear Challenge Trail so the shows can maintain full capacity, as in WDW & Tokyo. If this seems to "cramped," then why not place this attraction in the Golden Dreams theater (movie sucks anyway)?

I understand this is an old attraction but it is also a classic. It may help to draw both Disney lovers and families with young kids to the park and it will provide DCA with one more needed attraction.

But on the other hand, will it be too expensive to run? Will people grow bored or tried with this older attraction? Should Disney return the Bear Playhouse with an entire new show, the original, or the Vacation hoedown?

What, if any, action can Disney do to preserve this classic so it will not meet its second demise? Or is this just wishful thinking?

Thank you.

[dshimel]

This is an April Fool's thing... right?

The maintenace and operational costs of AA's is no longer within the acceptable RoI threshold for Disney to consider building rides with large numbers of them.....

Maybe a county bears ride with flat, painted plywood sets and rigid fiberglass characters, with 1 AA in the queue/loading area... but an attraction with lots of them??? Disney doesn't "dooooo" that any more.

SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

[socal05]

One of my favorite childhood memories is watching the buffalo and his pals talk on the side of the wall, along with the rest of the show. It's the type of thing that made DL stand out from Knott's and Magic Mt. How I wish I could take my 2 year old son to watch the bears and America Sings. He would LOVE them. There are a bunch of similiar experiences to the Pooh ride in DL, but nothing like the CBJ.

I think it's a great idea.

[figment1986]

hmm.. what about a dinner/lunch theater... Think of it.. It would rake in money... and they would perform on the half hour....

[ah schucks]

My brother and I toss this idea around a lot, I would actually like to see it replace those horriable SF street facade on the back end of GRR. Its a classic, that fans can identify and bring them into that part of the park.

[Big Drunk Dave @ DL]

The Golden Country Bear Lodge

hmm.. what about a dinner/lunch theater... Think of it.. It would rake in money... and they would perform on the half hour....

I was thinking that too. Call it the Golden Bear Lodge (The Hungry Bear Restaurant's first name) to keep the "gold" theme. And make it a "dining experience," not another burger stand. DCA needs more themed resaurants.

[Eric Dean]

Some years ago rumors held that the Country Bears might eventually be integrated into Grizzly River Run. I don't expect to see any such thing ever happen, but I like the idea; it would give GRR a much-needed theming boost without the operational considerations of a new attraction. Of course, ideas I like even more include a) selling DCA off to Cedar Fair LLP for spare parts; and b) putting the Country Bears back in Bear Country where they belong. Those plans don't seem to be on the table, though. Lousy reality.

[cellarhound]

I was watching the EAC Country Bear's DVD and it said it was rumored that the bears where kept in storage after the opening of the Pooh ride for a possible move to California Adventure.

Well if they did, put 'em back... the world needs Melvin...

[Gwyren]

This is an April Fool's thing... right?

The maintenace and operational costs of AA's is no longer within the acceptable RoI threshold for Disney to consider building rides with large numbers of them.....

Maybe that is why there are plans to have Imagineering make a new set of animatronic systems from the ground up?

[Disney Analyst]

They need the CB's back and they need it now! It should of been made a historical monument and not allowed to be changed! It was such a great show!

[cellarhound]

Maybe that is why there are plans to have Imagineering make a new set of animatronic systems from the ground up?

You mean made out of plywood with animation that is controled by sofisticated projection systems...

Ugh...

[swagdaddy]

If this is true, OH BOY!!!!!

I would love to see the gang again!

[101 Dalmatians Rule]

I loved the Country Bears as a kid!!! It was a great place to kick back, relax and not have to stand in line.

I agree it would be nice to see this attraction come back. I also like the idea of having the attraction incorporated into a sit down restaurant.

[Aladdin]

Yep, Bring Back da Bears!

Pooh is an insult to the Guests of Disneyland.
Removing older amazing attractions, and dumbing down new
attractions equates to running the business backwards.

[SuperDisneyDad]

If they still work and they aren't too ragged, why the heck not bring'm back. Put them in the empty Who Want To Be a Millionare building.

[Aurora]

This would be incredible if were to happen. The Country Bears would make a great addition to the GRR and Challenge Trail area, as they would help to fill the huge void that is the lack of anything to do at DCA.

[Alchimedes]

Weren't some of the Country Bears sent to Florida? I could swear I read somewhere that had happened to some of the DL Bears

[Gwyren]

You mean made out of plywood with animation that is controled by sofisticated projection systems...

Ugh...

Uhm...that is not the impression I have, Cellerhound. Not at all.

[Disney Analyst]

I say bring them back, no questions asked! Why would they get rid of something so popular? Stupid Eisner

[speederscout]

Seeing Melvin and his friends moving and watching CBJ from their wall with us was pure magic. And Liver-Lips McGraw.... and Big Al... Shame, SHAME on previous management for taking out such a rich experience (and reprogrammable, too!) only to replace it with such a substandard and forgettable "attraction" as Pooh.

And poor Pooh. He also deserved better treatment.

Where's PETA when you actually need them?