The Country Bear Vacation Jamboree in Tokyo Disneyland was a last-of-its-kind overlay on the Country Bear Jamboree. Take a look back at what made it so special.
Introduced to Tokyo Disneyland in the summer of 1994, Country Bear Vacation Jamboree ran until 2019. The summer overlay would take over Country Bear Jamboree from June until Halloween. However, in April of 2023, it was announced that Country Bear Vacation Jamboree would not be returning to Tokyo Disneyland. Since then, the attraction has remained in its traditional form, which first debuted in Tokyo Disneyland in April of 1983.
The Tokyo iteration was the last Vacation Jamboree to run in a Disney Park, but it was not the first. Originally created for the 15th anniversary of Country Bear Jamboree, Vacation Jamboree (called Vacation Hoedown, stateside) debuted in Disneyland in February 1986, and Walt Disney World in May 1986. It’s worth noting that those versions had many differences from the Tokyo version. It ended its run in 1991 in Disney World, and 2001 in Disneyland. Be sure to read our complete history of the Country Bear Jamboree for more information.
Theming for the vacation overlay begins before you enter the Country Bear Theater, with vacation items added to the queue. In the lobby, frames on the walls have vacation photos added. Here, Gomer manages to play piano, even while under water.
Henry can’t get away from Sammy the Raccoon, vacation or not.
The 5 Bear Rugs sleep under tents … to varying success.
The Sun Bonnet Trio wear sunglasses on their heads, instead of bonnets, as they take some sun.
Melvin, Buff, and Max may be mounted animal heads, but they somehow found a way to join in on the beach day.
Henry, the host for the performance, trades his top hat and bowtie for a Camp Grizzly uniform. He serves as master of ceremonies for the Vacation Jamboree, just as he does for the traditional Country Bear Jamboree.
Terrance, clad in swim trunks, goggles, and a snorkel, is joined by Dolores the octopus to sing a Japanese rendition of “Over My Head Over You.” The US version of the performance uses “Two Different Worlds,” however “Over My Head Over You,” was originally considered for this section of the show.
Gomer appears in a straw hat and vacation shirt to kick off an English-language performance of “California Bears.”
He is then joined by The Sun Bonnet Trio, trading their bonnets for bathing suits. They perform in front of a giant postcard along with Max, Buff, and Melvin.
The Sun Bonnet Trio are then accompanied by Liver Lips McGrowl. The quartet sing “We Can Make It To the Top” in English.
Henry isn’t just the host, he also takes the stage to perform. Here, he sings ” Mountain Music” with Ernest the Dude and The 5 Bear Rugs. This performance is done in Japanese.
Finally, to close out the show, the entire cast comes together in a rendition of “Camptown Races / She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain / V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N,” sung in Japanese.
Country Bear Vacation Jamboree Set List
- “The Great Outdoors” – The 5 Bear Rugs, Henry
- “On the Road Again” – Wendell
- “Achy Breaky Heart” – Trixie
- “Over My Head Over You” – Terrence, Dolores the octopus
- “California Bears” – The Sun Bonnets, Gomer, Max, Buff, and Melvin
- “We Can Make It To the Top” – Liver Lips McGrowl, The Sun Bonnets
- “Singin’ In the Rain” – Teddi Barra, Henry
- “Mountain Music” – Ernest the Dude, Henry, The 5 Bear Rugs
- “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” – Big Al
- “Camptown Races / She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain / V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N” – Full Cast
Watch our full video of Country Bear Vacation Jamboree from Tokyo Disneyland below.
Did you ever get the chance to experience Country Bear Vacation Jamboree? If so, let us know about it in the comments below.
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