Okay: Two Rumors!

[MikeS]

Rumor #1: Wonders of Life is going to be resurrected.

Rumor #2: Country Bear Jamboree will not have a Christmas Show version this year.

I'm checking these rumors out now and have no clue as to wether or not there is truth to either one.

[archergirl66]

Rumor #2: Country Bear Jamboree will not have a Christmas Show version this year.


Wahh!! Say it isn't so!!! :(

[VeronicaG]

Rumor #2: Country Bear Jamboree will not have a Christmas Show version this year.



I hope this isn't true. This year is going to be the Christmas time trip for my kids. They love the Country Bear Jamboree and are really looking forward to seeing the the Christmas Version.

[amymouse]

Go! Check! Let us know!

[Linda S]

Here is what I have seen on another site:
It has to do with staffing of the pavilion.

The pavilion is still being used for private events. The literature for a private event being held later this month lists both Body Wars and Cranium Command operating during the event.

Future Status:

Recent updates to internal calendars and the most recent "Tell A Cast" both list the Wonders of Life pavilion being fully staffed and operational November 26, 2006 through January 1st, 2007. Although there are no details currently listed, it is expected that Body Wars, Cranium Command and the Making of Me would be operational during this period.

As the actual staffing for this time period has not been started, these dates are not set in stone; this is still a good sign though that the Wonders of Life pavilion will be operating for some time period during the 2006 Holiday Season.

[Rosebud]

Wonders of Life was open last year too. It was the only place without a crowd on NYE. Not only not a crowd, but hardly anyone there - it was really nice for that, but not good for it's future.

[RaySharpton]

Rumor #1: Wonders of Life is going to be resurrected.

Rumor #2: Country Bear Jamboree will not have a Christmas Show version this year.

I'm checking these rumors out now and have no clue as to wether or not there is truth to either one.

I hope the second rumor is not true.

I love the Christmas version of the Country Bears show.

Ray

[WillCAD]

All I can think at this moment is

WE GET TO SEE CRANIUM COMMAND AT MOUSEFEST!!!!!

Yay!

[Photographer]

All I can think at this moment is

WE GET TO SEE CRANIUM COMMAND AT MOUSEFEST!!!!!

Yay!

I wonder if Will is excited that Wonders of Life might be open during Mousefest. :confused:

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

JUst a FYI for anyone thats interested. They are quietly painting and touching up the pavillion.
Must be for a reason. ;)

[ChrisR]

All I can think at this moment is

WE GET TO SEE CRANIUM COMMAND AT MOUSEFEST!!!!!

Yay!




ditto here

[Robin]

They can't not do a Country Bear Christmas show....that's Cru and my 'special place'. :cry:

[Rosebud]

Someone somewhere reported it was open a few times last week. I would guess they did that to train/re-train the people before they formally open it?

Last time seeing Cranium Command, 12/31/05 - next time will be 12/??/06

[BetsyAnn]

Hey Mike!

Thanks so much for letting us know about rumors -- I have moved the thread to the Rumor Mill - so that blood pressures will not go too high about changes if they are just rumors ;)

[Robin]

I decided to go over the MK today and after watching the Country Bear show I tracked down the CM to ask her about the rumor.

She told me they 'were' planning to not to do the Christmas Show, but the last she heard they were reconsidering. She suggested I go to City Hall.

So, on my way out of the park, I stop in City Hall and ask one of the CMs there. The woman there said they were definitely not doing the Christmas show. As I began to explain how disappointed I and others would be, and started asking about a comment card, she shoved a card at me with the address for Guest Services.

I thought City Hall still accepted comment cards. I felt 'dismissed' by this CM. :roll:

So, I don't know which CM is right. Maybe there answer it to do an email campaign to Guest Services. Last year both guests and CMs I spoke to last year thought the decorations in the MK were cut back and lacking. Now this. Considering the crowds WDW gets at Christmas it's disappointing how they are cutting back. :(

[MikeS]

There are a few other things going on but I have just some preliminary and superficial info.

The Reedy Creek Fire Department told me that the has been some sort of pyro testing in one of the buildings at MGM. I think they said it's going on at night at the Sounds Dangerous building. If that means that attraction's days are numbered then I'll be among the first to wave and say "Good riddance!"

I received email from a CM at MK saying that the old Figment attraction may return.

My guess on this is that apparently the new management is assessing all the attractions and making decisions and one decision that may have been made is that the current Figment attraction at Imagination needs something.

Sooooo....they may bring back the "original" attraction and possibly give a shot in the arm to the whole pavillion. As one CM put it..."bringing it back in all it's glory."

I don't know if that also includes changing the HISTA show. I'm thinking no.

Getting back to the WoL rumor, it is expected that December is going to be a better than average December for the resort and there are two large groups coming down that month...about the same time as Mousefest.

These groups are the Pop Warner people and the Performance Racing people. Both factions together bring a total of around 50K people so that may be a consideration for having that attraction up and running...EPCOT is very popular in December.

Most likely there will be one night when MGM will close early so they can give the Pop Warner folks a private showing of "Sorcery in the Sky."

Perhaps there is a fear that FW crowds will be unbalanced.

With Soarin', Turtle Talk, and now the Seas with Nemo and Friends operating there will be a ton of interest on that side of FW as opposed to the other side. Bringing back WoL will help even out the crowds.

It would be cool to see "Cranium Command" again and see all those actors and actresses that partook in the making of that film.

Not sure I'm up for "Body Wars"...just never did anything for me...I prefer Star Tours...seems like the same ride although I believe BW had sharper and stiffer movement.

Haven't heard anything definite yet on the new restaurant in DAK. I'm more curious as to where it will be (Asia somewhere) as opposed to what the theming will be.

[JJ]

WOW - the original Figment? Ooohhhhh how totally exciting. I like the newest one (since they brought Figment back) - but to see the original again......how exciting. I can't wait to hear the song again!

[Rosebud]

Perhaps there is a fear that FW crowds will be unbalanced.

With Soarin', Turtle Talk, and now the Seas with Nemo and Friends operating there will be a ton of interest on that side of FW as opposed to the other side. Bringing back WoL will help even out the crowds.
Well it would if people actually went in there. If it didn't happen on NYE which is the most crowded day of the year, not sure it will happen on other days. They would really need CMs out trying to coax people in.

[Robin]

It seems to me in the recent past, everyone went to the 'thrill ride' side of FW. I'd think with the changes Soarin' and the Nemo, will help balance out Test Track and M:S.

I went to WoL last year during the holiday season, and it wasn't very crowded but at least it was something extra to do. I finally got to see Cranium Command and the Making of Me, but there wasn't much else to do in there. The old restaurant was now a Kidscot area. I saw a CM in front of Body Wars, but didn't notice anyone going in there. A fews hands on exhibits and that was it. Maybe it's the setup of the building, but it seems so sparse, even with 2 minor and 1 major attraction.

I'd love to see the original Figment ride return, but they've dangled that carrot in front of us before. The last time I wandered over there, the 'spitting fountains' (as I like to call them) were out of sync and looking kinda beat up. I saw HISTA once, and have no desire to see it again. With even the stripped down Imageworks, sadly I only wander over to Imagination to see what new merchandise they have in the gift shop.

I would so love to see this pavillion returned to it's former glory.

[Rosebud]

Robin,
WOL used to have a lot more in it besides just the missing restaurant. They had a whole bunch of fitness and health things that have long been removed. They had these bike things, and critique your golf swing, check how fast you could throw, and things like that. I don't remember all the things specifically. They also had a place where you got on the phone that was run by Metropolitan Life Insurance (I believe), and when you got home you would have this nice free souvenir saying that your family had been seen at Disney in the WOL building - I believe with Goofy. And of course there was even a little gift shop area.

[Robin]

I only vaguely remember exercise bicycles from my first and possibly only visit to WoL until last winter. I remember at the time thinking how unexciting they were. The only reason I mention the restaurant was that it's still recognizable.

With the new emphasis on healthy foods, WoL could be a good place for a vegetarian restaurant. While not low fat, I'd love to be able to buy a good falafel onsite. :D

[amymouse]

Perhaps there is a fear that FW crowds will be unbalanced.

I thought ALL Disney crowds were at least a tad "unbalanced." :confused:

[smallworld0]

I only vaguely remember exercise bicycles from my first and possibly only visit to WoL until last winter. I remember at the time thinking how unexciting they were. The only reason I mention the restaurant was that it's still recognizable.

With the new emphasis on healthy foods, WoL could be a good place for a vegetarian restaurant. While not low fat, I'd love to be able to buy a good falafel onsite. :D

Oh yeah! I remember those. I also remember thinking I didn't come to WDW to get 'healthy', just to have fun. ;)

Nancy :minnie:

[smallworld0]

I think it would be a grave miscarriage of justice NOT to have the Country Bears decorated for Christmas! Walt must be rolling in his grave....or, er, his freezer...:confused: wondering how the parks can be constantly making money year-over-year and yet the corporation is using those dollars to shore up other, less profitable factions of the company instead of putting the money back into R&D, updates and new attractions.

They aught to be ashamed of themselves! :mad:

Nancy :minnie:

[MJTinNH]

I will really be disappointed if the County Bears does not have the Christmas Show. I was looking forward to it. I have never been during the time of year when they were geared up for this version.:(

[Robin]

I wouldn't have thought it would be that expensive to do the Country Bear's Christmas overlay. I always assumed it was the same animatronics just 'dressed up' for the holiday.

I figured the actually running of the show (actions, singing, etc.) was a matter of loading a Christmas program.

It just seems like Disney is getting cheap on holidays. Maybe they are taking the holiday crowds for granted. :(

[Carrie]

I hope this isn't true. This year is going to be the Christmas time trip for my kids. They love the Country Bear Jamboree and are really looking forward to seeing the the Christmas Version.

Am I the only one that doesn't understand what all the hoopla is about for Country Bears? I saw it once and probably will only see it once.

[Robin]

It's a cute Christmas show that doesn't have a long wait and gives you a chance to sit in an air conditioned room. It's like many of the low tech, non-E ticket attractions. It's corny, but fun if you play along.

The old Country Bear 'vacation hoedown' was a stinker, but that's been retired for years.

[nicholaspaige]

Country Bear Jamboree is one of my DH FAVORITE things in Disney!!!:D Me personally, I could take it or leave it but we usually do it cause he likes it.

And yes it's a quick little break in the A/C when it's hot out and your tired!!!:)

[Rosebud]

Did they always do the Christmas Show?

I also just thought it was a matter of changing the "program" and putting on a few different costumes. I only saw it once and didn't really care for it, but I don't see why they can't do it.

I don't go often to the Country Bears, but I still enjoy the show when I do - the regular one, not the Christmas one.

[Robin]

According to Wikipedia this is the first year since 1984 they won't be doing the Christmas show. :(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_Bear_Christmas_Special

[MJTinNH]

I do not see the big deal about a little change around for the Christmas version. All the parks are making money. It would not be a huge loss to offer this entertainment to heighten the Christmas ambiance. :confused:

[geffric]

Did they always do the Christmas Show?

I also just thought it was a matter of changing the "program" and putting on a few different costumes.

As far as I know, the show hasn't changed since 2000.. so i don't know what is the big deal about changing the program.. It was cute and in the holiday spirit.