Dear Disney - Please Don't

Dear Disney Imagineers,

While listening to The Unofficial Guide’s Disney Dish with Jim Hill (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unofficial-guides-disney-dish/id452620851), I heard a most disturbing rumor. Over the course of this fascinating and amusing conversation between Disney fan favorites Len Testa and Jim Hill, it was mentioned that you have a really bad idea in mind for The Country Bear Jamboree.  Please, please abandon this horrific concept.

Sincerely,

Teri

What is this atrocious idea, you ask?  Believe me; it was so bad that I double-checked the date, just to make sure it wasn’t an April Fools' prank.  According to Jim Hill, Disney is considering revamping The Country Bear Jamboree into – wait for it – A-Bear-ican Idol. 

Now, I know that not everyone holds The Country Bear Jamboree in the same high esteem that I do.  Walt Disney World executives obviously don’t, if the lack of upkeep that attraction receives is any indication. But A-Bear-ican Idol?  Really? 

Here’s the basic concept: the bears perform country hits, and the audience votes on the winner.  Let’s set aside my well-established love for this classic attraction. Let’s even leave off mention of the much-derided Country Bear Vacation Hoedown. Instead, let’s discuss the wisdom (or lack thereof) of this particular makeover.

1. American Idol – We already have one WDW attraction based on this non-Disney property.  Do we really need another?

2. American Idol – Surely this phenomenon is waning. What’s the point of hitching your wagon to a fading star?

3. I get that Disney is all about the interactive experience right now – interactive queues, voting options, choose your ending (missing Horizons as I type that, by the way) – but the term “overkill” is starting to seem appropriate.

What do you think?  Do you actually like this idea?  Do you want to see a change – any change – to CBJ? Or do you think Disney should just give this classic attraction a refurbishment and invest time and resources into completely new rides and attractions?  Speak your piece over at https://www.facebook.com/disneygene!