Chapter 14 - Magic Kingdom - Frontierland Part 3                     posted 12/2/17    update 1/6/19

Part 3 of Frontierland

Frontierland had to be split into 3 parts. We’ve started to realize that the backstories are getting longer and more involved. Also we’ve gotten better understanding of the details, references, and intricacies the Imagineers put into each area. It seems that every number, name, sign, or plague means something or refers to someone. Even with the amount of detail we’ve been putting into these Chapters, we’re only just doing it a surface justice. Now I understand why there are whole books dedicated to just an individual area, ride or event.

Chapter 14 has been added, and we'll be covering
:
  • The Country Bear Jamboree
  • Frontierland Trading Post
  • Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade
  • Trails Creek Traders Store Front
  • Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom – Three Locations
  • The Diamond Horseshoe

The Country Bears Jamboree

Moving down Frontierland’s main thoroughfare, in 1898 time, we find the Grizzly Union Hall that features the Country Bear Jamboree. As mentioned in previous chapter the date on the buildings represent the time period that the building was structured after. You’ll see this throughout Frontierland and Liberty Square.

The Country Bears have been entertaining guests in Frontierland since Magic Kingdom opened its doors in 1971 and they continue to be one of the favorite among guests. The Country Bear Jamboree hasn’t changed very much since it opened and that contributes to part of its charm. The show features humorous and endearing Audio-Animatronic bears singing folk and country songs.
 
The History behind the Country Bears is a rather interesting one and worth telling.

PicturePoster: @Disney
History
Walt Disney had many projects, ideas and plans. In the mid 1960’s had plans to build a ski resort in California’s Sequoia National Park to be called Disney's Mineral King Ski Resort   Walt wanted some sort of bear band show to provide entertainment to the guests at the resort. The project was headed by imagineer Marc Davis.
 
Note: Marc Davis was one of Disney's Nine Old Men, the famed core animators of Disney animated films. He also designed the characters for many Disney rides and show animatronics such as:
  • The Jungle Cruise (1955)
  • The Enchanted Tiki Room (1963)
  • The Carousel of Progress (1964)
  • It's a Small World (1964)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean (1967)
  • The Haunted Mansion (1969)
  • And of course, The Country Bear Jamboree (1971)

Marc Davis, with Al Bertino*, designed many bear groups, including bear marching bands, bear mariachi bands, and Dixieland bears. The bears would be featured in the resort's Bear Band Restaurant Show, and it was decided that they would have a hillbilly / country spin.
As the plans for the show proceeded, the plans for the ski resort fell through. Thus, the Imagineers working on the project decided to place the show in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in time for its grand opening in 1971. Imagineer X Atencio and musical director George Bruns created songs for the bears to sing.
Note: Both had also worked on the songs for the Pirates of the Caribbean.
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n October 1971, The Country Bear Jamboree opened its doors in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. It received so much positive feedback that Imagineers decided to make a replica of the show for Disneyland. The addition to the show in Disneyland it inspired a brand new land appropriately titled Bear Country.
Because of the tremendous popularity of the show in Walt Disney World, the Disneyland attraction was increased and built with two identical theaters. The Disneyland version of the attraction opened in March 1972. Then due to the popularity of the Disneyland and Magic Kingdom versions a third version of the attraction was planned to open at Tokyo Disneyland in April 1983 which also houses two identical theaters and uses more modern audio animatronics which look more real than the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland versions.
During the 1984 holiday season was the debut of the Country Bear Christmas Special at the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Resort. The Country Bear Christmas Special was the first time an attraction at any Disney theme park became interchangeable during the year.
The attraction closed at Disneyland in September 2001, to make room for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in April 2003.
In August 2012, the Walt Disney World version of the Country Bear Jamboree closed for refurbishment. The songs "Pretty Little Devilish Mary" and "Fractured Folk Song" and some of the dialogue were removed, while other songs were shortened. The show is now 4 to 5 minutes shorter than it was before. The shorter version of the show opened on October 2012.
The original show was sponsored by Pepsi and Frito Lay. Even though the sponsorship only lasted 10 years, the show script still contained a reference to the Pepsi sponsorship until a 2012 refurbishment. Henry’s line at the beginning of the show, “Just refrain from hibernating, and we’ll all enjoy the show. Because we got a lot to give,” was a nod to Pepsi’s old slogan, “You’ve got a lot to live. Pepsi’s got a lot to give.”
 
*Note: Al Bertino was a Disney animator and Imagineer who worked on feature films, such as Pinocchio and Fantasia. He helped create a number of attractions including Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Haunted Mansion, and the Country Bear Jamboree
 
          A crate found near the Country Bear Jamboree reads "Davis Tobacco". This is a tribute to Imagineer and Disney Legend Marc Davis.
It’s almost show time, so let’s go to the waiting area.
Queue
The Country Bear Jamboree takes place inside Grizzly Hall. The queue is just a large waiting area with a few benches. On the walls guests can see caricatures of the bears including: Henry, Wendell, Trixie, and the Five Bear Rugs.
But note the wooden floor. Those marks in the floor are bear claws scratches, of course.
Step inside the theater there are 5 stages brimming with decorative wood-carved prosceniums and hanging red curtains. Take a seat in one of the rows of benches before the lights dim.
Before we enter the Show let’s get to know some of the Characters, since most are voiced by some of the best voice actors and singers in the Disney Family.
Characters

Bears
Henry – The Master of Ceremonies of the show, Henry is a welcoming and friendly brown bear. He wears a grey top hat, starched shirt front, and a string tie. In some parts of the show, he plays a yellow guitar. It is implied that he and Teddi have some sort of backstage romance. Voiced by Peter Renaday.
Note: Peter Renaday has a long list of voice work, most notably he is the Narrator for the Winnie the Pooh attraction at the Magic Kingdom. 
Liver Lips McGrowl – Liver Lips is perhaps the funniest-looking bear. He gets his name from his very large lips. He is a brown bear and plays the guitar. Since 2012 refurbishment, he has a messy, unkempt head of long hair. He is voiced by Jimmy Stoneman.
Note: The Stoneman Family were a Country Music Award group that provided a number of voices for the Country Bears.  
Wendell – Wendell is a hyperactive golden brown bear who plays the mandolin. He wears a blue bandanna around his neck and a light brown hat. He also has a massive overbite and buck teeth. He is voiced by Bill Cole. Wendell's role in the Florida version of the show was severely reduced during the October 2012 refurb when "Fractured Folk Song" was removed, and is no longer mentioned by name. 
Teddi Berra – Teddi Berra is a unique bear because she never appears on stage. Instead she descends from a hole in the ceiling on her swing, which is decorated with pink roses. She is a brown bear and wears a blue hat with a pink feather (In 2012 of the Florida version of the show, she received a new violet sequined hat) as well as a long pink boa around her neck. She is voiced by Patsy Stoneman.
 
Ernest – Ernest is a brown bear who plays the fiddle. He wears a derby and a red polka-dot bowtie around his neck. He was voiced by Van Stoneman from October 1971 until July 1975, when his vocals were rerecorded by Randy Sparks. Stoneman's recording can still be heard on the 1971 record and 2003 CD.
Note: Randy Spark was the Founder of the New Christy Minstrels
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Terrence (aka Shaker) – A tall bear with tan fur, Terrence wears a hat, a yellow vest (Since Florida's 2012 refurb), and plays the guitar. He is voiced by Van Stoneman.
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Trixie – Trixie is a very large brown bear who wears a blue bow on her head, a blue tutu around her waist, and holds a blue handkerchief in her left hand. She also has a slight crush on Henry. She is voiced by Cheryl Poole. Note: In 1968, Cheryl Poole was voted Top New Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music
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Gomer – Gomer is a bear who never sings but instead plays his piano, which has a honeycomb on top of it. He is considered Henry's right-hand bear. He was originally brown, but during the Florida 2012 refurbishment his appearance changed and he is now a deep burgundy red with a blonde goatee and a new hat.
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Big Al – Big Al is the fattest bear. He is grey with a light grey belly (Though his fur was changed to brown in 2012 in the Florida version of the show) and wears a tan hat and a red vest. He plays an always out-of-tune guitar and is voiced by Tex Ritter from his hit album, Blood on the Saddle (1960). Note: Big Al is actually a self-caricature of Al Bertino.

The Sun Bonnet Trio

  • Bunny – Bunny stands in the center of the stage. She is voiced by Jackie Ward. Because she and her sisters are triplets, they all have brown fur and wear matching blue bonnets and dresses.
Note: Jackie Ward a "one-hit wonder" due to her 1963 million-selling smash "Wonderful Summer"
  • Bubbles – Bubbles stands to the audience's left between Gomer and Bunny, and is voiced by Loulie Jean Norman.
Note: During the 1960s, Loulie Norman recorded as a member of various easy-listening choral groups, most notably the Ray Conniff Singers
  • Beulah – Beulah stands to the audience's right and is voiced by Peggy Clark.
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The Five Bear Rugs
Zeke – Considered the leader of The Five Bear Rugs, Zeke plays a banjo and taps on the dishpan with "a real ol' country beat". He is a grey bear with glasses who wears a tan top hat. He was voiced by Dallas McKennon from October 1971 until July 1975, when Randy Sparks rerecorded his vocals. McKennon's recording as Zeke can still be heard on the 1971 record and the 2003 CD. Zeke's solo song "Pretty Little Devilish Mary" was removed from the Florida version of the show in October 2012.
  • Zeb – Zeb is brown bear with a light brown stomach. He plays the fiddle as well as wears a bandanna around his neck and a derby hat. He is voiced by a member of the Stoneman family.
  • Ted – Ted is a tall, skinny bear who blows on the corn jug and plays the washboard. His fur is brown, and he wears a vest with a brown hat.
  • Fred – The biggest of the five bears, Fred ironically plays the smallest instrument: the mouth harp. He is a brown bear and wears blue jeans held up with suspenders as well as a striped red and white tie.
  • Tennessee – Tennessee Bear plays the thang, which has only one string. He is blonde bear and wears a bandanna around his neck. He is voiced by a member of the Stoneman family.
  • Baby Oscar – Oscar appears with The Five Bear Rugs, but plays no instrument. In fact, he never says a word. He is a brown bear and always has his teddy bear to keep him company. In the 1971 album, it is mentioned that Zeb is his father.
Other Characters
Melvin, Buff, and Max (left to right) at the Country Bear Jamboree:
 
Buff – Buff is considered the leader of the mounted animal heads and is also the largest. He is the head portion of an American bison. He is voiced by Disney legend Thurl Ravenscroft.
Note: We discussed Thurl Ravenscroft many times in Chapters 10, 11 and 12 check the links.
 
Max – Max is the head portion of a whitetail buck and is voiced by Peter Renaday.
 
Melvin – Melvin, a Bull Moose head, is of the animal head trio. He often makes good-natured jokes and is voiced by Bill Lee.
Note: Bill Lee provided voices for many Disney Films and for attractions such as Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, The Haunted Mansion, and Country Bear Jamboree 
Sammy – Sammy is Henry's raccoon pal who cuddles around Henry's top hat. He acts like a coonskin cap for Henry. He is voiced by Bill Cole.
The Show

The show is basically a continuous string of short country songs sung by the various bears. As each bear sings their song, a curtain opens to reveal them, except in the case of Wendell, Gomer, and the Sun Bonnet Trio (all of whom rise from the center stage), and Teddi Barra (who descends from the ceiling).

Note: The scrim curtain shows bear-themed advertisements from "Unicycles for Trick Bears" to Continental Cuisine at "The Dump"
The dialogue between three mounted animal heads on the wall: Buff (a buffalo), Melvin (a moose) and Max (a deer) begins the show.

Buff: Hey Henry, what's holding ya up? Let's get on with the show! We can't hang around here all day.
 
Buck: Now Buff, be patient. It takes a little doing to set these things up.
 
Melvin: Yea, we ain't going anywhere anyhow. We're kind of hung up here!
In the first song the attraction Henry welcomes guests to the Country Bear Jamboree. He then introduces Gomer (on the center stage) who plays piano while Henry sings. Henry wears a grey top hat, starched shirt front, and a string tie. Gomer wears a white collar and yellow tie and always has a honeycomb on his piano.
Henry, the master of ceremonies at the Country Bear Jamboree.
 
Henry: Give me a little intro there Gomer. (Gomer begins to play "Pianjo"- an instrumental song.)
 
Henry: Howdy folks. Welcome to the one and only original Country Bear Jamboree, featuring a bit of Americana, our musical heritage of the past.
 
Pianjo leads directly into the Bear Band Serenade. Henry introduces the Five Bear Rugs who then perform on the center stage. The Five Bear Rugs consist of:
  • Zeke - The lead singer of the bears. He is a grey bear with glasses who wears a tan top hat. Zeke plays the banjo and dishpan.
  • Zeb - A brown bear with a light brown stomach. Zeb wears a bandanna around his neck and miner's hat. He plays the fiddle.
  • Ted - A tall, brown, skinny bear who plays the corn jug and the washboard.
  • Fred -The largest of the bears. Fred is a brown bear and wears blue jeans with suspenders and a striped red and white tie. Fred plays the mouth harp.
  • Tennessee - A brown bear who plays the One-String Thang, which sounds just like a guitar (but only has one string). Tennessee wears a red bandanna around his neck and a red hat.
  • Baby Oscar- The smallest of the bears, Baby Oscar never plays an instrument nor does he speak. He is never without his teddy bear, which he squeezes to make a squeaking noise.
On the Bear Band Serenade Henry sings and the Five Bear Rugs play their respective instruments (prior to the 2012 refurbishment Gomer would accompany the band on piano). When Henry introduces an individual bear, a spotlight showcases them.
(Henry Introducing the Band):   
                            
The Five Bear Rugs.
And right now, I give you a sordid assortment of executioners of music and song. The Five Bear Rugs! Hit it boys.

Henry (now singing):

The Bear Band bears will play now
in the good ol' key of G.
Zeke and Zeb and Ted and Fred
and a bear named Tennessee.

Zeke's a-twangin' on the banjo
and a-tappin' with his feet.
While bangin' on a dishpan
with a real ol' country beat.

Zeb's a-sawin' on the fiddle
with a crooked hickory bow.
When the spirit moves that bruin,
He can make that fiddle go.
Brother Ted is on the corn jug.
Now, I mean that bear can blow.
He also plays the washboard
with a handle of a hoe.
And big Fred's playin' mouth harp.
He plays it kinda sad.
He never took a lesson,
He just picked it up from dad.

And li'l ol' Tennessee Bear
is a-featured on the thang.
Sounds just like a guitar,
but it's only got one string.

So clap your hands and
Stomp your feet and
Try to keep right with 'em.
One sure thing the Bear Band's got
is real ol' country rhythm.

Ah ha!
  • "If Ya Can't Bite, Don't Growl" (Tommy Collins) – Ernest and the Five Bear Rugs
Following the Bear Band Serenade, the far left curtain opens to reveal Ernest. Ernest is a brown bear who plays the fiddle. He wears a derby and a red polka-dot bowtie around his neck, and is recognizable by his high eye brows. Earnest performs “If You Can't Bite, Don't Growl”.
 
Ernest performing If You Can't Bite, Don't Growl
Ernest:

One night I left the wife at home,
and went out with the boys.
I was acting like a Don Juan,
and making a lot of noise.
(You old lover boy!)
A go-go girl called my hand,
I said, "I can't. I'm a married man."
She said "If you ain't gonna steal,
you better not prowl."
(He's a born loser.)
Don't do-si-do with a go-go.
If you can't bite, don't growl.
If you can't bite, don't growl.
  • "My Woman Ain't Pretty (But She Don't Swear None)" (Frankie Starr & Paul E. Miller) – Liver Lips McGrowl

After Earnest performs, Henry introduces Liver Lips McGrowl who is on the far right stage. Liver Lips is a large brown bear with messy long hair who wears brown overalls and a red and white bandanna around his neck. He gets his name from his large lips, and plays the guitar. Liver Lips sings unaccompanied.

Liver Lips McGrowl:

I got a woman, she's got me.
Whatever we do, we both agree.
She ain't pretty, but I ain't too.
The things we like are the things we do.

My woman ain't pretty, but she don't swear none.
She's kinda heavy, don't weigh a ton.
She's my woman, through and through.
I love her only 'cause my heart is true.

Note: "My Woman Ain't Pretty was performed by Country singer Tex Ritter. Tex Ritter was the father of TV actor John Ritter
  • "Mama, Don't Whip Little Buford" (Burns & Haynes) – Henry and Wendell
When Liver Lips is finished with his song, Wendell and Henry come on stage to sing the song “Mamma, Don’t Whip Little Buford.” Wendell is a golden brown bear who plays the mandolin. He wears a blue bandanna around his neck and a dark hat. He is recognizable by his overbite and buck teeth.



Henry and Wendell:

Mama don't whip little Buford.
Mama don't pound on his head.
Mama don't whip little Buford.
I think you should shoot him instead.

Henry:

Bang!
  • "Tears Will Be the Chaser For Your Wine" (Dale Davis & Leroy Goates) – Trixie


Trixie performing Tears Will Be the Chaser For My Wine.
After "Mamma, Don't Whip Little Buford", Wendell leaves the stage. Henry then proceeds to introduce Trixie, a very large brown bear who wears a bow in her hair and a blue tutu on her waist. Trixie plays no instrument, and is holding a blue handkerchief and a glass of wine in her hands. Gomer is raised back on the center stage to accompany Trixie who is located on the far right stage.
 
Trixie:

Tears will be the chaser for your wine.
After you leave this love of mine.
Bright lights and taverns,
that’s where you'll spend your time,
and tears will be the chaser for your wine.
 
  • "How Long Will My Baby Be Gone" (Buck Owens) – Terrence
Following the end of the song the curtain once again closes. Shaker (also known as Terrance) then appears on the left-center stage. Shaker is a tall, tan bear who wears a tan miner’s cap with a feather in it and a tan vest. Shaker plays guitar.

Shaker:

How long is forever?
How soon is now or never?
How long will this heartache linger on?
And how long will my baby be gone
Note: When the attraction opened in 1971, an official Country Bear Jamboree record album was released. It fetured songs from the show but even more interesting – the album jacket offered detailed descriptions of each bear’s backstory.
For example,
  • “Swingin” Teddi Barra was “discovered” in a soda fountain outside of Gentry, Arkansas;
  • Henry is a former football player for the Goose Creek Bruins; and
  • Big Al was a “resident bard and balladeer in the swamp before Walt Disney World was built.”
  • "All the Guys That Turn Me On Turn Me Down" (Plott & Powell) – The Sun Bonnet Trio

After Shaker sings his song, Henry reappears on the right-center stage. He introduces the next act, three identical girls from Tampa Bay, Florida: Bunny, Bubbles and Beulah. Together the three sisters are known as the Sun Bonnet Trio. All three girls have brown fur and wear blue dresses and bonnets. On stage the girls are joined by Gomer. Bunny stands in the middle with Bubbles on her left and Beulah on her right. Behind the girls a slide show illustrates the lyrics as they sing their song, “All the Guys Who Turn Me On Turn Me Down”.

The Sun Bonnet Trio. From left to right: Beulah, Bunny and Bubbles.
The Sun Bonnets:

Every time I meet a guy who gets me shook,
all I ever get from him's a dirty look.
It's the same way, everywhere I've found.
All the guys that turn me on, turn me down.

All the guys that turn me on, turn me down.
Nothing works for me that I found.
It's the same way everywhere I see.
Nothing ever seems to work for me.
Nothing ever seems to work for me.

Doodle doodle do-do-do bum bump.
  • "Heart, We Did All That We Could" (Ned Miller) – Teddi Barra
Teddi Barra singing "Heart We Did All That We Could". 

Following the Sun Bonnet Trio’s song, Henry appears on the left-center stage. He then introduces the "last of the big time swingers…Teddi Barra!”. Teddi descends from a hole in the ceiling, sitting on a swing decorated with roses. She is a brown bear and wears a pink hat with a feather, as well as a long pink bow around her neck. While she begins her song (“Heart We Did All That We Could”) both Buck and Henry comment on how pretty she is.

Teddi: Well, there he goes. He hardly knows the heart he's breaking.

Henry: Lovely, lovely.

Teddi: I talked to him, but I don't think He understood.

Buck: Oh, sing it gal.

Teddi: I'll, just forget about the plans that we were making.

Henry: My, my.

Teddi: Heart, we did all that we could.
You all come up and see me some time, ya hear?
  • "Blood on the Saddle" (Everett Cheetham) – Big Al
Youtube Video by John Eagen
Following Teddi’s song (and without any introduction) a large spotlight shines of the far left stage, slowly getting bigger. When the curtain lifts guests get their first view of Big Al. Big Al is the fattest of all the bears and he plays an out of tune guitar. He is grey with a light grey belly and wears a burgundy hat and vest. Big Al preforms his signature song “Blood On The Saddle”.
 
Big Al singing "Blood On The Saddle".

Big Al:

There was blood on the saddle.
And blood all around.
And a great big puddle
of blood on the ground.
  • "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" (Tom Blackburn and George Bruns) – Henry and Sammy
As Big Al finishes his song with a laugh, Henry appears on the far right stage. On his head is Sammy, a raccoon who actually makes up Henry's coonskin cap. Together the duo begins to sing “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”.

Henry and Sammy:

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee.
Greenest state in the land of the free.
Raised in the woods, so he knew every tree.
Tamed him a "b'ar" when he was only three.

Davy. Davy Crockett. King of the wild frontier.

Up through the woods, he's a marching along.
Making up yarns, and a'singing his song.
Itchin' for fighting, and righting a wrong...
ABCmouse.com
Microsoft
  • "Ole Slew Foot" (Howard Hausey) – Cast (minus Ernest and Trixie, who do not appear onstage, and Big Al, who reprises "Blood on the Saddle")
Right in the middle of "The Ballad of Davy Crockett", Big Al reappears on the far left stage, once again singing "Blood on the Saddle".
As Henry tells Big Al to stop, Sammy begins to realize the situation is hopeless. He tells Henry that they’re going to need help.
Henry cues “the gang”, and all the other bears (except Earnest and Trixie) appear on stage. Together they sing the shows finale, “Ole Slew-Foot”.
As the cast performs, Big Al (undaunted by their singing) continues to sing "Blood on the Saddle".
At the conclusion of the song, the stage gets dark and a crashing noise comes from Big Al’s stage.
The finale of the Country Bear Jamboree:       
High on the mountain,
Tell me what do you see?
Bear tracks, bear tracks,
looking back at me.

Better get your rifles,
before it's too late.
Bear's got a little pig,
and he's headed through the gate.

He's big around the middle,
and he's broad across the rump.
Running ninety miles an hour,
making thirty feet a jump.
 
Ain't been cornered,
Ain't never been treed.
Some folks say he looks a lot like me.
"Come Again" (Tom Adair & George Bruns) – Henry, Sammy, Max, Buff, and Melvin

After the finale Henry tells guests to be sure to come again. As a cast member ushers guests out, Henry, Sammy, Buck, Melvin, and Buff sing one last song “Come Again”.
 
Henry and Sammy performing

Henry, Sammy, Buck, Buff and Melvin:

We hope that you'll be coming back again.
That you'll drop in and see us now and then.
We've done our very best to please.
With just the "bear" necessities.
We hope that you'll be coming back again.
Come again (Please return!).
Come again (Any time!).
The welcome mat is always out,
'Cause seeing you is fine.
We hope that you'll be coming back again.
That you'll drop in to see us now and then.
We've had such fun, we're going to cry.
We just can't "bear" to say goodbye.
We hope that you'll be coming back again.
Don't forget to gather your belongings.
And you husbands, too.
It's been good to have you.
So long, folks..
Microsoft
americantourister.com
That was a lot of information, but if you interested in more:
Great Book to read: Andrew Kiste. A Historical Tour of Walt Disney World. ThemeParkPress, 2016
While doing some research online we came across this questionnaire that we want to share.

Country Bear Jamboree Quiz

When you are looking for a knee-slappin’ good time, the Country Bear Jamboree is the place to be! As one of the last attractions that Walt himself worked to develop, the jamboree is embraced by all. So hang around long enough to take this quiz from Disney Parks Blog and see how well you know Country Bear Jamboree!
  1. How many Audio-Animatronic bears entertain you during the Country Bear Jamboree?
    1. 15
    2. 18
    3. 22
  2.  Who is the founder of the Country Bear Jamboree?
    1. Papa W. Bear
    2. Sid M. Grizzley
    3. Ursus H. Bear
  3. Grizzly Hall – where the show is performed – is located in which land in Magic Kingdom Park?
    1. Frontierland
    2. Adventureland
    3. Liberty Square  
  4. What are the names of the triplet bears?
    1. Becky, Brenda, and Bridget
    2. Bunny, Bubbles, and Beulah
    3. Beth, Barbara, and Bell   
 5.   What are the names of these two members of the Country Bear Jamboree?
         1. Tennessee and Zeke
         2. Kansas City and Oswald
         3. Henry and Big Al


(answers below)
Guests leaving the Theater get back out to Frontierland's main thoroughfare.

Frontier Trading Post

The Frontier Trading Post sign on the building states "Texas" John Slaughter – Trail Boss as the proprietor of the shop. Texas John Slaughter ran in the late 1950s on Walt's Disneyland TV show. The show was based on a well-celebrated hero of the 1800s and early 1900s, with an impressive background as a Civil War veteran, trail-driver, cattleman, Texas Ranger, famed Cochise County Sheriff, professional gambler, and an Arizona State Representative during his lifetime. The show starring Tom Tryon as the lead.

Note: Elk antlers were commonly placed on general stores in the old west it let cowboys coming into town knew where they can get supplies.
Frontierland Trading Post is home to western themed merchandise, hats, artwork, Limited Edition MagicBands, but mostly Disney pins. If you are looking for pins and pin trading this frontier themed shop is one of the largest in the Magic Kingdom that specializes in pins.
The Frontier Mercantile Storefront is connected to Frontier Trading Post.

Next to the Frontier Trading Post is the

Frontierland Shootin' Arcade

Take some time to improve your shootin' iron skills.
Frontierland Shootin' Arcade - The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade is set in Boot Hill, in the year 1850 (Tombstone, Arizona).

An old fashion shooting gallery complete with info-red rifles.
This arcade has been here since Magic Kingdom Park’s opening. However over the years the attraction got a bit of a face-lift. Originally, the guns shot lead pellets. Due to the high cost of maintenance, targets needed to be repainting almost every night and no doubt for safety issues, all 97 targets were placed with sensors that the infrared beam projected from the rifles will activate.
It’s still a challenge and fun.

One thing we had not been able to research are the names on the Tombstones. Who or whom do they reference? (Please email us if you can find some references or information)

Family Tribute

Throughout Walt Disney World there are many references to Walt Disney and the people who were part of his life and dreams. As you’ve read so far there are many tributes to Imagineers who helped create and designed the Magic Kingdom, but there are also honors to Walt and Roy’s ancestry. You’ve read about the Family Crest and Coat of Arm displayed on Cinderella’s Castle (see Chapter 8).
 
In Frontierland the family name Kepple can be found. One on a burlap sack in a display window and another on an advertisement for Uncle Kepple and Sons Feed and Farm Supply found near the Frontierland Shooting Gallery.
Kepple is the name of Walt and Roy Disney’s paternal grandfather, Kepple Elias Disney (born in 1832), and their great-great grandfather, Kepple Disney (born in 1776) the name was a blend of the surnames of his parents, Robert Disney and Mary Kepple.
 

Mississippi Crossover


The concrete that looks like Planks at the border of Frontierland and Liberty Square symbolizes a bridge over the Mississippi River. The separation of East from West.
By crossing over the Bridge you arrive in an area that represents St. Louis. St. Louis since the 1800’s has been named the Gateway to the West.
Answers to Country Bears Jamboree questionnaire:
  1. B – 18
  2. C – Ursus H. Bear
  3. A – Frontierland
  4. B – Bunny, Bubbles, and Beulah
  5. A – Tennessee and Zeke

Trail Creek Traders Store Front


Up a side alley next to the Diamond Horseshoe is a store front with a hanging sign stating Trail Creek Traders.
 
Since there doesn’t appear to be an open shop and we couldn’t find any concrete information on this store front we contacted some of our friends on Facebook.
 
Vern Schermerhorn (Facebook page @Walt Disney World Enthusiast) and Jason Copen provided feedback.
 
It was the hat shop for a few years, then it became a beanie shop during that craze, and then they closed it.
 
It refers to an establishment that began in 1771 selling goods and warding off Raiders.
 
Established 1771 - 71 could relate to the year Magic Kingdom opened Oct 1971. And 17 may just be in keeping with the date flow from Liberty Square to Frontierland. Your moving up in time and as you move through Frontierland from Liberty Square. Dates on the Hall of Presidents is 1787 and Town Hall by Pecos Bill has the date 1867.
Mystery not totally solved, but we do have some plausible ideas of its origin.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

You can help save the Magic Kingdom at three locations in Frontierland
 
  • Frontierland Mercantile Store Window in Alleyway near the Country Bears
  • Bulletin Board next to the Shootin’ Arcade
  • Store Window next to Trail Creek Traders

The Diamond Horseshoe

The last building in Frontierland is, appropriately, Liberty Square's Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, a grand show palace common in St. Louis in 1830.
This table service restaurant is open only during peak crowd time periods. As you wander into the Old West themed saloon you immediately notice a center stage. What once was an old entertainment venue, now serves as home to a self-playing piano for the enjoyment of diners.
This restaurant models its décor after an Old West music hall. The restaurant is an elegant establishment with white and gold colors, beautifully framed photographs and artwork, and an appealing stage. A classic self-playing piano sits center stage at the front of the horseshoe-shaped dining hall. Though not playing, it conjures up the sights and sounds of the Old West theme. The décor appears attractive and sophisticated, the atmosphere of the Diamond Horseshoe feels cozy and casual.
 
 


Note: The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue was a rollicking stage show right out of the Old West featuring a cast of dancing girls, comedians and singers including Slue Foot Sue herself
History
The saloon show featuring old west entertainment was one of the original shows when the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971.
On October 1, 1986, the name was changed to the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree.
The show name then changed to the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue and began to offer counter service instead of a sit-down menu of sandwiches.
The Diamond Horseshoe Revue featured Western-themed shows with plenty of music and comedy that was similar to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The Diamond Horseshoe shared a kitchen with the Adventureland Verandah and once the latter eatery closed, that's when the Diamond Horseshoe menu was scaled back.
At one time the show was sponsored by Del Monte. The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue ended in January of 2003. It was replaced by Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree, which later closed in 2004.

Note: Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree was a country music dance party starring Goofy, Chip, Dale, Sarah Jo, Woody, Jessie, Bullseye and several other characters. Young guests are encouraged to join the gang for singing, playing and line-dancing.  The 20 minute jamboree, features such classic country dances as "Boot Scootin' Boogie," "Electric Slide" and "Cotton-Eyed Joe," plus the special "Goofy Two-Step."

However the Diamond Horseshoe reinvented itself as a table-service restaurant that has been serving lunch and dinner since March 2016.
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Afterword:
WDWMousing.com is designed to be a tour of Walt Disney World through photos. We have been to Walt Disney World countless times over the past 25 years and accumulated a magnitude of photos in that time. This website is an intention to combine two of our favorite pastimes, Walt Disney World and photography, and provide an insightful pictorial tour.
While doing so, we've done an extensive research of the internet and literary sources for background information on each area and atrraction. The information is available, but most bits and pieces are scattered all over. WDWMousing doesn't intend to rewrite the stories, legends or data, but to try and collect it into one location with reference and links to the original articles and authors. And giving rightful credit. We've stumbled through quite a bit of mis-information, most of which came to life by fans because the origins were lost, forgotten or no one seems to remember. Over the past 25 years we've also lost most of the great Imagineers that helped develop, design and build the original concepts of Walt Disney World. So we believe it's extremely important to make sure that their efforts, intentions, details and creativity in making this Happiest Place on Earth isn't lost.
So we ask for feedback, insights, and suggestions.

Thank you
WDWMousing