Dispatch From Disneyland
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John handed Timmy a bunch of pocket change and together they roamed around the room working each and every old-fashioned fun machine in the place. Timmy particularly enjoyed the dancing Henry machine. Although neither of them were big collectors, they each got a set of pressed pennies. They also had a nice couple take pictures of them in front of the dressing room doors of some of their favorite bears.

Before they knew it, it was time for the big show. Timmy was having so much fun in the lobby, John had to remind him of their mission and gently escort him into the theatre. Timmy choose a seat smack dad in the front row just as the lights began to dim.

When the music swelled up, John felt a tear in the corner of his eye. It would be tough to say goodbye to his old friends. Timmy just smiled and clapped along like always; the concept of ‘permanent hibernation’ is hard for a 5 year old to grasp.

After the show, they sat down together on the steps of the old Mile Long Bar. It was beginning to get a little chilly in the evening and John wished for some of the great hot chocolate that location used to serve. He wondered how many more autumns it would be before Disneyland had lost all of the attractions of his youth, 10-20-50? Progress marches on and time waits for nobody, John thought, a little sad at the realization he would not  see the bears again.

Just then little Timmy looked up into his father’s eyes with that pleading puppy look that almost always opened John’s wallet, “So when are we going to Walt Disney World?” Timmy asked.

Now that is something to look forward to.

Act III
The other day I went to make my own pilgrimage to the Country Bear Playhouse. Much like John in the above story, the details of the attraction jumped out at me like never before. I don’t remember it being so emersive. As I tried to memorize it all for eternity, it hit me how well done this attraction was, how real the detail made it seem.

To me, that was the real magic of the attraction. If you really let go and just believed for a bit, as a child would, then it was possible that those were real bears performing up there on stage. That when you left the theatre the universe would be different. Bears would be walking around with humans, performing, entertaining, living. However, if you were just there for a few songs and some classic Disney entertainment, then you wouldn’t be let down either.

Marc Davis, who was the other character in Act I., showed some early concept sketches for this attraction to Walt Disney. As it happened, that was the last time Marc saw Walt. He died a few weeks later in the hospital just across the street from the studios he worked so hard to build.

The genius of Marc’s work on the bears remains in the Orlando show. In the recent Disneyland shows the characters only echoed Marc’s belly grabbing laughter. So if one had to go, I’m glad it was Disneyland’s.

I always hoped in the back of my mind that they would bring back Marc to update the Disneyland show one more time, save it from retirement for a few more years. But when Marc died, that hope died too.

Act IV
I have a friend who worked on the new movie. I am very happy she took the trouble to send us a picture of her with one of the new bears. From her report, and the reports of others, I am very much looking forward to the movie. Through the work of the production crew, the spirit of the bears will life on forever on celluloid and DVD.

And there is always Walt Disney World.

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-- Indigo

-- Posted September 5, 2001