Let’s head over to Walt Disney World’s Frontierland, where Grizzly Hall has reopened for the beloved Country Bear Musical Jamboree. This classic attraction is back in action, promising “a foot stompin’ good time,” but with a notable change: one of its iconic characters has a new name.
For over 50 years, fans have known the animatronic bear as Liver Lips McGrowl. However, in an effort to be more culturally sensitive, Disney has renamed him Romeo McGrowl. This change was announced via an attraction poster shared on the Disney Parks Blog.
The reason behind the rename stems from the phrase “liver lips” being considered offensive. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the term dates back to the 1840s and is associated with the negative effects of alcohol abuse on the liver. Additionally, as reported by TheStreet.com, it has also been used as a racial slur to describe the lips of African Americans in a derogatory manner.
Disney Music…but make it country! 🤠 The Country Bear Musical Jamboree soundtrack is out now featuring original and classic songs that, for the first time, will include a variety of countrified Disney Animation, Walt Disney Studios, and Pixar tunes, produced by country legend… pic.twitter.com/w7rjQjlySt
— Disney Music (@DisneyMusic) July 17, 2024
Romeo McGrowl is one of the 18 animatronic bears that make up the Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Magic Kingdom. The attraction, which had been closed for refurbishment since January, features a lively show described as “a knee-slappin’ show filled with rockabilly, bluegrass, pop country, and Americana spins on popular Disney tunes.” The bears now sport brand-new outfits adorned with fringe jackets, floral patterns, and rhinestones, adding to the spectacle.
The show itself runs about 10 minutes, according to a YouTube video posted by WDW News Today. Country Bear Jamboree originally opened in 1971 and has been a beloved part of Disney’s Magic Kingdom ever since. The newly refreshed attraction continues to feature favorite characters like Henry, Trixie, Big Al, and now, Romeo McGrowl, alongside “their pals.”
This change comes in the wake of other updates at Walt Disney World aimed at promoting inclusivity and sensitivity. Last month, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened as the replacement for Splash Mountain. The original attraction faced criticism for featuring characters and music from “Song of the South,” a 1946 film accused of using racist tropes about the post-Civil War South.
Disney’s efforts to modernize and address cultural sensitivities in their attractions are part of a broader push to ensure all guests feel welcome and respected. While Disney has yet to respond to inquiries, the move to rename Liver Lips McGrowl to Romeo McGrowl has been largely seen as a positive step toward this goal.
