Met My Idol Today at Disney
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (122512)
Gainesville, Florida
August 19, 2023 2:42pm CST
Spending a wonderfully fun—yet disgustingly hot and humid—day at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
I remember now why I never go to the theme parks in the summer, although on this particular day I’m glad I went.
I finally met my idol today…Big Al from the Country Bear Jamboree. I saw him walking around all by his lonesome self, and I couldn’t help but give him a big hug and get a photo with him. My day is now complete.
For those of you who have been to Disney World and have seen the Country Bear Jamboree show, you know what I’m talking about and are probably smiling right now. For those who have never seen the show, well…let’s just say that Big Al is a legend in these parts.
Have you ever met one of your heroes or idols?
24 people like this
25 responses
@DaddyEvil (140161)
• United States
19 Aug 23
Can you imagine how hot it must be for the poor person who has to wear that suit in that kind of heat? And you hugged them and probably made it feel even hotter inside.
I was the Pink Panther for a while in a show... I was happy when I didn't have to wear that suit again.
7 people like this
@DaddyEvil (140161)
• United States
19 Aug 23
@moffittjc That's not too bad, then. I was in the panther suit for two hours at a time.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Aug 23
@DaddyEvil I did a 3-hour gig with no breaks. I was dying inside the costume!
3 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Aug 23
I know how hot it gets inside those costumes. I’ve worn one before and it was at night inside an air-conditioned building and I was still dying.
But at least Disney only allows the characters to be out for 15 minutes at a time.
4 people like this
@RasmaSandra (82119)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Aug 23
You two look like long-lost brothers in the photo, Glad you got to meet Big Al,6 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
Ah yes, we are like brothers. We even look alike!
5 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
@Treborika It definitely was a fun experience for me. I had a great time, and since the encounter happened right at the start of our day, it set the tone for a really fun day.
3 people like this
@Treborika (17853)
• Mombasa, Kenya
20 Aug 23
What a nice experience could that be
3 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Aug 23
Sometimes we don’t know who our heroes are until we meet them! Haha
3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (51150)
• United States
19 Aug 23
I really enjoyed the Country Bear Jamboree the few times I’ve seen it.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
It’s a great little reprieve from all the other hustle and bustle of Disney.
3 people like this
@Treborika (17853)
• Mombasa, Kenya
20 Aug 23
I wish I could see and feel the taste for it.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
@RubyHawk Thanks! The glare of the sun hides all of my bad features!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
Thanks. It would have been an even better picture if we had positioned ourselves better to avoid the glare of the sun.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99404)
• Atlanta, Georgia
20 Aug 23
@moffittjc It’s still a good picture though.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14759)
• San Jose, California
19 Aug 23
How awesome! I didn't know the bears wandered the park too.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Aug 23
It seems like there is a lot of the “lesser” characters that roam the park now. I’ve seen all kinds of characters today that aren’t considered the main ones.
4 people like this
@spiderdust (14759)
• San Jose, California
20 Aug 23
@moffittjc Kinda like going to the character breakfast that has mostly C-list characters, like Rafiki and the raccoon from Pocahontas.
3 people like this
@Treborika (17853)
• Mombasa, Kenya
20 Aug 23
@spiderdust Thats really interesting
1 person likes this
@kareng (65785)
• United States
3 Oct 23
Well I guess if you want to count Scooby Doo, I've met him! In fact, the guy that did his voice overs worked in Baton Rouge on one of the radio stations. I met him at a remote where he had Scooby Doo as a guest. I brought the girls and they all got one of his new CD's which he autographed for them! It was fun!
1 person likes this
@kareng (65785)
• United States
7 Oct 23
@moffittjc I loved the cartoon growing up! Ended up he did me a big favor when we had the serial killer on campus and one of the girls that lost her life was the girlfriend of one of our Grad Students. I was involved in the fundraising with the girl's mother and he gave up some of his air time for an on-air auction!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Oct 23
@kareng That was really cool that he offered to do that, but sorry it was under less than ideal circumstances
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Oct 23
Now that’s really cool! I love Scooby Doo!
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (38308)
• Philippines
20 Aug 23
That looks really fun. We have a theme park here called Enchanted Kingdom
2 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Aug 23
@averygirl72 Nice! Do you like thrilling roller coasters? I love them. I love any kind of thrill ride. And the scarier the ride, the more I like it!
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
That sounds like a really awesome theme park. Does it have thrilling roller coasters?
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
Me too! In all the decades I’ve been going to Disney, this was the first time I ever saw Big Al out roaming around in the park! My girlfriend said I was so giddy with excitement upon seeing him!
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (45203)
• Staten Island, New York
21 Aug 23
I've never been to Disney theme parks. What a bummer! I would never go to a theme park on a hot and humid day. Not my idea of a good time. Plus, hard to enjoy yourself in this weather.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Aug 23
I had a really good time despite the hot and humid weather. Thankfully, most of Disney's rides and attractions are indoors. So the day wasn't as unbearable as I had thought it would be.
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Aug 23
@lovebuglena Yes, I ride every ride I can. I am a thrill seeker when it comes to rides.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (45203)
• Staten Island, New York
22 Aug 23
@moffittjc That's a bit of a relief. Do you ride the coasters or those rides where you spin really fast in a circle? Or that boat that swings high back and forth?
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (105988)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
19 Aug 23
I have met former jazz musician the late Pete Fountain and former Major League Baseball player Will Clark while I was living in the suburbs of the city a long time ago.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Aug 23
You met Will Clark? That is amazing!!!!
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (105988)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
20 Aug 23
@moffittjc He is a very nice person to meet.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
@Deepizzaguy I can imagine. He always seemed like he had outstanding character.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40206)
•
20 Aug 23
I remember the Country Bear Jamboree, have seen it several times. Glad you got your hug from Big All, Jeff. You look like a kid here...not old enough to have adult children!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
Aw thanks. I am still a kid at heart, no matter how old I get!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Aug 23
@MarieCoyle I seem to have lots of those childish moments! Lol
@MarieCoyle (40206)
•
21 Aug 23
@moffittjc
I love being able to have the occasional childish moment. Good for the soul and the spirits.
1 person likes this
@much2say (56924)
• Los Angeles, California
20 Aug 23
Oh wow, no way!! I loved The Country Bear Jamboree show at Disneyland and they took that out years ago 
. I totally remember Big Al "Blood on the saddle" - and I think I have an LP of that at my parents' house somewhere. That's awesome the show goes on out there . . . say hi to Big Al for me!!!1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
Country Bear Jamboree has always been a favorite of mine ever since I was a young child. My earliest memory at Disney World was of that show.
I’m glad you remember Big Al!
1 person likes this
@much2say (56924)
• Los Angeles, California
20 Aug 23
@moffittjc It was a must-see whenever we went to Disneyland! I was absolutely wowed by it each and every time. I don't know that kids out here even know anything about Country Bear Jamboree . . . I think a Winne the Pooh ride took its place.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
@much2say It’s still a very popular show at Disney World. I’m glad they never took it out.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20174)
• United States
22 Aug 23
I don't think I have seen the Country Bear Jamboree.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Aug 23
Someone mentioned to me yesterday that Disney is thinking about getting rid of the Country Bear Jamboree, but I have not heard or seen anything in print from the company on the matter, so I don't where this person heard such a rumor. And the space it takes up at Magic Kingdom is so small I don't think Disney could really put anything else there in its place.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
I’m pretty sure the people in those costumes get paid very well for what they do. And I know that they are only allowed to be outside for 15 minutes at a time before they get a break.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (345026)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Aug 23
@moffittjc That's really good to hear. It would be easy for them to be exploited.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183837)
• United States
20 Aug 23
I've met several celebrities. I met Bobby Vinton twice. At the time he was quite the teen idol. That's a great picture. Enjoy your Sunday.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
I love the picture, except for the glare of the sun. Since he was out walking around, he was about to be enthralled by a mob of kids, so I had to run up and get a photo as quick as I could, and my girlfriend didn’t have time to position herself so the sun wouldn’t be glaring so much.
I’ve never heard of Bobby Vinton. When was he a teen idol, and what were some of his movies st famous songs?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 23
@LindaOHio Yeah, myLot’s been having a lot of issues with pictures lately.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183837)
• United States
20 Aug 23
@moffittjc His really big hit was Blue Velvet. He was REALLY big in the 60s. I tried to add his pic 6 times with no result.
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (6036)
• United States
21 Aug 23
I got to meet one of my teddy bear artist heroes. I took a teddy bear purse making class from him...I was so thrilled with the bear and treasured the purse dearly. Steve, my artist hero, passed away about 23 years ago, and my bear purse perished in the fire that claimed my home, but I still love his work and hope one day to maybe get another bear he has created.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Aug 23
I’m sorry to hear that you lost your home and treasured possessions in a fire, but elated to hear that you got to meet your hero.
Interestingly, my parents lost their home to a fire when I was a young kid.
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Aug 23
As I always do, I kept my eyes open for Eeyore, but unfortunately didn’t see him roaming around. But I always do try to find him for you!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122512)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Aug 23
@CarolDM I’m drinking tons of water for sure. It’s blazing hot out there!
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
24 Aug 23
@moffittjc Aww, how sweet of you Jeff. Much appreciated. Maybe one day you will see Eeyore in a corner somewhere! Take care and stay hydrated out there.
1 person likes this
