Goofy’s Country Dancin’ Jamboree - Sept. 2003 - Magic Kingdom - Diamond Horseshoe

Goofy’s Country Dancin’ Jamboree was an intellectual property show which replaced the Diamond Horseshoe Review. It featured Goofy, Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, Chip, and Dale. A host would lead the audience through a number of popular country dances with the help of the characters. The food counter at the Diamond Horseshoe was covered up with character cut outs, and the tables on the first floor were removed. This was an interactive dance show, and no longer a sit-down-and-eat show, like the first three decades of Magic Kingdom’s history. Guests wanting to sit and watch could sit up in the balcony. Some families loved the interactive nature of this show, but it seemed like the online feelings were not so good. One person said it should be named, “The IP show that killed the Diamond Horseshoe Review.” It sadly (or gladly?) lasted a year, premiering on July 1, 2003 and ending on Sept. 4, 2004. After that the area was used for a character meet and greet, and the Diamond Horseshoe Review was never seen again. The original show ran from Oct. 1, 1971 to Feb. 1, 2003. I still miss the original.

In this 2003 home video you will see…
0:11 The Diamond Horseshoe has all the tables removed from the first floor and there is a Goofy inside a horseshoe icon on the open wooden floor. Some friends have gathered for the next show. The former counter which used to serve food back in the day is covered up by cartoon cut-outs: Clarabelle Cow & Horace Horsecollar, Brer Bear, Brer Fox, & Brer Rabbit, Mickey & Minnie, and Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louie. There is a very odd country version of “Circle of Life” playing in the background. The stage has a card on an easel which says “Welcome to…” and one on the other side which says “The Diamond Horseshoe”. The Goofy in horseshoe icon is projected on the curtain on stage.

1:10 Intro. The pre-recorded announcer says our sweetheart host is from the country music capital of the world, Nashville, Tennessee. . .Miss Sarah Jo! A dancing cowgirl pops out and sings an introduction song about the show, which I’ll call “Goofy’s Country Dancin’ Jamboree” because I don’t know the name. After the song Sarah Jo tells the backstory of how this started. She once saw a tall, dark, handsome fellow dancing up a storm and we assumed it was Tim McGraw, but no, it was Goofy! The two paired up and began teaching folk how to country dance. Goofy is then introduced but he is a no-show. Crickets. He was flying in from Dallas (maybe on Southwest?). So, the show must go on.

4:39 Hey Howdy Hey. Sarah Jo teaches the audience how to say hello the cowboy way. The audience yells out “Hey Howdy Hey” when she holds up a sign. During the song Goofy arrives wearing his country outfit. After the song Goofy says he brought some friends along who like to dance, and Chip & Dale show up in the balcony. They come down to help with the next song.

7:20 Boot Scootin’ Boogie. Sarah Jo sings and then her and Goofy explain the motions to this song. Chip & Dale walk down to the audience to dance along.

8:48 Electric Slide. Chip & Dale go up on stage and present the next song, Electric Slide, Linedancer Magazine’s number one dance for ten years in a row. Wow! There’s a Linedancer magazine? The audience goes through the steps with Goofy helping on the dance floor. It’s electric.

9:50 That’s How Country Sounds. To help with this song/game Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye from the hit movie Toy Story 2 (still kind of popular then) enter the dance floor. The audience forms a circle on the floor and they are divided into three groups. One giddy ups like a horse, one howls like a coyote, and the other clucks like a chicken. Each group performs their part during the song. That’s how country sounds.

12:50 Cotton Eyed Joe. Sarah Jo and Dale teach the audience the steps to this song while the other characters dance with the kids on the floor. Goofy is missing after this song.

14:48 The Goofy Two-Step. Goofy steps out from behind the curtain now wearing a fancy Rhinestone Cowboy outfit. He and Sarah Jo teach the audience the next song. This song involves slapping your knee and yelling Yee-Haw! After the song Goofy says he wasn’t in Dallas, he was in Dubuque. Iowa!

17:30 Group Photo. The curtains open up and a big Goofy's Country Dancin’ Jamboree sign is in the background. Sarah Jo and all the IP characters gather together for a group photo. She sings the Goofy’s Country Dancin’ Jamboree song again, but now the lyrics are talking about taking a picture. Everyone poses for a picture. In the finale Chip & Dale are holding up “The” “End” signs and streamers fall from the sky. What a great time this has been.