Hidden Gems: Max Buff and Melvin

The psychotropic children's ride, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, holds a number of clever easter eggs. A couple of Hidden Mickeys and, well, that's about it. But if you were alive in the 90's or earlier, then this hidden gem may come as a pleasant surprise. Remember what existed before The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh? It was none other than the Country Bear Jamboree!

No, not those Country Bears...

That's more like it.

The Country Bear Jamboree was a show where visitors could watch animatronic animals play instruments, not dissimilar to what you would find at a Chuck-E-Cheese. It included a cast of characters such as Zeek and Zeb and Ted and Fred and a bear named Tennessee. And of course, Max the stag, Buff the buffalo, and Melvin the moose, three severed animal heads mounted on the wall that performed a song and introduced the show.

Melvin Buff and Max in their prime

Sadly, all 17 bears are nowhere to be found, likely dismantled for their parts to be used on other rides. But what happened to Max, Buff, and Melvin? Well, going back to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh...

They're still there. Hanging above unsuspecting riders

Make sure you turn all the way around after the hallucinogenic Heffalumps and Woozles scene. The heads are huge, you can't miss them. If you ever miss the old Country Bear Jamboree look no further than the attraction that replaced it in 2001.