After Tidal Wave Party announced in November 2022 that they were unable to secure a host hotel for this year so they were taking their events to Las Vegas, Orlando’s Big Gay Weekend was left with a bear-sized hole in it. That is until the team at One Magical Weekend stepped in and, in partnership with Orlando Bear Pride, began what is sure to become a new annual tradition — Bear Jamboree!
Bear Jamboree! brings all the beary exciting events that you were used to at Tidal Wave to the host hotel at the Crowne Plaza Orlando Lake Buena Vista, located at 8686 Palm Pkwy. in Orlando. The weekend will be hosted by Bear Jamboree!’s official den mother, Bearonce Bear.
Save by buying event packages. The Orlando Bear Gold Package includes a ticket to every pool party, dance party, bingo, karaoke, trivia, RIPTIDE at Typhoon Lagoon and reserved seating at Saturday Night’s Main Event for $197. The Orlando Bear Silver Package includes everything found in the Gold Package but only has general admission to Saturday Night’s Main Event for $177.
Below we have information on Bear Jamboree!’s events. Prices are subject to change. For more information, read the rest of Watermark’s coverage of Orlando’s big LGBTQ+ weekend here.
EVENTS
Thursday, June 1
Welcome Cocktail Party
7-9 p.m.
Sheraton LBV
Come to the Sheraton for a cocktail party to welcome you to the most exciting weekend of the year.
Friday, June 2
Bear Den Meet & Greet Social
5-7 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Bar
Come have a few drinks, hang out with old friends and maybe make some new ones.
Aftermath
11 p.m.-2 a.m.
Crowne Plaza pool
Get ready to dance poolside with music provided by DJ Mohammad for Bear Jamboree!’s Friday night dance party.
$30
Pup Camp Meet-Up
11 p.m.-1 a.m.
Crowne Plaza Meeting Room
Saturday, June 3
Country Bear Jamboree Meet-Up
12 p.m.
Disney’s Magic Kingdom
A tradition as old as Gay Day at the Magic Kingdom itself. Meet up at the Country Bear Jamboree for a sing-a-long with Henry, Wendell, Trixie, Big Al and the entire Country Bear family.
Bearaoke
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Bar
Bearonce Bear and DJ Castle host karaoke for the bears.
Comedy Show
8-10 p.m.
Sheraton’s Majestic Ballroom
Get ready to meet Skylar Gentry, America’s favorite actor-singer-dancer-psychic, in a hilarious comedy show that was a “pick of the fall 2022” by the New York Times. “The Dirty Show with Skyler Gentry” is a one-man show featuring comedian Ben Zook, one of the creators and stars of the web-series “Where the Bears Are.”
$30
Red & Wild Jock Strap Party
10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Crowne Plaza pool
It’s time to hit the pool again. This time we are dancing into the night with music provided by DJ Twisted Dee.
$30
Sunday, June 4
Bark & Brew Pup
Morning Coffee Bar
8:30-10 a.m.
Crowne Plaza Meeting Room
Teddy Bear Bingo
4 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Bar
B-I-N-G-O, and Bearonce Bear was her name-o. Bear Jamboree!’s den mother herself hosts Teddy Bear Bingo.
Bear Jam Trivia
7 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Bar
Bearonce Bear is back and this time she is coming with the trivia.
Pup, Pet & Pounce Mosh Pit
8-10 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Meeting Room
LOBO! (Lights Out, Barks Out) is calling all pups, handlers and furries out to this mosh pit with Jake Maxwell.
Kaftan
Dance Party
10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Crowne Plaza pool
Don your favorite kaftan as you dance poolside with music provided by DJ TDON.
$30
WET FUR OASIS DAYTIME POOL PARTIES
A tropical oasis awaits you at the Official Host Hotel for One Magical Weekend 2023. Enjoy three days of sunshine, dancing and cocktails alongside two resort-style pools. Pool party weekend passes are available.
Crowne Plaza pool
Friday, June 2
12-2 p.m.: DJ JB Burgos
2-8 p.m.: DJ Castle
$30
Saturday, June 3
12-4 p.m.: DJ Castle
4-8 p.m.: DJ Edil
$30
Sunday, June 4
12-4 p.m.: DJ Paky Chulo
4-8 p.m.: DJ JB Burgos
$30
DUNGEON DARK ROOM AFTER PARTIES
Crown Plaza Gym
Friday, June 2
11 p.m.-3 a.m.
Saturday, June 3
11 p.m.-3 a.m.
Sunday, June 4
11 p.m.-3 a.m.
