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* CookieAnn (April 30, 2018 @ Hong Kong Disneyland), a yellow dog with a chef's hat that loves to bake but typically cooks waffles. She lives in Main Street U.S.A. Her name was originally Cookie until they changed it to CookieAnn in 2019.<ref name="tpi"/>
* CookieAnn (April 30, 2018 @ Hong Kong Disneyland), a yellow dog with a chef's hat that loves to bake but typically cooks waffles. She lives in Main Street U.S.A. Her name was originally Cookie until they changed it to CookieAnn in 2019.<ref name="tpi"/>
* 'Olu Mel (July 27, 2018 @ Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa), a green turtle who loves making music with his ukulele. He lives in Hawaii at Aulani. His costume character first appeared in [[Shanghai Disneyland]] on September 1, 2020 for Duffy Month. <ref name="Shanghai Disney Resort Celebrates Duffy Month">{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Thomas |title=Shanghai Disney Resort Celebrates Duffy Month |url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/09/shanghai-disney-resort-celebrates-duffy-month/ |access-date=29 May 2021 |agency=Disney Parks Blog |date=September 2, 2020 |ref=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/09/shanghai-disney-resort-celebrates-duffy-month/}}</ref> His name was originally 'Olu, until they changed it when he came to [[Hong Kong Disneyland]].<ref name="am"/>
* 'Olu Mel (July 27, 2018 @ Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa), a green turtle who loves making music with his ukulele. He lives in Hawaii at Aulani. His costume character first appeared in [[Shanghai Disneyland]] on September 1, 2020 for Duffy Month. <ref name="Shanghai Disney Resort Celebrates Duffy Month">{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Thomas |title=Shanghai Disney Resort Celebrates Duffy Month |url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/09/shanghai-disney-resort-celebrates-duffy-month/ |access-date=29 May 2021 |agency=Disney Parks Blog |date=September 2, 2020 |ref=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/09/shanghai-disney-resort-celebrates-duffy-month/}}</ref> His name was originally 'Olu, until they changed it when he came to [[Hong Kong Disneyland]].<ref name="am"/>
*LinaBell, a pink fox who will debut in Shanghai Disneyland on 29 September, 2021.


==Park attractions==
==Park attractions==

Revision as of 11:38, 17 September 2021

Duffy the Disney Bear
Duffy the Disney Bear
Duffy Plush
In-universe information
AliasMy First Disney Bear
The Disney Bear
NicknameThe Bear of Happiness and Luck
SpeciesBear
OccupationSailor
AffiliationDisney Parks
Significant otherShellieMay The Disney Bear

Duffy the Disney Bear (ダッフィー) is a Disney parks stuffed bear that can be found at the Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Shanghai Disneyland and formerly at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park in California, and Walt Disney World in Florida.

Duffy has two Mickey Mouse features, similarly shaped face and hip Mickey birthmark. Duffy is unique among Disney characters in that he was not first featured in a Disney movie or TV show[1] until he made his television debut in the 2010 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. And on June 30, 2020, The Disney Parks posted on YouTube a stop motion short called "Morning Glories" featuring Duffy and Friends and then again in 2021 with another stop motion short called "Spring Surprise".

History

The Disney Bear was originally created for and briefly sold at Disney World's Downtown Disney Once Upon a Toy shop in Orlando in 2002 as a unique product for its opening. With The Oriental Land Company executives looking for fresh ideas and the teddy bears being culturally popular, the company adopted the character in 2004, giving it a name, a sailor suit and a backstory. They aggressively marketed it in the Tokyo DisneySea park.[1] He was added as a walk-around character, becoming a regular character in 2005.[2] In 2005, the bear, as "My First Disney Bear," was the boys' substitute toy given out at the Perfectly Princess Tea Party at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.[3] As Duffy's popularity grew, executives started to retheme a bit the "Old Cape Cod" area at Tokyo DisneySea to add Duffy, which included changing the show "Donald's Boat Builders" at the Cape Cod Cook-Off Theatre to "My Friend Duffy", which tells the story of how Duffy comes to life. And due to Duffy's popularity amongst Japanese fans, limits were set on the number a guest could buy. Women aged 20 to 35 lined up at stores with any new costume release. [1]

Through the One Disney theme-park/corporate initiative of sharing IP/ideas, Duffy the Disney Bear was exported to the other Disney Parks. Duffy was released at the American Disney parks on October 14, 2010. He then joined Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on November 19, 2010. In 2012, he appeared in Disneyland Paris. And during the Disney Dreamers Everywhere event in 2013, ShellieMay joined in.[1]

DisneySea began expanding the Duffy Universe (or also known as "Duffiverse"). On January 15, 2010, Duffy's girlfriend, ShellieMay was announced and on January 22 debut in the park. [4] The Disney Bear was the first of three Duffy and Friends toys to be introduced at Tokyo DisneySea. On June 30, 2014, they introduced Gelatoni the Cat.[3] And then StellaLou the Bunny, was introduced on March 23, 2017, as part of the Easter celebration.[2]

The next two friends debuted at other Disney Parks and Resorts. On April 30, 2018, Hong Kong Disneyland debuted CookieAnn the Dog.[3] 'Olu Mel the turtle was introduced at Aulani on July 17, 2018.[5] And recently on June 15, 2021, a new friend for Duffy was announced to appear soon at Shanghai Disneyland as part of the 5th anniversary.[6]

The Disney Bear's Backstory (2002-2004)

Duffy was previously known as "The Disney Bear" with an entirely different backstory. One day in Magic Kingdom, Mickey Mouse was walking around with his favorite teddy bear and wishes he had a best friend. Tinker Bell appeared and Mickey asked for a friend. So she sprinkled pixie dust and the bear transformed into Mickey's silhouette and comes to life. Then Mickey and the bear go on lots of adventures in Magic Kingdom.[7]

Duffy Bear's Backstory (2004-present)

As the current Duffy story goes, Mickey Mouse was a sea captain who sometimes felt lonely because he would miss his friends and family. Especially his sweetheart, Minnie Mouse. So one day, Minnie decided to make a special teddy bear for Mickey. She also made a bottle with a letter that said "I hope this bear gives you happiness and luck!". Then, she placed everything in a duffel bag. When Mickey got his present, he was very happy. And decided to name the bear Duffy. That night while he was asleep, Mickey had a dream that Duffy came to life dressed up as a sailor and said "Mickey, let's go on adventures together!". The next day when Mickey woke up, the bear looked exactly like he was in the dream! And Mickey swears even to this day that when he turned around, the bear winked at him. Mickey didn't feel lonely anymore and started going on many adventures with Duffy, taking photos everywhere. When Mickey came back home, he showed his friends all the adventures he had with Duffy. Everybody said many good things about the bear, but Goofy said it the best. He said, "Gawrsh, that Duffy is one special bear!". Soon, everybody also wanted a Duffy bear, so Minnie got to work with Daisy Duck making Duffy's for everyone. And every day, she would receive photos of their adventures with Duffy. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you could see Duffy walking back home from his adventures. But how? He is just a teddy bear right? Well if you see him, you might also say "That Duffy is one special bear!" [1][2]

Duffy's friends and others

  • TippyBlue (uncertain origins, possibly from Walt Disney era cartoon), a mailman seagull who appears in Duffy stories and narrates the My Friend Duffy show.
  • ShellieMay (January 22, 2010[8] debut @ Tokyo DisneySea), a pink female teddy bear with a brown bow and a seashell pendant who is Duffy's sweetheart that was also made by Minnie Mouse. She lives in Cape Cod at Tokyo DisneySea's American Waterfront.[3]
  • Gelatoni (June 30, 2014 @ Tokyo DisneySea), a gray tuxedo cat with a blue beret who loves painting. He lives in Italy at Tokyo DisneySea's Mediterranean Harbor[3]
  • StellaLou (March 23, 2017 @ Tokyo DisneySea), an lavender and pink ballet bunny with an aqua bow and tutu; made limited appearances until August 31, 2017; Duffy supports her goal of dancing on Broadway.[2] On August 10, 2017, the bunny made its first appearance at Hong Kong Disneyland. She lives in New York at Tokyo DisneySea's American Waterfront.[9]
  • CookieAnn (April 30, 2018 @ Hong Kong Disneyland), a yellow dog with a chef's hat that loves to bake but typically cooks waffles. She lives in Main Street U.S.A. Her name was originally Cookie until they changed it to CookieAnn in 2019.[3]
  • 'Olu Mel (July 27, 2018 @ Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa), a green turtle who loves making music with his ukulele. He lives in Hawaii at Aulani. His costume character first appeared in Shanghai Disneyland on September 1, 2020 for Duffy Month. [10] His name was originally 'Olu, until they changed it when he came to Hong Kong Disneyland.[5]
  • LinaBell, a pink fox who will debut in Shanghai Disneyland on 29 September, 2021.

Park attractions

  • "My Friend Duffy" show (at the Cape Cod Cook-Off Theatre in Cape Cod at Tokyo DisneySea)[1]
  • Meet and Greet (Tokyo DisneySea American Waterfront in front of the S.S. Columbia)[2]
  • Meet and Greet (Epcot's World Showcase) ended Saturday, October 3, 2015[11]
  • Meet and Greet "My Journeys with Duffy" (Main Street Cinema, Hong Kong Disneyland) Duffy with ShellieMay and Gelatoni; They were joined by StellaLou on 10 August 2017,[9] Cookie (later renamed CookieAnn) on 3 July 2018, and 'Olu Mel (originally named 'Olu prior to arriving in Hong Kong) on 20 November 2020.
  • "Steps To Shine!" show (a show at the American Waterfront that is a successor to the previous show, "A Table Is Waiting" ). It ran from July 11, 2017 to March 19, 2018. It would be replaced by another show, "Hello, New York!" [12]
  • The Duffy and Friends Show (near the entrance of Shanghai Disneyland). It started sometime in May 2017.
  • Duffy and Friends: Celebrating Together show (near the entrance of Shanghai Disneyland). It ran from September 2 to September 30, 2020 for the Duffy Month. This is the first time CookieAnn and 'Olu Mel speak.
  • Duffy's Bedtime Story (a show at the Disneyland Paris hotel). This is the first time Duffy and ShellieMay speak in English.
  • Duffy's Pre-Splashing Parade (a show that only runs in the summer at Shanghai Disneyland)
  • A Duffy and Friends Celebration (a show that at the Storybook Theatre at Hong Kong Disneyland)
  • Meet and Greet (on a boat at Tokyo DisneySea's Mediterranean Harbor). A temporary way to meet Duffy, ShellieMay, Gelatoni and StellaLou due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Garcia, Jason (November 23, 2010). "Duffy the Disney Bear lands on U.S. shores". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e Tribou, Richard (March 29, 2017). "Disney gives Duffy the Bear fans another character to obsess over". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Niles, Robert (July 20, 2018). "Who's who in Disney's 'Duffy Plush Universe'?". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  4. ^ https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/09/duffy-the-disney-bear-debuts-at-disney-parks-in-october/
  5. ^ a b Tuttle, Brittani (July 20, 2018). "Duffy's new friend 'Olu to debut at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  6. ^ Place, Laughing. "Shanghai Disney Resort Celebrates Fifth Anniversary". Laughing Place. Laughing Place Disney Newsdesk. Retrieved June 23, 2021. {{cite web}}: External link in |ref= (help)
  7. ^ Mumpower, David (May 24, 2017). "Who Are the Best Characters Ever Created at Disney Parks?". Theme Park Tourist. p. 1. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  8. ^ https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/09/duffy-the-disney-bear-debuts-at-disney-parks-in-october/
  9. ^ a b (in Chinese)"Duffy新朋友StellaLou　進駐香港迪士尼". Oriental Daily News. 10 August 2017. Translated: Duffy's new friend StellaLou enters Hong Kong Disneyland.
  10. ^ Smith, Thomas (September 2, 2020). "Shanghai Disney Resort Celebrates Duffy Month". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 29 May 2021. {{cite news}}: External link in |ref= (help)
  11. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (September 23, 2015). "5 Walt Disney World Meet and Greet Characters Who Were Retired Forever in 2015". Theme Park Tourist. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  12. ^ Palmer, Roger (April 4, 2017). "New Entertainment "Steps to Shine" At Tokyo DisneySea Dockside Stage From July 11, 2017". DisKingdom.com. Retrieved May 19, 2021. {{cite news}}: External link in |ref= (help)
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