Anyone seen Duffy lately?

[starshine514]

My sister was at the park today (none of us had been since last November) and noticed the the Duffy M & G area was missing. My DD9 LOVES Duffy, so I'm hoping he's just been moved. Has anyone seen him lately?

 

[OKW Lover]

Report over in the WDW section of the DIS Boards is that Duffy is being removed. Speculation that Oswald will replace him.

 

[grnflash]

My sister was at the park today (none of us had been since last November) and noticed the the Duffy M & G area was missing. My DD9 LOVES Duffy, so I'm hoping he's just been moved. Has anyone seen him lately?

Sorry, Duffy's gone (not just moved.) Oswald is coming to DCA per official Disney announcement. He's supposed to make his first appearance this Sunday.

 

[superlarz]

Duffy left about a week ago

 

[ClaraOswald]

My sister was at the park today (none of us had been since last November) and noticed the the Duffy M & G area was missing. My DD9 LOVES Duffy, so I'm hoping he's just been moved. Has anyone seen him lately?

Yep, as other said...he's gone.

I am looking at your signature and you go to Disneyland a lot! I am jealous. How many days do you typically spend there?

 

[Eeee-va]

Last year his meet and greet area went away before Halloweentime and then came up a bit later, so I was HOPING that was the case this year. But all Internet reports are that he is gone gone.



(Though I don't trust the rumors that the merchandise is going away too. It's POSSIBLE I guess, but they just rolled out new items in the last month or so, never mind all the new stuff in Aulani, so it doesn't make sense to remove his merchandise entirely. Then again, a lot of the things Disney has done with Duffy do not make sense.)

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/help/email/

 

[starshine514]

So sad to hear this! We won't be back in the parks until May, so maybe they'll add him into the Mickey/Donald gazebo rotation by then. His M&G never had a long line, so I understand why they might switch it for something else, but I hope they don't phase him out entirely.

We bought APs twice and tried to go to the parks as often as possible when we had them. We usually spend 3-4 nights there each trip (any less than that isn't worth the 8+ hours of driving each way).

 

[Bossy22]

So happy we took the time this last trip (end of July) to meet him and get pics and signatures. Never really knew much about him so not a big deal for me, but I am a collector so glad my daughters got to add his name to the list of characters they met!!! (and its a long list!!!)

 

[yupikgal]

My daughter (although an adult) loves Duffy and was sad to hear that he was gone too, since we are also going in November. Good thing we have lots of pics with him from previous trips! I guess he never really caught on like he did in Japan?

 

[starshine514]

I emailed Disney and just got a call from them (because they never, ever like to put anything in writing). Duffy is gone, with no plans to return him to the parks at this time. The CM said that he was passing my email along. So, if you love Duffy, contact Disneyland and let them know. If they hear from enough of us, maybe they'll bring him back in some capacity.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/help/email/

The worst part is that my daughter was in the room when the CM called and overheard... She had a cry and is sitting on the couch hugging one of her Duffys now.

 

[Eeee-va]

In Japan, there are several-hour waits to buy Duffy's merchandise when it is released and probably at least an hour wait (or a lot longer) to meet him or Shellie May, and even the fans they are targeting in Japan range up into 30-something women, not just little kids. I think Disney was hoping to inspire the same mania without taking substantial effort to give him a special place or unique, high-quality merchandise themed for different seasons (with set release dates), and while implying that he is for children only. Cultural differences are big problem but they just didn't know how to release Duffy here. I reckon he's doing well in Aulani since they keep releasing things over there (and Shellie May). I imagine that's due to the Japanese tourists.

They really should bring Duffy back to Anaheim for one set a day. I have a Japanese friend who is going in just a few days and she is very disappointed.

In WDW they had taken his merchandise out of the store nearest to him in Epcot, but reportedly they JUST brought items BACK to the store. So I guess they figure he is doing OK in WDW. But a lot of people on a certain other Disneyland-centric messageboard strongly dislike Duffy and are glad he's gone.

(I emailed Disney and they left a message while I was at church. I hate talking on the phone so I don't really want to call back, but I might give it a go tomorrow. Though I'm not sure what good it would do since I can't think of anything to say except to reiterate I'm disappointed, and I tend to doubt they care that an adult woman is unhappy that one of their characters has gone away. )

 

[petals]

I mailed them. They won't ring me back because I'm in Ireland. Told them I was sad he won't be there on my trip. I love Duffy

 

[Gisele]

Duffy recently left Anaheim, Ca so as to begin his annual adventure of seeking out a new place for hibernation. Disney had plans for having him stay on site during this period of time, but he most politely declined this generous offer out of concern of not being able to sleep well enough till spring time, being due to so many pleasant distractions offered not only at the on site hotels, but downtown Disney as well. Not to mention Disneyland and of course DCA. After hours he especially loves to live it up at the House of Blues.
He and Trader Sam are the best of friends. See Trader Sam is only interested in human head hunting, not bears. Although, Sam does rather like Duffy's one piece furry suit.
Now, although I do know where his special winter quarters will most likely be, I am not at liberty to disclose this information upon penalty of no uncertain entanglements, none of them any good either. So, just know that he will be sleeping upon a very fine bed of imported leaves and twigs, these have been collected by special British hand maidens that work specifically for Disney. Duffy's entourage will assemble his very comfy bed once Duffy decides upon the perfect spot for him. He prefers a cave like domicile that is not too large or too small. He has a bit of claustrophobic tendencies you see. He is not looking for room mates either. Not after his last subleting experience, but then man that is an entirely different tail In the meantime, I last saw him out in a very nicely wooded area, where I hear the Poo bear, and Yogi Bear along with Boo boo bear like to visit and have tea parties, weather permitting. And also until them boy bears are in need of hibernation too. I hear they already have their winter lodgings booked.

 

[disneychrista]

My understanding is that the budget for Duffy is now going to Oswald.

 

[petals]

dislike! Rotate the characters if they don't have enough

 

[Eeee-va]

Sure, Disney tells us that Oswald isn't bitter after Mickey usurped his place in the spotlight back in the '20s. But right around the time they let Oswald into DCA, Mickey's beloved teddy bear/travel companion goes missing.

Coincidence? Or is that rabbit up to no good?

 

[starshine514]

Sure, Disney tells us that Oswald isn't bitter after Mickey usurped his place in the spotlight back in the '20s. But right around the time they let Oswald into DCA, Mickey's beloved teddy bear/travel companion goes missing.

Coincidence? Or is that rabbit up to no good?

Hmmm...it is suspicious, that's for sure.

 

[ktlm]

OH NO!!!!!! DD will be heartbroken. She has carried a Duffy around for 4 years since he first hit the the states, absolutely adores him, and the minute we hit the park wants to go see if he is there and then go in the store and buy her Duffy a new outfit.

I can't say I'm surprised though. Seems like poor Duffy was standing there half the time just waiting for someone to come say Hi. We usually visited him several times during a trip. I know he was just a big marketing ploy to sell bears and clothes and 4 years ago I was not happy when DD was totally sucked into it, but Duffy is kind of a family member now. We will miss him. She was so excited when she heard Oswald was coming, but when she realizes he evicted Duffy, she might go Elmer Fudd on that rabbit.

 

[disneychrista]

Seems like poor Duffy was standing there half the time just waiting for someone to come say Hi.

This is exactly it. Casual visitors likely had absolutely not idea who Duffy was & why he was there. He is not identifiable as a Disney character.

 

[starshine514]

This is exactly it. Casual visitors likely had absolutely not idea who Duffy was & why he was there. He is not identifiable as a Disney character.

I agree. You know what they should do? Make a TV special of Duffy's story or put it in as a short before a theatrical release. Then, more people would know who Duffy is. Maybe add him into the next Where's My Mickey game (is that what it's called - the Mickey version of Where's My Water). Theoretically, that would help increase Duffy awareness.