Duffy the Disney Bear 9/19

[Disney Dreams]

Duffy the Disney Bear is H-U-G-E in Tokyo. Beyond words. He is more popular than Mickey, according to many.

I think Duffy is AMAZINGLY cute and fear he is going to cost me a lot of money. ROFL!

He looks like the Disney Bears that they use to have a few years back. I'm glad to see them returning as I need to replace DDs due to our puppy chewing him to pieces.

He is based on that, roughly, from what I have heard. Now he has a "back story" involved Mickey and Minnie and his new name.

so do you think it'll be a success?

I know you are asking Albort, but I just wanted to share my opinion. He is super cute and with all the clothes, I think he will be very successful.

Did they mention a meet and greet like they will have at EPCOT?

An LA Times article I read online states that Duffy will be doing photo opps in DCA at Paradise Pier starting Monday.

Here's a close up shot of the various clothes:

All other photos I have (taken by a friend) are basically the same as Kenttz, except I have to share this close up because I think the outfit is so dang cute!

- Dreams

 

[where's_my_prince]

i agree Disney Dreams this bear is probably gonna cost me alot of money i can already see myself running as soon as California Adventure opens to get the latest merchandise i already have a list of the outfits i want!!

 

[melancholywings]

He's adorable. I wonder if he'll affect Build-A-Bear's buisness? Isn't there one in DownTown?

 

[Disney Dreams]

He's adorable. I wonder if he'll affect Build-A-Bear's buisness? Isn't there one in DownTown?

Yes, there is a B-A-B in DtD.

 

[where's_my_prince]

i was wondering the same thing i was thinking maybe they'll close down the Build a bear there. but then again maybe not

 

[Albort]

so do you think it'll be a success?

honestly, i dont think so. :\

but i can be wrong, i think they need a positive version of Lotso and Duffy was the best choice...

 

[nunzia]

I still don't get this..I mean, it's a cute bear and Disney pretty much is a master at making stuff people want to collect (I still don't get the pin thing, or Vinylmation, although the teeny Vinylmation and a few of the styles are starting to be appealing), but it just looks like a Disney Build a Bear version that you don't build..I know they are huge in Japan, they tend to have some very strong fads, but why do they think they'll be so big here? I guess I missed the backstory? In a nutshell anyone?

 

[where's_my_prince]

I still don't get this..I mean, it's a cute bear and Disney pretty much is a master at making stuff people want to collect (I still don't get the pin thing, or Vinylmation, although the teeny Vinylmation and a few of the styles are starting to be appealing), but it just looks like a Disney Build a Bear version that you don't build..I know they are huge in Japan, they tend to have some very strong fads, but why do they think they'll be so big here? I guess I missed the backstory? In a nutshell anyone?

heres the story of duffy with pictures an english captions
http://micechat.com/forums/tokyo-disney-resort/118708-story-duffy-disney-bear-pictures.html

this is from the storybook they sell

 

[Spacepest]

It looks like the 12" bears come dressed (not sure if the clothes come off or not) but you have to buy clothes for the 17" bears.

From the scale, they can probably fit into Build a Bear clothes, which are for the most part cheaper than the price tags on those Disney clothes. (That said, the pirate outfit for the 17" Duffy certainly caught my eye! )

*looks around sneakily*

I was just going to ask...will Duffy bear clothes fit a Build a Bear stuffed animal? Looks like you might have answered my question for me. (Most Build a Bear dolls range from 15-17 inches, so swapping clothes with them is a possibility!) Because Duffy is nice and all, but he can't hold a candle to my Build a Bear wolf and touristy Sabertooth Tiger. I do like the outfits though!

*edit to add more stuff because she's gotten through more of the thread*

I really doubt this will end Build A Bear in Downtown Disney. The Duffy costumes are cute and all, but so far Build a Bear is in a whole another league. Build a Bear has literally dozens of different outfits in store, with even more choices online. Plus Build a Bear sells more than just bears, they have many different animals for people like me who aren't that big into teddy bears. Right now Duffy is limited to different sizes of the same bear. If anything, I think there will be people who are Build a Bear fans who completely skip buying Duffy but buy his outfits for their own stuffed animals at home.

And there will be spots to sit your Duffy and photograph him in DCA? Hmm...now Mr. Sabertooth and his Build a Bear friends want their pictures taken in the same spot, after borrowing Duffy's clothes. Sorry Duffy. XD

And after seeing those pics of Duffy being carried around by Japanese fans, I now have a dream. A dream to stuff Mr. Sabertooth into a Duffy outfit and then take him with me to Tokyo Disney.

 

[jetskigrl]

I can answer the Duffy/build-a-bear question. Yes, BaB clothes do fit on Duffy. I can say that because I had to dress Duffy in BaB pajamas last night for my DS

I don't see Duffy becoming as popular here as he is in Tokyo, but I do hope he is successful. My DS loves his and has been playing with it ever since Sunday (including sleeping with it).

I'm sure the pirate outfit will be #1 on my DS's list when it becomes available next month too

 

[nunzia]

heres the story of duffy with pictures an english captions
http://micechat.com/forums/tokyo-disney-resort/118708-story-duffy-disney-bear-pictures.html

this is from the storybook they sell

OK..that's pretty darn cute. Does he come with the little bottle and wish

 

[Disney Dreams]

The backstory for Duffy in the USA is a bit (okay, much) more simplified than the above Tokyo story, but the same general concept.

"Mickey Mouse was headed out for a long journey on the sea (the theme of Tokyo DisneySea), and Minnie was afraid he'd get lonely. So, she gave him this special bear to keep him company. Mickey kept the bear in his duffel bag, thus giving him the name "Duffy." Mickey and Duffy had many adventures together and they documented them all by photograph."

It is speculated that Mickey and Minnie will never been seen walking around DCA with Duffy because Duffy is Mickey's stuffed bear; therefore, Mickey would be much bigger than Duffy in reality as Duffy can be held by Mickey (and by association, could be held by Minnie, as well).

 

[where's_my_prince]

ya i think the story is adorable and makes me want to get one so i can travel along with like mickey.... gosh i sound like 4 year old...but its true! i just want to carry him around the park!

 

[Janell]

ya i think the story is adorable and makes me want to get one so i can travel along with like mickey.... gosh i sound like 4 year old...but its true! i just want to carry him around the park!

Disney is all about being a kid at heart, no matter what your age is.

 

[Eeee-va]

There was a pretty informative story today on Duffy (from Epcot but most of it applies to DCA). Scroll down past Star Wars (or read it ).

http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky092110a.htm

I went to Duffy's Facebook page and the posts seemed to be written by someone with either a faulty keyboard or perhaps a not great grasp of English. (Or maybe it is hard to type with those paws.) At any rate, something made me want to follow, even though I have absolutely no plans to purchase a Duffy myself. Argh; Disney must be using subliminal messages or something!!!

 

[nunzia]

I just love Kevin Yee's writing..his articles are always good and he has some books out also..he was a long time CM at Disneyland and his persectives are always interesting.
He's right..I still don't like pins, but I'm thinking of getting a vinylmation or two..which I just hated a year ago..and Duffy is cuter each day. Do we have a robot smiley thing to insert?

 

[where's_my_prince]

that was a very good article and i too joined the duffy facebook page

 

[where's_my_prince]

Disney Parks Blog just posted on duffy!
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ampaign=Feed:+DisneyParks+(Disney+Parks+Blog)

 

[RweTHEREyet]

This bear is the very same one they have been selling, at least at WDW for a few years now. I have a grey one. He was called the Disney Bear and I believe the back story is that he was Mickey's bear and when Mickey was in the Parks and feeling alone, Tinkerbell made the bear come alive when Mickey hugged him. Don't remember everything else the tag said. My bear also has the Mickey face and paws. I bought two--one as a gift, and one to keep in case there is a grandchild in my life in the next few years. It is a very, very soft cuddly bear. I fell in love with him with I picked him up and felt his squishiness.

But I find it so strange that they have reinvented this bear and given him a different story. And I don't think I will be needing to buy another, but I would love to have my picture taken with him at the meet and greet. If the character is as soft as the plush ones, I might not ever let go.

 

[glendalais]

This bear is the very same one they have been selling, at least at WDW for a few years now. I have a grey one. He was called the Disney Bear and I believe the back story is that he was Mickey's bear and when Mickey was in the Parks and feeling alone, Tinkerbell made the bear come alive when Mickey hugged him. Don't remember everything else the tag said. My bear also has the Mickey face and paws. I bought two--one as a gift, and one to keep in case there is a grandchild in my life in the next few years. It is a very, very soft cuddly bear. I fell in love with him with I picked him up and felt his squishiness.

But I find it so strange that they have reinvented this bear and given him a different story. And I don't think I will be needing to buy another, but I would love to have my picture taken with him at the meet and greet. If the character is as soft as the plush ones, I might not ever let go.

The Disney Bear line was based off the Duffy line, originally introduced by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Merchandise and the Oriental Land Company, Ltd. at Tokyo DisneySea Park, located at Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan. Duffy quickly became one of the most popular characters at the Resort and one of the most well-known symbols of the Disney brand in Japan, alongside Mickey Mouse. However, when introduced under The Disney Bear line at the Walt Disney World Resort, it had a much more muted response.

With the launch/relaunch of the Duffy line in the United States, backed with similar marketing efforts to those utilized in Japan, it is hoped to invoke a similar reaction among American Guests as has been experienced overseas.