Duffy the Disney Bear Passholder Event

[WEDWDW]

Passholders will have an opportunity to hear the story of Duffy the Disney Bear before he debuts as the newest member of the Disney Character Family in October in Epcot!

It will be on September 18 at an event to be held at The Odyssey in Epcot.

Sign-up for the event begins August 31.

 

[Suellen]

Hmmm what time on the 18th? I am guessing we will miss it since our flight doesn't come in until 2:30.

 

[WEDWDW]

Hmmm what time on the 18th? I am guessing we will miss it since our flight doesn't come in until 2:30.

There will be 3 shows-11:00 am, 2:00 pm. and 6:00 pm.

 

[LeeLeeLuvsDisney]

We're hoping to get in to one of the shows. I love Duffy! I hope Disney does it right this time...

 

[WEDWDW]

We're hoping to get in to one of the shows. I love Duffy! I hope Disney does it right this time...

Yes,considering the success at TDS,I think Duffy will be a huge hit at WDW.

 

[d_lairson]

Does anyone have any more info on this or a link or something, I can't find anything on the passholder website

 

[Raenstoirm]

Will the stuffed animal be available in the parks in late September? I have all of his pins from the 2009 trip!

 

[nytimez]

The stuffed animals have been in the parks for a little while already. There's clearly a Duffy Master Plan unfolding.

 

[bradk]

there is a thin line between disney bear and duffy. disney bear merchandise is and has been at wdw for years (in fact, disney bear has made appearances, met him myself).

duffy is an offshoot of disney bear. that said, there is most definitely going to be an onslaught of duffy merchandising based on trademark applications disney parks made earlier this year. and even though duffy the character sports a sailor's outfit, i believe most of the duffy merchandise has been non-distinguishable from disney bear save the name.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I'm so excited!

 

[nytimez]

there is a thin line between disney bear and duffy. disney bear merchandise is and has been at wdw for years (in fact, disney bear has made appearances, met him myself).

duffy is an offshoot of disney bear. that said, there is most definitely going to be an onslaught of duffy merchandising based on trademark applications disney parks made earlier this year. and even though duffy the character sports a sailor's outfit, i believe most of the duffy merchandise has been non-distinguishable from disney bear save the name.

There's no line. It's the same bear. I believe it was renamed Duffy for the Japanese parks, and continued to be called Disney Bear here when it was occasionally sold, but at some point Disney Bear began coming with the same little backstory attached. Now, they're ditching the name Disney Bear and using the name Duffy here, but is and shall be the same bear.

Also, Duffy doesn't always wear a sailor outfit in Japan.

 

[WEDWDW]

Does anyone have any more info on this or a link or something, I can't find anything on the passholder website

I haven't been able to find it on the Passholder site either.I received info about it in a Passholder email.

Sign-up begins Tuesday,so surely it will be on the site by then.

 

[WEDWDW]

There's no line. It's the same bear. I believe it was renamed Duffy for the Japanese parks, and continued to be called Disney Bear here when it was occasionally sold, but at some point Disney Bear began coming with the same little backstory attached. Now, they're ditching the name Disney Bear and using the name Duffy here, but is and shall be the same bear.

Also, Duffy doesn't always wear a sailor outfit in Japan.

That was my understanding as well.

 

[bradk]

disney bear does have a backstory though that differs from that of duffy. at least according to the book on sale at the WDW resort.

it's more than just a physical thing. Duffy is a character whereas Disney Bear (despite having an actual meet & greet character on occasion) was a merchandising move. Duffy may not have existed without Disney Bear, but there is a difference, subtle as it may be and not necessarily a physical one.

 

[Brian Noble]

I admit it. I'm a little bit of a Disney geek. I've been known to seek out rare character appearances.

But I don't know (or care) who Duffy is. All I'm getting from this "promotional push" is "Here's a new thing that perhaps we can convince you to buy!"

I'm sure I'm missing some really cool neat story, but I'm not really "missing" it, IYKWIM.

 

[nytimez]

disney bear does have a backstory though that differs from that of duffy. at least according to the book on sale at the WDW resort.

it's more than just a physical thing. Duffy is a character whereas Disney Bear (despite having an actual meet & greet character on occasion) was a merchandising move. Duffy may not have existed without Disney Bear, but there is a difference, subtle as it may be and not necessarily a physical one.

The difference between Duffy and Disney bear is the difference between Ronald McDonald and Donald McDonald. Which is Ronald McDonald in Japan.

Are their differences, however slight? Sure. But they're not the differences that make a different character. They're differences in how a character is marketed and how a story is told for maximum marketing potential in two different countries.

At the end of the day, it's the same darned bear. Trust me -- you'll never see them being sold side-by-side as different characters (unless they're on a clearance rack together somewhere).

On an unrelated note, I believe in Japan there's a female Duffy too. Sheila May or something is her name. I don't think she's as well know/heavily marketed there.

 

[Kat73]

I'm not trying to be dumb on purpose but what the heck is a duffy the disney bear??

 

[bradk]

first, there was Disney Bear. basically a plush created in the North American parks that features Mickey Mouse-shaped accents - on his face, his paws and butt. there's also a book about Mickey taking his teddy bear to the Magic Kingdom and wishing he'd come to life. they did create a meet & greet character to promote him:

but other than for rare, special occasions (which are likely to be done with completely, he can't be found in the parks.

I also have a couple of limited edition Steiffs of Mickey and Minnie holding their Disney Bears but I don't recall seeing much more in way of that.

anyway, Tokyo DisneySea basically took Disney Bear and transformed him (incredibly slightly) into Duffy and introduced him as a bear that Minnie had made for Mickey before he took a long voyage.

he's a huge deal over there. in addition to tons of merchandising and his meet and greet, they gave him his own show: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tds/english/7port/waterfront/show_duffy.html

So now they're going to try to make him work in October at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, no doubt trying to play on his success with existing Japanese visitors as well as everyone else.

so be prepared for Duffy's Great Escape

perhaps coming to the Imagination Pavilion.

 

[Kat73]

AHA thanks for the explanation! I was so lost LOL

 

[jad215]

I really hope they plan on doing books for all the parks at WDW. My 4 yr old nephew loves the MK book with Mickey and Disney Bear that I bought him last year and since he's never been there yet, it's a great way to introduce kids to some of the rides and lands. He always asks me when I read it to him if we can go on this ride or that ride together some day.