HHI Question - Shadow?

[gppnj]

I'm trying to learn about Hilton Head in general and HHI specifically. I've read a few things about Shadow the dog. Is Shadow an actual dog or someone in a costume? Or is it a joke and no one ever actually sees the dog because like his namesake, he's just a shadow? What's up with that?

 

[boatboatboat]

An actual dog, in the resort with his owner Blue.

The kids love him.

We always look forward to seeing Shadow.

 

[DVCLiz]

An actual dog, but an older dog, and not always there. I think he was there once, during a sing-along that we missed, so we didn't see him last summer. But he is a beautiful Golden Retriever!!

 

[JVL1018]

She's been there everytime we've been there!

My kids love her! Here are a couple of pics of Shadow(and that's B'Lou with her)
2005

2004

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've seen Shadow on 2 separate trips and I've got to wonder-why does Shadow look a little different each trip? Is it my imagination, or is there REALLY more than one Shadow?

 

[gppnj]

Awww... I hope I get to see Shadow.

 

[Candace]

I've seen Shadow on 2 separate trips and I've got to wonder-why does Shadow look a little different each trip? Is it my imagination, or is there REALLY more than one Shadow?

You know, I have wondered this too. Also, Shadow's story has been around since the opening of the resort. Not to be morbid, but I don't think one dog could live that long (in the Golden breed, I have had Goldens). Do you think they just keep replacing them? One I have seen appears really old, through the face, where it is very white. They are a wonderful, loving, breed and perfect for the HH DVC atmosphere, whether it is one or several "Shadows". Can't wait to see him/her?? again this coming June!

 

[canda]

Shadow is not Disney's dog. She is the personal dog of B'lou Crabbe. She has been the same dog on all my trips since 1999. ( i think thats when I saw her first.) she has gotten older and she is sick or tired quite a bit. B'lou takes good care of her, and when her time comes, I think it will be hard on B'lou. Blou and shadow are two of the best characters in the Disney Company.

 

[Juls]

We have met Shadow also several times, always with B'Lou. Why would Disney write an employees personal pet into their marketing? Did B'Lou help design the resort? Was he a castmember before HH was built? God forbid he should leave/retire or poor Shadow should go to doggy heaven. What do they do with all their literature, doghouse, pet bed, hammock and secret door with her name all over it? Not to mention the paw prints Shadow has left in all the rooms!

 

[Donna]

I talked with B'Lou "off the record" last time we were there. This past summer, 2005, there was a different Shadow for the first time. He just said the previous Shadow had "passed" on and this dog is no relation but looked very similar. I knew right away it was a different, younger looking Shadow than before. Since HH is 10 years old this year, it very well COULD have been the original Shadow, Golden's DO live that long, but the original Shadow they used was already "elderly" to begin with. They ARE wonderful dogs, mine is at my feet as I type right now!

 

[boatboatboat]

I too have spoken "off the record", Disney almost pulled the plug on Shadow a few years ago. There was fear of a potential problem with a law suit if a bite happened. A guest had a child who had been severly mauled by a dog, and the guest was very upset that Disney would promote having a dog on site, when DVC has a no pet policy. I guess the father showed some pics of his child right after the dog attack (not from Shadow), and the parents who saw them were incited to also complain.

 

[RobDoc]

Keep in mind that the "legend" does not require a dog to be present to still be vaild. The storyline was originally used to explain the dog tracks in the entry tiles at the resort. The story is enhanced onsite by the presence of the dog house and water bowl near the front desk and , for the first few years, Shadow was just that- an elusive spirit of the resort's history. Shadow's Tales was later added due to the volume of questions about the story and B'Lou was able to provide the evidence on a weekly basis.

IMO, the story is just as much fun without the opportunity to actually pet the dog, but his presence makes it that much more enjoyable.

I'm sorry to hear that B'Lou did lose his family member this past year.

 

[mbhoxsie]

Shadow's dog house cracks me up... There is absolutely no way she could fit into it..

 

[kmermaid]

I think I would probably cry if I saw Shadow while on vacation at HH. The hardest thing for us is leaving our Ginger (see below).

 

[Disneyaholic]

Shadow is not Disney's dog. She is the personal dog of B'lou Crabbe. She has been the same dog on all my trips since 1999. ( i think thats when I saw her first.) she has gotten older and she is sick or tired quite a bit. B'lou takes good care of her, and when her time comes, I think it will be hard on B'lou. Blou and shadow are two of the best characters in the Disney Company.

Actually, Shadow is the resort's dog, not B'lou's or any other cast member.

The legend has it that Shadow was on Longview Island before the Disney Resort was built. Some of the resort workers kind of adopted her. After the resort opened she was just considered a part of it and has been there ever since.

Can you tell I've done the "Behind the Ears" tour at HH a "few" times?


B'lou has not been with the resort since it opened. Before his arrival, Chef Gordon was Shadow's handler and still fills in when B'lou is on vacation.

As far as Shadlow's age, well, she does have Disney magic working in her favor!

 

[TCPluto]

I talked with B'Lou "off the record" last time we were there. This past summer, 2005, there was a different Shadow for the first time. He just said the previous Shadow had "passed" on and this dog is no relation but looked very similar. I knew right away it was a different, younger looking Shadow than before. Since HH is 10 years old this year, it very well COULD have been the original Shadow, Golden's DO live that long, but the original Shadow they used was already "elderly" to begin with. They ARE wonderful dogs, mine is at my feet as I type right now!

We're ar HHI right now and just saw Shadow and B'lou( I"m somehow attached to someones wireless network, probably a nearby office).

Anyway, B'lou mentioned this thread on the DIS and expressed dismay at how the rumors are going.

Shadow has been around since the resort was built. He mentioned that the current Shadow is the one and only shadow, there's never been another to date. She is older, can't hear well, and very gray in the face.

He went on to say this is the same dog that Royce Edmunds found during the building of the resort. I believe Edmunds was either the developer for Disney or the original property owner.

The dog is not his personal pet, although he does take care of the dog.