Mask or Duffy @ Epcot Kidcot?

[pinkerbell]

I agree TDC Nala the parks are definately looking to the young, but I am confused by the split approach. The kids channel has changed so much I no longer let my kids watch it (gone are higglytown heros, johnny and the sprites, charlie and lola, my friends tigger and pooh, Jo jo's circus,all the shows I would let my kids watch) and here to stay is programming unacceptable for even the age it is being directed, which seems to be teens. My kids used to love watching the disney channel and getting excited about the things we would see on our trips (direct relation with shows on the channel and char at the parks in rest's, greets and shows). Now there is very little of that MMclubhouse is the only one I can think of that is really kid friendly, and dont get me started on Fineas and Ferb As for Disney Jr, I am hopeful, but doubtful it will be the "old style" disney programming. My kids just can't keep up with the constant show changes and prefer to watch pbs now where the programming is more consistant.

As u stated Japan has quite a "bear thing going" and although my kids love bears - they did not like duffy, I don't think they go to disney to see him - they want mickey, minnie, etc. They were 6 and 4 at the time so I am wondering how young and how small this new demographic is they are targeting. ALthough I will be the first person to say a child is never to young to go (we brought bother before they were one) Most people in this area (over 1000 miles away) are just not willing to take big trips with kids that small to Disney and almost all say "we're waiting till the kids get a little bit older" meaning 7 or more and likely past the "duffy" age.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I agree TDC Nala the parks are definately looking to the young, but I am confused by the split approach. The kids channel has changed so much I no longer let my kids watch it (gone are higglytown heros, johnny and the sprites, charlie and lola, my friends tigger and pooh, Jo jo's circus,all the shows I would let my kids watch) and here to stay is programming unacceptable for even the age it is being directed, which seems to be teens. My kids used to love watching the disney channel and getting excited about the things we would see on our trips (direct relation with shows on the channel and char at the parks in rest's, greets and shows). Now there is very little of that MMclubhouse is the only one I can think of that is really kid friendly, and dont get me started on Fineas and Ferb As for Disney Jr, I am hopeful, but doubtful it will be the "old style" disney programming. My kids just can't keep up with the constant show changes and prefer to watch pbs now where the programming is more consistant.

I totally agree with you regarding Disney programs used to be good and now they have things geared more to older kids. When we went to HS store, a CM asked my 5 yr old if he likes to watch Fineas and Ferb, he said he doesn't get to watch it b/c my mommy doesn't approve of the show. She frowned at me and telling me its a good show for kids. I looked at her . I told her I let him watch MMclubhouse and a few others but I did not think the Fineas and Ferb was good for his age and then she walks away.

 

[robinb]

Duffy on a stick was not a good idea for 4 kids ages 7-10.
#1 they didnt really like Duffy, wanted a mask
#2 Duffy made a great item to battle other Duffys
#3 threw away Duffy in France because didnt want to be seen holding a bear

I wish they would bring back the masks, Dd would spend all day doing her mask at Kidcot! Ultimately Disney lost money by making us take Duffy 2 weeks ago. The kids had nothing to do, drove us nuts and we bailed on the world showcase. No Rosa Regale in Italy, no chocolates purchase, no prefume purchase. Not a normal trip!!!!!

My 11-year old loved coloring her Duffy, so it all depends on the kid I guess. She did miss the charms that the CMs had for the masks, though. Honestly, the whole kidkot thing bores me to tears. The less time I have to spend watching my child color, the happier I feel!

 

[jecskc]

We bought the passports last time we went and really liked those. They are $10. But if you don't want to spend the money, the DISigns thread has some really cute make at home passports that you can use. My kids DD8 and DS11 loved the passorts and all of the stickers and such. DD8 liked Duffy as well, but missed the mask and the charms.

 

[robinb]

If you like teddy bears you will adore Duffy. If you're ambivalent about them it may seem kind of annoying that one is taking over Epcot.

I've read that "Duffy has taken over Epcot!" before ... probably from you . I was expecting just that when I was there before Christmas. I was surprised (in my opinion) to find that it was not that case. Duffy is no different than any other Disney toy promotion. He had his own small section in many of the Epcot stores and in the Disney resorts and other parks much like the My Disney Dolls had their sections or the miniature sets (princesses, etc) have their own section. My DD wanted a Duffy and I told her to wait for Japan because I thought, from some reports, that we couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a Duffy and since he came from DL-Tokyo I though it was fitting to but him from his own "country". Imagine my surprise when there were NO DUFFYS! He does take up half of one of the gift shops at the entrance to the WS across from his meet and greet and we had to wait until we got all the way around the WS to buy the medium bear that wears the special clothes.

 

[TDC Nala]

Can't imagine how you saw no Duffys. In October/November he was available in every pavilion and every store, including the Duffy Central store opposite the World Showcase/Future World plaza, including a big window display in the International Gateway store, and people were carrying the colorable ones on a stick everywhere. They are even selling Duffy-shaped rice krispie treats and has replaced Mickey on the World Showcase passport stamps.

 

[robinb]

Can't imagine how you saw no Duffys. In October/November he was available in every pavilion and every store, including the Duffy Central store opposite the World Showcase/Future World plaza, and people were carrying the colorable ones on a stick everywhere. They are even selling Duffy-shaped rice krispie treats and has replaced Mickey on the World Showcase passport stamps.

Of course I saw the Duffy sticks and the stamps. I said in a PP that my DD had one and I had to stop at kidcot to get her's stamped. I was talking about the stuffed bears themselves. The Duffy stuffed bears in the WS were scarce. There were NONE in Japan. We tried Germany next and NO DUFFYS. There were some on the Africa cart, but we didn't see them until a few days later.

FWIW, it doesn't bother me that they have changed the stamp from Mickey to Duffy. It makes sense to me that the two should match.

 

[pinkerbell]

I agree TDC Nala the parks are definately looking to the young, but I am confused by the split approach. The kids channel has changed so much I no longer let my kids watch it (gone are higglytown heros, johnny and the sprites, charlie and lola, my friends tigger and pooh, Jo jo's circus,all the shows I would let my kids watch) and here to stay is programming unacceptable for even the age it is being directed, which seems to be teens. My kids used to love watching the disney channel and getting excited about the things we would see on our trips (direct relation with shows on the channel and char at the parks in rest's, greets and shows). Now there is very little of that MMclubhouse is the only one I can think of that is really kid friendly, and dont get me started on Fineas and Ferb As for Disney Jr, I am hopeful, but doubtful it will be the "old style" disney programming. My kids just can't keep up with the constant show changes and prefer to watch pbs now where the programming is more consistant.

I totally agree with you regarding Disney programs used to be good and now they have things geared more to older kids. When we went to HS store, a CM asked my 5 yr old if he likes to watch Fineas and Ferb, he said he doesn't get to watch it b/c my mommy doesn't approve of the show. She frowned at me and telling me its a good show for kids. I looked at her . I told her I let him watch MMclubhouse and a few others but I did not think the Fineas and Ferb was good for his age and then she walks away.

I agree Fineas and ferb is not good

We bought the passports last time we went and really liked those. They are $10. But if you don't want to spend the money, the DISigns thread has some really cute make at home passports that you can use. My kids DD8 and DS11 loved the passorts and all of the stickers and such. DD8 liked Duffy as well, but missed the mask and the charms.

great idea! we have never done this. I will have to look it up on the boards as I am not sure how it works or what to do.

Can't imagine how you saw no Duffys. In October/November he was available in every pavilion and every store, including the Duffy Central store opposite the World Showcase/Future World plaza, including a big window display in the International Gateway store, and people were carrying the colorable ones on a stick everywhere. They are even selling Duffy-shaped rice krispie treats and has replaced Mickey on the World Showcase passport stamps.

UGH!! duffy krispy treats ...blagh! Looks like I'll be visiting the creative disboards and printing up a mickey passports

 

[TDC Nala]

Not surprised there were none in Japan, that store is not operated by Disney. Come to think of it I was never inside the store in Japan so I don't know about that one. But it was posted here that Der Teddy Bar store in Germany now offers stuffed Duffys. Saw a couple in Mexico that appeared to be a display.

 

[robinb]

But it was posted here that Der Teddy Bar store in Germany now offers stuffed Duffys.

We tried Der Teddy Bear and there were none the week before Christmas.

 

[disdrmg]

We were there Dec. 11-18th. I saw Duffy's in all of the stores we visited in WS, including Germany. I did notice that some stores carried outfits specific to their country for Duffy and some only had the "sailor looking outfit".

When I first saw the meet in greet when we entered WS, I said to myself, "why in the world is there a teddy bear in Disney World, what has a teddy bear got to do with Disney." Then as we proceeded to the kidcot station in Mexico and I saw the bear I understood. My kids 5 and 9 liked the bear ok - but missed the mask and the charms.

We stop for almost every character meet and greet but they never asked to meet the bear. Once we made it around WS to all the kidcots I asked if they wanted to meet the bear and they said no.

I agree that selling the bear in each country with the outfits, and having it at the kidcot stations is just a way to make more money. Gone is the perk of having something fun to do in Epcot that didn't cost anything. Now it comes with strings attatched/sublimal advertising b/c I am sure there will be plenty of kids that will want the bear once they do the kidcot stations.

 

[jpkkld]

OMG - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I'm a bit behind the times. Forgive me. I've been planning this next trip for all of 10 days. But.... but..... but.....

1st trip with dd, I thought, "masks? what's a 4yo princess going to want a MASK for??" Hah! Little did I know. She LOVED that mask. LOVED it. We took our time over Epcot - 3 days. She obsessed over making sure we remembered the mask the 2nd 2 days. She obsessed over making sure we remembered it when we returned after our daily break. She IS STILL OBSESSED WITH THAT MASK! She's already mapping out designs for her new one in March. And I saw her sorting through the charms the other day. Poor kid.

The funniest thing is, she's going to love Duffy. In fact, I would have loved Duffy for her 2 years ago. But I agree that Duffy leaves no room to grow! She'll have fun with it this year, but next time... well, I suppose there are always scavenger hunts, hidden Mickeys, and Kim Possible.

And the real kicker is, she'll talk us into buying another bear. Ever been to Build-A-Bear? DD has - a few times a year! And does Grandma just buy new outfits for Bear #1?? Of course not! We have a huge collection, soon to be joined by Duffy. Hooray. And no, I can't "just say no". It WILL be the only thing she asks for the whole week. Seriously.

So, my question: What size is Duffy? Do the BAB clothes fit him? Something tells me dd won't want any of the Epcot outfits - Duffy's a boy, so his outfits aren't dresses! Hmmm, another way Disney's dropping the ball on this Duffy issue...

Thanks to everyone for the info. Glad I have some advance warning!

 

[updebrooke]

Duffy comes in 3 sizes. They have a pre-dressed Duffy that is 12". One that is 17" and one that is 40". I bought the 17" bear. Yes, the Build A Bear outfits fit him. I had to buy all of his World Showcase oufts. They are too cute. They have Germany, France, Mexico, Canada, UK, and China. They also have other outfits. They have smaller Duffys as well like a keychain or magnet.

 

[tarrbear]

#2 Duffy made a great item to battle other Duffys

I preferred the mask myself. DS8 took his first Duffy on a sticky and turned him into scary Duffy! Red eyes and the whole bit. It was funny and slightly disturbing as well. He also liked to use it swat my husband if he wasn't looking. That was funny!

I agree TDC Nala the parks are definately looking to the young, but I am confused by the split approach. The kids channel has changed so much I no longer let my kids watch it (gone are higglytown heros, johnny and the sprites, charlie and lola, my friends tigger and pooh, Jo jo's circus,all the shows I would let my kids watch) and here to stay is programming unacceptable for even the age it is being directed, which seems to be teens. My kids used to love watching the disney channel and getting excited about the things we would see on our trips (direct relation with shows on the channel and char at the parks in rest's, greets and shows). Now there is very little of that MMclubhouse is the only one I can think of that is really kid friendly, and dont get me started on Fineas and Ferb As for Disney Jr, I am hopeful, but doubtful it will be the "old style" disney programming. My kids just can't keep up with the constant show changes and prefer to watch pbs now where the programming is more consistant.

I totally agree with you regarding Disney programs used to be good and now they have things geared more to older kids. When we went to HS store, a CM asked my 5 yr old if he likes to watch Fineas and Ferb, he said he doesn't get to watch it b/c my mommy doesn't approve of the show. She frowned at me and telling me its a good show for kids. I looked at her . I told her I let him watch MMclubhouse and a few others but I did not think the Fineas and Ferb was good for his age and then she walks away.

It seems that Disney Channel is trying to draw in the teen audience that grew up with it rather than a new audience.

Phineas and Ferb for a five year old? Probably not, its more suited for a 7+ audience in my opinion, I personally like the show its very witty how there is humor included for the younger ones and older ones. The only problem is when you laugh at a joke directed to the the adults while there are children in your presence. That joke goes right over the childs head but they are now asking you while you laughed and they didn't.
Good times good timesssss.

 

[CTmommyx3]

Oh no I am so sad to hear this
my kids LOVE doing the masks and making them ... well what they are a mask. They loved getting the tags to hang on them.
I guess for me it will be easier no need to go into some of the gift shops they had them in!
My kids will not be into the bear on the stick at all.

 

[SDSorority]

On our last Epcot day of vacation, the masks the kids usually get at the kidcot stations were bears with the name Duffy. Was this just temporary? What's the story behind Duffy and have/will the masks come back?

Duffy freaks me out

That's why I made a passport for the CM's to stamp and sign instead.

 

[cindycastle30]

We saw Duffy for the 1st time the week before xmas, we didn't have any of our kids with us but I am pretty sure they would not have liked Duffy in the kidcot stations. My favorite part of him is the mickey on his bottom. The photopass person told me that Duffy doesn't like having that pointed out. My husband can't stand Duffy and the whole trip every time we would see "Duffy" (which was everywhere) he would say "there is that gravy trainin Disney bear Duffy! Hopefully Duffy will have run his course by the time we visit again.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Duffy on a stick was not a good idea for 4 kids ages 7-10.
#1 they didnt really like Duffy, wanted a mask
#2 Duffy made a great item to battle other Duffys
#3 threw away Duffy in France because didnt want to be seen holding a bear

I wish they would bring back the masks, Dd would spend all day doing her mask at Kidcot! Ultimately Disney lost money by making us take Duffy 2 weeks ago. The kids had nothing to do, drove us nuts and we bailed on the world showcase. No Rosa Regale in Italy, no chocolates purchase, no prefume purchase. Not a normal trip!!!!!

What?! No Rosa Regale?! My favorite!

 

[Bullseye]

OMG!! I hadn't even noticed that MOST of the stamps are now Duffy NOT mickey mouse,wearing various hats... that is just wrong.. duffy is trying to squeeze out Mickey Mouse??? We were there when they changed over so I bet that by now all the stamps are Duffy-

pink I know that sounds ridiculous but I got that feeling too. Last summer I kept seeing Duffy everywhere and finally asked DW who he is?
Mickey's teddy bear? Since when?

Anyway, if you want a mask couldn't you just cut one out some poster board or a shirt box and staple it to a paint stirrer. You could actually decorate it however you want, do something artistic. I wouldn't think they would refuse to stamp it cuz its not Duffy.

 

[eeyorefan41]

My children loved coloring their masks and collecting the charms. Our whole visit in the WS revolved around the kidcot stations. Im sure dd-10 will LOVE the bear and talk me into buying one for her. I can picture it now, my ds-12 making his bear into some evil looking devil amimal and then tossing it half way through the countries.