The Great Duffy Debate

[mikelan6]

Hey Lori - Was there any presence of Duffy in Disneyland Paris? Just curious.

Don't give them any ideas.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Hey Lori - Was there any presence of Duffy in Disneyland Paris? Just curious.

I've read that Duffy will be at DLRP for Christmas this year I hope he stays

 

[BriarRosie]

Hey Lori - Was there any presence of Duffy in Disneyland Paris? Just curious.

The only one I saw posed for pics with a couple of our tour members. They brought him along to help tell the "story" of the trip to a grandchild. I give Duffy a free pass in those circumstances.

 

[topolino]

That pretty much sums up why I'm not a Duffy fan. The whole force-fed marketing of him when he had no ties to a film or attraction left me cold.

I just don't understand why people dislike Duffy just because he has no film attached. What, you (not you personally, but you in the general sense) only like characters whose films soaked you for $15.95 at the local IMAX?

 

[jrtoastyman]

I see where you're going. Instead of saying "People like this character, lets make some merchandise", they're saying "Here's some merchandise, lets make people like the character".

Sort of putting the cart before the horse.

This sums it up perfectly for me. Also, a Disney experience is already a toll road of sorts, with toys focused upon well-known characters at every turn, but I'm OK with that, because my daughter at least has some pre-existing relationship with those characters. Foisting Duffy upon us as yet another must-have character seems frankly a bit greedy.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I just don't understand why people dislike Duffy just because he has no film attached. What, you (not you personally, but you in the general sense) only like characters whose films soaked you for $15.95 at the local IMAX?

I see what you are saying, but you know what it is? It's more generic stuff. As if merchandise hasn't gone generic enough. Plus he took over a whole shop in Epcot that I used to like. When I saw the Meet & Greet Duffy walking around in Epcot, I felt like I was at Wallyworld or something.

 

[disneysteve]

I just don't understand why people dislike Duffy just because he has no film attached. What, you (not you personally, but you in the general sense) only like characters whose films soaked you for $15.95 at the local IMAX?

It's more generic stuff. As if merchandise hasn't gone generic enough.

Exactly. It is what I said earlier about story. I collect Disney memorabilia so I have no problem shelling out good money for items with characters printed on them but that is only because I have some connection with the character. I loved the movie or the ride that the character is from. What is Duffy from? Nothing. Disney has such an incredibly rich history of story and character development and then they go and do a totally cheap-out knock off of Build a Bear. Disney is better than that.

 

[BriarRosie]

I just don't understand why people dislike Duffy just because he has no film attached. What, you (not you personally, but you in the general sense) only like characters whose films soaked you for $15.95 at the local IMAX?

I think you missed my point. Mickey has been around since 1928, in countless animated short films and a few features. He's got history with the company. Same with the rest of the Fab Five, and every animated character that came since.

And for attractions, Figment was created to be part of the original Journey into Imagination. I have no problem seeing Figment merchandise. Heck, when Captain EO played in the 1980s, I had no problem with Fuzzball. Nor did I have a problem if they made a Skippy plush after Alien Encounter debuted. (I actually wanted a Skippy plush and wasn't able to find one. Go figure.)

Duffy was created with one purpose: To sell plush. And multiple outfits. Steve pegged it when he compared it to Disney's answer to Build-A-Bear.

And now they made him a walk around character, as well. I'll say it again: It leaves me cold. Does nothing for me. I can understand why people like him, because he's soft and cuddly. But I'm turned off by the lack of Disney connection.

 

[topolino]

I think you missed my point. Mickey has been around since 1928, in countless animated short films and a few features. He's got history with the company. Same with the rest of the Fab Five, and every animated character that came since.

And for attractions, Figment was created to be part of the original Journey into Imagination. I have no problem seeing Figment merchandise. Heck, when Captain EO played in the 1980s, I had no problem with Fuzzball. Nor did I have a problem if they made a Skippy plush after Alien Encounter debuted. (I actually wanted a Skippy plush and wasn't able to find one. Go figure.)

Duffy was created with one purpose: To sell plush. And multiple outfits. Steve pegged it when he compared it to Disney's answer to Build-A-Bear.

And now they made him a walk around character, as well. I'll say it again: It leaves me cold. Does nothing for me. I can understand why people like him, because he's soft and cuddly. But I'm turned off by the lack of Disney connection.

I see your points, but in order to keep the (friendly) debate going, I'll add that other than the Fab Five, you could make the argument that Duffy is more "Disney" than any of the characters that we know and love and associate with Disney. From Snow White to Pinocchio, from Peter Pan to Jungle Book, from Cinderella to Winnie the Pooh, none of these characters were created by Disney. Do we associate them with Disney now because of the now classic films? Of course, but not Disney exclusives by any means. Duffy, on the other hand, is a complete Disney original.

I know how you feel though, about things that leave you cold beause of a non Disney connection. Disney just announced a $500 million one last week.

 

[book_junkie]

Heya-
Just for reference, can someone tell me if these are what y'all are talking about when you say the "original" Disney Bears?

I was trying to look up a comparison to see what my mom has (avid teddy bear collector) and wasn't sure.. Aside from having a Duffy tag, how do you tell them apart?

Thanks!

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

I'm a little frustrated now! Decided I'd use the gift certificates I have for DisneyStore.com to order a Duffy bear as a surprise for my DD, since they are running 25% off park merchandise today. But can you use it on Duffy, no! Of course not!

 

[EKW]

Duffy is just another attempt by Disney to corner the market on EVERYTHING. I can hear the wheels turning: "Hey, that Build-a-Bear thing really seems to be hanging around. What if we clone the idea...minus the fake 'make it yourself' bit...and try to grab our piece of the 'stuffed animals for grown-ups to dress up' market?"

I am no great fan of Disney's marketing department. Rather than approach their new products from the point-of-view of the consumer and trying to meet demand, they look at the competition and do everything they can to drive it out of business.

THAT is why I hate Duffy...hate the very concept of Duffy. There is no childlike innocence behind this product, only cold, calculated efforts to separate the public from their hard-earned money.

 

[daraddg]

my kids are already sucked in by Duffy but to me he looks like any other bear it just doesnt feel Disney at all

 

[jockey]

I love Duffy...so does my dd...she went to meet him every day in epcot!! we bought her the baby duffy but we want to get the 17" with outfits when we go back

 

[rotlex]

Cant' stand Duffy here. Reason? The fact that I, along with wife and kids, find it ridiculous that with all the Disney characters, movies etc. etc. that they have to merchandise with, they really needed a "Disney bear"? Seriously, as someone else posted, Duffy is simply Disney's attempt to corner the market on everything including the build a bear stuff. I mean, with the hundreds of other characters out there, well and not so well known, why not do a build a bear type thing with something that already exists? A teddy bear is just stupid.