Who is Duffy?

[scrappingpickle]

I have seen Duffy mentioned several times here on the DIS. Who is he? I have been racking my brain trying to come up with it and I got nothing.

 

[Eeee-va]

He's a bear that Minnie sewed for Mickey so he wouldn't be lonely on his sea voyages. You can meet him at Paradise Pier in DCA (near Ariel's Grotto, I believe) and buy him in plush form throughout the parks. He has Mickey Mouse symbols on his feet and often wears a sailor suit.

Here are a couple shots of tiny (magnet-footed) Duffy.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I'm beginning to believe that Duffy has some magical powers that make him and guests lined up to see him invisible. That's the best explanation I can come up with for his meet and greet always being empty.

 

[MenchieMan87]

I'm beginning to believe that Duffy has some magical powers that make him and guests lined up to see him invisible. That's the best explanation I can come up with for his meet and greet always being empty.

Haha, if he's around this weekend I'll take a picture with him!

 

[HydroGuy]

Duffy is hugely popular at Tokyo Disney. Disney is trying to "import" him to the US parks - so far without success.

In case you did not notice, take a look at the previously posted photos in this thread. Look at Duffy's face and tell me what you see...

 

[Sherry E]

Duffy's photo spot in DCA is the only Halloween thing we found in DCA 2 days ago. They are calling it "Duffy's Pumpkin Patch." The backdrop includes a hidden Mickey pumpkin. It's a cute photo op...but Duffy was not in his photo spot when we passed by, so I have no clue what Duffy is wearing for the Halloween season!

Also, there is a special stuffed Halloween Duffy for sale this year (wearing a little pumpkin-type outfit).

To be honest, when I was at DLR for the holiday season last December, I only saw Duffy being sold in DCA, and not in DL. (Sort of like how Mr. Potato Head moved out of DL and stayed a DCA exclusive.) This year, however, Duffy has 'crossed the border' and made it to the other side. He is now sold in shops on Main Street.

 

[goofycathy]

DUFFY!!!

I dont think he wanted to be kissed?!?! LOL

 

[KCmike]

I don't care for this character. Seems like a shameless plug to sell teddy bears. All we need now is DL to have a build a bear inside the park.

 

[jernysgirl]

Duffy's photo spot in DCA is the only Halloween thing we found in DCA 2 days ago. They are calling it "Duffy's Pumpkin Patch." The backdrop includes a hidden Mickey pumpkin. It's a cute photo op...but Duffy was not in his photo spot when we passed by, so I have no clue what Duffy is wearing for the Halloween season!

Also, there is a special stuffed Halloween Duffy for sale this year (wearing a little pumpkin-type outfit).

I have seen pictures and it looks like Duffy is wearing the same pumpkin outfit that you can buy for the small stuffed animal.

 

[DizMe]

I don't care for this character. Seems like a shameless plug to sell teddy bears. All we need now is DL to have a build a bear inside the park.

That's how I feel. One more chance to peddle some plush stuff. Well...I have to admit that my girls love BAB, but I really don't think we need more plushy junk in the park. However, since it doesn't particularly affect me and others may enjoy it, I'm willing to let it slide

 

[disneychrista]

In case you did not notice, take a look at the previously posted photos in this thread. Look at Duffy's face and tell me what you see...

I was going to mention the samething.

 

[DisSarahK]

My kiddos loved Duffy when they met him this past week. I don't think they really care all that much that Minnie sewed him for Mickey though--they love the "hidden" Mickeys on him and the fact that he is a teddy bear. They now each have little Duffy bears of their own (the ones with magnetic feet and hands) and LOVE them.

By the way, Duffy does not sign autographs, but he does give out "I hugged Duffy" stickers.

 

[Eeee-va]

The full background story of Duffy is interesting...as I understand it, Disney tried to sell him years ago in the parks as "My Disney Bear" but he didn't do great. You can even go on eBay and buy some of those original bears (in different colors!) though the price is astronomical.

Eventually, the owners of Tokyo Disneyland (or more specifically, Tokyo DisneySeas, their second gate) took the bear and named him Duffy. They made a little story for him, that Minnie had sewed him to accompany Mickey on his sea voyages, and then Mickey could take pictures of him during his journeys, etc. That went over huge in Japan, resulting in extremely long lines just to buy his merchandise, let alone meet him. They made numerous outfits for him, gave him a female bear friend Shellie May, etc. I understand Duffy is a HUGE seller over there; I've heard ridiculously large percentages of merchandise sales are just Duffy. Lots of adults will go around with their Duffy and Shellie Mays at the parks, get photos with/of them, etc. And Tokyo Disneyland licenses the Disney name, so those parks are not owned by Disney.

Eventually Disney decided they wanted to try again, so they re-launched Duffy over here. Originally the idea was to make him something special in just DCA and Epcot, just like you can only find him in Tokyo DisneySeas in Japan. We were in the meet-and-greet area in DCA in October 2010 and I met him just because he was there. But then hanging out in the merchandise shop, I started to love him. They must pump something in the air. Being cheap, I ended up buying the small magnet-pawed Duffy (which IMO is cuter than the big one they sell in the US anyway). He is VERY fun to take on trips and get pictures with, and fits easily into even a fairly small purse.

Later Disney gave up on the "one park exclusive" strategy (presumably due to weak sales) and just put Duffy wherever they could sell him, I guess. I am so thrilled they have a Halloween backdrop for Duffy...that makes me think that they may at least continue to support him through November or beyond. I need a Duffy hug!

(In Japan, they make very pricey and high-quality outfits for Duffy bears, several a year, I believe. Out here, for some reason Disney has decided to primarily come out with smaller, pre-dressed plushes for most seasons. IMO that really devalues the idea of Duffy as your "friend" that you take along with you, and even people who love Duffy don't necessarily have room for a dozen of them in their home...but Disney has stated the pre-dressed bears are part of their strategy. I don't understand it. )

 

[goofycathy]

I was going to mention the samething.

Clue me in!!

 

[DisSarahK]

Clue me in!!

The light part of his face is a Mickey shape. He also has Mickey paw prints.

 

[scrappingpickle]

Thanks. I really thought I had missed some old Mickey cartoon.

 

[goofycathy]

Ah, Mickey shaped face, lol gotcha!