Duffy, Mickey's teddy bear, is looking forward to taking pictures with new friends! You can visit him at Duffy's Landing in Paradise Pier.
One day Mickey was preparing to set sail for a long voyage around the world. Minnie thought he should have something special to remind him of how much he was loved at home. She stayed up all night to hand make a plush teddy bear with all of her heart. Mickey adored him and named him Duffy the Disney Bear.
With Duffy in tow, Mickey toured the globe and went to ports in Hawaii, Japan, the Mediterranean and Castaway Cay. There were plenty of stops along the way to meet old friends and make new ones. Mickey and Duffy took pictures together, always saying "Cheese!" in front of landmarks and with their pals.
Duffy has fallen in love with the high seas. Gazing at the waters of Paradise Pier, he awaits Mickey to take him on his next expedition. Snap a photo with him at The Cove with Mickey's Fun Wheel in the background. Duffy loves taking pictures with new friends!
Minnie has made dozens more plush bears, just like Duffy, so you can take him on your adventures through Disneyland Resort and beyond. Try to get a picture with your Duffy plush in front of all of your favorite attractions.
Facts
- Duffy the Disney Bear is a Disney character that can be found at Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park in California, Walt Disney World in Florida, Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. As the story goes, Minnie Mouse created Duffy for Mickey Mouse as he was packing for a long voyage at sea. Duffy is available for purchase and at "meet and greets."
- Duffy is also featured in the video game Kinect Disneyland Adventures where the players can interact with him although he doesn't speak.
- Duffy is unique among Disney characters in that he was not first featured in a Disney movie or television show until he made his television debut in the 2010 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. He also is on his own Bedtime Story Channel in Walt Disney World.
History
Although originally created for and briefly sold at the Disney World Once Upon a Toy shop in Orlando in 2002, Duffy only became popular after Oriental Land executives adopted the character, gave it a name and a backstory, and aggressively marketed it in the Tokyo DisneySea park. Japanese fans took to it and some of them started to carry around multiple Duffy plush bears during their visits to the park. The My Friend Duffy show replaced a Donald Duck-themed show at the American Waterfront Cape Cod Cook-Off hamburger restaurant in 2010.
Duffy was previously known as "The Disney Bear" with an entirely different backstory. The original story found on the tag of the first released bear's ear said that Mickey brought his favorite bear to the Magic Kingdom. Mickey sat in front of the castle wishing that he had a friend with him to share the excitement and magic of the park. Tinker-bell appears and sprinkles pixie dust on Mickey's bear, bringing it to life. Mickey then hugs the bear and a Mickey-shape appears on the bear's face, forever bonding Mickey and his new friend.
Duffy the Disney Bear joined American Disney parks on October 14, 2010. He was welcomed at Epcot in Walt Disney World and Disney California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort. He then joined Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on November 19, 2010. He was welcomed at Main Street, U.S.A. in Hong Kong Disneyland Park. He joined Disneyland Paris on June 2011. He will make his official debut in Disneyland Paris at the Disneyland Park on November 7, 2011 for their Christmas season. He will have his own Meet-and-Greet area and photolocation in Town Square. He will also have a Meet-and-Greet location at the Disneyland Hotel and at the Disney's Newport Bay Club Hotel. He will participate in the daily daytime Parade "Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade" in the Christmas unit "Dreams of Christmas". He will also be at the daily nighttime Show "Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony".
Hidden Mickeys
- Treasures in Paradise Gift Shop: The Duffy shopping display features Classic Mickeys on Duffy's feet and footprints.