Duffy's design has two connections to Mickey Mouse: the light area on his face is shaped like a "Hidden Mickey", and there is a Mickey birthmark on his hip. Duffy is unique among Disney characters in that he did not appear in a Disney movie or TV show before being featured in the parks.[2]
Related characters have been introduced in the parks, expanding into a merchandise line called "Duffy and Friends", which includes ShellieMay, Gelatoni, StellaLou, CookieAnn, 'Olu Mel and LinaBell. The franchise is Disney's best-selling line in Asia, with sales topping $500 million in 2023.[3] LinaBell, a pink fox introduced at Shanghai Disneyland in 2021, is especially popular in China.[4]
The "Disney Bear" was originally created in 2002 as a unique product for the opening of Once Upon a Toy, a merchandise store in Walt Disney World's Disney Springs shopping area. It was not particularly popular at the time.[5]
With the Oriental Land Company executives looking for fresh ideas for the Tokyo Disney Resort in 2004, the company adopted the character, giving him a name, a sailor suit and a backstory. According to the new story, Minnie Mouse gave Mickey a teddy bear to keep him company when he's traveling; Mickey named the toy "Duffy" because Minnie gave it to him in a duffle bag.[2] The Oriental Land Company aggressively marketed Duffy in the Tokyo DisneySea park, and he was added as a walk-around character in 2005.[6]
As Duffy's popularity grew, executives started to retheme the Old Cape Cod area at Tokyo DisneySea to add Duffy, which included changing the show "Donald's Boat Builders" at the Cape Cod Cook-Off Theatre to "My Friend Duffy", which tells the story of how Duffy comes to life. Due to Duffy's popularity amongst Japanese fans, limits were set on the number of Duffy items a guest could buy. People lined up at stores for any new costume release.[2]
Capitalizing on Duffy's success at Tokyo DisneySea, the park began introducing new characters. On January 22, 2010, a female bear named ShellieMay debuted in the park as Duffy's friend.[7] On June 30, 2014, they introduced Gelatoni the Cat.[8] StellaLou the Bunny was introduced on March 23, 2017, as part of the Easter celebration.[6]
The next three friends debuted at other Disney parks and resorts. On April 30, 2018, Hong Kong Disneyland debuted CookieAnn the Dog.[8] 'Olu Mel the Turtle was introduced at Aulani on July 17, 2018.[9] On September 29, 2021, LinaBell the fox was introduced in Shanghai, as part of the park's 5th anniversary celebrations.[10]
All characters in Duffy and Friends are plush toys but come to life in Mickey's imagination.[11]
From left to right: Gelatoni, StellaLou and ShellieMay.
ShellieMay (January 22, 2010[7] debut at Tokyo DisneySea) is a tan female teddy bear with a green bow and a seashell pendant. Although Duffy and ShellieMay may be mistakenly seen as sweethearts, they are just good friends. ShellieMay lives in Cape Cod in American Waterfront (Tokyo DisneySea).[8]
Gelatoni (June 30, 2014 at Tokyo DisneySea) is an artistic and creative green tuxedo cat with a blue beret who sees beauty in everything. He is from Palazzo Canals in Mediterranean Harbor (Tokyo DisneySea).[8]
StellaLou (March 23, 2017 at Tokyo DisneySea) is a lavender rabbit with a blue flower, a tutu, and ballet shoes. She is determined to become a dancer, and doesn't hesitate to work hard. She made limited appearances until August 31, 2017. On August 10, 2017, StellaLou made her first appearance at Hong Kong Disneyland. She is from New York in American Waterfront (Tokyo DisneySea).[12]
CookieAnn (April 30, 2018 at Hong Kong Disneyland) is a yellow dog with a chef's hat who loves to combine different things to come up with unique recipes and ideas. She is from Main Street U.S.A (Hong Kong Disneyland). Her name was originally Cookie until it was changed to CookieAnn in 2019.[8]
'Olu Mel (July 27, 2018 at Aulani) is a shy turtle who loves making music with his ukulele. He feels very close to nature, and sometimes, he can play music with it. He is often found in Hawaii at Aulani. His costume character first appeared in Shanghai Disneyland on September 1, 2020, for Duffy Month.[13] His name was originally 'Olu, until it was changed to 'Olu Mel.
LinaBell in Hong Kong Disneyland LinaBell (September 29, 2021 at Shanghai Disneyland) is a smart pink fox with a purple orchid who loves to solve problems and mysteries by finding clues using her trademark magnifying glass.[14] Visitors was able to meet LinaBell at the Shanghai Disney Resort starting Sept. 29, 2021. [15] Linabell arrived at Hongkong Disneyland on September 9, 2022. [16]
Tippy Blue is a secondary character in Duffy and Friends. He is not a plush toy like the rest of the characters in Duffy and Friends. Tippy Blue is a mailman seagull character who at times carelessly makes mistakes despite his good intentions. He has appeared in some Duffy stories and has narrated in the My Friend Duffy show in Cape Cod (Tokyo DisneySea).[17]
"My Friend Duffy" show (at the Cape Cod Cook-Off Theatre in Cape Cod at Tokyo DisneySea)[2]
"Steps To Shine!" show (a show at the American Waterfront that is a successor to the previous show, "A Table Is Waiting"). It ran from July 11, 2017, to March 19, 2018. It would be replaced by another show, "Hello, New York!" [18]
The Duffy and Friends Show (near the entrance of Shanghai Disneyland). It started in May 2017.
Duffy and Friends: Celebrating Together show (near the entrance of Shanghai Disneyland). It ran from September 2 to September 30, 2020, for the Duffy Month. This is the first time CookieAnn and 'Olu Mel speak.
Duffy's Bedtime Story (a show at the Disneyland Paris hotel). This is the first time Duffy and ShellieMay speak in English.
Duffy's Pre-Splashing Parade (a show that only runs in the summer at Shanghai Disneyland)
A Duffy and Friends Celebration (a show at the Storybook Theatre at Hong Kong Disneyland)
On June 30, 2020, the Disney Parks posted on YouTube a stop motion short called "Morning Glories" featuring Duffy and Friends.[19] In 2021, another stop motion short called "Spring Surprise" was released.[20]
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