Duffy the Bear: Disney’s Best Kept (and Most Adorable) Secret
There’s only one way to know if you’re the ultimate Disney fan.
You might be a regular Walt Disney World guest—maybe you’re even an Annual Passholder—but do you know the name of Mickey Mouse’s teddy bear?? (Okay, I guess the title kind of gives it away…)
Whether Duffy is an old acquaintance of yours or this is your first time meeting, we’re excited to embrace those snuggly vibes as we discuss everything Duffy, from stuffing to stitches! So grab a cup of coffee and your favorite afghan, and prepare to get cozy with Disney’s most underrated character.
Duffy the Bear: Unbearably Cute!
So, who exactly is “Duffy the Disney Bear?”
Duffy is a very cuddly, cute, and fluffy caramel brown and white teddy bear – the ultimate companion for rainy days and fun adventures! In the same way Woody from Toy Story bears Andy’s name on the bottom of his boot, Duffy has Mickey ears on his paws and his hip to showcase his allegiance to everyone’s favorite mouse.
This little teddy was first seen in 2002, in the “Once Upon A Toy” toy store at Downtown Disney in Orlando. (Back then, Disney Springs was still called Downtown Disney.) Nobody knew who “Duffy” was, because this bear was simply “The Disney Bear.” You could actually buy “The Disney Bear” in many different colors! Sort of like Care Bears, except every Duffy is definitely a Cheer Bear!
Duffy’s heartwarming origin story tells the tale of his pal, Mickey, as a sailor, crossing the sea on a big adventure. Before he departs, however, his sweet Minnie actually makes and gives Duffy to him as a present! Duffy the Bear would be his buddy as he ventured out to sea. Oh, and Duffy’s name comes from the fact that Minnie first gifts him to Mickey in a duffel bag. Can you say cuteness overload?
The super creative part about Duffy’s story is that he and Mickey travel the world together. Fans of Duffy get to visit new places and meet new characters right along with him! Duffy the Bear has many friends, who are honestly just as cute as he is! (And just when you thought nothing could match up to Duffy!)
Duffy’s Furry Friends (And One Scaly Friend!)
Duffy has several friends that are part of the “Duffy the Disney Bear” brand, and each one has its own unique personality and story!
His most well-known sidekick is a fellow teddy bear, ShellieMay. Adorable as can be, Minnie Mouse also handmade this plush pal for Duffy. ShellieMay’s name comes from their first meeting when Duffy gave his new bestie a lovely seashell necklace. So, they called her ShellieMay. (You know, due to the seashells.)
Then there’s Gelatoni. Gelatoni is a real cool cat. No really, we mean it! He’s a cat, and he’s got that natural artistic, creative vibe. He loves to paint and doesn’t feel limited by any set rules. He once got creative with some spilled gelato! He’s also always there to make his buddies smile, and that’s why we love him. (And cats are just awesome.)
Next up on the friendship roster is CookieAnn! Not to be confused with Pluto, CookieAnn is also a bright, yellow dog. True to her name, she’s a fan of desserts! CookieAnn was actually carrying waffles when she met Duffy the Bear, who just happened to be holding cotton candy. The two quickly discovered that cotton candy waffles are delicious and that they themselves made an excellent pair!
Another one of Duffy’s pals is StellaLou! Keeping with the double-name theme, StellaLou is a lavender colored-rabbit. Her whole story revolves around chasing your dreams, and in StellaLou’s case, her dream is to perform as a dancer on Broadway! You go, girl!
And we can’t forget the unstoppable ‘Olu Mel! ‘Olu Mel is one terrific turtle with sweet, freckle-dusted cheeks. He lives in Hawai’i and plays the ukulele, each song inspired by the nature around him. Shy and reserved (as turtles tend to be), ‘Olu Mel is an amazing listener, whether it’s listening to the ocean waves or to a friend. Above all, ‘Olu Mel loves making people happy, especially with his music!
Brand new to the crew, Disney just recently released LinaBell, a mystery-solving, pink fox who loves to ask questions. She often carries a magnifying glass so she can better observe the world around her (and find clues, of course). Demand for Linabell was huge in China. Rumor has it her full story and merchandise will be available for purchase in the US later this Autumn.1 Be sure to look out for the release!
Needless to say, Duffy the Bear has some terrific friends, and each one is (or soon will be) available to add to your own stuffed animal collection! (Yay!)
How to Become a Disney Bear
Duffy’s journey to becoming a Disney Parks staple hasn’t always been easy, but he’s certainly brightened the day of everyone who’s encountered him!
Duffy the Bear was lovingly crafted by Imagineers, and the first glimmer of his character arrived on the Disney scene in 2002, when there was just “The Disney Bear.”
In 2004, the plush bear was released in the Tokyo Disney Resort, despite sales not performing well at other parks. In Tokyo, he was sometimes known as “The Bear of Happiness and Luck.” The teddy and his costumes sold so well that it was decided by Imagineers to expand his world, to name him “Duffy,” and to use Duffy’s brand as further merchandise and fun in the parks. So, although Duffy’s story claims he’s from Cape Cod, he was really born at Tokyo Disney Resort!
Whenever you buy a Duffy bear, he’ll come with a small storybook about how he came to be with Mickey, and the illustrations are so cute! You can purchase Duffy and Friends merch on Disney’s website now, as well as in the parks and on certain cruises!
Although Duffy was retired from the EPCOT World Showcase in Orlando, there was a time when you could meet Duffy at EPCOT under one of the pavilions. It made sense that Duffy would be placed at World Showcase, considering he’s an avid international traveler. While visiting Duffy is no longer an option at the World Showcase at Walt Disney World, guests can still meet Duffy at Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, Disney California Adventure, Aulani Disney Resort & Spa, and Disneyland Paris.
Fun Facts about Duffy:
- ShellieMay was Duffy’s first friend to be added to the collection.
- Tokyo Disney Resort actually invented a show for Duffy called “My Friend Duffy.”
- In the past, during the month of September, Shanghai Disneyland Resort has held an entire month of Duffy festivities. The celebration is called “Duffy’s Heartfelt Moments.” So sweet!
- When Duffy was at World Showcase in WDW around 2010-2015, you could purchase unique costumes for Duffy in each country at EPCOT.
- Cape Cod is technically Duffy’s hometown!
Duffy the Bear is simply precious. The hype for Duffy and his plushie pals is real, and what started out as a simple teddy bear has really grown into a huge phenomenon! We love that Duffy is perfect for kiddos but also appealing for adults as his story states, “With a willingness to do anything to bring a smile to his friends, and his quintessential innocence, Duffy takes all of us back to our childhood when we all had an ‘inner Duffy.'”2
Do you have a Duffy plush or one of Duffy’s friends? Tell us about them and the adventures you’ve had together in the comments below!
Stay snuggly!
Cover Image
Photo: Unsplash
Recommended Gear for this Adventure
Disclaimer: We earn a commission if you click any of the links above and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
