The Disney Bear was originally created for and briefly sold at the Disney World's Downtown Disney Once Upon a Toy shop in Orlando in 2002 as a unique product for its opening. With The Oriental Land Company executives looking for fresh ideas and the teddy bears being culturally popular, the company adopted the character in 2004, giving it a name, a sailor suit and a backstory. They aggressively marketed it in the Tokyo DisneySea park. He was added as a walk-around character, becoming a regular character in 2005. In 2005, the bear, as "My First Disney Bear," was the boys' substitute toy given out at the Perfectly Princess Tea Party at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Executives next added the My Friend Duffy show at a DisneySea restaurant. Due to Duffy's popularity amongst Japanese fans, limits were set on the number a guest could buy. Women aged 20 to 35 lined up at stores with any new costume release. Through the One Disney theme-park/corporate initiative of sharing IP/ideas, Duffy the Disney Bear was exported to the other Disney Parks. Duffy was released at the American Disney parks on October 14, 2010. He then joined Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on November 19, 2010. DisneySea began expanding the Duffy franchise with the addition of three Duffy's friends starting in 2011. His girlfriend, ShellieMay was debuted that year with Gelatoni the Cat in 2014. StellaLou, a bunny, was introduced on April 4, 2017 as a part of Easter celebration at the park. The next two friends debuted at other Disney Parks and Resorts. In 2018, Hong Kong Disneyland debuted Cookie the Dog. 'Olu the Turtle was introduced at Aulani in July 2018.
Duffy was previously known as "The Disney Bear" with an entirely different backstory. In the original story, Tinker Bell gave Mickey's face to the blank faced and nameless teddy bear. As the current Duffy story goes, Minnie Mouse hand sewed Duffy for Mickey Mouse as he was packing for a long voyage at sea and presented him in a duffel bag, hence his name.
Related characters
ShellieMay, a female teddy bear who is Duffy's sweetheart that was also made by Minnie Mouse.
Gelatoni, a cat who loves painting based at Tokyo DisneySea's Mediterranean Harbor
StellaLou, a lavender and pink ballet bunny with an aqua bow and tutu; made limited appearances until August 31, 2017; Duffy supports her goal of dancing on Broadway. On August 10, 2017, the bunny made its first appearance at Hong Kong Disneyland.
