Well...Trip 3 of 3 in the books

Omg I so agree with you! I don't like him either cause he didn't even have the balls to make a movie or anything, he just came to sell himself and his many outfits to unsuspecting parents!

This truly is my main problem with him. I freely and openly acknowledge that Disney is marketing to me 24-7, but I like their products and services and I choose to spend my vacation in a place where I know that the executives are working very hard to monetize my fun. Why? Because in return, I am receiving an AWESOME vacation full of experiences that I can't have anywhere else with a consistent quality that is unparalleled anywhere I've ever been. Yes, Disney, I will continue to buy your magic beans because I like the free pony and the candy that you give me with said beans.

Duffy is pure marketing and he has given us nothing in return. He was created because someone at Disney woke up one day and said, "Crap! We don't have a teddy bear! Kids love teddy bears! Let's make a teddy bear!" I like that there is a character associated with the World Showcase, but with the depth of the Disney character pool, I really feel like he is completely superfluous and, cute and fluffy as he is, a callous marketing ploy.

Ummmm.... right. OK.

Disney used to be (for at least a decade, maybe more) home to one of the largest Teddy Bear Conventions in the world. It was a dream trip for collectors, and there were several early versions of the specialty Disney Bear before it took its Duff-a-licious form. Though the convention run ended, Duffy got a new home in one of the Disney shops, but he didn't really take off here in America. With the fans at Tokyo Disney Sea however (where his story made perfect sense) he was, and is, a GIGANTIC hit.

Here's the rest of the story...
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/meet-duffy-disney-bear

Just like attractions move from park to park, so does merchandise, and its successful launch in one location is going to pretty much assure that you will see it in other locations. Dole Whip and Turkey Leg merchandise has become HUGE over the past two years and I don't hear people complaining about the need for it to have its own movie.

This is a pic I found online

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I agree Colonel, Duffy should have been much more sensitive to the plight of the hairless. And it just wasn't right for him to think he could get all cozy with your wife like that. Simply shameful.

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Listen, for the record - I don't care if people don't like Duffy. I just want to make sure that people do know that he came from somewhere and had a reason. Some marketing exec didn't just walk into the office and think "Hey! What worthless junk can I come up with to separate people from their money today?" If you know and still think he doesn't belong, that's fine, no worries as long as the real story is out there.

But then Duffy wouldn't be very fuzzy would he????

Good one!!!

This made me LOL!

Kristen, I did know there was a backstory as I have a friend who fights tooth and nail with me when I rip him to shreds (metaphorically speaking, I'm not talking about a stuffed bear massacre, that would be weird )

Well, I have not bought a Duffy (yet), but I confess to wanting to sometimes. He is expensive, but so darn cute. And cuddly.

Sorry Colonel - I refuse to believe that the Duffster could really be that mean. He's a teddy bear.

You go Colonel. My only question to Disney is...."How many maintenance personnel does it take to change a light bulb?" Hmmmmmm?

Obviously, somewhere between a crew, a gang and a bunch, of very slow workers.

We'll be at the Boardwalk in a couple of weeks, so we'll check it out and let you know.

AHHH! my eyes! my eyes! Its blinding me!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!! The Captain says as the boat crashes into the dock. Oh that was just Colleen. (sorry, inside joke, someone will get it though )

Awesome trip report Colonel! A great read, indeed

Ahhhhhh sad it's all over. Xxx

Loved your report- !

Great trip report, it made me smile

Enjoyed all your trip reports Colonel. You do have a great sense of humour. I'll be sure to say hello to Duffy when I'm there in a few weeks!!