Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "A special dark brown "Disney Bear" dressed in winter wear was offered this past holiday season as part of a "purchase with purchase" promotion at the NYC World of Disney store." Yeah, I opted not to get it this year (I work in NYC). I got the one from last year which was all white with silver "sparkles" in his fur. He's cute and looks more "wintery". It's also the only "Disney Bear" I own. They also sell a black one with white face & paws with an "NYC World of Disney" t-shirt on.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "A special dark brown "Disney Bear" dressed in winter wear was offered this past holiday season as part of a "purchase with purchase" promotion at the NYC World of Disney store." Yeah, I opted not to get it this year (I work in NYC). I got the one from last year which was all white with silver "sparkles" in his fur. He's cute and looks more "wintery". It's also the only "Disney Bear" I own. They also sell a black one with white face & paws with an "NYC World of Disney" t-shirt on.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I don't know why that posted twice. I wanted to mention though, that the "winter wear" that the NYC bear was wearing was a red t-shirt...kind of unimpressive for winter. If he had a coat, or sweater on or something, that would have made more sense.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara Disney Bear wasn't just offered as a $10 Christmas premium at World of Disney in New York this past holiday, he was also available in a light brown version (as opposed to the current dark brown version) about two or three Christmases ago.
Originally Posted By DuffyDad >> I heard that TDR people thought that giving him an actual name would work better with the Japanese Guests. If that was the case, they sure were right.<< -Roger55 >>Yeah, the "Disney Bear" was introduced at the US parks first, and had no name...Personally, I find "Duffy's" story a bit more romantic, and not quite so sugary-sweet.<< -gurgitoy2 >>I think that's in keeping with the general sensibility at TDS vs, say, a MK.<< -SuperDry Apparent differences between Japanese and American sensitivity when it comes to Disney (and all things cute or "fashiony-cool") is what makes it fun for me. I don't think I'd like it so much in the States (where I'm from), but in Japan, people really do let themselves become romantic, imaginative dreamers and "children" in the Disney parks and I think it rocks! And it's not only "otaku." Finding a beautiful place where you can really have that kind of freedom to play and have fun (and, yeah, be otaku if you want to^^) with no loud music, no drugs, no pretentious posturing and no judgment (except from foreign park guests who don't "get" it) is refreshing to many. And sorely needed in this city. >>My Japanese friends saw it and of course wanted to know how to get their hands on one. That is of course the ONLY reason why I know about it. I am not a "Duffy otaku". Lol!<< -Roger55 Hey! What's wrong with "Duffy otaku?" Seriously, I can't help it.^^ I love taking pictures with this little guy. I love how photography and costuming are part of his story, and that they support this with merchandise and photo contests. And they've written more story to go with the merchandising for this sweets cafe campaign. In fact, I think "Sweet Duffy" rivals "Season of the Heart" as defining the theme in TDS this year. And the Sweet Duffy campaign highlights 3/14, White Day, making it also very Japanese.^^ Duffy is a truly Japanese park fan service character at this point, and since what I love about Disney is the park experience in Japan, this suits me fine. As long as they keep supporting his character with well-planned, quality merchandising and not just churning stuff out, I'll keep supporting Duffy.^^
Originally Posted By DuffyDad By the way, gurgitoy2, thanks for posting the Stateside story. I had actually really been wanting to hear that. I don't think there's an official English translation of the Japanese storybook with the full version of TDR's Duffy, but I'll offer my original translation in case anyone's interested. If you do happen to like it and post it anywhere, I'd appreciate credit and a link. My Japanese is not so good and this was a labor of love that took a while with all those kanji.^^ 1 One day, as Mickey was about to set sail for one of his long adventures, Minnie thought he should have a special keepsake to remind him how much he was loved while he was out at sea. Mickey is Minnie's favorite mouse, so she gave him a teddy bear she had hand-made with her whole heart. 2 Minnie wrote a rosy "Bon Voyage!" message and carefully dropped it into a small glass bottle. She gently tied the little bottle round the bear's petite neck, capped it with a cork and sealed it with a kiss for luck. Voila! 3 Minnie presented the bear to Mickey at the pier by the old lighthouse on a blustery day. Mickey smiled brightly, and placed the teddy lovingly into his duffel bag. "I'll call you Duffy!" And the two were off to begin a wonder-full journey. 4 One night out at sea, Mickey was dog-tired from navigating all day. He decided to go to bed early and fell fast asleep. 5 Duffy appeared in Mickey's dream, wearing a sailor's uniform and smiling. The happy little bear opened Minnie's message in the bottle and showed it to Mickey: "DEAR MICKEY, THIS BEAR IS MEANT TO BRING YOU LOTS OF HAPPINESS AND LUCK. LOVE, Minnie" Mickey smiled in his sleep, and awoke feeling totally reenergized and cheerful. 6 Mysteriously, upon waking, Mickey found Minnie's message in his own hand! But he was sure that it had been in the bottle and sealed tight when he fell asleep! Not only that, but somehow Duffy had got dressed and was wearing the very same sailor's uniform from the dream! 7 When Mickey returned home from his voyage, he told Minnie and his friends about his surprising and inspiriting dream come true. They all agreed, but Goofy said it best: "Gawrsh, that Duffy sure is one special teddy bear!"* *original is more like: "They all agreed - that Duffy sure is one special teddy bear!" but there's an illustration with Goofy and the gang and I just think it works better this way when you see the actual book.^^ 8 Everyone wanted one of Minnie's special Duffy bears. So she did her best to make them, one by one, for all of her friends. The waiting list was so long; Duffy was just too popular! There were too many orders, and Minnie couldn't keep up. 9 So her friends said, "We'll help, Minnie!" And they all worked together, Minnie and all of her friends, making the lovely teddy bears. Each one charmed with a message in a bottle from the heart – we can't forget that! 10 A lot of people love Duffy now… From children to princesses, to adventurers and explorers like Mickey. Everyone feels happier when Duffy's around! People especially love taking photos with Duffy. They say when anyone sees these pictures, the smiles in the portrait overflow to the viewer! When snapping photographs of cherished memories, you always find your warmest, brightest smile when you're with the bear of happiness and luck! 11 There's even a rumor that sometimes you can find Duffy by himself, strolling along the pier in his sailor uniform, perhaps returning from his own adventures… But how can this be?! He's just a teddy bear, right? Nobody understands it, but you should try to meet him yourself! Can you think of a new adventure for you and Duffy? Then you'll be saying, too, "That Duffy sure is one special teddy bear!"* *I think this last line, too, packs more punch if a character actually says it directly earlier in the story. Thanks for reading.^^
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks for sharing that. We have the WDW Disney Bear story, and my kids love that one, they ask me to read it to them several times a week.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Does Duffy come with a "glass bottle" with the note inside, like the story? It would be very cute if he did. I have to admit, that Duffy is more charming than his US counterpart, even thought they pretty much look the same. Maybe it's the thought that's been put into the TDS version that makes him more "special"? It is almost infectious!
Originally Posted By DuffyDad You can buy a costume set that includes an oversized plastic bottle with Minnie's note inside at TDS. At least, you can right now. Duffy stuff seems to sell out quickly enough. However, I really think a glass bottle is preferable, with a personalized message. Especially if it's a gift, but even a gift to self.^^
Originally Posted By Mr X What's Japanese for "Voila!"? REALLY curious here. (by the way, impressive translation skills DuffyDad..Kanji makes me crazy!)
Originally Posted By DuffyDad I just added the "Voila!" because I felt it needed something, and I wanted to try to integrate phrases like "Bon Voyage" and "Voila" into the story to fit the DisneySea vibe. I couldn't actually read the book directly. I used my computer's kanji-identifier to draw the kanji, then typed them. Then I used eXcite to translate...sort of. After that, it was just my own intuition based on the rough translations, but I feel really good about it, nonetheless. Thanks for commenting!^^
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara It looks like all the decorations at the Duffy Cafe have been removed. I saw a photo on Deep Disney the other day and it appears to look like its old self.
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi It was only a temporary promotion/event from Valentine's Day (Feb 14) to White Day (Mar 14). -- MagicalNezumi
