The information available in this post is available as a PDF on Google drive. Remember, the internet is not forever and printing physical copies can be your friend.
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While many of Disney’s successful franchises are born at one of the movie studios or theme park attractions, some are creations or reimaginations from the merchandise departments.
Duffy & Friends
In 2002 as part of the grand opening of Once Upon a Toy shop at WDW’s Downtown Disney, Disney introduced a teddy bear with hidden mickeys on his feet called “The Disney Bear.” Not much came of him. However, in 2004 the Oriental Land Company, operators of the Tokyo Disney parks were looking for something new to use at Tokyo DisneySea. He was given his sailor costume, the name Duffy, and a backstory that he was a gift from Minnie to Mickey. As Duffy’s popular grew, new friends of Duffy have been introduced and Duffy’s turf expanded to Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland and Aulani. There has been limited use at Disneyland and WDW, however Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is dipping its toe into the Duffy & Friends water by selling Aulani merchandise featuring Olu Mel.
Disney Munchlings
Popular Disney characters reimagined as sweet, baked and frozen treats, and developed into cutesy plush with matching pins. Munchlings debuted September 9, 2022 at the D23 Expo.
Disney Tsum Tsum
Originally developed as a mobile game app by Japan’s social media company LINE. Tsum Tsum were inspired by Disney merchandise at the Disney Store and then became popular merchandise at the Disney Store and theme parks. The name’s origin is from the Japanese verb tsumu meaning “to stack.”
Ufufy
A Disney Store Japan creation, reinterpreting classic Disney characters in a different kawaii style. Ufufy is not a Japanese word, but is meant to convey “happiness and fluffiness” as if the characters were born from clouds. Ufufy didn’t seem to catch on as well as their Tsum Tsum predecessors, but they did make their way to Hong Kong Disneyland in pin form.
UniBEARsity
Disney Store Japan, again. In a short story, Ludwig von Drake teaches Mickey and Minnie about teddy bears and Minnie gets the bright idea to make bears that look like them. UniBEARsity bears were also available in Shanghai.
Get to Know Merch Franchises.pdf
drive.google.com
Get to Know: Merchandise Franchises
While many of Disney’s successful franchises are born at one of the movie studios or theme park attractions, some are creations or reimaginations from the merchandise departments.
Duffy & Friends
In 2002 as part of the grand opening of Once Upon a Toy shop at WDW’s Downtown Disney, Disney introduced a teddy bear with hidden mickeys on his feet called “The Disney Bear.” Not much came of him. However, in 2004 the Oriental Land Company, operators of the Tokyo Disney parks were looking for something new to use at Tokyo DisneySea. He was given his sailor costume, the name Duffy, and a backstory that he was a gift from Minnie to Mickey. As Duffy’s popular grew, new friends of Duffy have been introduced and Duffy’s turf expanded to Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland and Aulani. There has been limited use at Disneyland and WDW, however Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is dipping its toe into the Duffy & Friends water by selling Aulani merchandise featuring Olu Mel.
Disney Munchlings
Popular Disney characters reimagined as sweet, baked and frozen treats, and developed into cutesy plush with matching pins. Munchlings debuted September 9, 2022 at the D23 Expo.
Disney Tsum Tsum
Originally developed as a mobile game app by Japan’s social media company LINE. Tsum Tsum were inspired by Disney merchandise at the Disney Store and then became popular merchandise at the Disney Store and theme parks. The name’s origin is from the Japanese verb tsumu meaning “to stack.”
Ufufy
A Disney Store Japan creation, reinterpreting classic Disney characters in a different kawaii style. Ufufy is not a Japanese word, but is meant to convey “happiness and fluffiness” as if the characters were born from clouds. Ufufy didn’t seem to catch on as well as their Tsum Tsum predecessors, but they did make their way to Hong Kong Disneyland in pin form.
UniBEARsity
Disney Store Japan, again. In a short story, Ludwig von Drake teaches Mickey and Minnie about teddy bears and Minnie gets the bright idea to make bears that look like them. UniBEARsity bears were also available in Shanghai.
