Soft, warm, and friendly, Duffy and friends are some of the cutest Disney cuddle buddies that you’ll ever get to meet in the kawaiiverse. Originally created as unique merchandise for one of Disney’s parks in Florida, Duffy has surprisingly become one of the most beloved bears in Japan!
Because of his popularity, Duffy got his very own story and a super cute set of friends to play with. Put on your cutest outfit and don’t forget to bring your basket because we’re going on a little picnic with Duffy and his buddies!
- Japanese name: Duffy (ダッフィー)
- Full name: Duffy the Disney Bear
- Alias: The Bear of Luck and Happiness
- Debut year: 2002
- Company: Disney
- Fun fact: Duffy has a Mickey-shaped birthmark on his hip!
WHAT ARE DUFFY AND FRIENDS?
Duffy and Friends are a super cute group of Disney characters! It all started with Duffy the Disney Bear, a special teddy bear that Minnie Mouse made for Mickey Mouse to take on his travels. She gave him in a duffel bag, so they named him Duffy!
He was so fluffy and lovable that fans at the parks couldn’t get enough of him. So, Disney made more adorable friends for Duffy, like ShellieMay, Gelatoni, StellaLou, and others. Now, Duffy and his friends are stars in Disney Parks, especially in places like Tokyo DisneySea, where they go on fun adventures and spread lots of smiles.
WHO IS THE CREATOR OF DUFFY AND FRIENDS?
Is Duffy from Sanrio? Or maybe San-X? Nope! Duffy and his buddies were all created by Disney. Unlike Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Donald Duck, who started out as movie characters, Duffy is one of Disney’s newer characters that was created solely as a merchandise toy.
So, when was Duffy and friends created, you ask? Well, Duffy the Disney Bear was born in 2002. This fluffy little friend was created especially for the opening of the “Once Upon a Toy” shop at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Back then, Duffy was only known as the Disney Bear.
Two years after this cutie was created, Disney decided to take the Disney Bear to Aunt Peg’s Village Store at Tokyo DisneySea. For a long while, Duffy was sold exclusively in Japan at Aunt Peg’s Village Store, and a lot of the time, this cute little bear would end up getting sold out! Seeing how much fans loved this nameless teddy bear, Disney decided to give it a cute little story that people can’t ever forget!
WHAT IS DUFFY’S STORY?
Duffy’s story is tied to Mickey, the biggest star at Disney! One day, Mickey decides to set sail for one of his long adventures out to sea. Before he goes, Minnie decides to give him a keepsake–a teddy bear that she had made by hand to show her love. Minnie gives the bear to Mickey at the pier on a windy day, and Mickey smiles when he gets it.
According to legend, everyone’s fallen in love with Duffy, from children to princesses to explorers and adventurers like Mickey. There’s even a rumor going around that sometimes, you can find Duffy by himself strolling along the pier in his sailor uniform, ready to go on his own adventures!
THE DUFFY AND FRIENDS CHARACTERS
What’s a good adventure without friends doing it with you? Disney decided a cutie like Duffy shouldn’t be alone, so they created other fluffy friends he could have adventures with. Let’s get to know Duffy and Friends!
Duffy (ダッフィー)
Duffy is a sweet and gentle teddy bear with a kind heart. He cares a lot about his friends and always wants everyone to be happy. Sometimes he’s a little shy and unsure about trying new things, but with ShellieMay and his friends cheering him on, Duffy finds the courage to explore and grow!
ShellieMay (シェリーメイ)
A tan female teddy bear with a green bow, ShellieMay lives in Cape Cod in American Waterfront. She and Duffy are often mistaken as sweethearts, but they’re really just good friends. This cutie is far more adventurous than Duffy, and she enjoys creating gifts for her friends to brighten their day.
Gelatoni (ジェラトーニ)
This artistic and creative tuxedo cat is from Palazz Canals in Mediterranean Harbor. He wears a blue beret and uses his tail as a paintbrush whenever he wants to create an artwork. Being an artist, Gelatoni sees beauty in everything, from flowers to simple park benches.
StellaLou (ステラ・ルー)
Whenever she hears music, StellaLou feels like dancing to the sound. She’s a lavender rabbit who’s determined to become a Broadway dancer. She practices and practices, and if she makes a mistake, she’ll keep on trying until she gets it right. Her hard work and determination inspire all of her friends.
CookieAnn (クッキー・アン)
A yellow dog with a chef’s hat, CookieAnn loves to experiment with unique recipes. Because of her curiosity and creativity, she can come up with out-of-the-box solutions to problems. She also has a very sensitive nose, which allows her to smell if something weird or off is happening.
‘Olu Mel (オル・メル)
Originally named ‘Olu, this shy turtle loves music, and he writes songs about nature and friendship using his ukulele. These songs bring courage and smiles not just to him but also to his friends. ‘Olu Mel is often found in Hawaii at Aulani.
LinaBell (リーナ・ベル)
This smart fox uses her trademark magnifying glass to find clues when solving mysteries. LinaBell has rose pink fur and wears an orchid that Duffy gave to her when they first met.
WHICH DUFFY AND FRIENDS CHARACTER ARE YOU?
Now that you’ve met Duffy and his friends, which character can you relate to the most? Are you gentle, loving, and also a bit shy? You might be just like Duffy! If you’re sweet and love making gifts for your friends, you’re probably a ShellieMay. Love painting and daydreaming? Then you and Gelatoni will get along perfectly!
Maybe you’re a big dreamer and work hard to achieve your goals, just like StellaLou. Curious and clever? Say hello to your twin-pup CookieAnn. Or maybe you’re quiet, gentle, and love nature, just like ‘Olu Mel. And, if you’re brave and smart, you might be most like LinaBell! So, who do you think you’re most like?
IS DUFFY AND FRIENDS A SHOW?
We already know Duffy wasn’t made for a Disney movie, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a show with his friends! In 2020, Tokyo Disney Resort started posting short stop-motion animations on their YouTube account, featuring Duffy and Friends. There’s “Morning Glories,” “Spring Surprise,” “Duffy’s Heartwarming Days,” and more. Plus, it has been announced that Duffy will appear in “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2.0” in 2025!
WHERE TO WATCH DUFFY AND FRIENDS
As we’ve mentioned, you can watch Duffy’s stop-motion animations on Tokyo Disney Resort’s YouTube channel. But if you really want the full Duffy and Friends experience, nothing beats seeing them live! Duffy and Friends often have live performances at Disney Parks across Asia.
These cuties are very popular at Tokyo DisneySea, where they appear in shows, parades, and meet-and-greets. Their performances are a major highlight for fans, with exclusive seasonal shows and special photo ops. So if you’re in Japan, don’t miss the opportunity to watch Duffy and Friends!
THE DUFFY BUS
Duffy and Friends didn’t only conquer YouTube and Tokyo DisneySea. Did you know they also had a tour of Japan using the Duffy Bus? The body of this super cute bus was wrapped in a fluffy fabric like a plushie, and it has Duffy’s face on the front. Plus, the sides were decorated with images of Duffy and Friends characters. Unfortunately, guests can only take pictures of the bus as it’s not actually a tour bus that you can ride.
DUFFY AND FRIENDS TREATS
While Duffy and Friends don’t have a permanent cafe or even pop-up cafes yet, they do have special food souvenirs and even a limited buffet setup at Tokyo DisneySea! Here, guests were able to enjoy sumptuous and cute Duffy-themed food. The buffet, which was called “Duffy and Friends Wonderful Kitchen,” featured the park debut of characters CookieAnn and LinaBell.
CELEBRATE DUFFY’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Duffy and Friends, Tokyo DisneySea will hold an event that will last a whole year, from April 2025 to March 2026! There will be different special themes like “Colorful Happiness” and “Filled with Joy,” with special kawaii merchandise, food souvenirs, and shows! Fans should check out Tokyo DisneySea’s special packages for this year-long celebration.
WHY IS DUFFY SO POPULAR?
In the decades since, Duffy has become very popular. And it’s not just in Japan where he’s a fixture at Tokyo DisneySea. He’s also a star at other Disney Parks, including Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland, as well as the Aulani Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii. And of course, his friends have become popular as well!
The reason for their popularity might be their super cute and heartwarming backstory, their presence in Disney parks, and Asia’s love for all things kawaii. Sure, Duffy isn’t as big as Mickey or Minnie in the U.S., but we’re hoping that their stop-motion series and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse appearance will pave the way for more people to get to know and love them.
WHERE TO BUY DUFFY AND FRIENDS
You can snag these plush cuties and their goodies at Disney Parks around the world, especially in Asia. Don’t have a trip planned? No worries! Check out the official Disney Store online for all things Duffy, like cute plushies and kawaii accessories. You can also try online shopping platforms like Amazon and Etsy. Or watch out for a Duffy and Friends collection on Blippo, where you’ll find characters as cute as Duffy!
There you have it! The short but sweet story of Duffy and Friends. They’re not just plush toys—they’re dream chasers, cute performers, and of course, the cutest cuddle companions. So don’t wait any longer and join the Duffy and Friends fandom today! Have you figured out which Duffy and Friends character you are? Let us know in the comments!