The Disney parks have a wide library of beloved characters and iconography that invite guests to step inside their world of happiness, magic and make-believe. From Disney princesses twirling in their ballgowns to the massive selection of mouse ear headbands, the parks have long been considered kingdoms where their enchanting characters reign supreme.

While Mickey Mouse remains the king of Disney throughout most of the brand’s channels, Duffy the Disney Bear has evolved into an unexpected but impressive challenger. Stepping into Tokyo DisneySea, Duffy is truly an inescapable presence — the uncontested face of the Maihama theme park. His merchandise drops consistently garner long lines of hopeful collectors.

While Duffy and Friends have barely scraped the threshold of public consciousness outside of Asia, the characters have turned into viral sensations that have taken over Tokyo Disney Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland and, in a rare incursion into a non-Asian Disney market, Hawaii’s Aulani Disney Resort and Spa.  Duffy and Friends is now one of Disney’s top-selling character franchises, especially in Asia where the group generated over $500 million in revenue in 2023 alone.

As the franchise celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, Duffy and Friends is a fun case study of persistence. What was once deemed a failed project became a cherished and wildly successful series once Duffy found the right home. 

Whether you’re a long-term fan or just now discovering the Duffy-verse, here’s everything you need to know about this Tokyo Disney icon.

List of Contents:

Photo courtesy of PR Times and Disney

Duffy’s Origins

Duffy, originally known as just “The Disney Bear,” was introduced in 2002 at Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort as an exclusive new product for the grand opening of the Once Upon a Toy store in Disney Springs (then called the Downtown Disney entertainment complex). The bear was simple in design, like a standard teddy with Mickey-shaped birthmarks integrated into his design. And while he made a nice souvenir, the bear never really took off with American audiences.

At the same time, the Oriental Land Company (Tokyo Disney Resort’s operator — TDR is the only Disney park not directly owned by the Walt Disney Company) was looking for fresh ideas to integrate into its parks. With Japan’s pre-existing tendency toward “kawaii,” the company decided to adopt The Disney Bear. Working alongside Disney’s Imagineers, The Disney Bear was further developed, acquiring a new name, a new sailor suit and new lore. Aunt Peg’s Village Store at DisneySea welcomed Duffy with open arms, becoming the teddy bear’s exclusive proprietor from 2005 to 2008, with the bear’s backstory now labeling him as a heartfelt gift that Minnie Mouse made by hand for Mickey to keep him company during his travels. 

Duffy was an instant and extraordinary hit. The shop couldn’t keep up with demand and the bear was routinely sold out. Duffy’s immense popularity prompted the launch of character meet-and-greets, a re-theming of the Old Cape Cod park area, entertainment shows and the introduction of Duffy’s accompanying friends.

Photo courtesy of PR Times and Disney

Meet Duffy’s Friends

The Duffy universe has considerably expanded, with a current lineup of seven characters. The introduction of new characters not only added to the story, but each new character ingeniously served as a representative for different areas across four of Disney’s properties. With Duffy’s backstory as a traveling companion, the creation of his friends connected different international parks through the power of friendship.

ShellieMay

ShellieMay was the first addition, introduced in 2010. As Mickey has Minnie, Duffy has ShellieMay. She was presented as a more adventurous explorer, playing an important role in expanding Duffy’s horizons.

Gelatoni

Then came Gelatoni, who joined the group in 2014. Gelatoni is an artistic cat residing in DisneySea’s Mediterranean Harbor. He sports a teal beret and uses his fluffy tail as a paintbrush. There are various photo spots throughout the theme park where guests are encouraged to prop up their teddy bears for a photo. One such photo spot is located at one of the fences surrounding the gondola attraction route, and guests can spot one of Gelatoni’s masterpieces freshly displayed on an easel.

StellaLou

StellaLou was next, making her grand debut in 2017. StellaLou is described as a lavender rabbit whose biggest dream is to become a Broadway dancer — so she is often seen near the stage of the American Waterfront.

CookieAnn

CookieAnn was the first international friend, introduced in 2018 at Hong Kong Disneyland. CookieAnn is a yellow dog who loves to bake and make sweet treats for her friends. Her sensitive nose makes a great tool for her culinary endeavors. 

‘Olu Mel

‘Olu Mel, also introduced in 2018, was the first of Duffy’s friends to come from the US — a full-circle moment. ‘Olu Mel, whose name is a combination of the Hawaiian word for “pleasant” and the word “melody,” is a shy and reserved turtle who best expresses himself through music. He uses his ukulele to write songs about nature and adventure.

LinaBell

LinaBell is the most recent addition, joining the group in 2021 from Shanghai Disney Resort. She is a pink fox who loves nature and solving mysteries, so she is often seen holding a magnifying glass. In her backstory, LinaBell helped Duffy reunite with Mickey when he got lost. 

Photo courtesy of PR Times and Disney

Celebrate 20 Years of Duffy and Friends

Tokyo DisneySea is hosting a special park celebration in commemoration of Duffy and Friends’ 20th anniversary. The Duffy and Friends 20th: Colorful Happiness special event opened on April 8, 2025, and is expected to run until March 19, 2026. The event features new entertainment, menu items, merchandise, decorations and photo spots throughout the park.  

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Updated On August 8, 2025