Duffy and ShellieMay at Disneyland

Duffy the Disney Bear hasn’t been seen at the Disneyland Resort since 2014 but is returning for the 70^th anniversary celebration along with his friend ShellieMay. The two bear friends will be part of the Disneyland Park new 70^th anniversary character cavalcade called The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade (previously announced as the Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy! cavalcade). The cavalcade which is set to debut on May 16, 2025 will be a daily celebration that makes its way along the parade route featuring favorite Disney characters in their 70^th attire. The characters and performers will encourage guests to dance and clap along in an energetic and contemporary celebration of seven decades of happiness. In addition to Duffy and ShellieMay, other Disney characters that guests can expect to see in the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration cavalcade wearing their 70^th attire include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Max, Pluto, Clarabelle Cow, Chip and Dale.

“The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” at Disneyland Park

Mickey and Friends’ New 70^th Attire

Mickey Mouse and his pals will also celebrate the 70^th anniversary wearing new custom looks designed for the special occasion when they meet with guests in Town Square at Disneyland Park. Here’s a look at the gangs new costumes which are set to debut on May 16, 2025.

The History of Duffy the Disney Bear

Duffy the Disney Bear is Mickey Mouse’s very own teddy bear. Born from an original Walt Disney Imagineering story, Duffy continues to be a popular Disney character with fans around the world especially at the Disney International theme parks.

Duffy the Disney Bear was created in 2002 for the opening of the “Once Upon a Toy” merchandise shop at Downtown Disney (now called Disney Springs) at the Walt Disney World Resort. At the time, he was only known as “The Disney Bear.” Two years later, Duffy was brought to Aunt Peg’s Village Store at Tokyo DisneySea, where he was given a story that Minnie Mouse made Duffy to give to Mickey Mouse who was a traveling sailor. Minnie hand-sewed the bear and gave it to Mickey in a duffle bag to keep him company during his many travels. Because of that, Mickey named the toy “Duffy” after the duffle bag.

Since then, The Walt Disney Company has expanded Duffy’s story to include a group of friends around the world. Duffy the Disney Bear wasn’t officially introduced in the American Disney theme parks until October 14, 2010 with a meet and greet at Disney California Adventure Park and EPCOT. While popular at both the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, Duffy was removed from the American Disney theme parks in 2014.

Today, Duffy, ShellieMay and all of their friends can be seen at Tokyo Disney Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, in Hawai’i. A variety of outfits are sold to dress Duffy and his friends on their varies journeys around the world. And guests often travel with their Duffy merchandise, posting photos of their adventures with Duffy and friends.