Ok- how much do you know about your favorite characters? Watch as this page develops with information about several of the wonderful fun Disney characters!
Let's start with Mickey Mouse. How much do you know about this guy? Do you know how Mickey came about? Did you know that his original name was not Mickey?
Mickey Mouse was actually a replacement for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Disney lost his rights to this original character to Universal Studios, who he worked for at the time. It was a lesson to Walt to make sure in the future that he owned all rights of his characters. Following the loss of Oswald, Mickey was born as Walt was doodling while on a train ride, inspired by a childhood pet mouse. Mickey's first name was Mortimer, but Walt's wife Lilian convinced him to change his name and so the mouse Mickey was born!
Fans can meet Mickey at all the parks and cruises. Mickey merchandise is easy to find and what would a trip to Disney be without eating Mickey Waffles or Mickey Ice Cream?
It's amazing how Mickey Mouse became the groundwork that created Walt's new career and a brand that would be loved by all ages! I would love for my KESS Kritters to become so well known someday.
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One of my favorite Disney characters out of two is Pluto! Who is Pluto? If you know Mickey Mouse then you definitely know this fella! He's Mickey's dog and best pal!
Pluto's fist appearance was in 1931 in the show The Mouse Hunt. Now that was something I didn't know. Did you know Pluto wasn't his first name? He appeared in two Mickey Mouse short films before making it on film as the name Pluto and he had no name in the first film. In the second film his name was Rover. Pluto isn't the only Disney character who has had a name change- can you name another?
I am not sure when I became fascinated with Pluto. I grew up watching a lot of Disney cartoons and Pluto was always my favorite to watch. My all time favorite is the Christmas cartoon Pluto's Christmas Tree. I loved watching him bark at those crazy chipmunks Chip and Dale. The growling, the package episode, the light bulbs and the tree incident, what's not to love! Then there is Mickey and the Seal, what a hoot! The list goes on and on! I just love Pluto. I do remember vaguely going to Disneyland as a kid and getting a stuffed Pluto and a Pluto bank. That was the beginning of the Pluto collection then my husband, boyfriend at the time, took me to Walt Disney World and I went Pluto crazy after I met him in person! Now 11 years later this fun loving pup fills my house!
I have been lucky enough to find Pluto at several of the parks and on Disney Cruise Line- so far on both Dream and Wonder so look out for the crazy mutt on your next Disney vacation!
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My other favorite Disney character. Anyone who knows me would understand why I LOVE Thumper! Well come on, he's cool- that and he is a rabbit, my FAVORITE animal, since I also raise the real deal! Bambi is actually my favorite Disney animated movie. With my love of animals, it is no surprise that Bambi is my favorite and closely followed by The Jungle Book.
I love the quote "If you can't saw something nice, don't say anything at all". I wish we all lived by that quote more often.
Thumper's first appearance was in Bambi in 1942. He becomes best friends with the new Prince Bambi. Bambi learns all about life from this clever little bunny!
Thumper is a bit harder to find in both merchandise and in person. My most recent trip I did find a glass Thumper and Pluto, so I bought them both. I have yet to see him in person. I have read that he is at Animal Kingdom, and my dream is to one day meet up for a hug from this adorable bunny!
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Lightning McQueen, one of the many newer Disney characters. McQueen first appeared in Disney-Pixar's Cars. Did you know that his number 95 is the same year that Toy Story, Pixar's 1st feature film was released (1995)?
Today with the release of Cars 2 McQueen is now becoming a very popular character along with the Disney Princesses. McQueen learns that friendship and teamwork is more important than winning. What a great message to kids! Now wonder families love Disney, the characters are not only cute and fun but great inspirations!
You can find McQueen merchandise throughout the parks and pose with McQueen and Mater at Disney's Hollywood Studios!
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Watch for more character listings soon!
