The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network Duffy’s Rise, Disney Store Nostalgia, and the Secret History of the Disney Bear (Ep. 40)
In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey go full collector mode with stories of forgotten plush, rare merch, and the unexpected international success of one very determined Disney bear.
- The Return of Duffy – From Tokyo-exclusive meet-and-greets to his spot in Disneyland’s new cavalcade, Disney is going all in (again) on Duffy and his friends.
- The Secret Origin of the Disney Bear – Before he was Duffy, he was an unloved plush at Once Upon a Toy—and Jim shares the wild backstory of how he became a phenomenon in Japan.
- The Lost Legacy of the Disney Store – With a 38th anniversary celebration underway, Lauren and Jim reflect on the rise and fall of the beloved retail chain.
- D23 Frustrations and Freebies – From vanishing magazines to exclusive shopping windows, Lauren makes her case for why members deserve more (and maybe a plus-one).
- Collector PSA – If you love Disney merch history, Lauren recommends checking out Up for Auction, the CW series hosted by Chris Hardwick that’s loaded with rare finds.
This episode is full of deep cuts, hot takes, and a two-part Duffy deep dive that might just change the way you look at Disney plush. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!
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