Duffy and Friends Play Days returns to Hong Kong Disneyland for Spring 2026, and the resort announced the news with a stop-motion short.
Duffy and Friends Reunite with Mickey for Play Days
The short begins with Duffy, Gelatoni, LinaBell, and ‘OluMel relaxing on a grassy hillside near a dock. Duffy is flipping through a stack of postcards from his friend Mickey Mouse.
The initial postcard reads, “It reminded me of our little shows!” On the flipside, Duffy and gang find an image of what appears to be the stage of Mickey’s PhilharMagic at Hong Kong Disneyland.
As Duffy shuffles through the cards, they find a series of hints leading to different locations on their little island. The bear and his friends set off on a whimsical journey to rendezvous with their friends StellaLou, CookieAnn, and ShellieMay.
Their trip ultimately leads to Hong Kong Disneyland and a very special surprise reunion with Mickey Mouse under a firework-filled sky.
We then get the big news that Duffy and Friends Play Days is returning to Hong Kong Disneyland from March 20 through June 7, 2026.
Watch the full animated announcement here:
Spring is the perfect season for journeys, and postcards
Watch the newest Duffy and Friends stop-motion film now, follow the trail of postcards to journey together, and witness the most unforgettable, heartwarming reunion
Duffy and Friends Play Days at Hong Kong Disneyland
The Hong Kong Disneyland exclusive event, “Duffy and Friends Play Days,” will return for a fourth year, scheduled for March 20 to June 7, 2026.
Themed around the Disney characters Duffy and his group of animal friends, the event invites guests to enjoy special entertainment, character interactions, themed food and merchandise, and tailored experiences across the park and resort hotels.
The resort is offering promotional packages in conjunction with the event. These include a 30% discount on two-night hotel stays at Hong Kong Disneyland Resorts’ hotels and an optional “Non-stop 2-Day Fun Ticket” that extends park access across two days with added benefits like designated viewing area passes for the castle show.
Central to the event is the Duffy and Friends Play House, where visitors can meet characters in new seasonal outfits in a decorated environment designed for social photo moments and close interactions. Floral decorations and specially placed seating areas throughout the park provide additional backdrops for photos with plush toys or companions.
Park entertainment includes “Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle!”, a stage show featuring the full Duffy and Friends ensemble together with other Disney characters, as well as the park’s regular nighttime spectacular “Momentous: Party in the Night Sky”, incorporating Duffy and Friends imagery tied to the celebration.
Exclusive merchandise tied to the celebration and event-specific food and beverages—such as themed tarts featuring Duffy and Friends motifs—are highlighted as part of the festive offering.
Additional experiences are available for hotel guests and visit planners, such as character appearances at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and themed in-room surprises, with some seasonal character appearances scheduled on specific days.
For more info on the festivities for the 2026 season, visit the event’s official page from Hong Kong Disneyland.
You can also check out more of what guests might expect from the event in our 2025 coverage of Duffy and Friends Play Days.
A Brief History of Duffy and Friends
Duffy is a Disney character originally introduced as the “Disney Bear,” a plush toy gifted from Minnie Mouse to Mickey, and later developed into a distinct character with an expansive backstory and a cadre of friends.
Duffy officially debuted at Tokyo DisneySea on March 23, 2005, before growing in popularity across Asia, including at Hong Kong Disneyland.
His circle, known as “Duffy and Friends,” includes ShellieMay, a sweet and creative bear; Gelatoni, an artistic cat from Italy; StellaLou, an aspiring dancer rabbit; CookieAnn, a baking-loving dog; ‘Olu Mel, a ukulele-playing sea turtle; and LinaBell, a curious fox detective. Together, the characters are featured in seasonal events, merchandise collections, and themed entertainment at select Disney parks worldwide.
Tokyo Disney, Hong Kong Disneyland, and other official Disney sources have been producing stop-motion shorts starring Duffy and Friends since late 2017. As Duffy’s popularity has steadily grown around the world, we’ve seen more of these shorts and additions to his circle of friends in recent years.
You learn more about Duffy in our detailed history post.
Check out the full short produced for Hong Kong Disneyland’s Duffy and Friends Play Days in their original Instagram post below:
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