Disney's Forgotten Duffy & Friends Disney+ Series? | NEW Moana Show | Why Journey of Water is Worth the Hype

How far will Disney go to bring "Duffy and Friends" to the domestic Disney parks?

Hello, readers!

Make way, make way, I’ve got two “Shiny” new Moana stories for you today, along with my first paywalled story on the status and plans for the seemingly forgotten “Duffy and Friends” Disney+ series.

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Details About Disney Cruise Line’s Moana Stage Show

Joining the ranks of “Disney Seas the Adventure” and “Beauty and the Beast” at the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the Disney Treasure is “Disney The Tale of Moana” (why Disney doesn’t use a colon in the title, I don’t know).

Now, show details were only recently revealed but it sounds like quite the spectacle.

Here are a few interesting highlights from Disney Cruise Line’s press release:

• Set in modern-day (post-Moana film) & narrated by Gramma Tala

• Set design “filled with hints” of Pacific Island culture which appear during the show

• A massive fiery Te Kā puppet becomes the island goddess, Te Fiti

• Features unused song which was included on the soundtrack: “Warrior Face”

The best part? According to Disney Cruise Line:

“…The Walt Disney Theatre will transform from the island of Motunui into the open ocean as Moana’s journey moves from her home to the great voyage that she’s longed for her entire life. Twinkling stars will swirl overhead and a giant, glowing manta ray will emerge and soar above the audience as a newfound sense of courage fills Moana.”

Not all of Disney Cruise Line’s shows blow me away; but when they do, they really do.

And claims of the theater transforming “into the opean ocean,” along with “twinkling stars” and a “giant, glowing manta ray,” has me thinking they’re swinging for the fences.

Now, I know “Disney The Little Mermaid” was created for the Disney Wish and isn’t among the upper echelon of Disney Cruise Line productions.

However, since show details are only now being revealed, I’m hoping this means Disney took notes and learned from the Wish.

Also, it’s worth pointing out that “Disney The Story of Moana” has the benefit of being the first Moana stage show and better reflects the overall theme of the Disney Treasure.

Definitely looking forward to hearing more about this show leading up to the ship’s December debut.

Why Journey of Water is Worth the Hype

Yes, I’m late to the party. I only just experienced Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana this month.

But as a Moana fan (Team Moana > Frozen btw), I knew I was going to like it.

What I didn’t know was how Disney was going to blend a relatively new IP with old-school EPCOT “edutainment” (education + entertainment), and in a walk-through, not a ride.

No joke I walked through this experience three separate times during my last Walt Disney World visit and - I may be biased - but not only do I think Imagineering perfectly pulled this one off, but it may be among the best new experiences Imagineering has produced in recent years.

Don’t let the fact it’s a walk-through deter you.

Would I love a Moana ride? 100%.

But I think the Disney Parks could benefit from more walk-through experiences.

No lines. No Genie+/Lightning Lane. No planning required. Just a themed, immersive environment filled with Disney-level details I can enjoy at my own pace.

I also feel like Disney hit the target they were aiming for.

Journey of Water is educational in terms of the water cycle, as well as a semi-extension of The Seas that dovetails into The Land pavilion.

And, it’s also a physical, tactile escape into the world of Moana (complete with some excellent Easter eggs!). If not for the occasional views of Spaceship Earth, you wouldn’t even know you’re in EPCOT.

Finally, I have to praise the length of the experience. It’s not nearly as small as it looks on camera, but it’s not a hike like Animal Kingdom’s Gorilla Falls or Maharajah Jungle Trek.

Here’s some of the footage I filmed of Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana below:

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Disney’s Delayed Duffy and Friends for Disney+

As for my main story this week, let’s rewind to the 2022 D23 Expo where Josh D’Amaro first announced a “Duffy and Friends” short series for Disney+.

At the time, the show was described as a six-episode series featuring stop-motion animation and would be coming to Disney+ in 2023.

Disney also offered fans a preview of the upcoming show with the short “Lunchbox Mystery.”

The D23 Expo also took time to celebrate the debut of LinaBell, the newest addition to the Duffy the Disney Bear franchise, and merch was available at the Expo’s branded pop-up shops (I know. My mini ShellieMae and StellaLou are looking at me right now).

Since then, Duffy and Friends, which consists of Duffy, ShellieMay, Gelatoni, StellaLou, CookieAnne, ‘Olu Mel, and LinaBell, have only become more popular and prolific throughout the international resorts and amongst the die-hard Disney Park fans circles.

However, 2023 came and went with not even a mention of the hailed “Duffy and Friends” Disney+ show, nor even a confirmation of a delay.

Now, anyone who’s been to (or at least watched a YouTube video) of Disney’s Asian parks knows Duffy and his crew are HUGE revenue streams and one that stateside park fans would be happy to contribute to.

Disney has even shown interest in reintroducing Duffy (who used to be at EPCOT back in the day) and familiarizing guests with his friends at Walt Disney World.

For instance, along with ‘Olu Mel merchandise being available at Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Resort, Hollywood Studios brought out Santa Duffy to appease the disappointed masses during last year’s Jollywood Nights.

Duffy is also set to appear in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2025 revival.

So what happened to the “Duffy and Friends” Disney+ series which was expected to be a sort of gateway drug to the general Disney populace?

Is it canceled? Indefinitely delayed? Is Disney really abandoning a potential synergistic cash cow opportunity?

Here’s what I’ve been able to dig up…