Featured Attractions

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Toontown Tuesdays: Disney Overseas


When many people think about Disney Theme Parks, they often think of DISNEYLAND in Anaheim and Walt Disney World in Florida. There is a world of Disney outside the borders of the United States, however, and those parks have the same general feel of Florida's Magic Kingdom (DISNEYLAND in Anaheim is Walt's never to be replicated masterpiece after all) but foreign audiences have their own favorite characters.

Marie from The Aristocats is somewhat popular in the United States, though she is often overlooked. She's a major draw in both Tokyo and Paris, however, and she is regularly seen out and about in the parks.





Walt Disney's original character was Oswald, who was stolen by Universal Pictures back in 1927. In the United States, Oswald was mostly forgotten; seen as a footnote in animation history. In fact, the head of NBC/Universal had never heard of him at all. That's why when Disney CEO Bob Iger proposed a deal to get Oswald back at Disney, NBC/Universal didn't think twice about making a deal. Luckily they didn't consult with Universal Studios Japan. Oswald is huge in Japan and their biggest selling character marched right out of the gates and over to Tokyo Disney.



Oswald continued to be a huge draw after he made his Tokyo debut. Unlike Marie, however, he has made it to the United States, hanging out in front of his gas station at Disney California Adventure.