Sometimes, a promotion in the Disney Parks can serve a dual purpose. For about two weeks at the end of April 2009, characters from Disney's online virtual world Club Penguin appeared at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Guests could meet Blue and the elusive pirate, Captain Rockhopper, in an area on Mickey Avenue near the Studio Backlot Tour.
The appearances served to promote Club Penguin, but they were also a test to gauge Guest reaction. This is frequently done with new characters from non-traditional sources, since their familiarity and popularity may not be as broad as characters from Disney's animated films. The two-week Club Penguin test was relatively well-received, but the characters have yet to pop up anywhere else. Who knows? We may yet see them again some time. Of course, fans of Club Penguin know that sightings of Captain Rockhopper can be rare indeed!
I know the Green Army Men over on Pixar lane loved having the Club Penguins friends come visit! ;-)
ReplyDeleteBlogspot ate my comment. :(
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose there's any way to request rarer characters show up? My Barks-loving sons are dressing as the Beagle Boys for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and I'd love to get a picture of them threatening to steal Scrooge's number one dime!
Rarer characters do tend to make appearances at special events like the Halloween party. I'm not sure if Scrooge shows up then (you can always ask at City Hall the day of your event). Scrooge does usually appear during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, though.
ReplyDeleteYarr come see me ship at Disney Land Paris
ReplyDeleteMeet me on Crystal now