UP characters

[i'm grumpy]

We were told they are no longer appearing at DHS. Just missed them last year. Waaaaah.

[Strmchsr]

That's true. Toy Story 3 is taking over. However, I'm hearing rumors that the Up characters will be back sometime soon. Just not sure where.

[Jenemmy]

I missed meeting DUG by 2 days earlier this month!! A CM told me she heard that the UP characters might head over to AK for appearances.

[everyonesmadhere]

I heard they were meeting near the enterance to AK in mid June. A lot is happening right when I get back...

[mermaidmarian]

We just returned from 8 days at WDW and I was sorely disappointed not to be able to find any UP merchandise with the exception of one completely generic pin of Carl, Russell and Dug, and I looked HARD. Frankly, I am shocked. I think UP was the most poignant and beautifully rendered of the Pixar films since Toy Story 2 and is head and shoulders above anything that Disney animation has done since The Lion King, IMO. I understand that there is a need to promote Toy Story 3 right now, and certainly a market for that merchandise, but to have completely abandoned the promotion of the UP characters only a year after the film's release is ridiculous. Big from this die hard Disney fan.

[Greenlawler]

We just returned from 8 days at WDW and I was sorely disappointed not to be able to find any UP merchandise with the exception of one completely generic pin of Carl, Russell and Dug, and I looked HARD. Frankly, I am shocked. I think UP was the most poignant and beautifully rendered of the Pixar films since Toy Story 2 and is head and shoulders above anything that Disney animation has done since The Lion King, IMO. I understand that there is a need to promote Toy Story 3 right now, and certainly a market for that merchandise, but to have completely abandoned the promotion of the UP characters only a year after the film's release is ridiculous. Big from this die hard Disney fan.

(although not one of my favs). I am in total agreement that the Up characters should be around a little longer, but look at most of the Disney and Pixar films that were released before the jugernaught that was TS3 and the newest princess film. These two films remain fixtures in the park for obvious $$$$$$ reasons. Princess stuff sells, Buzz and Woody sell. Characters from movies that are not huge tend get lost in the shuffle and that is a shame because there are people who still would like to see them
Up, Wall-E, Robinsons, Bolt, all were great and they made some money but they just do not have the same $$$$$ potential as TS3 and Tiana. I mean Bolt was gone before a year passed, the characters are usually replaced as soon as the next release comes out. Atlantis and Treasure Planet characters did not even get a year from what I remember.
The trend with characters like Dug, Carl, Robinsons, Bolt, Rhino etc....is that they are out for a little while and then dissapear when the movie fades from the public spotlight. Chicken Little did hang around a little longer for some reason.
I have heard the Up characters would come back but this is only a rumor. Wilbur and Lewis do still make random appearances as does Bolt whom I think is being used in training.
As for merch, I would imagine that the Up merch did not sell well or it would certainly still be available.
In summary I guess there is no rhyme or reason why some of the characters get to stick around longer. I mean look at Gepetto, sure he was from an iconic Disney flick, but do kids go to the parks looking for him? Yet if your at the Parks for any length of time you will see him multiple times, yet there are dozens of more popular characters who sit in limbo....go figure.

[Greenlawler]

I heard they were meeting near the enterance to AK in mid June. A lot is happening right when I get back...

You are right the character world is buzzing right now. Maybe they are finally realizing that change is a good thing. Now if they would just bring out some of the long forgotten characters.

[mermaidmarian]

Respectfully, neither The Robinsons nor Bolt are in the same league as UP, by any comparison, be it box office or critical review. I understand fully that there is some merchandise that sells much more than other, and that there is probably no turning back from the princessification of WDW, but to have Club Penguin merchandise available in just about every gift shop or merchandise from the newly acquired Marvel catalogue (I mention these specifically because they are Disney acquisitions, they are not even originally Disney), while discontinuing or not developing merchandise for an Academy Award winning film that is but a year old. Oh well - I would have bought UP merchandise. I didn't spend my money on Princess instead.

[Greenlawler]

Respectfully, neither The Robinsons nor Bolt are in the same league as UP, by any comparison, be it box office or critical review. I understand fully that there is some merchandise that sells much more than other, and that there is probably no turning back from the princessification of WDW, but to have Club Penguin merchandise available in just about every gift shop or merchandise from the newly acquired Marvel catalogue (I mention these specifically because they are Disney acquisitions, they are not even originally Disney), while discontinuing or not developing merchandise for an Academy Award winning film that is but a year old. Oh well - I would have bought UP merchandise. I didn't spend my money on Princess instead.

I agree with you. Up was good. I am simply pointing out the facts, as to why the characters are not currently out Wrong place wrong time. TS3 is a monster that just yesterday became the #1 animated movie of all time. Sure Up was a hit, and people like you will not spend money on princess gear, but hundreds of thousands of little girls and their moms will.....BTW my children will be there in two months buying Club Penguin and Marvel products. They will not once mention the movie Up, which they did not like.
There really should be some effort to market some of the movies that get forgotten.

[elephant rider]

I'm really hoping they come back out for meets before February.
Both of my boys (as well as myself and DW) really liked UP. My 4 year old has probably watched it 50 times.

"Why is he with a small mailman?"

[mermaidmarian]

That, and "I do not like the cone of shame" are favorite lines from the movie! We have an 9 month old goldendoodle who just loves kids (he actually loves everyone, but kids are so accessible!). We always refer to the children as the small mailmen.