FAVORITE CHARACTERS

**Not in any particular order**

Toy Soldiers
"Babes in Toyland"
(14 December 1961)

When Sleeping Beauty Castle was liberated from Maleficent during the 1983 "New Fantasyland" re-dedication ceremony, the first ones to cross the lowered drawbridge were the Toy Soldier sentries.  You might say I had an inside view of the monumental occasion.

Spending the Summer as a Toy Soldier from the 1961 film, Babes in Toyland, is easily the best job I will ever have and the Toy Soldiers remain at the top of the list of my favorite characters, especially "Toy Soldier #3".

Orange Bird
"Tropical Serenade"
Magic Kingdom
(1970)

Orange Bird had a particularly negative association in the years after he debuted as the mascot for Tropical Serenade when Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom opened in October 1971.  In fact, for many years he disappeared altogether.

But in the years since, the little bird has grown up and shed that association, to become a character that is both unique to this one park and retro in style.

Pluto
"The Chain Gang"
(5 September 1930)

Pluto IS my favorite Disney character.

He doesn't need to be top dog (or top mouse) but is very content to be Mickey's best friend--and he is insanely loyal to the mouse.

He occasionally is at odds with his foes, Chip 'n Dale, which he takes very seriously.

No matter the situation, he always remains happy and upbeat.

Oswald, The Lucky Rabbit
"Trolley Troubles"
(5 September 1927)

Who doesn't like an underdog story...

Oswald was Walt's first major character, even before Mickey Mouse.  Because of distribution agreements in 1928, the rabbit was taken away from Walt, to be animated by others for less money.  Because of this turn-of-events, Mickey Mouse was created as a replacement.

In 2006, the Disney Company, brought Oswald back into the Disney family after nearly 80 years.

His retro appeal is through the roof, and his unofficially role as mascot to the Disney California Adventure park is an ideal period match.

Si and Am
"Lady and the Tramp"
(22 June 1955)

Si & Am might be antagonists in "Lady and the Tramp", but you still gotta love these two Siamese cats.

They can't help it that they are so smart that they are a bit devious. They're Siamese!

My own Siamese cat, Simba, for whom this website is named, was equally smart and devious, so seeing these two animated cats on screen really captures the Siamese personality perfectly.  For good and bad!

Figment of Imagination
"Journey Into Imagination"
EPCOT
(5 March 1983)

Figment represents creativity and imagination and is solely found at one of my favorite Disney parks, EPCOT.

His childlike enthusiasm has always resonated with me, and despite the fact that the attraction he calls home has been significantly altered, I look forward to seeing him each and every time I visit Walt Disney World.

Bullseye
"Toy Story 2"
(24 November 1999)
      "Woody's RoundUp"
      (1949-1957)

Bullseye has got to be second cousin to Pluto... they both are the best friends to primary characters, neither speak, and both are adorably lovable.  How can they not be related?

He is easily my favorite toy from the Toy Story series, perhaps because he is so friendly and innocent.   Every time he is on screen, he makes me smile.

Although he made his debut in Toy Story 2, his canon backstory implies he was an original co-star in "Woody's RoundUp" during the 1950's.