Figaro's Family: #1 of 22

Figaro's "family" of fellow plush toys has grown as, over the years, different ones have persuaded us to take them home.

1.   Original or "No. 1", still known just as "Figaro"

Came to us from the Disney Store in Liverpool in time to be Andrew's Christmas present in 1992. This is the one who now writes his own Trip Reports for "Intercot". He has also hosted picture quizzes - "Where's Figaro" - and started his own Blog.

2. "Fiery"

Similar to "Original" but always looks a little angry. He came from a Disneyana sale.

3. "Softy" or "Big Softy"

It was 5 years after "Original" that the family really started to grow. He looked so sad and reproachful when we tried to put him back on the shelf in the store at (as then was) Festival Disney at EuroDisney. We had to let him come home.

4. "Happy"

Always laughing, Happy is a later version from (as it had then become) Disney Village at Disneyland Paris Resort.

5. "Beanie"

There were hundreds of these when Walt Disney World first went for beanies in a big way. We hunted for ages to find one with straight whiskers and got this one in Epcot when the Centorium Store was in process of being transformed into "Mouse Gear".

6. "Travelling Beanie"

We had to get this one to save Beanie's whiskers. He came from the Disney Store in London Gatwick Airport. As his name implies, he often travels with us. He is called in to act as No.1's "Stunt Kitten" on tricky shots.

7. "Floppy"

In some ways just a big beanie, this one loves to flop on you and get a cuddle. He was the only one when we visited the Disney Store in West Oaks Mall in May 2000 and leapt into Mikki's arms. He now travels with her whenever she is away overnight.

8. "Fluffy"

He is the first variation on the design of "Original" we liked. All the intervening ones looked cross. He was hiding from everyone else and waiting for us in (what was then) "Tinkerbell's Treasures" in the Magic Kingdom. He joined the family in September 2000.

9. "Frisky"

He looks really playful. He came to live with us from the Emporium on Main Street USA in 2001.

10. "Fuzzy"

Mikki loved this one when she first saw one in one of the London Disney Store. This was when there were 3 in central London alone. He soon overcame opposition to adding to the family. His claws are quite big for his size, but he is very gentle with them.

11. "Oscar"

He got his name because we bought him at the Disney MGM Studio on the day the 2003 Academy Awards were presented. He tried to claim he was a completely new design but he is really just another "Frisky" with some differences in manufacture.

12. ???

Well, what happened to No. 12? He was in this picture on older versions of the web site. He came from Disneyland Resort Paris in 2003. He is very like the original "Happy" apart from different eyes. We called him "Happy Junior. He is now living with another family member where we expect he gets a lot more individual attention.

13. "Lucky"

Our thirteenth toy cat was lucky to come home from the Magic Kingdom in May 2004 - especially as his persistent "meowing" can be tiresome. We were also lucky to get him. By the time we were back in November, we could not find Figaro among the "Fur Real" toys

14. "Calicat"

As his name may suggest, he came from California - from "Downtown Disney" at Disneyland Resort in May 2005. His design is very like "Floppy" but he has softer fur (or is it just that "Floppy" is getting old and has had lots of cuddles?) Anyway, Mikki couldn't resist his as the design seems to have disappeared from Florida years ago.

15. "Paripus"

Another one from Disneyland Resort Paris who claimed his place with us in June 2005.

16. "Bendy"

Mikki saw him on the Internet and could not resist this poseable addition to the family.

17. "Tis Figaro"

He got his name because he is our first whose pose is of him sitting up. We fear his design was short lived. We never saw one like him in the regular stores and rescued him from the Character Outlet in 2007.

18. "Fancy Figaro"

He is fancy because he sparkles with gold spots. He is from the "Disney's Tote a Toy" range that we first saw in 2007.

19. "Hong Kong Figaro"

In 2008 we were in the Character Outlet again. We saw these Figaros that looked just like Frisky and Oscar (yes, more of that sort!). On our second visit to the store, we realised they had a special label sewn on: "Hong Kong Disneyland". Some of the older Figaros are still not sure that should have been enough to let him in.

20. "Puzzlepus"

He is another Figaro from the Internet - and another one who can speak for himself. He has two different ways to say "Meeow" and alternates them when you squeeze his tummy. One of his puzzles is that we can't find a way to change a battery. If he has one, we will have to save it. Puzzlepus will also be quiet cat.

21 "Long Tail"

He was a delight to discover in the London Disney Store in 2009. Figaro's return to the stores may indicate the company is starting to revive this cute little kitten. This one has guite a long tail as well as some lovely cat ears.

22 "Big Fig"

The newest and (for the moment) largest member of the family, he came over the Internet and was being sold in Disney Stores in the USA. He is soft and cuddly but so far he has not managed to replace any of the favourites.

"Mischief" (not in the picture)

When Andrew's mother saw "Floppy", she demanded one of her own.  Forunately, this model of Figaro was then available at the Disney Store in London (where we were living).  She named hers "Mischief".  Andrew's mother now lives in a care home and didn't takthis Mischief with her.  He is staying with us.  We expect he will settle in given time.

With so many cats about the house, you may think at least they could keep the mice under control. There are even move of them.