National Donald Duck Day
Embrace your own angry inner waterfowl on Donald Duck Day by getting into character, or firing up some of the classic Disney films and programs he stars in.
Leverage Donald Duck's iconic irreverent personality to drive nostalgia-driven engagement and drive traffic to Disney parks, merchandise, and streaming content during June.
- 'Talk Like Donald' social media challenge—encourage users to post comedic rants in Donald's voice
- Flash sale on Donald Duck merchandise (apparel, collectibles, books) tied to costume/celebration tips
- Disney park promotion: 'Meet Donald in person' package deals for families planning June trips
- Throwback content series: 'Classic Donald Duck moments' across streaming platforms and YouTube
Donald first appeared to us in a 1934 film called The Wise Little Hen, a retelling of the original little red hen story. In celebration of his 50th birthday, L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley declared the first official Donald Duck Day in 1984.
Throughout Donald is repeatedly asked to help plant the corn, and harvest the corn, each time finding him claiming some form of ailment that prevents him from participating. If you’ve seen this episode or read The Little Red Hen.
Unlike that parable, The Wise Little Hen took a more direct approach to showing her displeasure. She told Donald she’d cure him of his ailment so he could eat the corn… and gave him castor oil. While that was his first appearance, the angry rage filled Donald we came to know and love didn’t really show up until Orphan’s Benefit, and it was also then that his relationship with Mickey was formed.
Since then he has gone on to appear in video games, episodes of cartoons, and stands out as the Disney character who has appeared in the most films to date, outstripping even Disney Mascot Mickey Mouse. Apparently, there’s something about a rage-filled duck we just can’t get enough of.
Donald Duck is a character that we still see popping up everywhere, and yes, he is still one of the beloved characters that we see waddling around at Disneyworld.
This lovable duck has carved a special place in our hearts and he is certainly a character that we will never forget. His iconic yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet and his famous sailor shirt and cap with a bow tie has been a beacon of innocence for children everywhere.
Let’s not forget though, that Disney characters and movies become even more appealing to adults, once we are old enough to grasp the actual intentions of the stories and the morals behind them, it makes them even more wonderful.
Donald Duck has also made history, yes that’s right, this duck is not just any duck, he was named in TV Guide‘s list of the 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time! Now that’s quite a big achievement for a little duck, isn’t it? We sure think so!
Get Dressed Up
Dress in blue and gold to commemorate everyone’s favorite duck, and add just a splash of red to round it out.
Talk Like Donald Duck
When people ask you questions, respond with the partially-legible quack that is Donald’s claim to fame and, whenever possible, fly into a comedic and harmless incoherent rage cussing out everything you loathe in a voice that no one can understand. People may look at you funny but, one of the great things about being Donald for a day is, you don’t have to care. Take a leaf out of Donald’s book and be bold, bright and enjoy the day! Afterall, that’s all we can do anyway isn’t it?
Visit Disney World or Disneyland
If you are able, you have to go see this mastermind in the flesh so to speak and plan a trip to Disney! Now is the time to take advantage of your booked up holidays and surprise the kids with a trip to see Donald!
Watch Some Donald Duck Cartoons
But if this isn’t an option, the best way to really celebrate dear old Donald, is to watch some of his old movies! He’s popped up in quite a few animations over the years! No doubt hearing his quack and voice will remind you of the days of old, when life was simple and we recorded on VHS. Oh those were the days, weren’t they?!
Read Stories
Another way to celebrate Donald Duck day is to re-read any stories that he’s been mentioned in over the years, his most famous one, of course, is Lost In The Andes and The Life And Times Of Scrooge McDuck! These books will be worth a fortune one day, and many are collector’s items, perhaps you already have some books stashed away deep in the depths of your cobwebby attic or perhaps in a box that was stashed in the basement in 1970.