Harry Tigon, Bobby Liger, and Mac Zonkey

 Harry Tigon, Bobby Liger, and Mac Zonkey are hybrid animal characters made from shells, rocks, and shark teeth found on the beaches of Venice, Florida (oh, and paint).  Tigons, Ligers, and Zonkeys are actual animals but not found in nature.  Perhaps you would find them in Zoos, Circuses, or an episode of The Tiger King.  Venice, Florida is historically known for being a circus town (formerly for Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey) so it is fitting that these characters are made from shells from Venice.

A Tigon is the offspring of a male tiger and a female lion.  A Liger is the offspring of a male lion and a female tiger.  A Zonkey is a cross between a zebra and a donkey.  So, not animals you would normally see.

Lost Disneyland: Critter Country Characters Part 2: Turtle Talk

Back in 2009, I wrote a blog post about Lost Disneyland: Critter Country Characters.  It is now 2024, and a lot has changed in regards to Critter Country in Disneyland.  For one, Splash Mountain is no longer  in the United States.  Which is something I predicted would happen back in 2014 (I guessed it would become a Woody's Roundup theme).

Sometimes it takes me a LONG time to find something, as is the case with the plush Turtle that Disneyland sold as part of the launch of Critter Country back in 1989.  There was an entire line of plush Critter Country toys designed for the park, and I remember reading in Disney News Magazine that a Saturday Morning cartoon was also planned.

I grew up in Alabama, so Disneyland in California was not my usual stomping grounds.  But I was able to go in 1989, and I was hoping to visit Splash Mountain on this trip.  Of course, it wasn't open yet, as the ride was delayed due to technical issues.  But I did get to visit the shops near Splash Mountain, The Briar Patch, and Crocodile Mercantile (I'm kicking myself for not buying the Wooden Splash Mountain Yo-Yo they sold there).  I did get a plush, the Critter Country Mouse, which I don't have anymore (visit my link above to see a picture of him).

The Turtle plush sticks out in my mind because I remember children carrying this specific toy around Disneyland.  I've been searching for it for years and just found it on eBay a few days ago.

While I didn't get to ride Splash Mountain in 1989, I was able to return in 1990 to finally ride it.

The announcement of the Rufus the Turtle character for Tiana's Bayou Adventure really reminded me of this Critter Country Turtle.

The Aladdin Musical Spectacular on the Disney Cruise Line: When You Wish Upon Shellfish

 In February 2024, I went on my first ever Cruise, and it was on the Disney Wish.  One of my favorite parts of the trip was the Aladdin Musical Spectacular live theater show.  This presentation features special effects, puppets, and show-stopping musical numbers, as you might imagine.  I decided to make Aladdin, Genie, and the Magic Carpet as seen in the show using materials found on the beaches in Venice, Florida.  I used shark teeth (particularly in Aladdin and Genie's hair) and a variety of shells.  And a lot of glittery paint.  Filming is not allowed in the show, so for reference, I found YouTube footage of the show from the Disney Fantasy from January 2017.

For this version of Aladdin, the Magic Carpet is perhaps the breakout character.  He is silent, and performs all sorts of acrobatic stunts.

My adventure on the Disney Wish was fantastic.  We did a 3 night Cruise and visited Nassau, and Castaway Cay.  I would like to give a special shout out to our assigned wait staff, Eduardo and Glory Ann, who performed magic tricks for us at dinner multiple nights!