Sometimes, a promotion in the Disney Parks can serve a dual purpose. For about two weeks at the end of April 2009, characters from Disney's online virtual world Club Penguin appeared at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Guests could meet Blue and the elusive pirate, Captain Rockhopper, in an area on Mickey Avenue near the Studio Backlot Tour.
The appearances served to promote Club Penguin, but they were also a test to gauge Guest reaction. This is frequently done with new characters from non-traditional sources, since their familiarity and popularity may not be as broad as characters from Disney's animated films. The two-week Club Penguin test was relatively well-received, but the characters have yet to pop up anywhere else. Who knows? We may yet see them again some time. Of course, fans of Club Penguin know that sightings of Captain Rockhopper can be rare indeed!
