With Easter fast approaching and a young son at home, my mind lately has been filled with thoughts of Easter bunnies, dyed eggs, and jelly beans. Today, the topic of bunnies made me wonder – just how many rabbit characters do we have in our Disney family?
It turns out we have a whole warren of them. Take a look and see if any on the list surprise you.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit – Oswald, the first animated lead character ever created by Walt Disney, starred in 26 silent shorts between 1927-1928. Walt lost the rights to Oswald in a business deal in 1928, but the loss inspired him to create Mickey Mouse. The Walt Disney Company regained the rights to Oswald in 2006.
Thumper – Bambi’s pal, Thumper, starred alongside him in the 1942 film. Guests can often find him at the Camp Minnie-Mickey area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Brer Rabbit – This happy-go-lucky rabbit was the star of the 1946-movie, “Song of the South.” His adventurous spirit was the inspiration for the Splash Mountain attraction that opened at Magic Kingdom Park in 1992.
White Rabbit – White Rabbit plays a key part in the 1951-film “Alice in Wonderland,” as he was the character Alice followed into Wonderland. Although he’s known for being late for important dates, guests can occasionally meet him at Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park.
March Hare – The brown March Hare appears in the tea party scene in “Alice in Wonderland.” Guests can have their own wild tea party at Magic Kingdom Park by taking a spin on the Mad Tea Party, an attraction inspired by this scene from the film.
Rabbit – Pooh’s pal made his big-screen debut in “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” in 1966. An avid gardener, Rabbit can be seen at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction at Magic Kingdom Park.
Mother, Skippy, Sis and Tagalong Rabbit – The Rabbit family was one of many struggling in Nottingham under the thumb of Prince John in this 1973 version of “Robin Hood.” Robin quickly befriended the family, becoming a personal hero to little Skippy.
Roger Rabbit – Roger starred in the 1988 film, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” He also served as inspiration for Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin attractions at Disneyland park and Tokyo Disneyland, as well as the theme for the Backlot Express quick-service restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Can you think of any Disney rabbits that didn’t make the list?
Comments
We had a huge Herd of rabbits all the time at dusk and dawn, for anyone that can connect back with “THE DISNEY INN” ! Between the rabbits, frogs, and the deer, it was the Original Animal Kingdom ! like clockwork, THE SHOW WOULD BEGIN! AND THE GUESTS WOULD SURROUND THE WINDOWS FOR THE VIEW !
by the way……. What do you call a group of rabbits hopping backwards? A receding hareline (hairline)
OMG! I had no idea Disneyland had a Roger Rabbit attraction!! Is there also a Character greeting with him somewhere? I would absolutely love to get a picture with him when I finally get to go there! My grandparents took me to the theater when Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was first released to theaters and I have loved him ever since! After Figment, Roger is my 2nd all time favorite! =D
My favorite’s probably Brer Rabbit… He and Roger need to start appearing again at Disneyland Park in Anaheim! 😀
I would love to see Disney do something with Oswald the Rabbit during future Easter seasons over in California Adventure for the new Buena Vista Street area. I think it would be fitting as they are having the theme of California during Walt’s early years in California.
Yet another Disney rabbit I just remembered: Flutterfoot from the Pluto cartoon “Mail Dog”.
Also, Jennifer, I agree with David’s last post that you should do more articles similar to this one, focusing on different Disney animals. You should really do one about bears, since Disney has an awful lot of bear characters in their stable.
I just got Tangled on DVD, Don’t forget about the rabbit that jumped out at Flinn and Repunziel.
Jennifer, this was a lot of fun! How about another round next month with another Disney animal? Dogs and cats aside (seems too cliche! LOL), I suggest horses, owls, elephants or mice! Thanks again for providing us with some Disney fun, it’s really appreciated.
Jennifer would your upcoming Oswald post be about him being inside the new Main Street Town Square Theater as, “Oswald The Amazing Disappearing Rabbit” ? 😉
I have to admit that they did an awesome job with Oswald in the Epic Mickey game on the Wii.
All Oswald fans – I have an idea for an Oswald post up my sleeve. Stay tuned!
Jean, Lisette & Philip – Wow, that’s digging deep into Disney history!
My favorite Disney Bunnies are the ones who live at the Grand Floridian. Every night (around midnight) when we would go down for a rest in the jacuzzi, they would be hopping around on the lawn munching on the grass. So adorable and un-phased by the tourists walking by.
How about the bunnies from the Disney Golden Book “Grandpa Bunny”? I loved the beautiful pictures as a child and still do today. I understand that the book was inspired by the Disney short Silly Symphony Funny Little Bunnies.
Does it count that Miss Price turns Professor Brown into a rabbit in Bedknobs and Broomsticks?
@David from UT: I think that the film is controverial but it is what it is. There is no changing History, if Disney was never intending to release a film that delt with a time period like that than why also release films like Dumbo or put Splash Mountain atractions into Disney Parks? The info that I was wondering about was info from ’05. Thanks David
Another set Rabits that sits in the Disney Vault:
The rabits from Sleeping Beauty
Rabit’s (from Winnie the Pooh) long forgoten Great Great Uncle Long John Cottonsmith.
My Favorit Rabit….Its between Rabit from Winnie the Pooh, Roger Rabit, or Oswald. (Hey when are we going to expect Oswald in the Parks?)
Don’t forget the rabbit family before the drop in Splash Mountain!
And I have to jump on the “why no Song of the South?” bandwagon. It’s hard explaining to my nephews that Splash Mountain is based on a Disney movie, but he can’t watch the movie because Disney is proud enough of it to make an attraction based on it, but too ashamed of it to let us see the movie it’s based on.
Roger needs to come back, to the parks in full force. Here hoping for Roger Rabbit 2.
As for other Disney rabbits, Big Bunny from “Honey, I Blew Up The Kid”,
What about Bu… wait, not Disney.
Although one of my favorite animation collaborations of all time was Who Framed Rodger Rabbit and I loved seeing both Mickey and B.B. together along with other Disney and WB friends.
P.S.: Here’s a couple of other Disney rabbits to add to the list:
-Mr. Whiskers (from “Brandy & Mr. Whiskers”)
-Oswald’s Bunny Children (from “Epic Mickey”)
-Fall-Apart Rabbit (from “Bonkers”)
-the Rabbit from “The Rescuers”
-Max Hare (from “The Tortoise and the Hare”)
Jay – How could I forget little Bean Bunny from Muppet*Vision 3-D?!? I love that attraction, too!
My favorite is Roger Rabbit, but we can’t forget Bean Bunny from MuppetVision 3-D!
Oh my goodness I am in love with Oswald!! He’s just too cute, and its so cool to think about how without Walt’s first cartoon, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit,probably none of this would be made possible! Mickey Mouse might not even exist!
My top 3 favorite Disney rabbits are Roger, Brer and Oswald.
Roger REALLY needs to come back to the parks as a regular meet-and-greet character again. So many people miss him. 🙁
Jessica Rabbit?
love me some Oswald
Does the March Hare count?
Thumper and Miss Bunny!
You forgot Cuppy! Cuppy was the stuffed rabbit from the new Parent Trap! It may not be a character in the movie but it had merchandise tie-in!
And there is also Alec the rabbit from the Presto Pixar short!
@David I love the Once upon a Wintertime rabbits!
In the Magic Kingdom there are a warren of real rabbits that live outside on the castle green. As a person who volunteers with the House Rabbit Society they are one of the most magical ‘hidden Treasures’ in all of WDW.
Shame about Song of the South. Last November we ran into Brer Bear in Animal Kingdom and my father was so pleased to meet him. It was the only picture on my parents photopass card, Mum and Dad standing with their arms around Brer Bear.
Roger and the Rabbit Family are tied for my favourites for certain.:)
Thumper’s girlfriend…Bixbi
Never mind, I didn’t realize they didn’t all have pictures…duh.
My favourite bunny is Skippy from Robin Hood. I love when he has Robins hat on and it’s too big for him.
Thumper!
What about Thumper and his girlfriend (I forget her name)?
@Brian, unfortunately, Iger said at Disney’s recent share holder meeting that they have no intention of releasing Song of the South on a home video platform, at least not any time soon. I really wish Disney would stop censoring the work, however controversial, of the artists who made not only the company, but the art of animation itself what it is today, but I digress…
Anyway, my favorite rabbit on the list has to be Oswald, I love the role he plays in Disney Epic Mickey, and I’m really excited for when the studio decides to reintroduce him for the whole world to see (perhaps that Mickey Mouse feature that Burny Mattinson is working on will feature him in a major role).
David – You’re probably right about Snow White, as far as being the first feature film to include rabbits. I could’ve added them to the list … if they had names!
David – Very observant about Nibs from Peter Pan! Wish I had thought of that one!
OMG! I can’t believe I forgot my favorite Disney rabbit…Lucky Jack from “Home on the Range”!!
Can we expect Song of the South to come out on DVD soon?
Of course the very first Disney rabbits to appear in an animated feature were in “Snow White”. They appear in several scenes with the forest animals, and help rescue Snow White from the Old Hag.
Come to think of it, isn’t the Easter Bunny in a Silly Symphony short??? Where’s Dave Smith when you need him!!! LOL
I can’t believe I forgot about these little guys…in the motion pictures Melody Time, one of the segments is called “Once Upon A Wintertime”. This segment featured Frances Langford singing the title song about two romantic young lovers in December. The boy shows off on the ice for his girl, and near-tragedy and a timely rescue ensues. The boy and girl are ‘shadowed’ by a delightful pair of rabbits. I remember watching this segment as a young boy on The Wonderful World of Disney, and have loved those little rabbits ever since! Now granted, they are very, very obscure characters, but they are members of the Disney rabbit family nonetheless!!
OK, I know this really doesn’t count because he’s actually a boy, but Nibs wears a rabbit suit in Peter Pan!
LOVE ALL these Rabbits! My favorite is tied between Oswald and Roger! But in the end I love them all! 🙂
Isabelle – I actually just met Thumper at Disney’s Animal Kingdom over the weekend. So cute!
Thumper in Bambi !!!! and his girlfriend. They are so cute to meet in Animal Kingdom.
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