Disney Junior announces Mickey Mouse Clubhouse relaunch and more
Disney Junior announced big news during a special “Disney Junior & Friends Playdate” event at Disney California Adventure Park, including the return of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with appearances by Duffy, the Disney Bear.
During the event at the Disneyland Resort, Disney Branded Television President Ayo Davis announced the new series, episodes, and casting news, plus new “Playdate with Winnie the Pooh” and “Me & Winnie the Pooh” shorts, which debuted today on Disney Junior YouTube and Disney Junior.
“Disney Junior captures the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers and their families everywhere with stories and characters filled with magic, wonder, adventure and heart,” Davis said . “From providing early entry points into classic Disney franchises to introducing brand-new IP that becomes the latest kid obsessions, Disney Junior is always there with infinite opportunities to engage and play.”
New Disney Junior Projects
“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2.0” (working title) – In the next iteration of Disney Junior’s Emmy Award-winning series,Mickey and pals welcome everyone back to the clubhouse for all-new adventures filled with songs, laughs, handy helping, and fun new surprises. The new series will be a brand-new area in the clubhouse just for Minnie, plus the addition of Duffy the Disney Bear, who will make surprise appearances in multiple episodes.
“Mickey and Friends Trick or Treats” – Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy are trick-or-treating when Donald spies a spooky mansion and assumes it has the best treats; however, the owner casts a spell that turns them into their costumes. The special also features new original music from Emmy Award-nominated songwriter Beau Black (“The Lion Guard”).
Special Holiday Episodes
“Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends” – In the episode titled “An UnBEElievable Rosh Hashanah,” Gobby steals all of the bees, so Team Spidey and The Thing (voiced by Andy Milder) must get them back and save Rosh Hashanah. The Rosh Hashanah-themed episode featuring The Thing (aka Ben Grimm) premieres Sept. 15 at 8:30 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and at 1 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior, streaming soon after on Disney+.
“Superkitties” – In the Halloween episode titled “Howloween Cat,” pets’ Howloween treats go missing all over Kittydale, so the SuperKitties – Ginny, Sparks, Buddy, and Bitsy – will need to track down the thief. The full-length Halloween episode premieres Sept. 25, 2023, at 7 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior; and will stream soon after on Disney+.
“Pupstruction” – In the Halloween episode titled, “Happy Howl-o-ween/The House of Howls,” Bobby Boots (voiced by Bobby Moynihan) thinks he wasn’t invited to Pupstruction’s Howl-O-Ween party, and Tank doesn’t think he’s brave enough to help build a haunted house. The Halloween episode premieres Sept. 27, 2023, at 7 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior; the episode will stream the same day on Disney+.
“Mickey Mouse Funhouse” – In the Halloween-themed episode titled “The Curious Case of the Kooky Scientist,” Mickey and the gang are off to Halloweenville to see kooky scientist Von Drake’s newest invention. In the episode titled “Stink, Stank, Stunk! /Día de los Muertos,” Mickey and the gang discover the Grand Pumpkin and must return it to Halloweenville before it rots away, and Donald’s pal Panchito invites the gang to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Mexico City. The Halloween-themed episode premieres Sept. 26, 2023, at 7 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior; The Dia de los Muertos-themed episode premieres Oct. 6, 2023, at 10 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and at 12:05 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior; both episodes will stream soon after on Disney+.
Disney Junior Casting News
“Disney Junior’s Ariel” (premieres 2024 on Disney Junior and Disney+) – Mykal-Michelle Harris (“Raven’s Home”) has been cast as eight-year-old mermaid princess Ariel in an animated musical series for preschoolers inspired by “The Little Mermaid.” Taye Diggs (“Rent”) and Amber Riley (“Glee”) will voice King Triton and Ursula. The series also stars Elizabeth Phoenix Caro (“The Christmas Chronicles”) and Cruz Flateau (“SuperKitties”) as Ariel’s friends Lucia and Fernie, and Gracen Newton (“Puppy Dog Pals”) as Flounder.
“Robogobo” (premieres 2024 on Disney Junior and Disney+) – Cynthia Erivo, Valerie Bertinelli, Alan Cumming, Susan Kelechi Watson, Ana Gasteyer, Alison Pill, and Dulé Hill have been cast in recurring guest star roles, joining young voice actors, including Ja’Siah Young (“Raising Dion”), Brayden Morgan (“Slumberkins”), Azuri Hardy Jones (“My Adventures with Superman”), Gracen Newton (“Puppy Dog Pals”), newcomer Leili Ahmadyar and veteran voice actor Dee Bradley Baker (“Phineas and Ferb”).
Premiere Dates
“Doc McStuffins: The Doc & Bella are In!” – In this brand new short-form series inspired by Disney Junior’s Peabody Award-winning “Doc McStuffins,” Doc welcomes Bella Bunnynose (voiced by Kate Micucci), a plush bunny who dreams of being a toy doctor just like Doc. The series’ voice cast, including Laya DeLeon Hayes (as Doc), Lara Jill Miller (as Lambie), Robbie Rist (as Stuffy), Jess Harnell (as Chilly), and Loretta Devine (as Hallie), reprise their roles. Premieres Sept. 6, 2023, at 9:25 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and Disney Junior; streaming same day on Disney+.
“Firebuds” (season two premieres in November on Disney Junior and Disney+) – Building on the success of the series debut, season two features a forest rescue theme and finds the Firebuds crew equipped with new gear to use in the great outdoors.
“Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” – A new batch of episodes, including a Life Day holiday episode following Master Yoda, Master Zia, and Jedi younglings Kai, Lys, and Nubs as they take a trip to Kashyyyk to celebrate Life Day and learn more about the Wookiee’s holiday traditions. New episodes premiere on Nov. 8, 2023, on Disney Junior and Disney+; more new episodes are coming in 2024.
Disney Junior & Friends Playdate
The three-day “Disney Junior & Friends Playdate” event celebrates Disney Junior’s hit series, which continues on Aug. 19 and 20, 2023, in the Downtown Disney District, providing opportunities for young fans to experience Disney Junior’s stories and characters. Click here for details.
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