Image Courtesy: The Toy Insider
A few years ago, Disney held its first-ever Disney Junior themed event for kids and their families at Disney’s California Adventure Park, called Disney Junior’s Fun Fest, marking the start of a new era for the global brand. Just recently, Disney held another event called “Disney Junior & Friends Playdate,” which had a similar format with plenty of fun activities for kids and announcements! Today, I will be outlining everything that was announced at the fun-filled event!
Let’s get into it!
New Series:
- Doc McStuffins: The Doc & Bella Are In! – Doc McStuffins and her stuffed friends are back in this new shorts series, starring Kate Micucci voicing Bella Bunnynose as Doc’s new intern! The new animated shorts series premieres Wednesday, September 6 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior at 9:25am EDT/PDT, streaming the same day on Disney+.
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse revival – Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, Pete & Clarabelle are getting back together for the upcoming revival of the hit animated preschool series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! The series is set to premiere on Disney Junior and Disney+ in 2025.
- Mickey and Friends: Trick or Treats – Similar to 2022’s Mickey Saves Christmas special, Mickey and Friends: Trick or Treats will be a stop-motion holiday special featuring Mickey and Friends on a spooky adventure! The new Halloween stop-motion special premieres Sunday, October 1 on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD at 7pm EDT/PDT, streaming next day on Disney+.
Casting Announcements:
- Disney Junior’s Ariel – Disney Junior’s Ariel, an animated musical series for preschoolers inspired by the beloved story The Little Mermaid is set to premiere in 2024 on Disney Junior and Disney+. Recently, it was announced that Mykal-Michelle Harris (Raven’s Home) has been cast in the lead role of Ariel in Disney Junior’s Ariel, Taye Diggs (Hamilton, Rent) will voice King Triton and Amber Riley (Glee) will voice Ursula in the series. In addition to the leading actors, the series will star 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 – Disney Junior’s RoboGobo, an animated superhero comedy series for preschoolers is set to premiere in 2024 on Disney Junior and Disney+. The series will star Cynthia Erivo, Valerie Bertinelli, Alan Cumming, Susan Kelechi Watson, Ana Gasteyer, Alison Pill, and Dulé Hill as recurring roles for Disney Junior’s next new series. Other talents include, 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), who voice lead character Dax (Young) and his five adorable, adopted pets, Booster, Allie, Hopper, Shelly, and Wingo. After being given super-powered Robo-Suits by kid inventor Dax, the pets are on a mission to save other pets in trouble and learn how to become a family in the process.
Series Premieres:
- Firebuds (Season 2) – Disney Junior’s Firebuds: Forest Rescue, an animated adventure comedy series for preschoolers, similar to Chuggington, premieres in November 2023 on Disney Junior and Disney+. From Emmy Award-winning creator and executive producer Craig Gerber (Disney’s Elena of Avalor and Sofia the First), Firebuds follows a group of friends, all children of first responders, who embark on adventures to help their community and learn what it truly means to be a hero. Building off the success of the series’ debut, season two features a forest rescue theme and finds the Firebuds crew back with some new friends and equipped with new gear to use in the great outdoors.
What do you think of this year’s event? Was Fun Fest better? Let me know what you think in the comment section down below! If you enjoyed today’s blog and would like to stay up-to-date with the latest entertainment news, please follow me on Instagram @mattsworldofentertainment and Twitter @mattsworldofet. As always, thanks for reading and I hope to see you all again real soon!
Content Credit: D23. Image Courtesy: The Toy Insider.
