Yo Ho Ho! Disney Junior Favorites Land on Apple iDevices with Free Apps
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Earlier today, Disney/ABC Television Group’s Digital Media team released two new apps starring Disney Junior favorites, ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ (iOS Universal) and ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’ (iPad only), allowing the popular interactive shows to become even more engaging with their audiences.
In ‘Jake’s Never Land Pirate School,’ children are enrolled in Jake’s pirate school where they will learn all the skills to become part of Jake’s pirate crew. The app contains full animation and audio provided by the show’s vocal talents and includes direct interaction with Jake, Izzy, Cubby and Sharky and Bones. The first step to enroll is to create a pirate avatar which uses the iDevice’s camera (or camera roll) to place the child’s head on a pirate body. After that, it’s time to attend classes and engage in various ‘challenges’ which include: steering Jake’s ship, Bucky, through obstacle courses using the accelerometer; creating original pirate tunes with Sharky and Bones with various instruments, which the app records and plays back; Map & Spyglass in which the student uses a map and spyglass to locate various objects on the island; and Pixie Dust with Izzy (and a silent Skully) where the student learns to fly with pixie dust, navigating through a maze and avoiding a pop-up Captain Hook. And, of course, each activity is rewarded with gold doubloons which the student digs up as Jake counts them.
Along the way, the app teaches other skills such as counting, colors, superlatives and shapes. All of the activities are relatively simple to play and there’s literally no way to fail at any of them, especially with the encouragement of all of the show’s characters.
The app keeps track of all of the student’s progress and, when all the classes have been completed, the student is rewarded with certificate, deeming them an honorary Never Land pirate. The student then has the opportunity to decorate the certificate with virtual stickers and even printing it out on an AirPrint compatible printer.
The app itself is pretty flawless in its design and execution and will certainly delight any fan of the series. I only ran into a few minor issues myself. One is during the map & spyglass class, in which I was asked to locate a monkey which appeared to be hidden behind a tiki tree — it was only due to a pixie dust aura that the app finally showed as a clue that I was able to spot it. Another minor grievance is with decorating the certificate with the virtual stickers. There is no way to move or resize the stickers (you can remove them all with a press of a button however) and it wasn’t clear that you actually need to press and drag the stickers to the desired location on the certificate — that came only with trial and error. The certificate also has virtual stickers that represent the individual courses, but they only go into their designated spot on the certificate (which can be identified by nuances in the shapes), but there’s no instruction on this, nor a correction when they’re not properly placed — they simply just return back to the sheet. Last — and most minor of all — the instructions for creating the private avatar advise you on how to position your face once the photo is taken, but those instructions actually apply only to images from the camera roll, so it’s a bit confusing, particularly since it appears to not work.
Next is the ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally appisode.’ Not just a clever play on words, this is an actual full-blown adaptation of the Disney Junior primetime special in which Mickey Mouse and the rest of the ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’ gang engage in a friendly road race to locate Mickey Markers spread throughout the land. While the appisode faithfully reproduces the program, it attempts to make the app even more interactive than watching it on tv. For example, any time Mickey would ask the viewer a question, the app pops up a Mickey microphone and actually listens for input from the child — though just like the television show, it doesn’t really matter what the response is. Where the app really shines, however, is that it introduces new content and games that wouldn’t be possible on the show. So for example, when the assistance of Toodles is required, characters can actually explain why a particular tool wouldn’t do the job if chosen. Children are also asked to lend a finger (or use the accelerometer) when the characters are faced with a task, such as cleaning up a pile of spilled rubber duckies or clearing the road of sand.
Even more flawless in its execution, the only possible gripe with this app is its size — almost 500 MB — but justified considering it has the absolute look and feel of the actual Road Rally episode.
Categories: iPhone Apps, Video Games Tags: Disney Junior, DJR, Jake, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, MMC
Sneak Peek: Handy Manny Joins Special Agent Oso in First Disney Junior Crossover Special
On Friday, March 30, Disney Junior will premiere its first ever crossover episode featuring Handy Manny (voice of Wilmer Valderrama) and Special Agent Oso (voice of Sean Astin) in ‘The Manny with the Golden Bear.’ The half hour special episode will premiere on Disney Channel at 12:00 pm ET/PT with replays on the brand new Disney Junior Channel. In the episode, Handy Manny and his tools visit Special Agent Oso to help him fix a broken bicycle.
Disney Junior has provided us with these first look images from the special episode along with two clips from the show.
In the first clip, Manny and his Tools are introduced to Oso by a mutual friend, David. Oso wishes to help David to learn how to ride his bike, but first Manny and his Tools must fix it.
Meanwhile in the next clip, Manny and the Tools have hitched a ride aboard Oso’s Whirly Bird so they can visit Kelly’s Hardware Shop, but run into a little misunderstanding along the way.
‘The Manny with the Golden Bear’ was written by Krista Tucker, from a story by John Loy and Ford Riley. The episode was directed by Jamie Mitchell.
All photos and video © Disney Junior
Categories: Television Tags: DC, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, DJR, Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso
‘Doc McStuffins’ on Disney Junior FREEview Now Available on iTunes
Disney Junior recently launched a free preview of its new series, ‘Doc McStuffins,’ on iTunes. The show, which debuts on the new 24-hour Disney Junior Channel on March 23, 2012, chronicles the practice of a six year old who can communicate with and heal toys while promoting a healthy lifestyle for its viewers.
Available for eager fans to preview is one of the segments (each show consists of two of them), ‘Knight Time’ in which Doc and toy friends Lambie, Stuffy and Hallie call upon an old friend to join them in play, only to learn that time and poor hygiene have left the once shiny knight with a bad case of Filthy-Icky-Sticky Disease. Also featured is the show’s highly addictive theme song, written by Kay Hanley and Michelle Lewis.
If you have iTunes (which is available free and doesn’t require an Apple iOS device to use), you can preview ‘Knight Time’ from ‘Doc McStuffins’ by clicking here. A subscription to the first season is also available for $29.99.
You may also want to check out our preview for the first two episodes which includes images and clips from the show.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney Junior, DJR, Doc McStuffins
Sneak Peek: ‘Doc McStuffins’ on Disney Junior (Photos, Video)
On March 23, 2012, the Doc is in! That’s the date that Disney Junior’s 24 hour network launches nationwide, bringing along with it returning favorites and all new series. One of the new series, which will air back-to-back from 10 am – 11 am ET/PT is ‘Doc McStuffins,’ an enchanting series that chronicles the practice of a six year old who can communicate with and heal toys while promoting a healthy lifestyle for its viewers.
Disney Junior has provided us with this first look of images and video clips from the first two half hour episodes, each consisting of two stories. The first episode, premiering at 10 am ET March 23 on Disney Junior features ‘Out of the Box’ in which Little Jack, a jack-in-the-box, is scared about getting a check-up until Doc McStuffins assures him that dad Big Jack will be with him the entire time, and ‘Run Down Race Car’ in which Donny’s toy racecar loses a race for the first time, requiring a check-up from Doc and resulting in the diagnosis that his batteries need to be recharged.
The second episode, premiering at 10:30 am ET includes ‘A Bad Case of the Pricklethorns’ in which inflatable toy Boppy springs a leak and Doc not only treats the problem, but takes on the task of preventative maintenance and ‘Knight Time’ in which Donny’s toy knight sticks to everything, leading Doc to diagnosis him with a case of Filthy-Icky-Sticky Disease.
For more information on Doc McStuffins as well as a sneak peek at some upcoming toys inspired by the series, be sure to check out our Disney Junior Toy Fair report.
We also have a few behind-the-scenes stills of voice talents Kiara Muhammad (Doc McStuffins), Robbie Rist (Stuffy) and Lara Jill Miller (Lambie). Photos by Todd Wawrychuk.
Next up are a couple of clips from the series. The first clip from ‘A Bad Case of the Pricklethorns’ features Doc McStuffins and her trademark line, ‘the Doc is in!’ along with a peek at how Doc’s magic stethoscope brings toys to life so that she can communicate with them. When little brother Donny — who knows Doc is the best at what she does, but not that she can actually communicate with the toys — approaches the clinic, we also see how the toys react to other people.
This next clip, from ‘Run Down Race Car’ features ‘The Checkup Song’ which Doc and her friends sing before each toy’s checkup along with original songs for each show.
All photos/video courtesy and © Disney Junior. All Rights Reserved.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney Junior, DJR, Doc McStuffins
Report: Disney Junior Event Brings Stars to New York International Toy Fair
On March 23, 2012, Disney Channel will launch Disney Junior, a 24 hour network dedicated to programming aimed at the pre-school market. The network will feature current favorites as well as classics from when the Disney Junior programming block was known as Playhouse Disney and even all new series. To celebrate the new channel, Disney Consumer Products and Disney Channel teamed up earlier this week to present ‘Disney Junior’s Got Super Stars’ at the 109th Annual International Toy Fair in New York City. The event, which previewed the new season of shows along with upcoming toys based on the franchises, welcomed ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ stars David Arquette (voice of Skully) and Sharon Osbourne (voice of upcoming character Mama Hook) to the stage along with other surprise guests.
Presented in the form of a talent show, Disney Consumer Product’s Jim Babcock played host and introduced Osbourne and Arquette as panel judges, along with DCP’s J.D. Edwards who played specialty judge for the respective upcoming lines (and by sheer coincidence, every toy is a hit).
Here are just a few of the highlights from the presentation:
The classic Disney toons were first at bat with an exclusive sneak peek at an upcoming Mickey Mouse Clubhouse special in which the gang takes to the farm. Fisher-Price will be releasing a line of toys based on the animated special as they have for previous episodes. Mickey also took center stage with another new interactive toy from Fisher-Price, the Master Moves Mickey (or M3), which will be available in August. After a brief video promo of M3, we were joined by the real Mickey Mouse who entertained the attending crowd with a live dance performance.
In honor of the short-form series, ‘Minnie’s Bow Toons’ in which Mickey’s gal pal Minnie owns and operates the Bow-tique, Minnie also took the stage with a dance number, but requested a partner. After a comedic preamble, Minnie managed to ‘coax’ former ‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestant Arquette into performing a quickstep with her.
Next up was a sneak peek at ‘Doc McStuffins,’ the first all-new series that will premiere on the Disney Junior channel. Via video, Doc conversed with Arquette and Osbourne before introducing the catchy opening titles with theme song for the series, which was written by Michelle Lewis and Letters to Cleo’s Kay Hanley and recorded by ‘A.N.T. Farm’ star China Anne McClaine.
The series focuses on six year old Doc McStuffins (Kiara Muhammad) who is able to communicate with stuffed animals and toys with her magical stethoscope. Doc’s Mom (Kiara Muhammad) is a people doctor and helps Doc with her diagnoses while Dad (Gary Anthony Williams) is a chef who whips up healthy snacks for Doc and little brother Donny (Jaden Betts). With additional aide from hippo receptionist/nurse Hallie (Loretta Devine), best stuffed-friend forever Lambie (Lara Jill Miller), overly proud (and overly stuffed) dragon Stuffy (Robbie Rist), hypochondriac snowman Chilly (Jess Harnell) and fish squeak toy Squeakers, the Doc helps dish out just the proper dosage of cuddles and advice while teaching toys and viewers alike that visiting the doctor for check-ups isn’t something to be afraid of. Each episode will feature an original song such as ‘Be Good to Your Tummy’ and ‘Get Your Sleep On’ in addition to staples such as ‘The Check-Up Song’ and ‘I Feel Better.’ Whether her patient is a jack-in-the-box with a bad case of ‘can’tpop-it is,’ an inflatable toy that springs a leak, loose stitching or low batteries, they can all count on Doc to help them out and record her findings in ‘The Big Book of Boo Boos.’
Just Play is the master licensee for the series and will be rolling out a line of plush toys of Doc, Lambie, Stuffy and Chilly as well as interactive toys such as the ‘Time for Your Check Up’ Doc Doll with Lambie which allows Doc to use her stethoscope to perform a check-up on Lambie. Lambie will speak as she gets her check-up and kids will even feel and hear her heart beat. Doc too will speak when her stethoscope is pressed against her tummy. Other toys include figure play sets based on specific episodes, a doctor’s bag complete with Doc’s glitterific tools and a large scale check-up center with Lambie.
The final portion of the program was devoted to the exceptionally popular ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates.’ The audience was offered a sneak peek at the primetime special ‘Peter Pan Returns,’ which aired later that evening and will be available to own on Disney DVD
There will be a full-line of toys for ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ from companies such as Fisher-Price and Just Play available in June (plush are now available on DisneyStore.com). Wonder Forge is also producing a board game called ‘Who Shook Hook?’ which puts a whole new spin on a classic game. In the board game, Hook is sleeping in a hammock, surrounded by stolen treasures. Players must take turns, attempting to ‘fish’ out the treasures without disturbing Hook’s nap. Some of the game’s spaces require players to use specific tools to remove the objects and not all the tools work well with all the objects, so it requires thinking and memory to figure out and remember which tool to use for which object so Hook doesn’t get woken up.
At the conclusion of the main event, Osbourne was presented with a one-of-a-kind Mama Hook doll created especially for her by Fisher-Price and Arquette was presented with a giant Skully plush from Just Play (Arquette later said it would be donated to charity). The event then moved on to a showroom in which the toys were previewed, but not before being hijacked by Sharky and Bones, the Pirate Band, who offered up a live performance of ‘Rattle Your Bones.’
In the showroom area, displays were set up for Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Minnie’s Bow-tique, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and M3. Attendees and invited children were also treated to meet and greets with Mickey, Minnie and Jake. The Pirate Band also made an appearance to check out the new line of toys as did Jake himself as well as David Arquette who worked hard to convince the children he was in fact the voice of Skully.
Below is our full gallery of images from the event as well as video of both the Jake and the Never Land toy area and the Doc McStuffins toys and brief demonstration.
Categories: Merchandise, Television Tags: Disney Junior, DJR, Merchandise, Toys
Sneak Peek: Dick Van Dyke Guests on ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’
Disney legend Dick Van Dyke recently recorded his guest appearance for an upcoming episode of Disney Junior’s ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.’ Van Dyke will be playing the role of Goofy’s long-long Grandpappy, Captain Goof Beard.
‘Anytime it’s Disney, I’m ready — I always show up,’ Van Dyke said. ‘I’ve worked with Donald once and I think I’ve worked with the seven dwarfs at one point down at Disneyland, but this is the first time I’ve ever worked with Goofy and I’m playing — of course — his grandfather. I’m a pirate. Nobody ever knew Goofy’s grandfather was a pirate before. They did tell me I was gonna have to sing, but I don’t have to sound like Goofy. ‘Cuz I said that I can’t do.’
Disney Junior has provided us with this behind-the-scenes photo of Dick Van Dyke recording his role as Captain Goof-Beard as well as this b-roll footage of Van Dyke reading lines as well as providing a sneak peek at what Captain Goof-Beard will look like.
No air date for the episode of ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’ has been announced.
Tonight, Van Dyke will present his former co-star Mary Tyler Moore with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award which will be broadcast live on TNT and TBS beginning at 8 pm ET. On presenting her with the award, Van Dyke notes ‘she picked me to give it to her. If she hadn’t, I would have never forgiven her (laughs). But I read it in the papers that she was gonna get the award and I thought of course I’m gonna do it, but then the phone didn’t ring for a couple of weeks and I said you know I’ve been hanging on the edge of a cliff here.. (laughs) waiting? I thought, who you gonna get, Ed Asner? So no, I’m really looking forward to the thrill of giving her that.’
Photo by Todd Wawrychuk. Photo and video © and courtesy Disney Junior. All Rights Reserved.
Categories: Television Tags: Dick Van Dyke, Disney Junior, Disney Legends, DJR, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns’ Plus All-New Episode on Disney DVD, April 3
Yo ho ho! Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment announced today that the upcoming prime-time special of ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates,’ ‘Peter Pan Returns’ (airing February 13 at 7 pm ET on Disney Channel) will be available to own on Disney DVD and Disney Digital Copy on April 3, 2012.
In the special, which features six all-new original songs, Peter Pan returns to Never Land and travels to Pirate Island to enlist the aid of Jake, Izzy, Cubby and Skully in finding his lost shadow.
In addition to ‘Peter Pan Returns,’ the DVD features five additional episodes: ‘The Elephant Surprise!/Jake’s Jungle Groove,’ ‘The Pirate Pup!/Pirate Rock!,’ ‘The Sword and the Stone/Jake’s Home Run,’ ‘The Pirate Princess/The Rainbow Wand’ and the never-before-seen episode, ‘Mama Hook Knows Best/Pixie Dust Away.’
Bonus features include the game ‘Yo Ho, You Ready to Find Jake’s Shadow?’ Taking a cue from Peter’s shadow, now Jake’s shadow has run off and disappeared. Help Izzy and Cubby find Jake’s shadow by discovering clues to where the shadow is hiding. Use Jake’s sword (on pack) to help in your adventure. Learn about pirate lore along the way (just where did the name ‘doubloon’ come from anyway?).
‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns’ is now available for pre-order
Categories: DVD/Blu-Ray, Television Tags: Disney Channel, Disney Junior, DJR, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Peter Pan
Disney Junior to Launch 24 Hour Television Network on March 23, 2012
Replacing SOAPnet on most television content providers, Disney Channel today announced that its 24 hour channel, Disney Junior, aimed at the ‘preschool-plus’ market, will begin broadcasting on March 23.
At launch will be the new show, ‘Doc McStuffins,’ which heralds the tales of a six year old girl with a talent to be able to communicate with her stuffed animals and plays veterinarian to them. Future programs will include ‘Gaspard and Lisa,’ ‘Guess How Much I Love You,’ ‘Sofia the First’ and ‘Oki’s Oasis.’
‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,’ ‘Little Einsteins,’ ‘Handy Manny,’ ‘Rolie Polie Olie’ and ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates,’ which have already found a niche on the existing Disney Junior programming block on Disney Channel will also air on the new 24-hour channel. The Disney Junior programming block is also expected to remain on Disney Channel.
Visit GETDISNEYJUNIOR.COM to see availability in your area.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney Junior, DJR
Sneak Peek: ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ Special Featuring Peter Pan
Disney’s beloved Peter Pan makes his way back to Never Land and makes his debut in the popular Disney Junior series ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ in an all-new primetime special, ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns.’
Premiering on Disney Channel on February 13 at 7:00 pm ET/PT, Peter Pan (voiced by Adam Wylie) arrives on Pirate Island to enlist the aid of Jake, Izzy, Cubby and Skully in finding his lost shadow. The special will also include six original songs.
Starting Monday, February 6, DisneyJunior.com/PeterPan will feature ‘Jake’s Countdown to Peter Pan’ and the debut of a new two-part game, ‘Shadow Shenanigans,’ where players can take on the role of Peter Pan’s shadow to try to wake the sleeping Jolly Roger crew and then play a shadow matching game.
A full-length preview of ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns’ will become available via Disney Channel on Demand on February 6. Mobile providers Sprint TV and MobiTV will simulcast the special in conjunction with the television premiere on February 13 on Disney Channel. The special will be available the following day on mobile VOD for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon customers.
Disney Junior has provided us with these sneak peek images from the special:
The second season of ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ continues on Disney Junior with all new episodes starting February 20. Special guest stars include Sharon Osbourne, Josh Duhamel, Jane Kaczmarek and Tiffani Thiessen who will join series regulars David Arquette, Tori Spelling, Lisa Loeb, Adam West and Ariel Winter.
Images courtesy of and © Disney Junior
Categories: Television Tags: DC, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, DJR, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Peter Pan
‘Octonauts’ to Debut on Disney Junior, January 9
‘Octonauts,’ the BAFTA-nominated animated show for preschoolers, based on the popular children’s book series of the same name, will make its U.S. debut Monday, January 9 at 11:30 am ET/PT on Disney Junior on Disney Channel. Created by award-winning design team Vicki Wong and Michael Murphy of Meomi Design, the series follows the lively underwater adventures of Captain Barnacles Bear, Lieutenant Kwazii Cat and Medic Peso Penguin, as they explore the ocean and work to protect all of its unique sea creatures. Produced by Silvergate Media with animation by Academy Award-nominated Brown Bag Films, the animated series made its initial debut in the UK in October 2010.
‘Octonauts’ introduces young viewers to exciting new underwater worlds and fascinating marine life. In each 22-minute episode, Captain Barnacles, Lieutenant Kwazii and Medic Peso receive an ‘octo alert,’ which serves as a call to action for the heroes to embark on the day’s mission. With help from their extended crew –Tweak, a bunny mechanical engineer; Shellington, a marine biologist sea otter; Dashi, a dependable dog who serves as the Octonauts’ official mission photographer; Professor Inkling, the Octonauts’ octopus founder; and Tunip, a special breed of underwater sea creature called a vegimal – the team sets out to explore, rescue and protect their unique underwater habitat.
Categories: Television Tags: DC, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, DJR, Octonauts
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