Disney Junior - It's a Party

Disney Junior Cinema Party 

There's new seasons of Disney Junior (on DSTv 309) Fancy Nancy Clancy, Lion Guard, Vampirina and Puppy Dog Pals. I always remember what Christine Service, the country manager for The Walt Disney Company in South Africa, said a few years ago. Disney always remembers the parents when they write and produce the stories. We as parents have to see episodes and movies hundreds of times, but we can still marvel at the witty comebacks and above the head (of the little ones) jokes. We enjoy the episodes as much as our children do!

Some facts about the new Disney Junior episodes...

Disney Junior shows and products - GIVEAWAY

Disney Junior

Disney Junior celebrates Spring with some of their most lovable characters. The retail campaign in conjunction with Disney Junior shows is launching on 15 September.  The products range from puzzles and books to toys and figurines available at retailers nationwide. The shows include Fancy Nancy Clancy, Vampirina, Puppy Dog Pals, The Lion Guard and everyone's favorite mouse, Mickey Mouse.

Vampirina Party recipe - Chef Remy's bread bones and Pea dip

Vampirina Party

We got a Disney Vampirina party bag as a reminder of the new episodes of Vampirina on Disney Junior. Have you seen them yet? It's all about friendship, respect, tolerance and finding your place in the world.

The Vampirina Party bag came with a few party suggestions, and we decided to make Chef Remy's Bread Bones and Pea Dip as a party snack for guests on Saturday. It was also a great way to take a breather from the mid-year exams.

It's an easy recipe, and the kids will love helping make the bread bones. We did our own take on it, but we are posting the original recipe at the bottom.

New Seasons of Disney Junior Shows - Giveaway

Disney Junior - Mickey and the Roadster Racers

Some of our favourite Disney Junior shows on DSTv Channel 309 are starting new seasons in November.
To highlight this, Disney has given me two hampers to give away!

P. King Duckling, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Sofia the First, Lion Guard and Vampirina (which already launched in October) will start with new episodes.

Disney Junior giveaway in anticipation of Mickey and the Roadster Racers

MICKEY MOUSE AND THE GANG REV UP FOR
MICKEY AND THE ROADSTER RACERS, AN ACTION-PACKED RACING SERIES,
PREMIERING ON SATURDAY, 22 APRIL
ON DISNEY JUNIOR

It's finally here! Mickey and the Roadster Racers will premiere tomorrow (Saturday, 22 Apr) at 9:30 am on Disney Junior, DStv Channel 309.
Check out some fun roadster facts about Mickey and the Roadster Racers I shared earlier!

The series takes Mickey and the gang, along with their unique transforming vehicles, on humorous high-spirited races around the globe, as well as hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills. Off the racetrack, Minnie and Daisy also run their own successful business as Happy Helpers, solving problems for anyone in need of a helping hand. Geared towards kids 2-7, the stories are designed to impart social and emotional lessons about friendship, teamwork, optimism and good sportsmanship.

In anticipation of the release tomorrow, Disney Junior is giving away 5 Disney hampers of a sketch pad activity book and cup. (See photo below)

To win one of these hampers, please tell me the name of Goofy's Racer in the comments below? ( For the answer: Fun Roadster facts about Mickey and the Roadster Racers; or on Facebook: Disney Junior in Africa

The 5 winners will be notified at 12 pm next Wednesday 26 April.

The giveaway is only available to South African residents!



The Winners of the Mickey and the Roadster Racers' hampers are (via Random.org):

1. Carolyn
2. Elaine
3. Jackie
4. Candice
5. Aidan

Congratulations!

Fun roadster facts about Mickey and the Roadster Racers

Mickey and the Roadster Racers logo

Mickey and the Roadster Racers is coming to Disney Junior, with the premiere on Saturday, 22 April at 9:30 am, DStv Channel 309.
It is a a madcap car-racing adventure series for pre-schoolers led by Disney's No. 1 star, Mickey Mouse, and his pals Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy and Donald.

The series takes Mickey and the gang, along with their unique transforming vehicles, on humorous high-spirited races around the globe, as well as hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills. Off the racetrack, Minnie and Daisy also run their own successful business as Happy Helpers, solving problems for anyone in need of a helping hand. Geared towards kids 2-7, the stories are designed to impart social and emotional lessons about friendship, teamwork, optimism and good sportsmanship.

We were invited to a special screening on Saturday of Mickey and the Roadster Racers. Little Miss is already 8 years, but she enjoyed the four episodes just as much as the rest. She was quite bummed when the last episode got stuck, and we were told to catch the last bit on Disney Junior. (It's too long to wait! ;-) )

Some fun facts about the vehicles in Mickey and the Roadster Racers

All of the transforming vehicles in Mickey and the Roadster Racers are inspired by the characters' personalities.

• Mickey, being a classic character, drives a classic American hot rod – the Hot Dog Hot Rod.
• Minnie's car, Pink Thunder, is a 1930s French inspired car – it looks like a bow and was inspired by Delahaye.
• Goofy - being Goofy - drives a car made out of a bathtub called the Turbo Tubster.
• As Donald Duck is a sailor, his vehicle is a cabin cruiser – the only vehicle that can go on both land and water.
• Since Daisy loves flowers, her car is a Snap Dragon dragster.

All of the numbers on the Mickey and the Roadster Racers cars have a significance to each driver.

• Mickey has the number 28 on his car for the year of his debut in Steamboat Willie.
•  Goofy's car has the number 8 which refers to the that Goofy is always behind the 8 ball.
• Daisy picked the number 4 in honor of her four friends – Minnie, Mickey, Donald and Goofy.
• Donald's car sports the number 3 - referring to the Three Caballeros, which Donald is proudly one of.
• The number 89 was picked for Minnie's car to represent that it has been 89 years since she was created.
• Pete's car is number 9 which is a reference to the nine lives of a cat.

For more info:

Facebook: @disneyjuniorafrica

Twitter: @DisneyJunior

Stunning spread at Mickey and the Roadster Racers screening

Minnie gets the photo op

Making her own Roadster Racer - this was a hit!

Zuka Zama with Disney Junior's The Lion Guard

The Lion Guard

As always, Disney does not disappoint and the whole family will enjoy the adventures of The Lion Guard as Kion, the young lion cub,  assembles The Guard to maintain the balance within the "Circle of Life"! The mission is to protect the Pridelands!

We were invited to the premiere "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar" on Sunday. It will be aired on Sunday 26 March at 10:00 am on Disney Junior, DStv Channel 309. It is the premiere to the television series of The Lion Guard on DStv 309.

Keep a look-out and mark your diaries!

Photo op at Premiere - we got a faint smile...

Little Miss making a pledge to look after nature
at Disney's The Lion Guard
activity zone in Cresta 

Premiere at Ster-Kinekor, Cresta:

Premiere at Ster-Kinekor, Cresta

Waiting for the movie to start...

We remember Disney's The Lion King, and this story-line is just as captivating as the original. Kion is the son of Simba and Nala.
It is not only about "Hakuna Matata" ("No worries"), but the new catch phrase is "Zuka Zama". In Swahili it means "Pop up, Dive in". Although life is not always plain sailing, take it head-on! Although you (and others) do not always believe in your abilities, you are able when you take on your responsibilities!

Bunga is a honey badger, Kion's friend and the "bravest" of them all.
He has the following life motto and catchy tune in The Lion Guard:

"Zuka Zama":

Now you know my little motto for life
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
Enjoy the chaos, ignore the strife
But life throws you a crazy curve
Go Zuka Zama! Don't lose your nerve!

We can't wait to see more of the adventures of the newly appointed Lion Guard!


Check out Heather's (One Step at a Time) review as well: Why “Zuka Zama” is the new “Hakuna Matata”

What happened to the dog kennels that was decorated? #DisneyAfrica #SPCA

*

 Doc McStuffins has expanded her services to pets, and Disney Africa has donated the decorated kennels in celebration of the launch to the SPCA in Roodepoort.

The MomAgain@40-clan also decorated one of the kennels! I'm glad it has arrived at it's destination and that the dogs who are waiting for their forever homes are housed properly. It is also much needed in this time before the Christmas season.

Mandy Cattanah, Senior Inspector and Manager of the SPCA: “On behalf of the Roodepoort SPCA, a very big thank you to the Walt Disney Company Africa for the donation of 25 kennels for our animals.  Mahatma Ghandi said that ‘the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’  With the assistance of Disney Junior Programmes like Doc McStuffins, we are more able to educate our children on the importance of pet care, which will go a long way to reducing the number of animals in distress.”

Watch Dr Colin van Rensburg of the Radiokop Animal Clinic share his top tips for kids in caring for their pets on Disney Junior Africa Facebook Page. Parents and care-givers can also log on to the brand new Disney Junior Africa Facebook page to keep up to date on the very latest from Doc McStuffins and Disney Junior.
From dogs to goats, Doc McStuffins can fix them all!  

Catch the third season on Disney Junior, every day at 07:20 (Disney Junior DStv, Channel 309)

* Images supplied by Taryn Fritz PR.

Related posts:

- 5 Doc McStuffins hampers up for grabs

- Doc McStuffins expanding her services...

5 Doc McStuffins hampers up for grabs!

The third season of Doc McStuffins is currently running on Disney Junior (DStv, Channel 309) at 07:20am (repeats at 09:30, 13:00 and 14:45). Doc McStuffins has added more patients to her playhouse clinic.

Our 6-year old Little Miss loves watching The Doc fixing her friends!

Disney Africa will give five readers a Doc McStuffins hamper. Please answer the following questions in the comments.

1. Who is Doc McStuffins treating now as well? (She used to only treat broken toys)

2. Check out Doc's World on Disney Junior and tell me one thing that can be played on the site with regards Doc McStuffins?

Only open to South African readers.
The five winners' names will be drawn on Friday 6 November at 9 am.

Behind the magic of Miles from Tomorrow

I was invited to a Disney Junior High Tea on Friday. Miles from Tomorrow is on Disney Junior in South Africa on the DStv Channel 309 every day.

Miles from Tomorrow cake poppers

As parent it is always comforting to know that I can safely switch on the TV on this channel and that it will always be the great Disney storytelling that we have become accustomed to. It is always about great Disney characters. Disney Junior is apparently the No 1 preschool channel on DStv in South Africa.

Christine Service, the senior vice president and country manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, says that they not only make the programming for the children, but for the parents and care-givers that watch it with them! That's true, as we enjoy the shows with the little ones, and my school going Little Miss still very much enjoy the shows on Disney Junior!

"Miles From Tomorrow is a spectacular new cartoon series from Disney Junior. The animated action follows the story of a young adventurer called Miles Callisto and his intergalactic family. “Miles and his family have been sent into outer space on a mission by the Tomorrow Transit Authority,” reveals the show’s creator, Sascha Paladino."

A few magic facts about Miles from Tomorrow:


ACTION AHOY!

Miles and his family gets crazy adventures in stellar space with every show. It is filled with aliens, spage-age vehicles and the latest high-tech gadgets

ALIEN INVASION!

There are crazy aliens in each of the episodes!

OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Sascha Paladino, the creator, wanted to be an astronaut when he was a kid. He would look to the sky and imagine what was up there.

SPACE RACE!

They spent a lot of time researching and consulting with NASA for the show! The concepts of space, science and technology are spot on!

ROCKET MAN!

The name of the NASA consultants are Dr Randii Wessin, a rocket scientist, as well as space architect John Spencer, founder and president of the Space Tourism Society.

IT’S A FACT!

There are at least one space fact in every show!

A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY!

They explore real planets like Mars and Neptune, but also imaginary planets with made-up aliens!

WORD UP!

The intergalactic catchphrases such as "blastastic", "sunsational", "space-tastic", "stellarific" and "superstella" adds to the quirkiness of the characters and the show!

GADGETS GALORE!

The groovy gadgets are a treat: The Callisto family lives on a floating space station The Stellosphere. They have a 3D printer called a Solidizer and the space vehicle is called a Starjetter.

BOARD STUPID!

Two of the coollest gadgets are Miles' Blastboard, which is a hovering skateboard. Phoebe has a bracelet, the Bracelex, which is an encyclopedia on her wrist!

ANIMAL MAGIC WITH A BIRD BRAIN!

Miles has a best friend who is a robot ostrich, Merc. He has turbo boosters and wing shields!

WORK AWAY!

They have a team of 40 people working on the show in California, and another 400 overseas. They spent a year and a half working on the first episode!



Miles from Tomorrow is every day on Disney Junior (DStv channel 309).



Little Miss got the Callisto family, Merc and a Miles from Tomorrow Laserang.

WIN a Winnie the Pooh soft toy

Winnie the Pooh launched on Disney Junior on DStv Channel 309 from Sunday 24 May with Springtime with Roo.

It is such a special edition, with all the characters looking forward to Spring and Easter, but Rabbit planning a special spring-cleaning session... (I hope you were able to watch it or record it for later!)

Good news is that it is starting to run with back-to-back episodes from 1 June 2015:

CET
12:30
12:45
12:55
13:20
13:45

To win one of five Winnie the Pooh soft toys, please write in the comments below about your favourite Winnie the Pooh moment with your kids.
My favourite moments are when I am reading or watching the stories with my kids. All of them!

The Eldest says her best quote is still this one. She had a poster of Winnie the Pooh quotes when she was growing up.

“What day is it?", asked Winnie the Pooh
"It's today," squeaked Piglet
"My favorite day," said Pooh”

― A.A. Milne

I will select five winners on Friday 9 am via Random.org.
(This is unfortunately only open to South African viewers.)


WINNERS: 
Jozi Wahm, Luchae Williams, Adele, Lisa Labuschagne and Elise Du Toit. 
Please send me your email that I can forward it!


Related post:

Winnie the Pooh coming to Disney Junior from Sunday 24 May - watch to win a Winnie the Pooh soft toy!

Winnie the Pooh coming to Disney Junior from Sunday 24 May - watch to win a Winnie the Pooh soft toy!

Winnie the Pooh to premiere on 24 May on Disney Junior (DStv Channel 309).

Who does not love the cute Bear who's tummy is always rumbling for honey?! I did not knew him when I was little as we did not have access to the Afrikaans translation at that stage. But I have been enjoying and reading Winnie the Pooh with both my daughters.

There's nothing quite like a Winnie the Pooh quote:

"Some people care too much. I think it's called love.” 

           “It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?”  

― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Please watch the first episode Springtime with Roo at one of the following time slots to be able to win one of five 61cm Winnie the Pooh soft toy (teddy bears) next week. I will ask a question about the episode next Monday, and five people will be able to win.

(Open to South African readers only)

Disney Junior (DStv Channel 309):
Sunday 24 May
Springtime with Roo: 10:25 – 11:15 (Premiere)
Sunday 24 May
Springtime with Roo: 15:30 – 16:25 (Premiere)

Monday 01 June 2015: 

Back-to-back episodes will be running

 CET

12:30

12:45

12:55

13:20

13:45

Did you know the following about Winnie the Pooh?

10 Facts about Winnie The Pooh:

1.  Winnie the Pooh was brought to life on Christmas Eve in 1925 when the first Pooh story, written by AA Milne, was published in the London Evening News. (Source: approved factsheet)

2. The story was based on a bedtime story read by AA Milne to his son, Christopher Robin. (Source: approved factsheet)

3. The first Winnie the Pooh book, simply named Winnie the Pooh, was published in October 1926. Now We Are Six followed in 1927 and House at Pooh Corner was published in 1928. (Source: approved factsheet)

4. A first edition of Winnie the Pooh was sold for $13,200 at Christie’s of New York on 18 November 1988. (Source: The Brilliant Career of Winnie the Pooh by Ann Thwaite)

5. Having been published in October 1927, Now We Are Six sold 94,000 copies in England by Christmas that year, overtaking the original Winnie the Pooh story. (Source: The Brilliant Career of Winnie the Pooh by Ann Thwaite)

6. After 80 years of friendship and adventure, Winnie the Pooh has become a worldwide favourite with mothers and children of all ages, with near universal familiarity among mothers with children aged 2-5. (Source: approved factsheet)

7. The characters in AA Milne’s stories are based on toys once owned by his son. The original stuffed toys are now kept in New York Public Library. (Source: approved factsheet)

8. The original Pooh bear was bought in Harrod's department store and given by AA Milne to his son Christopher Robin on his first birthday, 21 August 1921. He was called Edward Bear at the time.  (Source: www.nypl.org, New York Public Library website)

9. Christopher Robin named his stuffed bear Winnie the Pooh after a Canadian bear that his father took him to see at London Zoo (Winnie) and a swan near the family's country home (Pooh). (Source: approved factsheet)

10. The Canadian bear at London Zoo got her name from the Canadian town of Winnipeg and was taken to London Zoo on a long loan in 1914 by Harry Colebourn, a soldier in the First World War. (Source: The Brilliant Career of Winnie the Pooh by Ann Thwaite)

Disney's brand new Doc's World for little doctors in the making now live

The Walt Disney Company Africa today announced that a brand new online destination, Doc’s World, which is inspired by the animation series for preschoolers, Doc McStuffins, is now live.

Doc Mc Stuffins airs daily on Disney Junior (DStv, Channel 309). Kids are able to access the game via desktop, tablet or mobile here: Doc's World

The site launched in South Africa today and will also become available across the rest of EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) throughout December.

Little Miss is loving this

- Doc McStuffins allows the player to become her right-hand assistant in helping to fix 'ouchies' or broken 'boo boos.'
- Kids create their own avatars in their own chosen doctor apparels.
- They can also choose one of the helpers from the show; from the familiar Haille, Lambie, Stuffy and Chillie.
- They also help design the interior of the medical areas that they are "working" in.
- Little ones can design their own posters from existing templates or from scratch.
- The children unlock rewards in the "My Clinic" area.
- These activities support early learning skills while encouraging a healthy lifestyle and caring for others.


This is great when they want something to keep them busy!

Season 2 of Doc McStuffins is currently on air, every day at 08:45 and 19:20 on Disney Junior (DStv, Channel 309).

Good news for parents: Sofia the First second season launching on Saturday!

Little girls love Sofia the First!

What's not to love? A girl from the village who becomes a princess through her mother's marriage to the King AND an amulet that makes her speak to animals AND flying horses AND coaches AND fairies AND dressing up....

But parents of little girls have seen too much of the first season already! At least five times of each episode, if not more than 100 times already...

The best news (EVER!) is that they are launching season two of Sofia the First on Saturday 27 September at 9 am on DSTV Channel 309 (Disney Junior).

Little Miss was invited to a Disney Enchanted High Tea last Friday to celebrate the launch of season two. It was at the beautiful Clico Boutique Hotel in Rosebank.

Little Miss had a blast (and Mom too)!

Disney Enchanted High Tea 

Princess Mieka

Goodie bag with first episode of Season Two of Sofia the First
and a Sofia tiara and a Sofia amulet

Waiting...

Table decorations

Sophia dresses

Make-up

Hair

The pose!
(We got a very nice photo on a Sofia background)

Princesses watching the first episode

Thanks Disney!
We are looking forward to seeing new Sofia the First stories!


Disclaimer: We got the invite to the High Tea, as well as the goodie bag for Little Miss.


Related post:

- Sofia the First is coming to our screens

Sofia the First is coming to our screens

A beautiful  little girl Sofia who suddenly find herself  being called a princess, with all the magic of Disney animation...

We saw the first episode Sofia the First: Once upon a Princess a while back.
It is an extremely enchanting story!
The 4-year old wanted to watch it over and over again!

The series premières this coming Saturday, 11 May, at 9:00 am on Disney Junior (DStv Channel 309).

The Press Release: 

"The animated television series  Sofia the First is set in the storybook world of Enchancia and tells the story of Princess Sofia, an adventurous little girl who is learning how to adjust to royal life after her mom marries the king and she becomes a princess overnight. Upon moving into the castle to live with her new family, including her step-father, King Roland II, and step-siblings Amber and James, Sofia quickly discovers that looking like a princess isn't all that difficult, but possessing the characteristics of a true princess – honesty, loyalty, courage, independence, compassion and grace – is what makes one truly royal. Helping her in her journey are the three headmistresses of Royal Pre Academy, Fauna, Flora and Merryweather (the beloved fairies seen in Disney's classic Sleeping Beauty); the royal steward, Baileywick; and a group of cute woodland creatures led by a wise-talking rabbit named Clover. Classic Disney Princesses Ariel, Aurora, Belle and Jasmine will make special appearances in event episodes to offer Sofia words of wisdom – princess to princess.

Created for kids age 2-7 and their families, the stories are designed to communicate positive messages and life lessons for young children. While she lives in an enchanting fairytale world of castles, wizards and flying horses, Sofia remains a relatable peer-to-peer princess who is experiencing many of the same social situations as young viewers at home, including fitting in at school, building sibling relationships, making new friends, discovering how and when to be brave, learning the importance of telling the truth, and mastering new skills and good sportsmanship."

Ariel Winter is the voice of Sofia

I know of one Princess who will be watching. ;-)