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Debuting in 2006, Disney Junior’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a computer-animated series aimed squarely at the pre-school set. It’s a brightly colored, gently educational-themed series featuring simple plots and catchy songs. Problem-solving games pop up throughout the episodes, encouraging an interactive approach for young viewers. But the real hook, of course, are the beloved characters—namely Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Pluto (and other supporting characters, too). The latest DVD release features the globe-trotting (and oddly titled) episode “Around the Clubhouse World.”
The 30-minute adventure that offers a mini-geography lesson as Mickey and company visit the Eiffel Tower, Great Wall of China, Egyptian pyramids, among other exotic locales. Mickey collects the proper “Mouseketools” to help solve obstacles and off they go. Flights of fancy include giant spaghetti noodles used to lasso Clarabelle Cow’s gondola and Pete the Cat as a pyramid-guarding pharaoh. It seems the so-called Clubhouse World is a small-scale rendering of the real world, with many of the same attractions. Among the numerous Disney programs handled by episode director Donovan Cook, the most noteworthy is the 2002 theatrical release Return to Never Land (Cook co-directed the Peter Pan sequel with Robin Budd).
Filling out the DVD are four additional episodes (24 minutes each) from previous seasons: “Donald and the Beanstalk” (season one, episode six), “Goofy on Mars” (season one, episode eight), “Mickey’s Handy Helpers” (season two, episode two), and “Pluto’s Dinosaur Romp” (season three, episode 27). All told, that’s a running time of 126 minutes and the disc includes a convenient “play all” option. For the uninitiated, don’t be fooled by the presence of the classic Disney characters into thinking there’s something of interest here for older viewers. The basic plots, aided by the no-frills animation (it often looks like a videogame), proceed at speeds perfectly suited for very young children.
For a little extra value, the DVD includes an Official Clubhouse Passport booklet containing stickers and activities. Those who enjoyed previous Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD releases, such as this year’s Minnie-rella, know precisely what to expect. This is a sound purchase for the youngest Disney fans in your family.
The 30-minute adventure that offers a mini-geography lesson as Mickey and company visit the Eiffel Tower, Great Wall of China, Egyptian pyramids, among other exotic locales. Mickey collects the proper “Mouseketools” to help solve obstacles and off they go. Flights of fancy include giant spaghetti noodles used to lasso Clarabelle Cow’s gondola and Pete the Cat as a pyramid-guarding pharaoh. It seems the so-called Clubhouse World is a small-scale rendering of the real world, with many of the same attractions. Among the numerous Disney programs handled by episode director Donovan Cook, the most noteworthy is the 2002 theatrical release Return to Never Land (Cook co-directed the Peter Pan sequel with Robin Budd).
Filling out the DVD are four additional episodes (24 minutes each) from previous seasons: “Donald and the Beanstalk” (season one, episode six), “Goofy on Mars” (season one, episode eight), “Mickey’s Handy Helpers” (season two, episode two), and “Pluto’s Dinosaur Romp” (season three, episode 27). All told, that’s a running time of 126 minutes and the disc includes a convenient “play all” option. For the uninitiated, don’t be fooled by the presence of the classic Disney characters into thinking there’s something of interest here for older viewers. The basic plots, aided by the no-frills animation (it often looks like a videogame), proceed at speeds perfectly suited for very young children.
For a little extra value, the DVD includes an Official Clubhouse Passport booklet containing stickers and activities. Those who enjoyed previous Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD releases, such as this year’s Minnie-rella, know precisely what to expect. This is a sound purchase for the youngest Disney fans in your family.
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