On February 14, Playhouse Disney on the Disney Channel will be making some pretty cool new changes and becoming Disney Junior.  While the name change is obvious, what you may not know is that along with the name change comes a new, stronger focus on delivering educational programming aimed at children ages 2 to 7 years.  Disney Junior’s animated and live action programming will continue in the tradition of Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and beloved characters while incorporating early math concepts and language skills, lesson on healthy eating and lifestyle choices, and social and emotional development.

Now don’t worry, moms and dads.  Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse and his clubhouse full of friends, the Imagination Movers, Jungle Junction, and Special Agent Oso won’t be going anywhere.  New programming will include the shows “Babar and the Adventures of Badou and Tinga Tinga Tales.  In addition to these full-length shows, new short-form shows will join Disney Junior, including Mickey Mousersize (boy, does that take me back to playing my own Mousersize album on my Mickey Mouse record player while wearing leg warmers), Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps, and A Poem Is…”

If you haven’t seen the promos already, Disney Junior’s BIG new show is Jake and the Never Land Pirates.  This new show takes boys and girls to Never Land as Jake and his friends use problem solving skills to outwit Captain Hook and Mr. Smee.  I will be publishing a long piece on this show next week, so stay tuned.

The Disney Junior makeover wouldn’t be complete without a new theme song.  The new song will debut on Disney Channel tomorrow morning, but you can see it here right now!  The new song is sung by Choo Choo Soul’s Gevevieve.

I know what you are thinking, “What’s going to happen to Playhouse Disney Live On Stage at Disney California Adventure Park?”  Well, I hate to break the news, but Playhouse Disney Live On Stage is already closed.   When it reopens, it will have a new sign and a new Jake and the Never Land Pirates segment.  Departing the show will be the My Friends Tigger and Pooh segment.  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, and Handy Manny will remain in the show.  While I haven’t been able to get a definite confirmation from Disneyland on the start date of the Disney Junior show, t I’ll have all of the info for you when it becomes available.

You can learn more about Disney Junior on the Disney Channel by clicking here.