Review: New DVDs From Playhouse Disney

Pay TV channel Playhouse Disney features some of the most popular programs for the pre-school set, with titles including The Wiggles, Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Little Einsteins.

Disney have now released new DVDs of three of these titles - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Detective Minnie, My Friends Tigger and Pooh: The Nature of Things and Little Einsteins: Animal Expedition.

They’ve been on rotation in our house over some very rainy weeks, so with the help of my trusty 2-year-old reviewer I give our verdict.

My Friends Tigger and Pooh: The Nature of Things

Winnie the Pooh has changed a little since the books we read as kids. Christopher Robin has been replaced by a 6-year-old “tomboyish” red-haired girl named Darby, who is now the star of the show, along with her two main buddies Tigger and Pooh and back up characters Piglet, Eeyore and new friends Lumpy and Buster (an elephant and dog respectively).

The stories on the DVD (which runs for about an hour) are all about teamwork as the friends explore Hundred Acre Wood. Simple facts about nature are revealed, like why snow melts and what is an echo. My son loved the various songs sprinkled throughout the episode and in fact I’ve got the theme tune stuck in my head right now! This was our favourite DVD out of the three, as I suspect it is the one best aimed at under 3s.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Detective Minnie

Mickey and Minnie have also changed substantially over the years. The current incarnation of the cartoon is all shiny, reflective and rainbow-coloured, and with CGI technology appears almost 3D. Similar to Dora and other modern shows aimed at the 3-5s, the series focuses on interacting with the viewer to stimulate problem solving, like identifying shapes and counting through ten. In this headline story, Minnie has to locate 12 party hats that have gone missing.

Australia has never shared the obsession with all things Mickey as the US does, and I struggled to engage with the characters and story here. My son was also less than impressed and has not requested a repeat viewing! Nevertheless the show should be commended for interactivity and encouragement of early leaning skills.

Little Einsteins: Animal Expedition

This educational preschool series was developed by a team which includes Emmy Award-winning director Olexa Hewryk and Dora the Explorer co-creator Eric Weiner, and is co-produced by the Baby Einstein Company.

So with that kind of pedigree, as you’d predict it’s a quality show with  many educational elements. The ‘cast’ of four Einsteins are entertaining and their expeditions are interesting. In this show, the four set out with their trusty rocket ship to explore animals around the world – from Indian elephants to Australian kangaroos. I think this is a DVD my son will enjoy more and more as he gets older.

All three Playschool DVDs are rated G and include a Fast Play feature, so kids can pretty much pop the DVD on and wait for it to play – no more looking for the remote to find the menu buttons. This was a great addition, as we all find it frustrating to sit through ads and various intro reels waiting for the main feature to start.