Mickey Mote Brings Easy Access to Interactive Fun to New Playhouse Disney DVDs
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Handy Manny are favorites around here. We love to cuddle up on the sofa to watch an episode. We discuss the adventures, dance or imitate the actions on the screen. So we were really excited to receive two new Playhouse Disney dvds — Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Numbers Roundup and Handy Manny: Big Construction Job with the new Mickey Mote.
As soon as we opened Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Numbers Roundup with the Mickey Mote, our little guy Gideon (21 month old) was eager to get his hands on the Mickey Mote or “Toodles” as he called it. Programming the remote was just a few simple steps which would’ve been even easier if Gideon wasn’t eager to help. The dvd offers basic step by step instructions to follow but it basically involves simply pressing two Mickey Mote buttons simultaneously to enter the programming mode. Then point the Mickey Mote at your DVD (or in my case Bluray — which also plays dvds) remote and push the button on the Mickey Mote you are programming and the button the dvd remote you want it to copy. Very simple. No three digit codes, or multi button sequences to press. But I’d still recommend doing it before your little one spies the Mickey Mote if at all possible. (Click here to view a clip)
The Mickey Mote offers four buttons — blue square, yellow star, green circle and orange triangle. Using these buttons offers easier interaction with the DVD’s Discovery Mode. While watching Discovery Mode with select Playhouse Disney titles like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Numbers Roundup and Handy Manny: Big Construction Job, questions will pop up relating to the episode. I appreciated the variety of questions presented some were simple identify shapes, colors or numbers while others questions asked the kids to recall what just happened or consider what could happen next. Discovery Mode offers two levels — with Level 1 two answer choices are offered for each question and with Level 2 four answer choices are presented. Discovery Mode can also be played using any DVD remote control but appreciate having the option to let Gideon interact with dvd by holding something child-friendly and it is shaped differently than a standard remote which we discourage him from carrying around.
My little guy isn’t quite ready to answer the questions on his own so we’re using the Mickey Mote to learn shapes and colors. I would suggest he press whatever color or shape was the button for the correct answer. He’s mastered star, circle and square. But I think he is enjoying playing with the Mickey Mote just as much (maybe more) when we’re not even watching a dvd. I’ve found him on a few occasion wandering around with his “Toodles” happily pressing buttons.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Numbers Roundup features five episodes – Mickey’s Roundup, Daisy Bo-Peep, Mickey’s Big Surprise, Super Goof’s Super Puzzle and the never-before-seen bonus episode Mickey’s Show and Tell. Numbers Roundup is a favorite episode of ours. Okay, I’ll admit it, a favorite of mine, as I get a kick out of hearing Mickey talk with a slight drawl. Check it out… (click here to view a clip)
Handy Manny Big Construction Job is another new Disney DVD with Discovery Mode. It highlights Manny and the tools’ adventure as they head over to Concrete Falls to help with a couple of large construction jobs and meet a bunch of power tools. Meanwhile back in Sheetrock Hills Mr. Lopart attempts to fill his shoes as the town handy man. The dvd also includes the “never-before-seen” episode “Butterflies” and “Good Fences.”
The Mickey Mote can be used with the following Discovery Mode enhanced DVDs:
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Adventures in Wonderland
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Choo Choo
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Bow-tique
- Handy Manny: Manny’s Motorcycle Adventure
- Handy Manny: Manny’s Big Raceepis
- Little Einsteins: Fire Truck Blast Off
- My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Duper Super Sleuths
- My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Bedtime with Pooh
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Numbers Roundup and Handy Manny: Big Construction Job retail for $29.99 with the Mickey Mote included and $26.99 without. Be sure to look for this coupon on the front of the titles to instantly save $8 on any two Mickey Mote titles, or inside where you will find another coupon for $3 off of a single title.
I received the Mickey Mote and the 2 DVDs for review. All opinions are my own.
All images (c) Disney