The door is back open! New series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ premieres next Monday July 21st on Disney Jr. and Tuesday July 22nd on Disney+. Emmy-winning executive producer Rob LaDuca and co-producer and story editor Kim Duran share insights on additions to this iconic location and crafting adventures for a new generation of fans. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Rob, how does it feel to revive this beloved “Clubhouse” brand, but with that new flare?

Rob LaDuca: It’s like I’ve been there all this time. Really it’s a continuation of the show that I’ve always loved and I know the audience truly loves as well.

JM: When everybody thinks about the Clubhouse, they think about the songs and the look — and now here’s the ‘plus’. So Kim, you wrote the premiere episode. Did you feel the pressure of making sure that ‘plus’, especially the Little Helper that we meet, really comes through strongly?

Kim Duran: Well, absolutely. When you’re handed “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”, which has become so iconic around the world, you certainly don’t wanna screw it up. (laughs) It was a thrill to be able… the show is so wonderful as it is, but to be able to add to it and really just make it even better. More adventures. All new stories. It was a dream come true. And we hope everybody loves it.

JM: I hope families love this. I enjoyed the first episode. Rob, how does it feel to come up with the storylines that are so adventurous for these characters? We’re already on quite a quest in the first episode.

RL: (laughs) They kind of write themselves. They’re such a good group of characters that have been friends for [so] many years. They’re just totally natural to put them into any situation we need, from very soft stories to adventure stories. We’re running the whole gamut of different kinds of stories for them. And great songs. You know, we have our original songwriters back. Mike Himelstein and Mike Turner are doing a phenomenal job. Just like me, they haven’t skipped a beat since the original series.

JM: It’s great that we have this show back in a new way. It’s a new show, for a new generation. I have a cousin who’s a little older now, who watched “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”, and now he’s got a sister who’s gonna watch this new show. So it’s just amazing, Kim, the fact that families of multiple generations are going to get to experience this. You keep the legacy going of these beloved characters in this iconic environment.

KD: Absolutely. And my son was one that viewed the original series. I have a 17-year-old now, but he was once three and four and we watched it together. So it’s really a dream come true. Who knew that all these years later I would be working on writing new adventures for these amazing, iconic characters?

JM: Kim, how does it feel to pace out in the episodes when the tools come into play — when you know, especially in the story beats, “Alright, now let’s bring in this one. Now let’s bring in this one”?

KD: Well, it can be a challenge sometimes,’cause we wanna make sure we’re not using all four Mousekatools in the first five minutes of the episode. Sometimes it takes a little plotting things out. But usually during these adventures, something’s going to happen where they’re going to have a dilemma and they’re going to need a Mousekatool. And of course… Mickey turns to the audience and we get the audience’s participation, their help, choosing the right one, so that they can solve the problem and continue on their adventure.

JM: And that is so important, Rob, to have Mickey look directly into the camera. Are those some of the most challenging, pivotal moments for you in making the episodes and making sure that connection works so well?

RL: Yeah. Always. In animation, if the eyes are a little off, it’s a retake, because they really have to be looking at the audience. And that’s how the audience is so engaged in the show — that kids feel so involved in the adventure. Those are the kind of things I loved as a kid too, to feel like you were part of it, not just watching it.

KD: And Mickey as the host always makes sure that the audience is understanding what’s going on. So if there’s a particular sticky story point, Mickey might turn to camera and explain what’s going on. He wants to bring the audience along for every part of the adventure and make sure that they understand everything. You have to remember these are little kids, ages two to five.

JM: And they’re so engaged when the story feels immersive, when they can be involved. Rob, how do you feel about the voice actors and the skillset of voicing these iconic Disney animated characters? Does it feel fresh every time you hear them? What goes through your mind as you’re listening to Mickey and the gang?

RL: It just gives me a giggle — an internal giggle to hear the characters. We’re working on the scripts and working on dialogue, but then when you hear it come out of their mouths, it just makes me laugh all the time. Never gets tiresome. They’re the best in the business. They’re really the super talents that make the show.

JM: And coinciding with this new “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+”, Kim, is a touring exhibit and a brand new show at Disney California Adventure.

KD: I still pinch myself when I’m putting words in the mouth of some of the most iconic characters, if not the most iconic characters, in the world. And it’s such a joy to see that kids love Mickey in all forms: on television, in the parks, in toys. There’s just something about these characters. I don’t think any of us know exactly what that magical recipe is, but Mickey and the gang have it. It’s so much fun to see all the love.

JM: Rob, what’s the magical recipe when it comes to this ‘plus’ with this show? Were there things you had to reject when it comes to what you wanted to infuse into the ‘plus’?

RL: I wanted to do more after season five of the original series. I was like, “Come on, we can keep going with this!” And finally when we started up again… we wanna make it fresh, but I wanted to have the same feel of the camaraderie and friendship that these characters have. And that’s the most important thing. And that comes through really with any story is how well they work together. How different they are, but how well they work together as friends.

JM: And you kept the Hot Dog Dance! That’s a good thing, Kim.

KD: We didn’t dare get rid of that. We all love the Hot Dog Dance. Not just the characters.

RL: I love all the competitions online and celebrities doing it and everything. It cracks me up.

JM: We are three years away from Mickey turning 100: 2028. I’m sure the Mouse House has some big secret plans. What would you love to see happen in Mickey’s 100th birthday year?

RL: Can Mickey get any bigger? I would love to see a Clubhouse ride at the theme park. Something that has to do with “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” for the little ones who come and have seen the show so many times.

KD: Yeah, a life-size Clubhouse that you could actually go in and go up to the new Laughing Loft and use the Wacky Tube. I’m on board. I hope we do more of the same. Mickey and the gang on adventures, and we set him off on the next hundred years. I hope that that’s possible. I don’t think it’s ever been done before. And if anyone could do it, I think it would be Mickey.