Disney Partners With Barack & Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground On Original Animated Fantasy Series ‘Journey’

Disney and President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground are joining forces to greenlight music-driven, original animated fantasy series Journey for Disney+.

It marks the first major production partnership announcement for Higher Ground since President Obama announced in April that the company is winding down its eight-year first-look deal with Netflix to take a more independent approach.

The deal sees Higher Ground work with Disney arm Disney Kids & Family, which has just been rebranded from Disney Branded Television. Produced by ICON Creative Studio in association with Disney Television Animation, the working titled show is created by Matt Munn (Ice Age: Collision Course, Spies in Disguise).

The fantasy tale revolves around protagonist Journey whose home city is threatened when its protective energy shield begins to fail.

The young heroine answers a mysterious call that leads her outside the city walls into the forbidden lands beyond. In this new world, she uncovers the truth about her father’s disappearance and discovers a powerful magic within herself that may hold the key to saving her people.

Munn will serve as executive producer alongside Peabody Award-winning Steve Loter (Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Kim Possible). Jessie Dicovitsky is an executive producer for Higher Ground.

“Journey is an epic adventure anchored by a remarkable young heroine whose courage inspires those around her,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Kids & Family. “At its core, it’s a story about resilience, self-discovery and the power of believing in something bigger than yourself — the kind of universal themes that have defined Disney stories for generations.”

The project marks a major foray into animation for Higher Ground, which previously created the animated series We The People and Ada Twist, Scientist under its Netflix deal, as well as live action family franchise Waffles + Mochi.

“Combining adventure, imagination and music, Journey is a true original that takes bold swings. We’re proud to partner with Disney on this fantastical series and to build on Higher Ground’s history of delivering fun and meaningful stories for kids and families,” said Higher Ground Head Of Television Dicovitsky.

Journey joins Disney Kids & Family’s growing slate of animated storytelling for Disney+, which also features Bluey, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, Big City Greens and Phineas and Ferb.

The announcement for Journey comes on the eve of the Annecy International Film Festival in France next week where Disney Kids & Family will have a strong presence this year.

New supernatural comedy adventure series The Doomies will preview an episode in the TV and Commissioned Films category ahead of its launch on June 26 on Disney+, and there will be an exclusive first look and panel for upcoming Disney+ show Cars: Lightning Racers in the festival’s prestigious Work In Progress sidebar.

Produced by Disney Television Animation in association with Pixar, the latter show will premiere on Disney+ in 2027 under the Disney Jr. preschool umbrella.