Disney’s New Tween Era Glows with Millennial Nostalgia: “Electric Bloom” & “Vampirina: Teenage Vampire”

The Disney Channel has always been a network I could count on throughout my life. From watching Lizzie McGuire with my friends in high school because Aaron Carter was guest-starring, to belting out songs from High School Musical with my sisters well into our twenties—Disney always hit the mark. Sure, I wasn’t always the intended age group for their shows, but they never failed to put a smile on my face. One thing’s for sure: Disney has a knack for spotting talent and turning them into stars.

My favorite Disney era will always be the days of Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place, which launched the careers of Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, respectively. Those shows had the perfect mix—comedy, style, and music—and Disney seems determined to recapture that magic.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place

First came last year’s Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, a spin-off that brought back Justin Russo (David Henrie) with guest appearances from Alex (Selena Gomez) and the rest of the Russo family. The new series focuses on Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), a young wizard in need of guidance—much like Gomez’s character once was. Season two premiered on the Disney Channel in September and hit Disney+ on October 8th.

Electric Bloom

Last month, Disney premiered Electric Bloom, a series about three girls who form a band in middle school and skyrocket to pop stardom. Each episode opens with the band members—Posey (Lumi Pollack), Jade (Carmen Sanchez), and Tulip (Ruby Marino)—chatting with fans on social media before flashing back to moments before fame.

The balance between their superstar lives and ordinary school days is a total throwback to Hannah Montana. And the music? Absolutely phenomenal. With music legend Diane Warren serving as executive producer, that’s no surprise. Season one is now streaming on Disney+ and even includes Halloween and holiday-themed episodes to carry you through the rest of the year.

Vampirina: Teenage Vampire

Another new arrival, Vampirina: Teenage Vampire, reimagines the beloved preschool series for a tween audience. The live-action version stars Kenzi Richardson as Vampirina—known as “Vee” to her friends—a stylish vampire who leaves Transylvania to attend a performing arts boarding school for humans.

Her best friends include a ghost named Demi (Milo Maharlika) and her new roommate Sophie (Jiwon Lee). While her parents warn her to beware of Van Helsings, vampire hunters lurking nearby, Vee is determined to chase her musical dreams. The show blends cool gothic fashion, magical folklore reminiscent of Wizards of Waverly Place, and original music—including Richardson’s killer theme song, “Slay”. Vampirina: Teenage Vampire premiered on Disney+ October 15th.

Disney Brings the Magic

With such an exciting new lineup, I’m not ashamed to admit I’ll always be a Disney kid at heart—loving every bit of these fun, stylish, and heartwarming stories. These shows are perfect for family viewing, offering clean content, catchy music, and life lessons that fans of every age can enjoy.

On a personal note, Disney has always created feel-good, safe spaces for people of all ages. Sure, my friends used to tease me for wanting to watch Hannah Montana as a twenty-something, but Disney has always been a source of comfort—and I know I’m not alone in that. After my mother passed away, Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place became my two constants, helping me get through each day. Later, when my sister went through a particularly difficult time, I recommended Disney shows to her. She laughed it off at first, but eventually gave them a chance—and, like me, she found moments of joy during an otherwise dark period.

A version of this article appeared in StarShine Magazine, October 2025.