The Disney Television Animation wing has become a force in the cartoon world with the creation of shows such as "Sophia the First," "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" and "Phineas and Ferb." It's been an impressive rise over the past 30 years, considering the wing of the Disney Co. started with a bag of candy and an edict that superstar characters were off limits.

Before the TV wing was established, the only Disney animation on network TV was on "The Wonderful World of Disney." The idea behind the TV animation division was to produce new cartoons for the company's cable channels, syndication and network Saturday mornings. Rob LaDuca, executive producer of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," called the early days "amazing" because of how much freedom the animators were given.

Although the TV wing was established in 1984 under then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner, it wasn't until 1985 that "The Wuzzles" and "Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears" were launched.

Jymn Magon, writer of "DuckTales" Magon, recalls how the Gummi Bears came about during a meeting at Eisner's house. The animators were told by Eisner that his children loved the Gummi Bears candy and that they should make a series out of the sweet treat.

"We all went to this coffee shop afterward and said, 'He wasn't serious, was he?' " Magon says. They realized he was and the show became one of the first from the newly created division.

The studio started creating more programs, including "DuckTales" in 1987. Many of the classic Disney characters were featured, including Scrooge McDuck and his three grandnephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie. Conspicuously absent was Donald Duck.

Magon explains that the TV animators were told they could not use any of the principal Disney cartoon characters in the new television programs. The only concession with "DuckTales" was a quick appearance by Donald in a movie to introduce the series, where Donald tells his nephews that he's off to the Navy.

Slowly, the main characters became available, including the launch of "Good Troop" in the early '90s. Providing the voice for Goofy was Bill Farmer, one of only three people to officially be the voice of Mickey's buddy.

There's no longer a line between the major and minor stars of the Disney animation galaxy. Paul Rudish is producing new "Mickey Mouse" cartoon shorts with a quirky edge but which maintain the original cartoon's spirit.

One of the biggest shows in Disney TV Animation history is "Phineas and Ferb," launched in 2007 after a lengthy 13-year effort.

"We were just trying to make a show that would last two seasons," co-creator Dan Povenmire said.