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The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition DVD Press Release

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:40 pm
by Luke
<a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/index.htm ... ney.com</a> > <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/comingsoon.html">Upcoming Releases</a> > The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition
<a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/index.htm ... ney.com</a> > <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/ultimatec ... ">Disney's Animated Classics</a> > The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

<center><i>Disney’s Most-Requested Animated Treasure
Finally Comes Out Of The Vault -- October 3, 2006!</i>


<b>Walt Disney Home Entertainment Proudly Announces
The Long-Awaited Two-Disc Special Edition DVD Debut of

<u>The Little Mermaid</u>

Huge Company-Wide Initiative Highlighted by
Disney Consumer Products Partnership To Take Retail UNDER THE SEA
With Over 2,000 New Licensed Merchandise Products</b>

<table border="0"><tr><td><img src="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/images/l-o/tlmpe.jpg" width="99" height="140" alt=""The Little Mermaid" Platinum Edition DVD cover art"></td>
<td>Preorder <b>The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition</b> 2-Disc DVD from:<br>• <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz" target="amz">Amazon.com</a> ($18.87)
• <IMG SRC="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/serve?bf ... id%3D22952" BORDER="0" WIDTH="1" HEIGHT="1" NOSAVE ><A HREF="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bf ... id%3D22952" TARGET="bb">BestBuy.com</a> ($19.99, plus $5 off any other Disney DVD)
• <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/cli ... =10&subid=" target="os">Overstock.com</a><img alt="icon" width="1" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?i ... =10&subid="> ($19.61)
• <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/cli ... =2&subid=0" target="wm">WalMart.com</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?i ... =2&subid=0" > ($19.87)
• <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-1190473-10 ... =202461856" target="buy">Buy.com</a><img src="http://www.awltovhc.com/image-1190473-10387774" height="1" width="1" border="0"> ($20.98)
• <a href="http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.a ... d=28118312" target="de">DVD Empire</a> ($22.01)
• <a href="http://www.qksrv.net/click-1190473-5463 ... ermaid+DVD" target="ebay">eBay</a></td></tr></table></center>

BURBANK, Calif., February 6, 2006 – On October 3, 2006 Walt Disney Home Entertainment proudly
opens the vault to debut a spectacular new two-disc Special Edition of the most-requested Disney DVD
title ever, the Academy Award® winning (1989 Best Song and Best Original Score), <b>THE LITTLE
MERMAID</b>. The first time ever on a two-disc DVD, the eighth addition to Disney’s acclaimed “Platinum
Collection,” this highly-anticipated release is accompanied by an expansive Walt Disney Company-wide
celebration, including a huge continuing partnership with Disney Consumer Products (DCP) that builds on
the overwhelming popularity and success of 2005’s <i>Cinderella</i> Home Entertainment and Consumer
Products campaign. That partnership saw <i>Cinderella</i> become one of the top-selling DVD titles of the year,
with sales exceeding even those of recent theatrical releases with a gross box office of over $100 Million,
as combined incremental sales from both entities generated one of the highest values in company history.
<b>THE LITTLE MERMAID</b> Special Edition DVD will be one of the biggest entertainment events of the year,
with a huge DVD marketing campaign, augmented by DCP licensee campaigns which also drive huge
awareness to THE LITTLE MERMAID franchise. Utilizing all the film’s favorite characters including the #1
most beloved Disney Princess (Ariel)*, the consumer products campaign will take retailers and consumers
“Under The Sea” with over 1,500 exciting all-new products, across all product categories.

The highly-anticipated <b>THE LITTLE MERMAID</b> Special Edition DVD release is awash with exciting new bonus
materials that entertain and enlighten viewers about the world of <b>THE LITTLE MERMAID</b>. Complete and
specific details about <u>all</u> the exciting bonus features are forthcoming!

Just as with the overwhelmingly successful October 2005 CINDERELLA DVD and Consumer Products
partnership that helped drive Disney Princesses to becoming a $3 Billion Franchise in 2005, the expansive DCP
product launch will follow a consistent DVD and licensed product packaging logo and look. Linking <b>THE
LITTLE MERMAID</b> DVD with existing products and all-new SKUs licensed in celebration of the DVD release,
DCP’s “Little Mermaid Reflections” products will sparkle and shine utilizing an array of fabrics and textures –
from pearls and sequins to glitter and iridescent fabrics. Key licensees including Mattel, CDI, Playmates, and
Hallmark will begin releasing products in summer 2006 with an increase in September leading up to the October
3 DVD release.

Not available in any form of home entertainment from Disney for seven years, <b>THE LITTLE MERMAID</b>
combines music, fun and excitement to become one of the company’s most cherished films. Ariel, the fun-loving
and mischievous mermaid, is enchanted with all things human. Disregarding her father’s order to stay away
from the world above the sea, she swims to the surface and, in a raging storm, rescues the prince of her
dreams. Determined to be human, she strikes a bargain with the devious seawitch, Ursula, and trades her fins
and beautiful voice for legs. With her best friend, the adorable and chatty Flounder, and her reluctant chaperone
Sebastian, the hilarious, reggae-singing Caribbean crab, at her side, Ariel must win the prince’s love and save
her father’s kingdom – all in a heart-pounding race against time!

Drawing from a talented “pool” of vocal talent, <b>THE LITTLE MERMAID</b>’s leading roles went to actors with
extensive musical theater backgrounds. As the voice of Ariel, voice-over and Broadway star Jodi Benson
supplies the perfect blend of innocence and wide-eyed wonder to the independent young mermaid. Hollywood
legend Buddy Hackett turns in a top-flight performance as the squawking seagull, Scuttle, and stage veteran Pat
Carroll provides the villainous voice of the crafty seawitch, Ursula.

To create the infectious score and seven original songs that garnered <b>THE LITTLE MERMAID</b>’s two Academy
Awards®, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman teamed-up for the first time on a Disney Animated Classic,
spending 18 months developing the film’s 1989 Oscar.-winning “Best Original Score,” as well as “Under the
Sea,” Academy Award®-winning “Best Song.” Other show-stopping songs from <b>THE LITTLE MERMAID</b>
soundtrack include “Part of your World,” which articulates Ariel’s desire to become human; “Poor Souls,” a
cabaret-style tune delivered by Ursula following Ariel’s transformation from mermaid tail to legs; “Les Poissons,”
a hearty dash of musical slapstick from the palace chef, Louis, and “Kiss The Girl,” crooned by Sebastian and a
“doo-wop” chorus of grasshoppers, pelicans, flamingos, frogs, ducks and turtles.

<b>THE LITTLE MERMAID</b> was released theatrically in 1989, grossing almost $180 Million at the domestic box office
(adjusted to 2005 dollars). It went on to become one of the top 10 best-selling animated films of all time on VHS.
<table border="0"><tr><td><img src="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/images/l-o/tlmpe.jpg" width="99" height="140" alt=""The Little Mermaid" Platinum Edition DVD cover art"></td>
<td>Preorder <b>The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition</b> 2-Disc DVD from:<br>• <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz" target="amz">Amazon.com</a> ($18.87)
• <IMG SRC="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/serve?bf ... id%3D22952" BORDER="0" WIDTH="1" HEIGHT="1" NOSAVE ><A HREF="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bf ... id%3D22952" TARGET="bb">BestBuy.com</a> ($19.99, plus $5 off any other Disney DVD)
• <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/cli ... =10&subid=" target="os">Overstock.com</a><img alt="icon" width="1" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?i ... =10&subid="> ($19.61)
• <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/cli ... =2&subid=0" target="wm">WalMart.com</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?i ... =2&subid=0" > ($19.87)
• <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-1190473-10 ... =202461856" target="buy">Buy.com</a><img src="http://www.awltovhc.com/image-1190473-10387774" height="1" width="1" border="0"> ($20.98)
• <a href="http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.a ... d=28118312" target="de">DVD Empire</a> ($22.01)
• <a href="http://www.qksrv.net/click-1190473-5463 ... ermaid+DVD" target="ebay">eBay</a></td></tr></table>

<b><u>RELEASE/STREET DATE: October 3, 2006</u></b>
<u>Direct prebook</u>: July 25, 2006
<u>Distributor prebook</u>: August 8, 2006
<u>Suggested retail price</u>: $29.99 (2-disc DVD)
<u>Rated</u>: “G” / Bonus materials not rated.
Bonus materials subject to change.
<u>Feature run time</u>: Approximately 83 minutes

Click here for the complete, updated <b>The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition</b> press release with menus and bonus feature caps

THE LITTLE MERMAID Special Edition DVD Consumer Website: www.LittleMermaidDVD.com

© Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. – Disney Consumer Products, Inc.

* Research indicates Ariel is the #1 favorite Disney Princess with moms of kids 2-5.
<br><br><br>

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:59 pm
by Lucylover1986
Geez, that was a pretty useless press release. It really told us nothing except it's coming and to expect lots of merchandise. Hopefully the list of what's actually going to be on the DVD will be coming soon.

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:59 pm
by MickeyMousePal
A press release already!!!

Well, it's a start hopefully it will have popular pop stars singing the new version of "Under the Sea", "Part of Your World" and "Poor Unfortune Soul".

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:03 pm
by magicalwands
I'm actually looking forward to this Platinum release. :D

Edit: I think I'm one of the few who want a Disney Channel Circle of Stars music video. :oops:

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:58 pm
by Disney-Fan
Cool bonus features hu? :roll:
Talk about useless! Thanks for the update anyway Luke!

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:01 pm
by Pasta67
I agree with you, Lucylover & Disneyfan, that was a pretty crappy press release. There isn't one bonus feature listed.

*Gasp* Maybe that WAS the complete press release! Maybe Disney's giving us our first barebones platinum! Disc 1 will be for the movie and disc 2 will be for burning your own bonus material. It's Disney's new marketing tool, folks, embrace it.

:wink:

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:06 pm
by Escapay
Pasta67 wrote:I agree with you, Lucylover & Disneyfan, that was a pretty crappy press release. There isn't one bonus feature listed.
Unless we count the actual movie as a bonus feature! Most everyone buys DVDs for the supplements and the movie is often ignored! So maybe The Little Mermaid: The Movie is our bonus feature, while all the making-ofs, storyboards, concept arts, trailers, and all-important-disney-channel-circle-of-stars-music-video are the main features!

But in all seriousness, if there's no commentary on this film I'm gonna be mighty pissed off. And let's hope they don't integrate a new song or something...

Escapay

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:20 pm
by Lucylover1986
I think there will be a commentary. The only reason I think the last two PE's didn't have one was because there wasn't anyone really left still alive from those movies. Now The Little Mermaid has alot of people still around. Most of the directors, animators, producers, & voice talent are still alive.

And even if there's no bonus features we always have the one carried over from the Limited Edition, “full-color character artwork on discs"!

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:23 pm
by Disney Princess Ariellen
Pasta67 wrote:I agree with you, Lucylover & Disneyfan, that was a pretty crappy press release. There isn't one bonus feature listed.

*Gasp* Maybe that WAS the complete press release! Maybe Disney's giving us our first barebones platinum! Disc 1 will be for the movie and disc 2 will be for burning your own bonus material. It's Disney's new marketing tool, folks, embrace it.

:wink:
Or maybe Disc 2 will be...songs from and inspired by The Little Mermaid performed by the Disney Channel Circle of Stars, and the reason it's not in the press release is because that would be a way to get people NOT to buy the DVD.

Wow, I hope no one at Disney reads that and takes me seriously...oh wait, they can't accept outside ideas! Safe!

Hmm...when it mentions Disney Consumer Products having "Little Mermaid Reflection" products like fabrics and beads...wasn't Little Mermaid Reflections or something like that a DVD listed on the upcoming release schedule? I sure hope that if that DVD comes to be that it's not just an extended commercial for the new Disney Princess products featuring Ariel that seem sure to spring up everywhere...

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:26 pm
by Luke
Lucylover1986 wrote:And even if there's no bonus features we always have the one carried over from the Limited Edition, “full-color character artwork on discs"!
Too bad Disney has now downgraded to partially-colored character artwork on discs! :cry:

Re: The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition DVD Press Release

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:31 pm
by Disney Princess Ariellen
Other show-stopping songs from <b>THE LITTLE MERMAID</b>
soundtrack include... “Poor Souls,” a
cabaret-style tune delivered by Ursula following Ariel’s transformation from mermaid tail to legs
...PLEASE tell me that they didn't just get a song title wrong in their own press release about their own film. Now THAT is unfortunate.

* Research indicates Ariel is the #1 favorite Disney Princess with moms of kids 2-5. [/size]<br><br><br>
Hmm, that makes a lot of sense...I'd imagine a lot of those moms were the kids who were around nine or ten when the movie first came out.

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:35 pm
by magicalwands
Luke wrote:
Lucylover1986 wrote:And even if there's no bonus features we always have the one carried over from the Limited Edition, “full-color character artwork on discs"!
Too bad Disney has now downgraded to partially-colored character artwork on discs! :cry:
How do you know? Was the Lady and the Tramp disc partially colored? That would stink so much, and I used to think (a long time ago) Disney CARED what the customers think of their dvds so they made it the best they could. Now I know they just try and degrade the dvd as much as can so THEY can save money making the dvd while we still pay full price for them.

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:36 pm
by Pasta67
Lucylover1986 wrote:I think there will be a commentary. The only reason I think the last two PE's didn't have one was because there wasn't anyone really left still alive from those movies. Now The Little Mermaid has alot of people still around. Most of the directors, animators, producers, & voice talent are still alive.
Yeah, a commentary's pretty much confirmed for this baby. John Musker & Ron Clements did a BUMLOAD of bonus material for the Aladdin DVD, including a commentary. Odds are they're going to want to be involved with the Mermaid DVD as well. We also have a lot of animators who worked on Mermaid that are still at Disney, so maybe we'll get an animator commentary as well, and I would kill for a cast commentary.
Lucylover1986 also wrote:And even if there's no bonus features we always have the one carried over from the Limited Edition, “full-color character artwork on discs"!
Nah, I think they'll save that kind of retrospective material for the Gift Set. Us common-folk will probably recieve something like: "Colorful snaps on armary case!" :lol:

And yeah, they did just get a song title wrong in their own press release. That's........pathetic. Luke, this isn't a February 22 Fools press release, is it? Please say it is!

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:32 pm
by Luke
magicalwands wrote:How do you know? Was the Lady and the Tramp disc partially colored?
Yeah, every DVD release this year that has had colorful disc art has had this reflective not fully colored type labeling. Not nice and purty like the old artwork, but certainly not bad looking.
Pasta67 wrote:And yeah, they did just get a song title wrong in their own press release. That's........pathetic. Luke, this isn't a February 22 Fools press release, is it? Please say it is!
I wish it was, but they promise another one <u>is</u> coming. Hopefully with info on the Virtual Merbaby feature! :wink:

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:38 am
by magicalwands
Luke wrote:
magicalwands wrote:How do you know? Was the Lady and the Tramp disc partially colored?
Yeah, every DVD release this year that has had colorful disc art has had this reflective not fully colored type labeling. Not nice and purty like the old artwork, but certainly not bad looking.
I see what you mean from Bambi 2. It is annoying when you tried to read the title or make out the characters too, it's like looking through a pair of glasses that aren't fit for you. I don't know about you guys but it makes ME dizzy. I think what they did is they just printed the CD cover picture right onto the CD without putting a sticker on top first. Thus you get a blurred picture.

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:30 am
by Leonia
Overkill much on the merchandise, perhaps?

Granted, I'll probably buy the DVD -- not for me, but for my sister. She LOVED the Little Mermaid as a kid, but isn't into Disney much anymore (even though oddly, she bought Bambi last year and *shudders* Bambi II this past week). I'm trying to get her interested back into Disney again.

Although after hearing "Under the Sea" in Japanese numerous times thanks to Kingdom Hearts II, I think I'll probably go into shock hearing "Under the Sea" back into its native English. :shock:

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:44 am
by reyquila
Of course there are gonna be bonus features!! If you dont like the release or aren't content with its content then dont buy it!! Simple as that.

I know I'm gonna!!!!!!!

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:31 am
by Joshrzmeup
Chances are, it'll have a video of Raven singing "Under The Sea". Personally, i could do without that.

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:34 am
by Enchantress
Good bonus features would be ace, but i'm buying the DVD for the movie in the end, anything on top of that is a bonus for me!

Re: The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition DVD Press Release

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:51 am
by The Little Merman
Luke wrote:“Poor Souls,” a
cabaret-style tune delivered by Ursula following Ariel’s transformation from mermaid tail to legs
:lol:

Featuring an All-New Music Video - Liza Minnelli sings "Poor Souls" giving the classic tune an brand new cabaret-style all it's own!


*tlm