The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition - Fall 2013

[my chicken is infected]

And while I was at it, I even asked about getting a corrected copy of my Pinocchio Blu-ray as well and they're willing to help with that too.

Did they ever correct the DVD disc as well? I got that quite a while before I had a player, so I only got the Platinum Edition DVD, and I'd like a corrected version if there is one.

[jpanimation]

Nice of them to correct the mistakes. Will give them a call tomorrow. Now if only they fixed The Lion King's missing clouds, which is more noticeable than any of the mistakes the 3D conversion caused on this release.

[my chicken is infected]

Did a Google search. Apparently they ONLY corrected the Blu-Ray disc for Pinocchio. So those of us who just have the DVD cuz we didn't have Blu at the time are just stuck with incorrect sound mixes, I guess. At least the DVD for this set is corrected. Hopefully they'll do the 3D disc too in the future.

[SWillie!]

Did a Google search. Apparently they ONLY corrected the Blu-Ray disc for Pinocchio. So those of us who just have the DVD cuz we didn't have Blu at the time are just stuck with incorrect sound mixes, I guess. At least the DVD for this set is corrected. Hopefully they'll do the 3D disc too in the future.

Hey at least Pinocchio is only a couple years out now - we should be getting the Diamond Edition in 2015, right? Or 2016? I assume they'll have it fixed for that release.

[my chicken is infected]

I'll be glad when the Diamonds or whatever they're called by then start rolling out again. I've missed most of them, as I only got my BD-player this past Christmas. I did get Bambi in the DVD packaging cuz I could get it for $10 at the time, and I didn't have much in my Amazon account to work with. I got Beauty And The Beast cuz it's my fav - paid $30 and it's probably the only time I will ever pay more than $15 for a used DVD/Blu-Ray unless it's a multi-movie set or a big fancy box like the recent Lawrencen Of Arabia box.

[ajmrowland]

Obviously second print copies will have the corrected discs. How would one tell the difference between first and second run?

We don't even know if the second print run will feature the corrected discs. Going by past examples and experiences, in Disney's case, they won't be corrected. Pinocchio didn't have the corrected discs released to stores, as I bought my Pinocchio Blu-Ray shortly before it went OOP. It was still the disc with the missing audio. And neither of the corrected discs for "More Silly Symphonies" or "True-Life Adventures" had later waves anyway, given the short print run for the former, and the "when the stock runs out, we're not reprinting them, so it's a quiet OOP status" for the latter.

For all we know, this option might only be available via the replacement program.

This is why I advised those who haven't yet bought it to take advantage of the first-week sales (and any store exclusives, like the Target digibook and the Best Buy lunchbox) and go through the replacement program. It may take longer, but it'll guarantee a corrected disc much more than chancing a wait for the corrected batch of discs to arrive on store shelves (especially with no way of actually knowing it's the corrected disc).

Of course, if anyone wants to chance it and wait until Disney's "Returning to the Disney Vault!" promotion to buy the disc a couple years from now, that's entirely up to them.

Albert

Seriously? I mean everyone here talked about the corrected Pinocchio disc possibly being relewased to stores. I thought they had done that.

Ah, well, I'll totally get into this program then.

[DC Fan]

Guys.

Could you tell me why is it THAT hard for Disney to bring us really good editions?

Let´s take the Diamond line. If these movies are meant to have the "ultimate treatment" then deliver so. These movies were to be released once a year and later on 2. Is that difficult (with all those months of planing) to actually make such a Special Edition of them? If they weren´t to keep their word then don´t make the line in the first place.

Plus, how come Tarzan, Hercules and Hunchback didn´t get nice editons considering how much Disney dropped the ball on their DVD releases?

This comes from The Little Mermaid BR of course: ported the DVD extras and include very few new and less than great new ones.

...yes, a little Off Topic but didn´t want to make a new post when with just a couple of answers would make the question answered.

[Jules]

I would like to know this as well. No way am I going to buy the messed up one.

I don't know if they still do it, but when there was the replacement program for the "More Silly Symphonies" Treasures-Set, they did send me the replacement discs without arguing (to Germany).

I can confirm this. Disney sent the More Silly Symphonies replacement discs all the way to my place too. However, last time I did it via email, and I didn't have to send them the faulty discs. This time I'll have to order TLM off Amazon, wait three weeks till it comes to Malta, call Disney, send the discs back out (another three weeks to the U.S.) and then wait for the corrected discs to come back again (another three weeks )

And, um are those Disney numbers freephone?

[disneyftw1]

Glad that they're providing a replacement program... the shocker being that they're doing this the week of release. Likewise, the past replacement programs from other companies were a success for me, so I'm going to buy the older release and proceed with the replacement program instead of going crazy with waiting and finding the new set.

http://www.disneystudioshelp.com/ContactUs
800-723-4763 (U.S.)
888-877-2843 (Canada)

Out of curiosity, I could use the weblink provided instead of mainly calling, right?

[Scamander]

I can confirm this. Disney sent the More Silly Symphonies replacement discs all the way to my place too. However, last time I did it via email, and I didn't have to send them the faulty discs. This time I'll have to order TLM off Amazon, wait three weeks till it comes to Malta, call Disney, send the discs back out (another three weeks to the U.S.) and then wait for the corrected discs to come back again (another three weeks )

And, um are those Disney numbers freephone?

I don't think customers abroad will have to return the faulty discs. Just send them an e-mail (as soon as you have your amazon-package) and maybe all you have to do, is send them a pic or scan of the bill.

On another note, Disney Germany confirmed there won't be a replacement program for German customers- at least for now. Maybe they'll change their minds, if more people complain about the issue (and the fact, that Disney obviously values their Us customers more). Any news from other European subsidiaries?

[ProfessorRatigan]

I was so glad to hear about the replacement program that I picked up the 3D edition yesterday (I love the cover-art. Plus, my family owns a 3D TV). I watched the 3D version earlier this morning. Afterwards, I called. Immediately, the woman on the phone knew what I was talking about and admitted that "a lot of people" have been calling about the issues. They said the Scuttle error and Part of Your World switch would be corrected. I asked about the print damage in the scene where Ariel and Eric leap from off of (giant) Ursula's crown and land in the water. The woman on the phone told me that it was part of the original theatrical release. I don't know too much about that, but, if it's true, I guess I can live with it being there, even if it is jarring. She told me that a few people pointed that issue out as well. I also voiced my hope for a replacement program for the 3D Blu-ray.

I didn't bring up the titles being re-ordered or the White Castle opening or the re-colored stuff. I didn't want to be pedantic. And, even if those issues do PERSONALLY bug the hell out me (especially the old opening being replaced with this awful new CG one! Blech!), I can live with them.

[DylanCharles90]

i just called about getting my itunes DC updated and the man i spoke with was very helpful and now the POYW error is corrected on my DC

[wrestling_stat]

This is such exciting news! I'm so happy that they decided to offer a replacement discs. I ended up buying the 3D version, love the cover, and Target Edition. I hope they are willing to replace the discs in both of my sets. I'll have to call tomorrow.

What is the difference between the Target Edition and the regular Blu-Ray/DVD edition? Does it just come with the book or is the cover/case a bit different? I was thinking about getting the TLM Target Edition, too, but it would be a bit of a drive to Target to check it our for myself so I wanted to be sure beforehand.

I think the only difference is that the Target edition looks like a book, with the discs being on the inside back cover of the book. It is just like they did for Brave and Cinderella.

Target Edition - Blu-Ray and DVD


Regular 2 Disc addition.


*Edit: Just realized that someone else has already answered this question. Thank you.

[wrestling_stat]

GREAT NEWS! Disney is now offering replacement discs for the 2D blu-ray and DVD that fixes both the Scuttle transition and the Part of Your World error. All you have to do is call them and say you are calling about the Little Mermaid replacement disc program and read off some numbers from your package and they will take your address information mail you a prepaid envelope to ship back your discs and they will send you corrected discs that are currently being pressed. The only bad news is they are not replacing the 3D discs at this time, but this is still great news that they'v reacted this fast after release when they could have pulled a Lion King and ignored complaints altogether.

http://www.disneystudioshelp.com/ContactUs
800-723-4763 (U.S.)
888-877-2843 (Canada)

Also, it's been confirmed that anyone who redeems their digital copies on Amazon and Vudu will get the corrected version of the film right now. iTunes still has the errors in it though.

I just called them, talked with a lovely woman named Regina. When I called to explain what I was calling for, she already knew the issue at hand and was ready to take down my information. She maintained a pleasant, appreciative tone, and made sure to repeat back my information to confirm it was correct. As DancingCrab said, you'll give your information, they'll send you a sticker and a letter (which you fill out detailing the issue at hand). You'll use this pre-paid sticker on whatever packaging you'll use to send back the discs (the discs only, not the Blu-Ray case or Target Digibook), and once they receive those, they'll send the corrected discs to you.

The whole conversation took no more than ten minutes, and the last few we spent just talking about our favorite Disney movies. Incidentally, hers was The Little Mermaid because she loves the songs and enjoys the vibrant, colorful animation. Mine was Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, as I called it, since those two movies generally remain joined at the hip for me and I'd never be able to make a "Sophie's Choice" between them.

It would help to have the following information ready when you call:

1. Your Name, Phone Number, E-mail, and address. It's especially helpful if you've dealt with their replacement program before (True-Life Adventures, More Silly Symphonies, Pinocchio...), as they'll already have you in the system.

2. The Stock Number on the case. This can be found on the Proof-of-Purchase tab above the barcode (for anyone who bought the Target digibook, do not throw away that rear cardboard cover, it contains information).

3. The serial numbers for both the 2D Blu-Ray and the DVD. The Blu-Ray should begin with BVDL, while the DVD begins with DVDL. I'm not sure if the amount of numbers afterwards will be consistent on every batch of discs, mine was ######A# for the Blu-Ray, then #######A# for the DVD.

Albert

Thank you for all the information. Where did you find your serial numbers located for both the 2D Blu-Ray and DVD? I have been looking all over the dvd and case and not have been able to find them. Thank you.

~Nicole

[Scamander]

I asked about the print damage in the scene where Ariel and Eric leap from off of (giant) Ursula's crown and land in the water. The woman on the phone told me that it was part of the original theatrical release. I don't know too much about that, but, if it's true, I guess I can live with it being there, even if it is jarring.

It is true and you can figure it out by yourself if you look at that scene. The "damage" comes into the picture very smoothly frame by frame, while the camera is moving into the opposite direction. Film damage doesn't do that. It looks like the background they used ended too early, so that the camera caught the edge of it.

[my chicken is infected]

Just called Disney to get my mailing label to return the discs, because even tho the errors don't bother me, I still wouldn't mind having the two biggest ones corrected. The lady only mentioned POYW, and I didn't ask about others, but it seems you're all saying they told you they've fixed the Scuttle dissolve too?

I think the film damage/background-too-short error isn't much of a bother to me tho. It only really stands out because of how clean and crisp the rest of the image is. Do I wish they'd fixed it digitally? Of course. But at the same time, it's a little reminder to me that this was once film. I don't mind how much they scrub some of the titles clean, because you still usually see a lot of detail, especially in the backgrounds. Even in the DVD days, it was interesting to see the texture of the paper in the backgrounds against the smooth cel paintings. But it's also nice when film still looks like film on DVD or Blu.

[disneyftw1]

Thank you for all the information. Where did you find your serial numbers located for both the 2D Blu-Ray and DVD? I have been looking all over the dvd and case and not have been able to find them. Thank you.

~Nicole

Those serial numbers would be right under the discs themselves. (the opposite side of the label) As stated above, these numbers (and letters) would be next to the letters BVDL for Blu-ray and DVDL for DVD. (sometimes you might need extra light over the disc to see the number.)

[MickeyMouseboy]

Escapay I also bought the target 2 disc and the 3D version let me know if they replace both sets.

[Disney Duster]

Duster, Duster... relax man. I most certainly didn't say it "didn't matter". Maybe how I should have worded it is "no matter how minor it is, a mistake is a mistake and they ought to fix it." Most certainly didn't mean to offend, as it seems I have? Anyways, I was one of those ones it DID matter to, and I'm glad they have the replacement program going. It's the only reason I'm buying this release.

I thought you were saying it wasn't the problem that mattered but the principle. I wasn't offended, I did get mad but I like what you said now, a mistake is a mistake and it doesn't matter how small it should still be fixed.

Now I finally will buy this and then order the replacements! Yay!

[ajmrowland]

Guys.

Could you tell me why is it THAT hard for Disney to bring us really good editions?

Let´s take the Diamond line. If these movies are meant to have the "ultimate treatment" then deliver so. These movies were to be released once a year and later on 2. Is that difficult (with all those months of planing) to actually make such a Special Edition of them? If they weren´t to keep their word then don´t make the line in the first place.

Plus, how come Tarzan, Hercules and Hunchback didn´t get nice editons considering how much Disney dropped the ball on their DVD releases?

This comes from The Little Mermaid BR of course: ported the DVD extras and include very few new and less than great new ones.

...yes, a little Off Topic but didn´t want to make a new post when with just a couple of answers would make the question answered.

Because this really has become just another franchise for them. They spend minimal money on faith of making max amount of money.

Tarzan CE says hi, and asks why you weren't at its tenth birthday party.

And the presentations themselves are definitive.

Which brings up the classic double dip excuse: no edition is really definitive for the sake of future purchases. Every studio does it.