The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition DVD Press Release

[2099net]

I hate to say it, but I'd sit this one out, guys, and focus on getting the gift sets back for future Platinum releases. Simmilar to Boy Meets World not selling enough for a fourth season set, I'm guessing the reason that Little Mermaid isn't getting one is because one or more of the previous gift sets undersold.

That can't be right, because a quick scan of a few online stores shows that the Cinderella giftset is unavailble. And all previous giftsets are sold out too. They can't sell more than they manufacture!

[Wonderlicious]

Well, it's nice to know that the release will contain an audio-commentary. I'm also excited about the whole virtual theme park ride, especially since there's background information present. The menus don't look all that great in terms of appealing decoration, but needless to say, I'm not all that bothered about them so long as they aren't clunky. I'm hoping also that the text on the Disc 1 bonus features menu will remain still (they look a bit out of focus), as otherwise my eyes will just go crazy after a while!

[Elladorine]

I'm so excited that they're including "Silence is Golden" on this with the little touches that found their way to "Poor Unfortunate Souls." I'm really hoping they'll include the additional (and unused lyrics) from "Part of Your World."

I'm looking forward to seeing whatever preproduction art will be on this, it's been a difficult and rare thing to find in books compared to some of the other features.

There's gonna be storyboards and pencil test animation on this, right? I'm so relieved that there's gonna be a commentary!

Can't wait!

[Disney Duster]

Hey Disney Duster, I think that we should convince Luke to set up something to send to Disney. We could all write in it, and then Luke can send it to Disney. Not to pick on Luke, but he is the one who made UD, and I think that he is the best person to do this. Either Luke, or Aaron could do the job.

Fantastic idea! Luke, could this work? And as for what Jake Lipson said about the Gift Set being rushed, he is right. There is a possibility, since The Little Mermaid will come out in only three months.

So, I think our best bet is to phone in, E-mail, and do that thing Luke can send directly to Disney(if he can) about a Little Mermaid Gift Set. But we might want to ask for the Gift Set to be released later, as in after the DVD comes out, so that it isn't rushed. What does everyone think? And I mean everyone! If you want this Gift Set, and a good Gift Set, we all need to pitch in!

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Sound's great Disney Duster! Can I help?

[Disney Duster]

Sound's great Disney Duster! Can I help?

Of course you can help! We need everyone's help. This is going to require capital letters! I am NOT yelling, just trying to get attention:

ATTENTION ALL OF YOU WHO WANT A LITTLE MERMAID COLLECTOR'S GIFT SET! WE NEED ALL OF YOUR HELP! DO THE FOLLOWING:

Call the Disney customer hotline (1-800-723-4763)

E-mail them at: Disneyinfo@Disneyhelp.com

Consider asking for one that will be released after the DVD comes out so that the Gift Set won't be rushed!

[TheSequelOfDisney]

I just sent an E-Mail, but I'm afraid of talking to strangers on the phone (that's why I don't have slipcovers for Alice in Wonderland Masterpiece Edition, & A Bug's Life Collector's Edition), so I don't know if I will call.

[271286]

Mail sent.


PLEASE HELP US GETTING THIS SET, EVEN IF YOU YOURSELF ISNT INTERESTED, not yelling...

[Luke]

PLEASE HELP US GETTING THIS SET, EVEN IF YOU YOURSELF ISNT INTERESTED, not yelling...

That doesn't make much sense. If you tell them you're planning on buying the Gift Set and then don't, the eventually underwhelming sales numbers will only confirm that what people say and what people do are not the same thing. Thus, not only will Gift Sets become less likely in the future, but the e-mail/phone feedback will be taken less seriously. Admittedly, the number of people acting upon the 18th page of a forum thread here with no intention to actually buy isn't going to make a great deal of difference, but then if people are hoping to make a difference, you can't fudge the numbers. In fact, doing so may hinder the likelihood of obtaining the intended result.

[Lucylover1986]

If they did release a gift set they'd do it October 3rd. They wouldn't release it later. Most of the sales of the DVD are going to be before and right after Christmas.

[BATBfan1]

@ Luke:

The Lion King is your favorite Disney Animated Classic correct? How did you feel about all the changes they did to your "favorite" movie? At least you got the FULL movie on DVD and you can enjoy it. The Little Mermaid is not my favorite BATB is "and we all know how a I feel about that release lmao " but I am sticking up for it because it has great memories as a kid for me. It may be smack dead in the middle and really not that big of a deal to you and other people on here, but if Disney put Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, etc as a 1.66:1 than why not The Little Mermaid and even BATB with HBON?

To the people wanting a giftset:

ISN'T HAPPENING! Disney only did that for The Lion King, Aladdin, and Cinderella because they made most money for Disney. Cinderella at that time made almost as the others back in the day and it was equal to that amount. Sorry guys!

[Pasta67]

Well, first off, w00t for the commentary. See, there was nothing to worry about after all. I was so worried that the menus would be crowded, but it doesn't look that way at all; they actually look really classy. But man, I wish Disney would've shown us a bonus features menu. There are two reasons that I can think of why they wouldn't show us a bonus features menu:

1.) They want to tease us older fans.
2.) They don't think kids are interested in actual bonuses, so they didn't release images.

Personally, I think it's a little bit of both.

Of course you can help! We need everyone's help. This is going to require capital letters!

That made me laugh for some reason.

"Oh no! That dinosaur is going to destroy the town! We're going to need.... CAPITAL LETTERS!"

The Lion King is your favorite Disney Animated Classic correct? How did you feel about all the changes they did to your "favorite" movie? At least you got the FULL movie on DVD and you can enjoy it.

Um, maybe it's just me, but I'd much rather have a 7% picture loss instead of an edited movie with some redrawn scenes. That isn't really the best argument for this situation, BATBFan.

It may be smack dead in the middle and really not that big of a deal to you and other people on here, but if Disney put Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, etc as a 1.66:1 than why not The Little Mermaid and even BATB with HBON?

Because the directors of B&TB and HoND wanted the movies to be seen that way. We've told you that already; there's no other explanation.

As for TLM, we don't know if the aspect ratio is a typo on the press release or the directors' preference. It's too soon to know just yet.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

I've just decided to forget about how stupid the wrong aspect ratio is, and just be happy that The Little Mermaid is finally coming back out on DVD. I don't if anyone actually wanted the "Limited Issue" DVD, because there were only "film recommendations." Unless you just couldn't wait for 7 years to get a chance for the movie again.

[rodis]

I've just decided to forget about how stupid the wrong aspect ratio is, and just be happy that The Little Mermaid is finally coming back out on DVD. I don't if anyone actually wanted the "Limited Issue" DVD, because there were only "film recommendations." Unless you just couldn't wait for 7 years to get a chance for the movie again.

Great way of thinking! I too am thrilled about the release and have been awaiting this DVD for almost 6 years now. I would be so disappointed if it didn't meet my expectations I'm so hoping Disney has really done their best with this one!

[brotherbear]

Ha, I have yet another update for those purchasing TLM through the Disney website. They have now posted the two mini plushies and a collector pin that you get as well as the lithos. You Get a Sebastian and Flounder plush. I personally think the Flounder one is cute (and, again, they have a Sebastian with yellow eyes...sheesh..)

But, anyway,here's the link: Clicky

-BB

[Elladorine]

I have high expectations of this release myself, but sometimes feel a bit spoiled, LOL!!! I remember back in the day when DVD's were still new and players cost well over $700. . . I waited it out until they got down to about $200 for an average player (although I bought a display model for much cheaper), after Disney had finally decided jump the bandwagon and release their movies in the format.

Of course, they were all bare-bones back then, including TLM. Funny how they considered "full color artwork on disc" as a bonus feature.

[BATBfan1]

Um, maybe it's just me, but I'd much rather have a 7% picture loss instead of an edited movie with some redrawn scenes. That isn't really the best argument for this situation, BATBFan.

First of all Pasta that comment was addressed to LUKE and not you. Also you missed my point! I was comparing the two because I'm sure he wasn't a happy camper when he saw some of his favorite scenes redrawn. Just like the fans for TLM will not like some of the movie gone.

PLUS, I am sure they will redrawn some scenes in the movie anyway, with all the complaints about the priest and what not. So in the end we all can't win lol.

As for TLM, we don't know if the aspect ratio is a typo on the press release or the directors' preference. It's too soon to know just yet.

If it is on the main page on the Disney site, I am sure it's not a typo!
They did us wrong with BATB because it said Aspect Ratio 1.66:1 and changed it to 1.85:1 at the last minute! I remember seeing the Aspect Ratio set to 1.66:1 and I also have it printed if you would like to read it as well, I could scan it. So that was wrong on their behalf!

Now forever one who says it's what the "Director Wants"

They should understand we didn't fall in love with that scene at the time of movies theatrical release. I am talking about any Disney movie that got edit in GENERAL not just one. It stinks because we will never have that small piece of hirstory on DVD anymore because Disney decides to just CUT IT OUT or CHANGE IT!

[Luke]

Um, maybe it's just me, but I'd much rather have a 7% picture loss instead of an edited movie with some redrawn scenes. That isn't really the best argument for this situation, BATBFan.

First of all Pasta that comment was addressed to LUKE and not you. Also you missed my point! I was comparing the two because I'm sure he wasn't a happy camper when he saw some of his favorite scenes redrawn. Just like the fans for TLM will not like some of the movie gone.

I think his answer was more than sufficient for me, down to the 7% figure which checks out. And, for your information, <i>The Little Mermaid</i> is easily one of my five favorite Disney films, so I'm not apathetic to it getting great DVD treatment. I'm just having a tough time caring about a few lines of pixels if the directors don't intend for them to be there. But I will grant you that I was happy with the 1.66:1 (actually 1.70ish:1) ratio employed for <i>The Lion King</i>. That was one of the few things that Disney got right for that DVD. It looks/sounds like <i>The Little Mermaid</i> will surpass it in terms of supplements, though.

[Disney-Fan]

First of all Pasta that comment was addressed to LUKE and not you. Also you missed my point! I was comparing the two because I'm sure he wasn't a happy camper when he saw some of his favorite scenes redrawn. Just like the fans for TLM will not like some of the movie gone.

Actually, I'm pretty sure Luke is a Mermaid fan (based on his very positive review of the Limited Edition), so that's a weak argument. Second, I'm a huge Mermaid fan yet I'm not complaining, so you can't say it bothers all of us. Third, the movie is not edited. The only reason it WAS drawn in 1.66:1 is because that's how all movies are drawn in caps. The final result that counts is the one the directors envisioned, in this case it being 1.85:1 or whatever.

[Pasta67]

First of all Pasta that comment was addressed to LUKE and not you.

I apologize. I didn't mean to make it seem like I was trying to speak for Luke; those weren't my intentions at all.