Horrible HK Disney DVDs

[DisneyChris]

I don't know if anybody in this forum are from Hong Kong, but I am, and I hate the way Disney only releases low-graded versions of great, special edition sets in the US here. Here is a list of the bad DVDs we've got:

1. Fantasia, Fantasia 2000, Anthology (Both 2 Fantasia films have skimpy extras, and the "Anthology" is called "Collection" here, with is merely the first 2 discs combined. Fantasia is also the 1990 cut version)

2. Sleeping Beauty (1-disc, pan-and-scan, skimpy extras)

3. The Aristocats (only a read-along and a game is found)

4. Robin Hood, Rescuers Down Under (only a game)

5. The Fox and the Hound, Pocahontas (zero extras)

6. Beauty and the Beast (2-disc, same as US, but the work-in-progress version is absent)

7. Toy Story 1,2 (Only the standard editions or 2-Pack is seen here; no Ultimate Toy Box)

8. Hercules (only a making-of featurette)

9. A Bug's Life, Tarzan, Dinosaur, Emperor's New Groove, Atlantis (standard version; no Collector's Edition)

I don't know if anybody would reply to this, but I just want to express my feelings.

[DisneyChris]

One thing I forgot, I've heard that Brother Bear might be a 1-disc set in HK too.

[Loomis]

That sounds like it sucks, disneychris04.

I hate the fact that Disney can't release consistent titles throughout the globe. In Australia, we are lucky in some respects (some titles are exclusives; we get some things the US doesn't; and I personally have the option of importing the better DVDs so I get the best of both worlds). However, why SHOULD we have to import?

Surely Disney should be committed to releasing the same product globally (this is a huge multi-national after all - aren't they meant to be all about conformity?). I understand with some of the smaller companies that buying the supplements from the US counterpart can be expensive, and as a result we miss out. But this is DISNEY we are talking about - surely they have some cash for a rainy day?

Anyways, I sympathise, and I guess the only thing you can do is keep petitioning Disney HK until things change. Unless you let them know how bad you feel, they will never change. Even then, it might be a tough battle.

And if I haven't done so before, welcome to the forum!!!

[DisneyChris]

Hi, Loomis, I once lived in Sydney before too, but there wasn't DVDs yet. I know that you guys have some exclusive stuff too and I really wished that I didn't leave to HK.

I wanted to protest to Disney's HK distributor, Intercontinental, too but I don't think anybody would support me, because there is no major Disney Hong Kong fan site and those so-called "fans" here in HK are just fans of Disney's toys and merchandise, they don't care about the films; that's a bit regretful.

And I'm pretty angry that when Taiwan has "Rescuers" and "Great Mouse Detective" on DVD, Hong Kong doesn't. We're both on DVD region code 3, so why not us? I think it might be because there are more Disney MOVIE fans in Taiwan (there's a major Taiwan fan site out there: disney.jbug.net) and HK doesn't. Oh well...

[Scabbie]

7. Toy Story 1,2 (Only the standard editions or 2-Pack is seen here; no Ultimate Toy Box)

We don't have a Ultimate Toy Box in Holland neither.

A Bug's Life, Tarzan, Dinosaur, Emperor's New Groove, Atlantis (standard version; no Collector's Edition)

In Holland there were also standard versions of this film.

[Loomis]

And I'm pretty angry that when Taiwan has "Rescuers" and "Great Mouse Detective" on DVD, Hong Kong doesn't. We're both on DVD region code 3, so why not us? I think it might be because there are more Disney MOVIE fans in Taiwan (there's a major Taiwan fan site out there: disney.jbug.net) and HK doesn't. Oh well...

Well, maybe you've got your own solution there.

If there is a gap in the market, fill it!

If you don't think there is a decent HK Disney site, start one - or get some like-minded people together to start one. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands...

[michelle]

I've been to Hong Kong and I know what you mean about fans of Disney merchandise. I mean, Mickey and Co. are very popular and they're everywhere but you don't really see many fans of the actual movies. It is a shame, but its popular culture.

I mean here in Sydney we get the short stick most of the time, so I've taken to importing as well. And Loomis is right *whoa* we shouldn't have to. Disney would be able to maintain its creed of bringing magic to kids (even the grown-up ones) everywhere if that was exactly what they did.

Necessity is the mother of invention ... (ok so that's probably the wrong quote, but its midnight here ) ... its all about demand, and if there's a market for it, someone's bound to be interested into tapping into it ...maybe even that money hungry Eisner someday.

I'm going to go with Loomis here *double whammy* and say do something about it! I mean, if Luke can do it, (well, actually he's a pretty smart guy) ... jk ... (i mean, he is a smart guy, but it doesn't mean that you aren't ) start a sister site ... or something.

Wow ... that ended on a low note ... hmm ... Be happy! After all, you did stumble onto this site *Get away while you can - Don't stumble into Off-Topic! All is not what it seems*

[gau dog]

I'm in the US but I've bought two Disney movies from HK. The main reason for my buying is for the inclusion of the Cantonese and Mandarin tracks.

I have Mulan, only thing is that it doesn't have the trailer.
I have Finding Nemo, which seems to come with everything; I'd have to inspect it more closely.

[Tony]

I certainly understand your frustration.. I also have the option of importing, but I realise that everyone doesn't.

I suppose living in Hong Kong you should count yourself lucky in one respect though..... I'm talking about the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005/6... WOW, that is something great. (In 1999, Disney was seriously considering opening Disneyland here in Queensland, but the State Government said they would feel like "Goofy" to pay the $840 million that Disney wanted the Queensland Goverment to pay to do various infrastructure upgrades around the park site. Therefore we missed out. Hopefully Australia will get the next International Disneyland in the 2010's...). We don't want it going to Shanghai !

So, perhaps all the excitment of the opening of the Hong Kong Disneyland Park will console you ?... I know it would console me ! - hee hee

[ThiagoPE]

Disneychris04, im want to share my feelings with, because here in brazil we still have some poor releases, of course the situation here dos seems to be THAT bad that it is there in Hong Kong, but we have some very poor releases too.

Examples: (waht is valid for HK is the same here in brazil)

1. Fantasia (has not any extras here)

2. Sleeping Beauty (1-disc, pan-and-scan, skimpy extras)

7. Toy Story 1,2 (Only the standard editions or 2-Pack is seen here; no Ultimate Toy Box)

8. Hercules (only a making-of featurette)

9. A Bug's Life, Tarzan, Dinosaur, Emperor's New Groove, Atlantis (standard version; no Collector's Edition)

10. Of course Disney brazil already confirmed that Brother bear will be a 1 disk release.

Thiago

[Loomis]

(In 1999, Disney was seriously considering opening Disneyland here in Queensland, but the State Government said they would feel like "Goofy" to pay the $840 million that Disney wanted the Queensland Goverment to pay to do various infrastructure upgrades around the park site. Therefore we missed out. Hopefully Australia will get the next International Disneyland in the 2010's...).

It IS a shame we missed out, but I've often wondered whether the Australian economy would be able to support such a venture. Sure, there would be international visitors, but we barely seem to be able to keep the theme parks we have open (Sydney's Wonderland is closing; and of the 3 big Gold Coast theme parks - I wonder if Dreamworld would still be going if not for the Big Brother filming?).
Still would love to have a Disneyland closer than the US. Chances are I will be visiting both the Tokyo and LA ones next year.

[Tony]

It IS a shame we missed out, but I've often wondered whether the Australian economy would be able to support such a venture. Sure, there would be international visitors, but we barely seem to be able to keep the theme parks we have open (Sydney's Wonderland is closing; and of the 3 big Gold Coast theme parks - I wonder if Dreamworld would still be going if not for the Big Brother filming?).
Still would love to have a Disneyland closer than the US. Chances are I will be visiting both the Tokyo and LA ones next year.[/quote]

Yes, I have to tend to agree with you re viability, but hey, Warner Bros Movieworld is still doing well. Obviously Disney thought it would do well if they wanted the park originally here as they would not have wasted their time by coming here.. Unfortunately now having one in Hong Kong does hurt our chances, but surely they will not put another park in Asia and I can't see parks being built in Africa or South America. I have a feel we will be next... Let's hope so !... I'm also off to Disneyland in October 2005 for the 50th anniversary celebrations... Can't wait to get back to my favourite vacation destination !

[Loomis]

I'm also off to Disneyland in October 2005 for the 50th anniversary celebrations... Can't wait to get back to my favourite vacation destination !

Sounds like it will be "Aussies invade Disney" year next year
I'm off to Tokyo, Los Angeles and New Orleans in January/February (for New Orleans' Mardi Gras), and I intend to do Tokyo Disney and Disneyland while I'm there. So hopefully there will be some sign of the 50th Anniversary in January.

[Tony]

I'm also off to Disneyland in October 2005 for the 50th anniversary celebrations... Can't wait to get back to my favourite vacation destination !

Sounds like it will be "Aussies invade Disney" year next year
I'm off to Tokyo, Los Angeles and New Orleans in January/February (for New Orleans' Mardi Gras), and I intend to do Tokyo Disney and Disneyland while I'm there. So hopefully there will be some sign of the 50th Anniversary in January.

Unfortunately the 50th anniversary celebrations don't start until April 2005 and they then run for 18 months... Pity you can't go a bit later than Jan/Feb, but then I understand you will miss Mardi Gras... Ahhh, New Orleans - another great place !

[DisneyChris]

Hey guys... I just want to tell you that I picked up the Lion King 1 1/2 DVD a week ago... and I found that the making-of featurette was edited (no interviews with the voice cast) and there is no Who Wants to be King of the Jungle game. How pathetic it is.

[Loomis]

Sounds like it will be "Aussies invade Disney" year next year
I'm off to Tokyo, Los Angeles and New Orleans in January/February (for New Orleans' Mardi Gras), and I intend to do Tokyo Disney and Disneyland while I'm there. So hopefully there will be some sign of the 50th Anniversary in January.

Unfortunately the 50th anniversary celebrations don't start until April 2005 and they then run for 18 months... Pity you can't go a bit later than Jan/Feb, but then I understand you will miss Mardi Gras... Ahhh, New Orleans - another great place !

Ah, of course....I went there for some celebration in 1987 and it was in April. Something had kicked off then. Some anniversary.

Yeah, 'tis a shame but New Orleans is the main thing. And I'll be seeing two Disneylands to make up for my woes Maybe they will be selling 50th anniversary snowglobes or something...

[gau dog]

I wish this site had a list of all the international DVDs with specs and possible "problems". This is supposed to be the ULTIMATE guide to Disney DVD, after all. There's more to international than just Europe.

Even though I'm in LA and can go to the Land anytime I want, I'm happy to see HK get a DisneyLand of it's own.... until I read about Roy Disney's offhand criticism on Eisner going cheap on HK Disneyland in his letter of resignation.

[Loomis]

I wish this site had a list of all the international DVDs with specs and possible "problems". This is supposed to be the ULTIMATE guide to Disney DVD, after all. There's more to international than just Europe.

I hate to be one of those people, but if you cast your eyes to the top or bottom of the screen you are looking at now you will see the words International Exclusives and Pan & Scan to Avoid / Widescreen Abroad.

Clicking on either of these will take to a list of International DVDs and discs to avoid respectively. Admittedly it doesn't go so far as to criticize every case where a international DVD wasn't up to the US counterpart, because that would be a 17 Volume thesis.

[gau dog]

Well, I have checked it out and that's why I said, I wish there was more to it than just European listings. All I see is France, Germany, UK/Australia, Netherlands, etc.. I don't know why the Asians are discriminated against.

[Loomis]

Well, I have checked it out and that's why I said, I wish there was more to it than just European listings. All I see is France, Germany, UK/Australia, Netherlands, etc.. I don't know why the Asians are discriminated against.

I don't think Asians are being discriminated against at all...

Those listings are based largely on the contributions of the forum members who have alterted Luke (the site admin) to the existence of these editions.

Also, I think he has been mainly using those sites that he has a Amazon partnership with (i.e. US, Canada, UK, Germany, France and Japan).

If you were to alert Luke to specific exclusive Asian editions, I'm sure he would make a section for them on those pages too. The majority of the board members seem to order stuff from the US/Europe, so naturally we all know what is happening there. Please, if you know of any specific Asian (or any other) exclusives, email them to Luke - and while I can't say I speak for him - I'm sure he'd be happy to put a link to them on the page

The only thing we discriminate against is people who dislike cheese