The upcoming Diamond Blu-ray edition of Bambi includes an insert offering new information regarding upcoming titles from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. After The Lion King in fall 2011, the next Diamond title will be Lady and the Tramp in spring 2012. The studio will also release The Fox and the Hound and The Fox and the Hound II as a non-Diamond double-feature BD in September 2011.
Thanks to forum member "GC Riot" and Peter Frukacz from Bluray-disc.de.
Glad to hear another non-Diamond has been announced! It was speculated The Fox and the Hound might be a surprise release this year, as it is celebrating its 30th Anniversary. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is also celebrating an anniversary in 2011 (15th). Wouldn't it be nice to get this on Blu-ray, too?
Heh. I was hesitant to sell the DVD of Lady and the Tramp since I figured it could take years for Disney to release it on Blu-ray. Now I find out it's just one year away.
Glad to hear about more Disney Blu-rays! Wow Hunchback is already 15? I recently picked up the Supplemental Features LaserDisc for that film on eBay. They have tons of interesting content I'm sure they can move over to a Blu-Ray if they wanted. A lot of neat artwork, sketches and behind the scenes content... now where's my Dumbo Blu-ray?
If I'm not mistaken, this'll be the first double feature from Disney. Hopefully it'll be decently priced as Disney really don't get that we don't care to pay $30 for a catalog title on Blu-ray...
One of my very favorite Disney animated movies Lady and the Tramp and historically important as the first CinemaScope animated feature as well. Day 1 and counting the days, too.
fantasia/fantasia 2000 was obviously a double feature also.
I love Fox and the Hound so very happy about that, but I was hoping for Jungle Book release or Little Mermaid as another title.
also: what about DUMBO??????
this is getting ridiculous.
guess I will just import it after all.
stupid Disney.
Are you sure the double feature of FATH isn't a European exclusive BD like the double feature of Bambi? I'll be buying FATH and LATT regardless of how they come anyway because they are both great films. Thanks.
@Captain America That's what I was thinking. We haven't even seen a sequel re-released in the US (besides Fantasia 2000, which is canon and was released theatrically), while the Beauty and the Beast and Bambi sequel(s) have been re-released overseas. I am hoping that same holds true for this film, and we're only getting the original in the US.
Lady and the Tramp used to be my favorite childhood movie, but I haven't seen it since, so it's going to be interesting. Great choice! How about the Jungle Book????
These seem to be very poor choices from Disney, no real rhyme or reason. Can think of much better. Can you say Cinderella ?
And from Pixar- Finding Nemo?
Fox and the Hound? Are they serious????
101 Dalmatians would be a better choice.
or the Aristocats.........
Disney HELLO!!!!!!!!!! Someone asleep over there? Sleepy the dwarf is in charge.
No, it makes perfect sense when you know their release schedule mate. Check it out.
@bbeck Lilo looks set for next year having gone OOP in the UK last year. Given its popularity it's not going to be a title that just remains OOS once the run is finished.
Great to hear about Fox and the Hound, definitely to see Disney releasing at least one more non-Diamond edition classic after Alice in Wonderland. Let's hope they speed things up and release more in the coming years. Lilo and Stitch and Aladdin are both popular title that have anniversaries next year, their 10th and 20th respectively, to see those next year would be awesome.
Bit of an odd release schedule here though, because until more information is released, neither those who like Disney sequels or those who hate them win 100%. Fox and the Hound 2 announced but no word on the original being released on its own, while Lady and the Tramp is announced with no word on whether Lady and the Tramp 2 will come at the same time.
Will they *finally* release Fox and the Hound in OAR (1.66-1.75:1), instead of fullscreen? There's conflicting reports about its animated AR--some say it was Academy-ratio open-matted to 1.75:1 (like all previous Disney films since 101 Dalmatians), while others insist it was animated at 1.66:1 (like all later Disney films thru Home on the Range *except* The Black Cauldron, Brother Bear and possibly Dinosaur)--but it's 99.9% certain *NO* theater showed it at Academy ratio in 1981. Also, many insist the current version is a pan-and-scan of the widescreen version.
The BD of Lady and the Tramp will certainly be in CinemaScope OAR (2.55:1). They may not include a fullscreen version in the DVD (the Platinum DVD had one), but *IF* they do, they should go WAY back in the vault and restore the ORIGINAL Academy-ratio version Walt made specifically for non-widescreen theaters, with all the scenes recomposed (like Pixar did decades later with A Bug's Life). All previous fullscreen versions have been pan-and-scans of the CinemaScope version; it's as if they forgot the Academy-ratio version ever existed.
@DJ IXS: The published schedule for Diamond films has always said LatT & Cinderella would be the two released in 2012; it just wasn't certain which would come first. Though there's been intra-year swaps and F/F2K wasn't called a Diamond, every past Diamond release has come out in the year Disney said it would when it first announced the Diamond series with Snow White in late 2009. (Assuming no further delays, that includes Bambi & The Lion King this year.)
From a purely marketing standpoint the Disnet schedule of releases makes sense. Imagine if they put ALL the "biggies" out first (Mermaid, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Tarzan, Aladdin, Jungle Book, Aristocats, 101 D's, etc) then all the "near biggies" and "pretty good" ones (Lilo, Emp New Groove, Atlantis, Treasure Planet, Black Cauldron, Robin Hood, Great Mouse Detective, Mulan, Pocahantis, Sword in the Stone, Hunchback, etc) YES THAT IS A SUBJECTIVE LIST....anyway, I would bet the sales would not be as strong because people might feel "Well, I got all the good ones already." Remember, Disney's main goal has always been to build brand image and brand loyalty. I think spacing out the "biggies" builds that notion up
For everyone wondering why Disney "randomly" picked The Fox and the Hound: the film is celebrating it's 30th Anniversary this year, and it's the perfect time for a "30th Anniversary Edition."
The big titles everyone is asking about, like Cinderella, are part of the Platinum/Diamond line-up and are pretty much following the Platinum release schedule, with 2 titles every 2 years. It will probably go much like this, unless Disney decides to switch it up: 2012: Lady and the Tramp/Cinderella, 2013: The Little Mermaid/Peter Pan, 2014: The Jungle Book/101 Dalmatians, 2015: Sleeping Beauty/Pinocchio. Now, there have been rumors that they will eventually add to the Diamond line up, so who knows what's really going to happen in the next few years...
@MJW unless we're talking a rerelease here, your 2015 lineup is impossible - both have already been released (I do have to say that I hope you're right about the rest of it though, especialy 2013)
I wonder if they'll ever release ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE, in 16:9 format, instead of the really annoying 4:9 on DVD. I'd also like some of those films, like: HERCULES, TARZAN, LILO & STITCH, TREASURE PLANET, cause they're awesome!
While I'm thrilled with the quality and frequency of their releases, I do want to know what's going on with Dumbo, which I thought would be out pretty soon (if not already).
Also, they should aim for a 20th anniversary release of Aladdin in 2012.
The Disney films I'd buy without question are: Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi, Jungle Book, Lion King, Aladdin, 101 Dalmatians, and Lady and the Tramp, Several others are way up there, and two I didn't mention I already own anyway (Snow White and Fantasia).
Can't wait for these. I had been wondering what Disney would do with the huge gap between The Incredibles and The Lion King.. Fox and the Hound is an excellent choice, IMO. This kind of release is exactly what I've been wanting to see more of from Disney, non-Diamond Edition classics. There are many more, but I personally hope Robin Hood is the next non-Diamond edition classic to be released.
Cinderella certainly seems like a release that would be later in a year for the Christmas sales, so I wouldn't be surprised if that was announced as the second Diamond Edition for 2012.
1950-1960 is my favorite decade of Disney animation. So I'm very excited about "Lady and the Tramp". And if it looks half as good as "Alice in Wonderland" on Blu Ray, I'll be very very happy. Can't wait for "Cinderella" and "Peter Pan".
@rblum199 But remember that Sleeping Beauty/Pinocchio were part of the Platinum editions, thus it will be re-released in '15 as a Diamond edition. The fact that these were already released on BD has nothing to do with the Diamond editions, it was just a coincidence. If BD hadn't come as a new format, it would only have been released on DVD.
In fact, if you look at the press release, Sleeping Beauty/Pinocchio are the last two films to appear on the release schedule > http://bit.ly/gen0nE
Hercules (single DVD in 2000) and Hunchback (single DVD in 2002) are in real need of upgrades. Neither of these cool popular movies has ever had a 2-disc DVD or Blu-ray release. No objection to Fox and the Hound, but these two deserve a place toward the top of the Blu-ray release schedule.
By the looks of what forum members are stating, 2012 looks like a good year for the Diamond Edition series. I'm just extremely happy that The Lion King will be released later this year. Since they are releasing that one soon, I can wait for the other Diamonds. . Thanks Disney!
Can't wait for Lady and the Tramp or Fox and the Hound, but why the HECK do I have to get Fox and the Hound II along with it?! That film is a reminder of Disney's dark days and an example of how Michael Eisner's ruining of the beloved brand. Sure Fantasia came with Fantasia 2000, but you can tell they actually tried with 2000, so its existence is justified.
Awesome news about Fox and the hound. Very intresting that they are including the DTV sequal with it. Not that I am complaining. Not at all mind you.(i wont watch it much but cool they are including it)
I wonder if they will continue this as a trend when we start getting to Aladdin and Hunchback, Pocahontas or Atlantis.
speaking of hunchback I am really hopeing disney surprises us with an anouncement for a release latter this year, seeing as this is the movies 15th anniversary.
in anycase very excited for Both the Fox and Hound double feature and The Lady and the Tramp double feature.
I DO NOT want to have to be forced to buy The Fox and the Hound 2. I guess the sales were so dismal that the only way they figured they could get people to buy it or re-buy it was to tack it onto the original. I am not usually against double features but when it comes to Disney I am. I do not want the sequel. It's trash. Direct to video trash. Leave the classics alone and release them individually. It may sound ridiculous but I do not want Fox and the Hound 2 showing on the the spine of the slipcover. As far as I'm concerned it should not even exist. And it better not be a continuing trend with other films such as Pocahontas, Aladdin, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Little Mermaid, etc.
"Lady & The Tramp" is my absolute favorite Disney film! Spring 2012 cannot come fast enough!
As for "The Fox & The Hound", I love the original but never saw the DTV, too-many-years-too-late sequel but as long as it doesn't drive the price up considerably I may give the double feature a shot.
"E Ticket" Disney Classics like BAMBI, LADY AND THE TRAMP, and THE LION KING are definitely day-one purchases for me. Lesser titles like THE FOX AND THE HOUND I'll have to rent to jog my memory. And I don't think I've seen any of the DTV Disney releases. Depending on the quality of the non-Diamond BD releases, I may add them to the collection anyway.
All right! And I don't get the people griping about FatH 2, if it's no extra charge, why worry? I'm sure they won't make the cover art tacky like the double/triple packs you get in stores with two (or three) different movies, I imagine it'll be marketed more like a special feature, and that's actually a pretty complete package if you ask me. Just like when they release The Little Mermaid, I welcome one or both of the DTV movies as extras. Cinderella too, but much less so.
And since 2012 is Aladdin's 20th anniversary, I think we might get it around November/December, about the time Fantasia came out. There's plenty of time to market it for that time, and it seems they've downgraded it from Platinum/Diamond status (apparantely it was the poorest selling) so that would be an appropriate time to spring it on us.
What should follow? Aren't The Little Mermaid and Cinderella after Lady and the Tramp? That would make TLM around Fall '12 and Cinderella in Spring '13. I know there's a list somewhere, TO THE FORUMS!!!
Great news about FaTH. Not keen on the DTV FaTH2 (I have it on dvd and have never watched it so far.... because of the crap LM2 & Cinderella 2 were)
But I hope Disney will read this forum because like many others here I'm waiting for my ALL TIME Favorite:
The HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Please Disney :-)) ! (and no, no interest in Hunchback 2 )
The box for FATH should read just that; 'FATH'. Then included in the write up on the back a bonus feature added: 'FATH2'. That way the cover art just looks like a regular release. Kind of like Beauty and the Beast having three versions of the film included on the disc, but only listing it as one until you read the back of the package. I hate to say it, but they could do the same to the other movies they butchered by making unwanted sequels (i.e. Cinderella 2, the Alladin sequels, Pocohontas 2, Lion King 2: Simba's Pride and such).
the only difference with BATB is that BATB is one film, even if it's got three versions. While TFATH2 was lame, and and a pointless midquel, i'd like to have even the STV sequels on Blu-ray too, but i don't think they should do double features. i hope they don't do that with everything.
i actually liked Lion King 2, 1/2 was the stupid one
Disney has so many catelog animated titles that no matter what they annouce it's sure to make somebody question why a certain title still isn't on Bluray
Having said that, where the hell is Pocahontus and Jungle Book
@Ncuday
How do you know if Fox2 will be just a special feature and not shown in cover & that it will not cost more? Honestly, I really hope you are right. But by looking at recent releases, I would bet otherwise. It's being released as "Double Feature" like Fantasia, and that cover have both movies shown. Also for Fantasia, I had to pay about $20, but for Alice, I only paid $10. Disney will have an excuse to raise the price because it is marketed as "Double Feature"
I don't care which order the films are released as long as we get high quality releases - I plan to get them all anyway. But I will be upset if we are forced to buy Direct-to-Video sequels with higher price. Just release them separately and leave the classics alone!
@animefan77 I agree that the price might be a little more, but as for Fantasia, both the original and 2000 are considered "canon" (part of the 50 animated features starting with Snow White) and 2000 was a theatrically-released sequel. With that in mind, it's a little easier to justify both films being on the cover of the set. However, I do hope that with this release, the direct-to-video sequel isn't given as much prominence as the original classic.
A DOUBLE FEATURE?! Ah gosh- I hope they don't get in the habit of doubling up their classic hits with their duds for sequels. I love Fox & the Hound, but I do not support Disney's money hungry motive to make sequels.
LatT and FatH are both good, classic cartoons but I was kinda hoping to see the rest of my favourite Disney titles sooner rather than later... Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid, Atlantis... at least The Lion King is right around the corner. That should tie me over for a little while.
Now all I'll need is Robin Hood, Dumbo, Aristocats, Jungle Book and a few others that for some reason I cant think of. Oh and Finding Nemo (I know it's Pixar but it is still Disney)
While I've never seen any of the sequels to any of the Disney classics, I must say that I have a feeling my 3 year old daughter will love them. SO, for those b*tching about them being on there (for free I might add), just remember that you DO NOT have to watch it! Even if it is on the disc, it's not required that you view it! When I watch it with my daughter, sure I might think it's a big pile of dung, but like I said...she will love it. A 3 year old is not concerned with the plot. I for one am glad they will be putting the sequels in, hopefully they do the same with the Cinderella and Little Mermaid sequels because my daughter has seen parts of them on youtube and wants them but guess what, they are in the vault and impossible to find to buy for her. Need the Beauty and the Beast sequels for her as well. She loves pretty much all things Disney and let's not forget, Most Disney stuff is made for Kid's first anyways. That's how and why we all love them so much , we all grew up with them and the classics. I still love most Disney movies and I'm 31.
I'm sorry, but I don't understand where some people are getting the idea that we are just getting the sequel for Free? This is marketed as "Double Feature" and will probably cost similar to the Fantasia set. Fantasia = $20, Alice = $10 (Really hope all future non-Diamond will cost $10 with coupon) Honestly, I will be incredibly ecstatic if this sequel is just an extra with no additional cost. But reality in me is going to bet that this is going to cost about $10 more than if we were to just get the original by itself - And that's what I'm b*tching about. Now if you like the sequel and wants to watch it, that is absolutely fine. Just releasing this separately will solve all this problem, but Disney is not giving us that choice. Will I still buy it? Of course I am, I love the original. But I'm going to b*tch through it
@MJW I do like the Fantasia set.(except for Live-extra) I actually like the cover on that too. But having the choice of boxset and individual release would have been better(I would've chosen the boxset anyway for this case) I don't mind the cover that much (I do care though) it's mainly about paying more about the things that I don't want - and I don't want the direct-to-video sequels (Of course if it is free, then I would be more than happy to have it)
I'm excited about Lady and the Tramp and The Fox and the Hound coming to Blu-ray Disc next spring, but I'm not too excited about The Fox and the Hound being sold as a double feature with The Fox and the Hound 2. I'll buy it regardless, but I'll never watch the second movie.
Can't wait! 
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