Disney's Animated Classic 'The Little Mermaid' Re-surfaces at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre From Sept. 7th - 24th With a Splashy Digital Debut

Disney's Animated Classic 'The Little Mermaid' Re-surfaces at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre From Sept. 7th - 24th With a Splashy Digital Debut

Special Engagement Featuring a Live Appearance by Ariel at Each Show Celebrates Oct. 3rd Release of 2-Disc Platinum Edition DVD

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Moviegoers will get a chance to go "under the sea" and revisit Disney's Oscar(R)-winning animated feature, "The Little Mermaid," when the classic film makes its digital debut during a special limited engagement from September 7th - 24th at Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre, it was announced today (8/24) by Lylle Breier, senior vice president of worldwide special events for Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. The engagement, which celebrates the upcoming October 3rd release of the special 2-disc Platinum Edition DVD, will spotlight an all-new digital restoration of the film with enhanced picture and sound. Plus, every show throughout the entire run will offer a live appearance by Ariel.

Opening night (September 7th) will include an informative filmmaker's panel at 6:30 pm that will be hosted by veteran Disney animation producer Don Hahn ("Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," etc.). Also on the panel will be the film's directors John Musker & Ron Clements, Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel), supervising animator Glen Keane, and Sherri Stoner (the live-action reference model for Ariel). As a special added attraction on opening night, guests will get a sneak preview of Disney's newest animated short, "The Little Match Girl," based on the Hans Christian Andersen story, and directed by Roger Allers ("The Lion King"). Every show throughout the entire run will offer a live appearance by Ariel. Daily showtimes are 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm, and 7:45 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the El Capitan box office, on line at www.elcapitantickets.com, or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6. Group rate tickets are available for parties of 20 or more by calling 1-818-845-3110.

In addition to the activities at the theatre, Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store (located adjacent to the El Capitan) will be serving up a delicious ice cream treat in celebration of this special engagement called "The Dinglehopper Sundae." Dive into this mouth-watering creation that includes one scoop of blue cotton candy ice cream, and one scoop of vanilla ice cream, covered in fish shaped sprinkles, and topped with whipped cream and a sea creature. And, of course, it is served with a dinglehopper!

Commenting on the announcement, Breier said, "'The Little Mermaid' is one of the most beloved animated films of all time, and it ushered in a new golden age of musicals and fairy tales for Disney. We're thrilled to be bringing it back to the El Capitan so that a new generation of moviegoers can experience it on the big screen. Longtime fans of the film will be able to see it digitally projected and with enhanced sound for the first time. The film has never looked or sounded better and we know that audiences are going to love being part of Ariel's world once again."

On October 3, Walt Disney Home Entertainment debuts the long-awaited two-disc Special Edition "The Little Mermaid" DVD. Included in an ocean of exciting bonus features are deleted scenes, an all-new music video, a fantastic new "Making of Disney's The Little Mermaid," "The Little Mermaid Virtual Ride" which brings to life a fascinating Disney theme park ride, games, and much more for the whole family!

"The Little Mermaid" was Disney's first new fairy tale adaptation in 30 years at the time of its initial release in 1989. With its acclaimed song score by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken, the film set a new high water mark for contemporary film musicals and helped to launch a new era of Disney animated classics. The film went on to win two Academy Awards -- for Best Song ("Under the Sea") and Best Original Score (by Alan Menken) -- and received a third nomination for the song "Kiss the Girl."

Disney's version of the Hans Christian Andersen classic follows the animated adventures of a bubbly and fiercely independent young mermaid named Ariel, who longs to be part of the human world. Determined to meet her dream prince, she impulsively strikes a "bargain" with Ursula, a devious sea witch, to trade her voice and fins for a pair of legs and a chance to "land" her handsome Prince Eric. Going against the advice of her mighty father, King Triton, and her guardian crab, Sebastian, Ariel finds herself in deep water as she quickly discovers that silence is not so golden, and that there's something fishy about Ursula's deal.

For Further Information
Howard E. Green
Vice President,
Studio Communications
(818) 560-1944

Source: Walt Disney Pictures

CONTACT: Howard E. Green, Vice President, Studio Communications of Walt
Disney Pictures, +1-818-560-1944

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