Two Disney masterpieces are being reintroduced to a new generation with re-releases, theme park attractions, and sequels.
By Blake
Originally posted January 26, 2008.
Often when a Disney film hasn’t been seen in a while, it’s released from the metaphorical “vault” and put on the shelves once again, most of the time with a special edition label. And that’s usually it. Occasionally there’s a new sequel to follow the re-release, if that. However, Disney is about to give two treasured classics the ultimate star treatment by not only re-releasing these films, but also establishing them in the world beyond DVD shelves.
First up is The Little Mermaid. Originally released in 1989, it was the film that launched the second golden age of Disney animation, with masterpieces Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King all following in its footsteps not long after it was released. In 2006, The Little Mermaid was released on a two-disc platinum edition DVD, and we’ve not heard much out of Ariel and the gang since then. Until now. This month, the Broadway musical adaptation of the film officially premiered in New York, performing in the very theatre that Beauty and the Beast held its performances until July 2007. The Broadway show features all of the songs from the movie written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, as well as ten new songs, written by Menken and a new collaborator, Glenn Slater. And it doesn’t stop there. In August 2008, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning, a new prequel showing what happened before the original film, will be released on DVD.
Additionally, in the distant future at Disney’s California Adventure, an all-new attraction, The Little Mermaid: Under the Sea Adventure, will open and will be along the lines of Fantasyland’s dark rides. The neat part is that this attraction was originally developed as an idea for the original Disneyland park in the early 1990’s and was eventually scratched. A behind-the-scenes look at the lost attraction was released as a bonus feature on the 2006 Little Mermaid DVD. And now, what do you know, the lost attraction is actually being green lit.
The next franchise to get a boost is Toy Story. When it was first released in 1995, the original Toy Story was not only the first film to be cranked out of Pixar Animation Studios, but also the world’s first every entirely computer-animated movie. Toy Story 2 was released in 1999 to rave reviews and since then the franchise has been implemented into the Disney parks by examples of parades, an Al’s Toy Barn-themed meet & greet, several Buzz Lightyear rides around the globe, and even a recreation of Pizza Planet at Walt Disney World.
Now, it’s time to gear up for an entire reinvented Toy Story era. In March 2008, the film will be featured in the Block Party Bash Parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (which previously performed at Disney’s California Adventure) and in April, Toy Story: The Musical will premiere on the Disney Wonder cruise ship. This summer on both coasts (at Disneyland AND Walt Disney World) an all-new immersive experience attraction will debut starring the Toy Story gang. The new Toy Story Mania ride will feature the Toy Story characters setting up their own midway games and guests have the opportunity to play these games. Toy Story Mania will involve guests wearing 3D glasses to view the virtual Toy Story characters and the virtual midway games. Not only will the new 3D technology be introduced to allow an entire ride set appear virtually, but, since it’s all virtual, the ride can be modified at any given moment.
And then comes Toy Story 3! The new film will be released in theaters 2010. Although the film’s plot hasn’t yet been released, we can definitely count on a worthy plot line now that Pixar is onboard with the project. And, in anticipation of this new sequel, the first two Toy Story films will be re-released theatrically in Disney Digital 3D! Toy Story will be released October 2009, with Toy Story 2 following in February 2010 and, finally, Toy Story 3 in June 2010.*
The next franchise to get a boost is Toy Story. When it was first released in 1995, the original Toy Story was not only the first film to be cranked out of Pixar Animation Studios, but also the world’s first every entirely computer-animated movie. Toy Story 2 was released in 1999 to rave reviews and since then the franchise has been implemented into the Disney parks by examples of parades, an Al’s Toy Barn-themed meet & greet, several Buzz Lightyear rides around the globe, and even a recreation of Pizza Planet at Walt Disney World.
Now, it’s time to gear up for an entire reinvented Toy Story era. In March 2008, the film will be featured in the Block Party Bash Parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (which previously performed at Disney’s California Adventure) and in April, Toy Story: The Musical will premiere on the Disney Wonder cruise ship. This summer on both coasts (at Disneyland AND Walt Disney World) an all-new immersive experience attraction will debut starring the Toy Story gang. The new Toy Story Mania ride will feature the Toy Story characters setting up their own midway games and guests have the opportunity to play these games. Toy Story Mania will involve guests wearing 3D glasses to view the virtual Toy Story characters and the virtual midway games. Not only will the new 3D technology be introduced to allow an entire ride set appear virtually, but, since it’s all virtual, the ride can be modified at any given moment.
And then comes Toy Story 3! The new film will be released in theaters 2010. Although the film’s plot hasn’t yet been released, we can definitely count on a worthy plot line now that Pixar is onboard with the project. And, in anticipation of this new sequel, the first two Toy Story films will be re-released theatrically in Disney Digital 3D! Toy Story will be released October 2009, with Toy Story 2 following in February 2010 and, finally, Toy Story 3 in June 2010.*
So, with The Little Mermaid and Toy Story both being revived with stage musicals, exciting new attractions, sequels, parades, re-releases, and more, a new generation will be able to enjoy these classics, while others who remember the films’ original beginnings will be able to relive the magic with 2 ½ years of fast-paced, exciting entertainment.
*At the time this article was written, this schedule was true. However, as of April 2009, both Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are set to be re-released in 3D at the same time as a double feature in October 2009 instead of having two separate releases. Toy Story 3 is still scheduled to be released in June 2010.
By Blake; posted January 26, 2008. Little Mermaid images (C) Disney. Toy Story 3 images (C) Disney/Pixar.
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