eBay Guides - Collecting Disney Special Edition Platinum DVDS Pt. 1

Part I

Hi, this guide is to help acquaint you with the Disney 2-disc special edition Platinum DVD collection. I think this is the most special release type because it contains Disney's best-selling films. Originally, Disney's plan was to release one Platinum edition per year in early October, but starting in 2005, they decided to release two Platinum titles per year--one in March and one in October.

A few of these titles were played in IMAX theaters prior to their release on DVD. The titles that were played in theaters were Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. They stopped right there because box office sales were low, so from that point on, they only released the movies on DVD.

Some of these came in Speial Collectors' Gift Set with companion book, animators' sketches, and a film frame. The ones that came out in this gift set were: The Lion Kng, Aladdin, and Cinderella. They have stopped making the collectors' gift sets after that.

Each of the release included a special music video by a celebrity--most of them Disney celebrities.

If you are considering collecting the Platinum Edition DVDs, I strongly encourage you to get it from the Disney Store when it first comes out. First of all, it's less expensive than some competitors ($19.99 whereas others I've seen priced at $26.99). Secondly, if you pre-order it, you will get a free item such as a lithograph or pin. Toys R Us and Best Buy are the next places where I would recommend since Toys R Us offers free items or a coupon off $5 off 2nd Disney DVD when you pre-order. Best Buy has a good stock and good price.

If you're starting late or looking for one on Ebay, then be extremely careful. A lot of Sellers list counterfeit DVDs as authentic. And the counterfeits are getting better at imitating the real ones--I see too many listed on Ebay and I feel so bad for the final bidder paying about $30.00 for a counterfeit one. Unfortunately, Ebay forbids "bidding interference" so I can't warn those bidders. The DVDs listed that way -------------------------------------------------------> are not my listings and are not guaranteed to be authentic, so be cautious!

Now, on to the list of the beloved Disney films that made it to the Platinum Collection! ::music from Pinocchio's When You Wish Upon a Star starts playing::

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: This all time favorite is based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm and was the very first animated feature film. The movie was premiered in December 1937 and received a special Academy Award in 1939. The award was made up of one big Oscar and seven tiny Oscars! Snow White was the first and only Platinum release that wasn't accompanied by the slipcase. The packaging came in a double-sized DVD case. So if you plan on buying one on Ebay and the Seller claims it comes with a slipcase--then it has to be a bootleg! The music video was "Someday My Price Will Come" performed by Barbra Streisand.

Release date: October 9, 2001

Beauty and the Beast: My favorite Disney film of all time! This one premiered in November 1991 and was nominated for 7 Academy Awards, which included Best Picture (the very first animated feature to get this honor!). It won Best Song (Beauty and the Beast--that song melts my heart!) and Best Original Score. Starting with Beauty and the Beast, the Platinum Editions were packaged in two-disc DVD case with a slipcase and included a book-like velcro flap that when you opened, gave an overview of the DVD's features. The music video was "Beauty and the Beast" performed by Jump5.

Release date: October 8, 2002

The Lion King: This Disney film was based on a play called Hamlet by William Shakespeare. It came in theaters in June 1994 and I remember it was the very first film (which happened to be Disney) I ever saw in theaters. The film won an Academy Award for Best Song (Can You Feel the Love Tonight) sung by Elton John. It also won an Oscar for Best Original Score which went to Hans Zimmer. The music video was "Circle of Life" performed by Disney Channel Circle of Stars.

Release date: October 7, 2003

Aladdin: This one was based on the story The Thousand and One Nights and was released in November 1992. Disney used computer-generated imagery to create some amazing scene, such as the magic carpet ride through the Cave of Wonders. The film won an Academy Award for Best Song, (who doesn't love this song?) A Whole New World and Best Original Score. The music video was Aladdin: "A Whole New World" performed by Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson.

Release date:October 5, 2004

Bambi: The film that made a lot of people weep, Bambi was released in August 1942 and was the first Disney film to feature only animals. They wanted to make Bambi as real as possible, so Disney' artists would study the movements and behavior of two fawns that were donated to the studio. This one didn't come with any special music video.

Release date: March 1, 2005

Cinderella: This adaptation of the classic fairy tale was released in February 1950 and became one of the most popular films of the year.The scene where Cinderella's torn dress was magically transformed into a beautiful shimmering gown was Walt Disney's favorite piece of animation! The music video was "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" performed by Disney Channel Circle of Stars.

Release date: October 4, 2005

Please vote if this guide was helpful at all so that I will continue to make another guide for you Disney fans!