Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” Returns to the El Capitan

Moviegoers will get a chance to go “under the sea” and revisit Disney’s Oscar-winning animated feature, “The Little Mermaid,” when the classic film makes its digital debut during a special limited engagement from Sept. 7- 24 at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre. The engagement, which celebrates the upcoming Oct. 3 release of the special two-disc Platinum Edition DVD, will spotlight an all-new digital restoration of the film with enhanced picture and sound. Every show throughout the run will offer a live appearance by Ariel.

Opening night, Sept. 7, will include an informative filmmaker’s panel at 6:30 p.m. 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. 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”).

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 an ice cream treat in celebration of this special engagement called “The Dinglehopper Sundae.” Dive into this 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.

On Oct. 3, Walt Disney Home Entertainment debuts the two-disc special edition “The Little Mermaid” DVD. Included in its 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” that brings to life a Disney theme park ride, games and more.

“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.”

Daily show times are 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7:45 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the El Capitan box office, on line at www.elcapitantickets.com, or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6.