Disney plans for Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs in 2009

By Patrick Luce Jan 8, 2009, 12:40 GMT

Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Walt Disney\'s Pinocchio! The legendary masterpiece that inspired millions to believe in their dreams has reawakened with an all-new, state-of-the-art digital restoration that shines brilliantly on 2-disc DVD. Now, for the first time ever, the richly detailed animation, unforgettable award-winning music When You Wish Upon A Star and heartwarming adventure-filled story comes to life like never before. Plus, all-new dazzling bonus features transport you into ...more

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) has revealed some of the studio’s 2009 Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs. The studio’s combo packs will be a way to offer a better deal for their buck.

The Combo Pack will be extended through a slate of Disney-branded theatrical and Platinum titles releasing on Blu-ray between February and October of 2009. Some of the upcoming Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack titles include High School Musical 3: Senior Year (February 17), Walt Disney’s animated classic Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition (March 10) and several others leading up to the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Platinum Edition in October. 

In a Disney press release, President of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Bob Chapek stated: “These unique Combo Packs provide the opportunity for consumers around the world to take advantage of the quality of Blu-ray with the portability of a DVD disc in a single package. As always, we are committed to offering our consumers exceptional quality and value when purchasing our products.”

Disney’s first Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD in a single package) was the release of Sleeping Beauty’s 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition in 2008 across limited markets.

WDSHE North America will also package 14 of its hot new Blu-ray titles releasing in the U.S. and Canada with a DisneyFile digital copy of the movie for consumers to enjoy anytime, anywhere on their Mac, PC or compatible portable devices.

Digital copies will be made available in both iTunes and Windows Media file formats and are set to be included with such titles as High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Monsters Inc., and A Bugs Life.
 
WDSHE North America will be releasing several new theatrical titles to Blu-ray day-and-date with the DVD including Swing Vote (Touchstone Pictures) on January 13; Miracle At St. Anna (Touchstone Pictures) on February 10; High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Walt Disney Pictures) on February 17; Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Walt Disney Pictures) on March 3; Morning Light (Walt Disney Pictures) in summer of 2009. There are also plans for the release of the direct-to-video Space Buddies (Walt Disney Pictures) on February 3.

WDSHE North America has plans to expand its Blu-ray catalog with more than 30 releases - including such titles as Pretty Woman (Touchstone Pictures) on February 10; High School Musical Remix Edition (Walt Disney Pictures) on February 17; Monsters Inc. (Disney/Pixar); A Bugs Life (Disney/Pixar); Microcosmos (Miramax); Rounders 10th Anniversary Edition (Miramax); Lost: The Complete First and Second Seasons (ABC); Sin City (Miramax); Miracle (Walt Disney Pictures); Sling Blade (Miramax); The Greatest Game Ever Played (Walt Disney Pictures); Pulp Fiction Special Edition (Miramax); Good Will Hunting Special Edition (Miramax) and many more to follow in 2009.
 
In Europe/Australia, WDSHE has plans to release the following Blu-ray titles beginning with Space Buddies (Walt Disney Pictures) and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Walt Disney Pictures) in February; Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition (Walt Disney Pictures) in March and Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Walt Disney Pictures) in April; and Monsters Inc. (Disney/Pixar) sometime in 2009.

Japan will see the release of Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition (Walt Disney Pictures) in March; Tinker Bell (Walt Disney Pictures) and WALL-E (Disney/Pixar) in April; and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Walt Disney Pictures), Monsters Inc. (Disney/Pixar) and Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Walt Disney Pictures) to follow at later dates.

Pinocchio (Platinum Edition Blu-ray + Standard DVD) is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Visit the DVD database for more information.