BURBANK, Calif., April 11, 2003 - Disney’s crowning achievement, the #1 animated film of all time, THE LION KING is available for the first time ever as a SPECIAL EDITION 2-Disc DVD set from Walt Disney Home Entertainment on October 7. Now "THERE IS MORE TO BE SEEN THAN HAS EVER BEEN SEEN" as this magnificent, Academy-Awardâ -winning masterpiece is presented with such outstanding special features as: TWO versions of the film; an all-new song "Morning Report" by songwriters Elton John and Tim Rice; all-new animation created exclusively for the DVD; a virtual safari in 5.1 Surround Sound; exciting journeys that take you behind this fabled movie and more. Designed specifically for home theater systems, this DVD features the very finest in audio quality with the all-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix, as befits the "king of all DVDs." There is MORE TO SEE, MORE TO HEAR and MORE TO DO with the incredible LION KING SPECIAL EDITION as everyone can enjoy this greatest of Disney animated treasures in the best home viewing mode possible, available on Disney DVD for $29.99 (S.R.P.). VHS $24.99 (S.R.P.).

THERE IS MORE TO DO:

Zazu hosts you on a fabulous trek through the different realms of the DVD kingdom.

Set your course for adventure across the continents or embark on a chartered journey!

THE LION KING – SPECIAL EDITION offers the highest quality digital presentation with enhanced picture available, with an All-New 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix – creating a more dynamic and spatial audio-sensory experience. For the Special Edition, THE LION KING has been meticulously and painstakingly reformatted one frame at a time, working from the film’s original digitally stored files.

Led by the original filmmaking team from Disney’s famed Feature Animation division, a group of Disney’s top artists and technicians launched a major effort to remove dust and dirt, add detail and provide the home viewer with a digital picture and sound that is the finest possible.

The legendary team of singer/songwriter Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice contribute the new song "Morning Report" to THE LION KING SPECIAL EDITION DVD. The DVD offers "Morning Report" on an alternate version of the film, with never-before-seen animation produced and directed by the original Feature Animation Lion King team.

Elton John and Tim Rice won the 1994 Academy Awardâ for Best Music (Song), with their song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight. " Their outstanding contributions include such beloved songs as the buoyant "Hakuna Matata," the upbeat "Just Can’t Wait To Be King" and the majestic song "The Circle of Life." Hans Zimmer won the 1994 Academy Awardâ for Best Music, Original Score for his evocative musical score.

THE LION KING’s stellar cast includes Matthew Broderick (TV’s "The Music Man," Broadway’s "The Producers"), Jeremy Irons ("The Time Machine"; Academy Awardâ winner, Best Actor, "Reversal of Fortune" 1990), Robert Guillaume (TV’s "Sports Night"), James Earl Jones ("Star Wars"), Nathan Lane (Broadway’s "The Producers"), Cheech Marin ("Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams"), Ernie Sabella (TV’s "House of Mouse"), Jonathan Taylor Thomas ("The Wild Thornberrys"), Whoopi Goldberg ("Rat Race") and Rowan Atkinson ("Bean").

Feature running time: Approximately 90 minutes

DVD aspect ratio: 1.66:1 (widescreen) Original Theatrical Aspect Ratio

Enhanced for 16x9 screens

Suggested retail price: $29.99 DVD (S.R.P.). $24.99 VHS (S.R.P.).

Rated: "G" General Audiences

Bonus material: Not Rated. Bonus material subject to change.

Sound: Dolbyâ Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

All-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix

From the magnificent musical opening over breathtaking African vistas, to its rip-roaring, emotional climax, THE LION KING reigns supreme as one of animation’s greatest crowning achievements. Set amid the majestic beauty of the Serengeti, Disney’s epic coming-of-age saga tells of the love between a proud lion ruler Mufasa (James Earl Jones) and his son Simba (Matthew Broderick), a naïve and curious cub who "just can’t wait to be king."

When Simba’s envious Uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons) schemes with his hyena henchmen, including Shenzi (Whoopi Goldberg), trouble invades the kingdom. To the rescue comes a hilarious meerkat named Timon (Nathan Lane) and that warmhearted warthog, Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) – and soon Simba joins in the carefree lifestyle of "Hakuna Matata." With Rafiki (Robert Guillaume) at his side, Simba reclaims his true destiny and joins the "circle of life."

Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.