Released Today From the Disney Vault! Sleeping Beauty: Diamond Edition {Review}

While there will forever be new movies released into the theaters or onto DVD that gain attention and amuse fans, there really are only the select few that will forever be known as the classics that delight generation after generation.

The one name that knows that all too well is the one and only Disney, and today they are releasing one of the absolute classics for the first time in high definition with new breathtaking picture and sound restoration: Sleeping Beauty: Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack.

Is there a single person that isn't familiar with this magical tale (particularly after the release of Maleficent)?

Beauty, wonder and adventure spin together in a grand legend that transcends time as Maleficent, one of animation's most spectacular villains, sends the kingdom's beloved Princess Aurora into an enchanted sleep. In a majestic story that awakens all your senses, Good Fairies arm brave Prince Phillip to defeat a fearsome fire-breathing dragon and rescue Aurora. But success in battle may not be enough, for the only way to awaken the Princess is with True Love's kiss!

With unforgettable characters, thrilling adventure, vibrant visuals, talented voices (renowned opera singer Mary Costa as Sleeping Beauty and Disney stalwart Eleanor Audley as Maleficent) and soaring Academy Award-nominated music, Sleeping Beauty is one of the most cherished animated films Disney released... and, in fact, was the last animated feature produced by Walt Disney to be based upon a fairy tale.

Now, as it is spectacularly transformed for the first time on Diamond Edition Blu-ray with digitally restored picture; brilliant high-definition sound; groundbreaking, state-of-the-art immersive bonus content; and unprecedented levels of interactivity, personalization and customization, it is the perfect time to bring home this classic tale.

The incredibly large number of all-new magical bonus features included with this great film include:

• 'Once Upon A Parade' (Starring Sarah Hyland) – Behind every attraction, event and parade at the Magic Kingdom is a unique story. Join Sarah Hyland from ABC's Modern Family as she tells us the tale of Walt Disney World's new Festival Of Fantasy Parade. This magical "in world" short film goes behind the scenes of the new parade and shows how the residents and characters of Fantasyland created this parade to tell their stories.

• Art of Evil: Generations Of Disney Villains – This legacy piece spotlights Disney's favorite villain animator, Marc Davis and his infamous creations of characters such as Maleficent and Cruella. This piece also includes talk from modern day animators like Andreas Deja and the new generation of animators (Lino DiSalvo Animation Director of Frozen) on how Marc's designs and characters influenced what they do today.

• @DisneyAnimation: Artists In Motion – Join Walt Disney Animation Visual Development artist Brittney Lee as she goes through the process of creating a three dimensional sculpture of Maleficent, completely out of paper. 

• Beauty-Oke sing-along to "Once Upon A Dream" – Sing along to this kinetic text video of Aurora's signature song.

• Audio Commentary by John Lasseter, Andreas Deja and Leonard Maltin.

• The Sound Of Beauty: Restoring A Classic – This featurette covers the creation of the 7.1 mix of the score of Sleeping Beauty that was done for Blu-ray, using the source tapes from the original recording sessions resulting in an audio experience of superior quality with greater detail and fidelity that you have ever heard before.

• Picture Perfect: The Making Of Sleeping Beauty – Discover the behind-the-scenes magic that transformed a beloved fairy tale into a cinematic work of art. Legendary Animators, actors and film historians reveal the secrets behind Disney’s masterpiece.

• Eyvind Earle: A Man And His Art – Early in his career, renowned American Artist Eyvind Earle worked as a background painter at the Walt Disney Studio. Walt Disney liked his work so much that he entrusted him with the assignment to be the Art Director for Sleeping Beauty. This was the first time that one artist was given the responsibility for the entire look on one of Disney’s animated features. This piece follows Earle’s development as an artist and his years at the Studio.

If those features weren't enough (whew!), this Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack also includes three never before seen deleted scenes from Sleeping Beauty:

• The Fair (With Deleted Character – The Vulture) – In this version of the story, the fairies do not take the Princess to live with them in the forest. Convinced that King Stefan's order to burn all the spinning wheels in the kingdom will not prevent Maleficent's curse, the good fairies put a magic circle around the castle and cast a spell: "No evil thing that walks or flies or creeps or crawls can ever pass these castle walls."

• The Curse is Fulfilled – The three good fairies have just returned Aurora to the castle and give her a crown. They leave the room to give Aurora some time alone…but Maleficent pays her a visit.

• Arrival Of Maleficent (Alternate Scene) – Maleficent arrives uninvited to the christening of the Princess Aurora.

Whether you're a fan, a collector or are new to the tale of Sleeping Beauty, this is one combo pack that you're going to want to add to your collection! Don't miss today's release – for the first time on Diamond Edition Blu-ray, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere.

With a running time of approximately 75 minutes, the Sleeping Beauty: Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack is available now in stores near you, from Disney or on Amazon. You can also keep up with all things Aurora by connecting with Disney on Facebook and Twitter (using #SleepingBeauty).

Want to bring home even more Sleeping Beauty fun? Download the PDF file below for great slumber party ideas that kids are sure to love!

Other than Sleeping Beauty: Diamond Edition that I was provided in order to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion about this product.