ROY EDWARD DISNEY CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF "FANTASIA/2000" WITH LIVE ONLINE AUDIO CHAT FRIDAY, JUNE 16, ON FANTASIA2000.COM

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - June 13, 2000 - In celebration of the June 16th nationwide release of Walt Disney Pictures' animated extravaganza "Fantasia/2000, " Roy Edward Disney, Vice Chairman of the Walt Disney Company and executive producer of FANTASIA/2000, will answer moviegoers' questions in a live online audio chat at the Fantasia/2000 Web site (www.fantasia2000.com). The chat, which will originate from the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, will take place from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. E.D.T. / 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. P.D.T. on Friday, June 16, the release date of FANTASIA/2000 in theatres nationwide.

It was Disney's personal quest to fulfill his Uncle Walt's vision of creating a "concert film" with a perpetually changing musical repertoire. In his chat, Roy will discuss everything that went into his lifelong dream to make this film, from choosing which pieces of music would make the final cut to determining the style and look of each piece.

At the Fantasia/2000 Web site, online moviegoers can tour Roy Disney's office (inside the Sorcerer's Apprentice hat in the Animation Building in Burbank), as well as see what life is like in the animators' studio and on the scoring stage. Also available on the website are study guides, photos from the Fantasia/2000 World Tour and Millennium Gala, and information about the eight animated segments, including "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," a milestone piece of animation which was the genesis of the 1940 feature in addition to the seven spectacular new animated sequences set to the music of the masters.

Created over a nine-year period and utilizing the talents of a new generation of top animation talents, "Fantasia/2000" takes viewers on a journey into the imagination using incredible animated imagery, exquisite classical music and state-of-the-art technology.

A Walt Disney Pictures presentation, "Fantasia/2000" was executive produced by Roy Edward Disney and supervising directed by Hendel Butoy. Donald Ernst served as producer and Don Hahn directed the film's live-action introductions. Supervising the direction of the film's other animated segments are Eric Goldberg, Pixote Hunt, Francis Glebas and Gaëtan & Paul Brizzi. David Bossert served as artistic coordinator and visual effects supervisor for the film's seven new animated pieces. The film, which is distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, opens Friday, June 16 for a limited four-week engagement.

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