Sleeping Beauty (1959): Aggressively restored in 2003 as seen in the YouTube video previous linked: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-z0o26HD40
Even more aggressively restored in 2008 for the 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition DVD and Blu-ray, colors are much more vibrant and it restores the original 2.55:1 aspect ratio.
Purist: The 1987 CAV full frame Laserdisc has the most accurate colors, but is pan and scan. The 1997 CAV Widescreen Laserdisc (non-anamorphic (of course) letterboxed 2.26:1) is a bit over bright with duller colors. Both predate the aggressive restoration.
Acceptable Alternatives: The 2008 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition DVD and BD, while more re-animated in its restoration, contains a better brightness/contrast balance and the most accurate colors. Probably not recommended if over processing annoys you.
The 2003 Special Edition DVD has colors similar to the 1997 laserdisc release (that is to say over bright and dull), appears to have more image detail than earlier editions, but is still overcropped at 2.35:1 (anamorphic).
All edition comparison screenshot: http://imageshack.us/a/img801/5023/t4o6.jpg
2003 vs 2008 Screenshots and review: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/34969/sleeping-beauty/
Downloadable screenshot comparisons by drsd2kill: http://www.mediafire.com/download/o93x5onn8thm1kv/Sleeping_Beauty.htm
During the Xerography era from 1961 to 1981 the original aspect ratio of Disney's animated features is unclear. The films were animated at 1.33:1 with TV broadcast in mind but matted to widescreen for theatrical release. Most early DVD releases of these films are unmatted 1.33:1 but some newer ones are being re-matted wide (about 1.75:1). These films are denoted with "OAR?".
The Xerography system also causes the original pencil lines to be transferred to the finished feature. An artifact of the method and easily lost by over digital cleaning (which pretty much covers all Diamond Editions).
101 Dalmatians (1961): OAR? Only available 1.33:1. Available on BD only outside of the U.S.
Purist: The 2001 DVD. It's sourced from an older unrestored film print. Colors are somewhat off as a result of age.
Acceptable Alternative: There is nothing egregiously wrong with the 2008 Platinum Edition, but it has been restored and some odd creative choices have been made. http://colorfulanimationexpressions.blogspot.com/2008/08/color-in-101-dalmatians-2-in-different.html
The Sword in the Stone (1963): OAR? The first two DVD releases are 1.33:1 and the 2013 50th Anniversary Edition is 1.75:1. The 2008 45th Anniversary Edition is a slightly better transfer than the previous edition. If there was a new restoration between the 2008 Anniversary and 2001 Gold edition, the differences are minimal.
The 50th Anniversary Blu-ray disc, like other Disney films from this era on Blu-ray, looks like an amateur photoshop job.
Everyone: 2008 45th Anniversary Edition DVD for the slight image improvement over the previous disc and some bonus features.
For HD try to get the HDTV release alps(?) posted on a.b.hdtv or the de-logo-ed version by DON. iTunes previously had a similar transfer, but has since replaced it in August of 2013 with the newly 'restored' version. 1080p rips of the old version are still circulating.
HDTV vs iTunes (old version) vs BD: http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Recommended-Editions-of-Disney-Animated-and-Partially-Animated-Features/post/651739/#TopicPost651739
Mary Poppins (1964): OAR? Imdb lists 1.66:1 as the proper ratio, but it is more likely 1.75:1. The Gold DVD was 1.85:1 and post-restoration versions have incorporated cropping and vertical bars to achieve 1.66:1. It should also be mentioned that while pre-Lowry releases have had various height, Lowry is the first to vary the cropping on the left and right sides. The Lowry left/right cropping is uneven and results in changing the composition of scenes.
Reports also indicate that Lowry has 'cleaned up' some special effect matte lines, wires, etc.
Purist: The 2001 Gold Edition is 1.85:1 non-anamorphic and predates Lowry's work on the film. For a more accurate aspect ratio, I believe you would need to track down the Japanese laserdisc.
Acceptable Alternative: 2009 45th Anniversary Edition is a much cleaner transfer, but digitally restored by Lowry. As stated above the image has been oddly reformatted to achieve 1.66-ish:1. The 2004 40th Anniversary Edition is likely the same transfer as the 45th with different extras. It is also possible that the DEHT audio mix contains modern sounds effects to sweeten the track.
I personally find the Lowry releases to be overly edge enhanced with halo artifacts, but I have found no online review that agrees with me.
The Jungle Book (1967): OAR? The 1997 laserdisc used the same master as the Limited Issue 1999 DVD. Both show muted colors and fair image quality. Presented in 1.33:1, it should be the open matte full cell image, but there appears to be cropping on the left and right sides when compared to the 2007 Platinum Edition release.
Conversely, the 2007 Platinum Edition (1.75:1) shows some chopped elements from the top/bottom matting. The 5.1 remix has been called 'gimmicky' by DVDizzy.com, but mono is available. The colors are greatly improved and range closer to the 1992 laserdisc's more saturated palette (which had too much contrast).
Purist: Not great, but the 1999 Limited Issue DVD is unrestored.
Acceptable Alternative: 2007 Platinum Edition.
Downloadable screenshot comparisons by drsd2kill: http://www.mediafire.com/download/gaepmf7q1pp3997/The_Jungle_Book.htm
The Aristocats (1970): OAR? The 2001 Gold Edition is 1.33:1, but again we see some cropping on the left/right in addition to the open matte at the top/bottom. The 2008 Special Edition at 1.75:1 with added image on the left and right.
The 2012 BD is also called a Special Edition (like the 2008 DVD), is 1.66:1 (a strange compromise AR) with fairly distinct color changes from previous releases. It also presents excessive cleaning. The included combo DVD is the 2008 1.75:1 transfer.
DVDizzy.com says: "Aristocats and other Disney 'toons from this era had kind of a raw, scratchy look to them, with animator pencil lines somehow featuring in the final product.
We get mere glimpses of that here (on the 2012 BD), in certain single frames of moving characters. The movie looks better cleaned up, but one wonders if the scrubbing in a way betrays the original presentation. You can always hang on to the Gold Collection DVD for its relatively rough 1.33:1 transfer."
Purist: 2001 Gold Edition. A not at all terrible looking DVD for its age.
Acceptable Alternative: While it varies by scene, the 2008 Special Edition most frequently mimics the Gold Edition's colors, has sharper detail and contains more film grain than any other release. Not nearly as drastically altered as the BD release.
2001 Gold vs 2008 SE screenshots: http://www.dvdizzy.com/aristocats-specialedition.html
DVD 2000 (Gold) vs. DVD 2008 (Special Edition) vs. HDTV vs. BD 2012 vs. BD Trailer: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=6130587#post6130587
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971): All DVDs contain 22 minutes of reinserted material, some of much lower quality, some needed redubbing and not all of which was done by the original actors.
Purist: Pre-1996 laserdiscs or VHS tapes are your only source for a theatrical version.
Acceptable Alternative: 2001 30th Anniversary Edition is better for extras than the 2009 identical transfer Enchanted Musical Edition (which dumps some extras for what are essentially infomercials).
Robin Hood (1973): OAR? The 2001 Gold Edition is 1.33:1. The 2006 Most Wanted Edition is 1.75:1. The 2006 disc may be slightly less sharp (either from less clean-up, less edge enhancement or both), but shows some color improvements. It also sports a new 5.1 mix that is a minor enhancement of the mono-only track found on the 2001 disc.
The 40th Anniversary Blu-ray has the same overscrubbed look of all Blu-ray releases of Xerography era Disney films and isn't recommended. It has a compromise aspect ratio of 1.66:1.
There are not enough differences between the DVDs that you shouldn't let your AR preference guide your choice.
Based on comments around the net though, I think I'd give the edge to the original 2001 Gold Edition for everybody, not just purists.
Screenshots comparison here: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=7866819#post7866819
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977): Based on reviews and limited screenshots, the 2007 Friendship Edition is best. The 2002 25th Anniversary Edition is not quite as good a transfer, but there's nothing really wrong with it either. Both are presented with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio which presents the most image.
The 2013 Blu-ray is cropped slightly top and bottom to provide an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 that is a compromise between the intended theatrical and TV ratios. This disc shows signs of over restoration and is also over bright. Um, the audio mix is supposed to be good(?)
There's no real indication that Disney even bothered with any digital restoration for '02 or '07. A good reason to give the nod to the 2007 Friendship Edition for everyone.
Comparison screenshots: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=6975309#post6975309
The Rescuers (1977): I recommend the 2012 Rescuers/Rescuers 2 BD/DVD combo since it has the best image. It is unclear if the included DVD is the same master as the BD or the poor quality 2003 Gold Edition.
Honestly, this film is so overlooked by Disney and fans, I couldn't even tell you if any digital restoration was done for the 2012 release. All I can tell you is the Gold Edition is supposed to be fairly ugly.
Pete's Dragon (1977): 35th Anniversary Edition BD is best. Missing are the 2001 Gold Collection's "Man, Monsters, and Mysteries" short and the 2009 High-Flying Edition's three demo recordings and four 70's pop versions of songs.
There is little apparent difference in transfers between the three DVD releases though. BD is better just because it is HD.
The Fox and the Hound (1981): OAR? 2001 Gold and the very very slightly improved 2006 25th Anniversary DVDs are both 1.33:1. The 2011 BD/DVD combo with Fox and the Hound II is 1.66:1 (matted top and bottom, BUT expanded with more image left and right. (There are some apparent artifacts in the newly revealed right side region.))
Purist: The 2006 25th Anniversary DVD is a good, and probably unrestored since it is almost identical to the 2001 release.
Acceptable Alternative: The 2011 DVD/BD provides the best image available. I've found nothing weird reported as far as colors are concerned, but it has been aggressively cleaned like much older titles.
The Black Cauldron (1985): This is another film largely ignored by Disney and fans so details are sketchy.
Purist: 2000 Gold Collection is non-anamorphic with an aspect ratio of 2.20:1. The quality is not great, but it's unlikely to have been drastically altered either.
Acceptable Alternative: 2010 25th Anniversary DVD appears is anamorphic in the correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio with an improved transfer. It's not definitive proof of excessive restoration, but DVDizzy says: "The film's backgrounds are especially impressive, so much so that at times the characters look a bit flat and disconnected from their spectacular surroundings."
The Great Mouse Detective (1986): The title screen for this film was modified for the 1992 re-release to "The Adventures of the Great Mouse Detective". The original aspect ratio is (maybe) 1.85:1.
The 2010 Mystery In The Mist Edition and 2012 MitM BD are probably the same restoration. These discs have fairly different colors than the 2002 release. While that doesn't always mean wrong, it just usually does where Disney is concerned. This edition also has the original "Great Mouse Detective" title screen and is anamorphic 1.78:1 (closer to the original AR). That said, it is not recommended. The image is over scrubbed and occasionally soft.
All editions appear to only carry a remixed 5.1 track.
Recommended: The original 2002 DVD is a matted anamorphic 1.66:1 presentation and has the revised "The Adventures of..." title card.
The 2010 and 2012 releases have that washed-out ink line appearance common to the over filtering process. I don't find the AR change or original title card enough of a benefit to outweigh how awful the lines look. That's why they are not being called an acceptable alternative.
One comparison screenshot halfway down the page: http://www.dvdizzy.com/greatmousedetective.html
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988): Censored: Betty Boop nipple slip, Jessica Rabbit's underwear(?), Baby Herman flipping the bird. Additional censorship in Roller Coaster Rabbit short.
Purist: Check out the preservation combining French HDTV airing and English audio track: http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Who-Framed-Roger-Rabbit-uncensored-HDTV-airings/topic/15223/
Acceptable Alternative: If you don't mind censored the 2013 BD/DVD Combo is good, as is the 2003 Vista Series.
Oliver & Company (1988): 2009 20th Anniversary Edition is the same transfer as the 2002 DVD with aspect ratios of 1.66:1. The 25th Anniversary BD/DVD combo has an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, which may be more theatrically accurate, but is achieved by cropping the animation.
The 2013 Blu-ray sports the overscrubbed zero grain look that negatively impacts xerography based animation. It also has a new audio mix that may be overcooked. You can always fall back on the 2.0 track.
Recommended: The 2009 20th Anniversary Edition or 2002 Special Edition.
20th Anniversary vs 25th Anniversary: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=7874343#post7874343