Okay... first off people...
Disney is only producing it. Robert Zemeckis and his production company ImageMovers Digital approached Disney for financial-backing. So, if you want to get fussy - direct at Zemeckis not Disney.
Zemeckis directed the Back to the Future Trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, and The Polar Express among other things. But...most important in relation to this story is that his first film was "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" - a film about the beginnings of Beatlemania in North America. He is a fan of both the Beatles and animation.
Yellow Submarine is a classic, yes. And I'm not 100% sold on this idea. I don't see why this would be a necessity. But, the film will include all the songs from the original film and a far as I know just be the same movie but...newer. CGI 3D. There's no reason the Blue Meanies will go missing