Big Uproar for Small World
Set to reopen on February 6, the attraction will introduce Disney characters into scenes with the singing and dancing children of all nations. The move has sparked an outcry from purists who believe the Disney characters will desecrate the enshrined ride. Featuring set designs and dolls created by legendary Imagineer Mary Blair, the ride has earned a special place in the Disney oeuvre and in the hearts of fans (the mind-numbing song notwithstanding).
Apparently it's not that small of a world any longer. In addition to the controversial Disney characters and a general sprucing up, the attraction will also be getting new ride vehicles. Because the average weight of riders has been on the rise through the years, the original circa-1964 boats would frequently bottom out and grind to a halt. To accommodate the increased passenger tonnage, Disney is replacing the boats with more buoyant models and deepening the flume.
What's your take on the small world controversy? Does the addition of Disney characters amount to sacrilege? Might the change be a good thing? Or is it all much ado about nothing? Click on "Comments" below to add your thoughts.
- it's a small world Photo Gallery
- it's a small world Song Lyrics- Read them, if you dare!
Comments
I enjoy the Disney Parks with my family -= even it’s a small world. However, I have notice on a few recent trips over the years that the parks are becoming “cartoony.” EVERYWHERE you go the Disney characters are present and being hawked at you in the form of merchandise, placement in attractions, in restaurants, etc. My perspective of the Disneyland experience was alwaqys that the characters lived in Fantasyland or in a show/pararde - seeing them pop up in Frontierland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland kind of kills the effect the theme of those “lands” try to convey.
I love the small world ride.Yes the song can stay in your head for ever but than I like the song. My husband on the other hand does ot mind the ride but hates that the song stays in his head. I do think tough that the characters should be in fantasy land or the parades also. But if the people dont think that is enough they also have some at the toontown at disney world orlando. But I dont think that they need to put them through out the whoel park, or for that matter in all of the parks. It used to be that the characters were only in Magic Kingdom or in the parades but now they are in all 4 parks and the lines for them are always huge. I like the characters jsut not the huge amount of them all over. Also I think they could do with making a few new rides that people who don’t like coasters or cant go on them could od. I have to stand and wait for my husband well he does all of those coasters and those can be time c onsuming. SO it would be a nice trade off if they put in some normal rides for people also.
I think it is great to see some updates being made to a classic Darkride. The Disney cartoon characters being introduced should be interesting, though…