it's a small world up-front info
- Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 0
The prototypical "family" attraction, it's a small world has absolutely nothing that should cause even the most thrill-averse riders any concern. (Although the song has the potential to cause post-traumatic stress for years--decades, even.) - Attraction Type: Boat-conveyed "dark" ride
- Location: In Fantasyland at the four Disney parks
- it's a small world Photo Gallery
- it's a small world Song Lyrics
Annoyingly captivating tune
Transported to California's Disneyland in 1966, "it's a small world" (sic) instantly became a park highlight. Originally designed as the fair's UNICEF pavilion to help promote a message of international harmony, the charming, classic attraction, which Disney cloned for its Florida, Tokyo, and Paris parks, now spreads its goodwill, and its annoyingly captivating tune, to a worldwide audience.The iconic clock tower facade, featured at all but the Florida version of it's a small world, sets the tone for the whimsical ride. (Walt Disney World rehabbed the ride in 2005 and introduced some scaled-down clock tower elements inside its loading area.) The fanciful, kinetic motion of the animated facade, which goes into overdrive to mark each hour, draws guests to the attraction.
Passengers load into the ride's boats outside, and the gentle current carries them inside and through the attraction. The never-ending tune becomes audible as soon as guests enter the show building. The ride features a series of rooms and tableaus, each depicting dolls from different countries and cultures singing along (in English, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and Swedish) and bopping to the song.
Brash 60s go-go look--with a warm, reassuring feel
Unlike the more realistic animatronic characters in Pirates of the Caribbean (which cribs it's a small world's boat conveyance system) or Haunted Mansion, there's no attempt to make the animated dolls lifelike. Their repetitive movements and limited articulation help convey a simple, childlike ambiance. The eye-popping sets, with their Day-Glo colors, also reinforce the light, sweet theme.Walt Disney assembled a talented team and oversaw the development of the original it's a small world and its Disneyland incarnation. Illustrator and color stylist Mary Blair, whose work melded a brash 60s go-go look with a warm, reassuring feel, helped give the ride its quirky design. The composing team of Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, who wrote the songs for "Mary Poppins" and other films, penned the mind-altering tune. Among the attraction's Imagineers was Marc Davis, a legendary animator who was one of Walt's elite gang of "Nine Old Men."
