Today is a world of laughter and a world of tears. It’s a world of hope and a world of fears. It’s also the 50th anniversary of the iconic Disney attraction…it’s a small world.
There are many celebrations to be had today including a global sing-a-long throughout the Disney Parks, and it is one that would have made Walt himself proud.
No matter what, it’s a small world is iconic to Disney culture and it will be for all time. Debuting at the World’s Fair in 1964, the attraction will always bring joy into your hearts and the song into your brains for days upon days.
With that, let’s check out nine things that you may not know about it’s a small world.
1.) When in Rome…or Japan – The version of the attraction in Tokyo Disneyland boasts the largest Japan section of any of the attractions around the world.
2.) Celebrate holidays around the world – A holiday/Christmas version of it’s a small world can be found at the Disneyland Resort (CA), Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris.
3.) Walt Disney World lost a sad clown – Back in 2004, it’s a small world in Walt Disney World got a refurbishment and before that, there was a sad clown in a hot air balloon in the final scene. He used to frown and carry a sign that called for “HELP,” but he’s since changed his tune as he smiles and holds a balloon.
4.) The costumes of the dolls were done sparing no expense – “I asked Walt [Disney] how much I could spend,” said Alice Davis, Disney Legend and Imagineering Costume Designer for ‘it’s a small world,’ “and he looked at me and cocked his eyebrow, like he did sometimes, and said, ‘We don’t think like that here. I want you to do whatever it takes to make these look like dolls every woman in the world would want to have.”‘
5.) It was never meant to last – When it debuted at the World’s Fair in 1964, it’s a small world was supposed to be done when the fair ended. Richard Sherman said, “We thought, ‘Well, when the World’s Fair is over, that will be the end of it. For two years, they’ll have this thing.’ We never dreamed it would have the ‘legs’ as they call it, the distance that it’s run.”
6.) Unity works over separation – When it’s a small world was first imagined, the dolls were going to sing their different National Anthems as guests went through the attraction. Richard Sherman said it ended up being a “cacophony,” and that can be understood.
From there, the Sherman Brothers composed the popular song, had it translated into multiple languages, and the rest is history.
7.) Shipping rates still apply – After the World’s Fair ended, it’s a small world was moved to Disneyland in California. It was soon expanded, touched up, and reopened for the public in 1966. If you look behind some of the set pieces, you can still see some of the shipping stickers from 1965.
8.) 24 hours of it’s a small world – Time change can really mess with a person, but it can also close a loop. Once Disneyland Paris opened in 1992, it meant that the theme of it’s a small world was going to be played somewhere in the world at every single hour of the day.
9.) Repeat and repeat again – The song that sticks in your head…well, it does that with good reason. When you’re in the parks, there is often a 16-hour operating day and the song can be played an average of 1,200 times in that span.
