Around the world, Disney is celebrating the 50th anniversary of “it’s a small world,” which debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair as an exhibit to salute UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund). Since UNICEF is dedicated to the welfare of children all over the world, the theme for “it’s a small world” became an international voyage celebrating the happy spirit of children everywhere.
Now considered a quintessential Disney theme park experience, “it’s a small world” can be found at five Disney parks on three continents. The parks and attraction opening dates are: Disneyland Park in California (May 28, 1966), the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (Oct. 1, 1971), Tokyo Disneyland (April 15, 1983), Disneyland Paris (April 12, 1992) and Hong Kong Disneyland (April 28, 2008).
The design of the iconic “it’s a small world” dolls – bold yet childlike – was created by Walt Disney Imagineering art director Mary Blair, who was honored as a “Disney Legend” posthumously in 1991. Blair also created artwork for such classic Disney films as “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan” and “Alice in Wonderland.” Her sense of design and use of color and shapes enhance the storytelling for “it’s a small world” and have influenced every version of the attraction since the 1964 original.
By the Numbers, Around the World
• Around the world, hundreds of millions of riders have experienced “it’s a small world” and many have walked away singing the catchy little song … for days!
• During a 16-hour operating day in the parks, the “It’s a Small World” song is played, on average, 1,200 times.
• Although specific numbers vary, each version of “it’s a small world” worldwide features at least 240 Audio-Animatronics figures representing children around the world. In addition, each version of the attraction features dozens of props and toys.
• A 30-foot-high clock tower is the centerpiece of the entrance to “it’s a small world” at Disneyland in California, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. Each clock marks every quarter hour with a parade of colorful international “characters,” along with animated props and music.
Fun Facts about “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Resort
• After two hit seasons at the New York World’s Fair in 1964 and ’65, “it’s a small world” moved to Disneyland in California, where it was expanded and then reopened as a major attraction in 1966. Shipping stickers with 1965 dates can still be found on the back of some set pieces.
• Guest research has found that one in four Disneyland guests – families with children and those who grew up riding the attraction – consider “it’s a small world” a tradition. They plan a voyage whenever they visit the park.
• At Disneyland, the attraction has a specific doll that is a nod to Mary Blair, the Disney Imagineer who designed the dolls. Blair appears as a little blonde with glasses, flying from a balloon over the Eiffel Tower in the Paris scene.
• Disneyland Resort Horticulture creates and maintains a widely admired menagerie of animal-shaped topiary plants outside “it’s a small world.” It often takes five years before a topiary figure is ready for its onstage debut.
• A new “it’s a small world” tradition began on November 27, 1997, with the debut of “it’s a small world” Holiday at Disneyland in California. Each holiday season, the attraction undergoes a festive holiday redressing with new decorations, soundtracks, costumes, props and effects. The show depicts children of the world celebrating the joys of the season, and the “It’s a Small World” tune becomes part of a medley featuring “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls.” The “it’s a small world” Holiday also exists now at Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.
Fun Facts about “it’s a small world” at Walt Disney World Resort
• The façade of “it’s a small world” in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is incorporated architecturally into Fantasyland integrated with the facades of other attractions rather than set apart. The inside queue area, however, features an intricate three-dimensional white-and-gold façade similar to the outside façades at the other attractions worldwide.
• The Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant at Walt Disney World has a window that overlooks the queue area. Guests in the restaurant’s seating area can wave to riders as they start their voyage.
• During extensive refurbishments in 2004-2005, the clown piloting a hot air balloon in the “it’s a small world” Finale at Walt Disney World changed his demeanor. He now smiles and carries a balloon in his hand. Formerly, he frowned and carried a sign saying, “Help.”
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