It’s A Small World

Embark on a whimsical boat ride past a jubilant confection of singing children from around the globe.

“Join the happiest cruise that ever sailed ‘round the world.”

Some guests consider this the epitome of Disney magic at work; others believe it is the source of nightmares. Either way, it’s a small world (stylized in all lower-case letters) is a Disney mainstay that was produced at a time when the technology pendulum was swinging in the company’s favor. Created for the 1964-1965 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens, New York City, it’s a small world has an elaborate history that belies its reputation as a source of discontent among its detractors. The premise is simple: Guests board boats and float through a course filled with representations of various regions and countries around the world as well as “children” dressed in their area’s clothes while singing, dancing, and playing to entertain one another as well as passersby. There are so many Audio-Animatronics in this attraction that it’s impossible to take them all in during a single ride-through. Children may beg you for repeated visits and it’s fun to catch glimpses of new hidden moments that you
completely missed on previous occasions.

Behind the Schemes

The attraction was a last-minute (nine months) request from Pepsi to add to their own pavilion at the Fair. Against all common sense, Walt Disney agreed to the project and ordered all hands on deck, even though Imagineers were up to their ears in problem solving for the three other pavilions that Walt had agreed to provide: Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, the Carousel of Progress, and Ford’s Magic Skyway.
The race against the clock began, Arrow Development stepped in to create boats and the chutes for the flume course, Disney Legend and artist Mary Blair was pulled out of retirement to create not only the façade of the pavilion, but also design, clothe, and accessorize the nearly 300 Audio-Animatronic children who populate the attraction itself. Furthermore, Walt roped in songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman to create the iconic theme song that guests would be subjected to during their voyages.
No creative stone was left unturned, and the pavilion was a rousing success – as were the other three – and all pieces of the attractions were returned to Disneyland following the conclusion of the Fair.
Disneyland’s version has an elaborate frontside featuring numerous geometric shapes, alternating colors, and even a working clock that goes off with a cute show featuring moving figures who suddenly appear from nowhere. The Magic Kingdom lacks this attractive showpiece and places the attraction in a building that blends into the surrounding scenery, though its size is quite deceptive to the untrained eye. A refurbished queue winds down and around the inside of the building to the loading zone, but you can definitely perceive that the environment is beginning to change and surprises await just around the bend. (If you look up after you’ve cleared the loading area, you can see other guests watching you from behind glass windows; fear not, these are the brave souls who are dining in Pinocchio’s Village Haus and
have an excellent view of you as well.)

Reality Check

When the Imagineers first received the call requesting an attraction be built for Pepsi, whoever answered the phone quickly declined the invitation and moved on, unaware that the person on the other end of the line had been none other than actress and Pepsi board member, Joan Crawford. When Walt found out, he immediately agreed to the project, despite the narrowing window of time available to create the entire attraction.
The original idea was to have each country’s children singing their National Anthems; however, this caused such a cacophony of sound that it was decided a new song that flowed gently and barely changed through the journey would be needed. Thus, the earworm that is “It’s a Small World” was brought to life.
The children were all designed from two-dimensional drawings done by Mary Blair and brought to life by an army of Imagineers, artists, designers, and costume creators. Great attention to detail resulted in authentic clothing and accessories, as well as accents, backgrounds representative of their regions, and non-featured characters.