The changes to “it’s a small world” definitely created quite a buzz around the Disney internet community before they were finished. Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix provided photos and video coverage of the newly-opened ride from the Annual Passholder preview event in her article on February 6, 2009, “it’s a small world reopens at Disneyland.” Now that the changes have been unveiled, readers have weighed in with their opinions.
Mike writes:
Okay, I must admit that I was one person who absolutely thought that any changes to “it’s a small world” would be an absolute abomination. Then I saw the video.
I am pleasantly surprised. The fact that the new dolls (except for The Three Caballeros, and the Woody/Jessie team) look like dolls that blend in with the originals, is a great relief. Additionally, I had imagined that Mickey, Minnie and all the Gang would also be included. Not that I don’t love ’em, but in my mind they would not have fit in. I’m glad that they’re not included.
So, until I get the chance to visit the attraction next week, I’m of the opinion that the character of the original “cruise” has been preserved and respected. Thanks for including the video, and for keeping me in tune with the magic.
Quinton writes:
It’s hard to say by just the little video (thanks for sharing), but I think this falls in the same category as Pirates of the Caribbean. I was really nervous about changing a classic, but they just enhanced. It was not a redo. They just added a few minor updates while keeping the integrity of the original. It binds generations so that both young and old feel like it is stil part of their world/generation. I like it so far. Can’t wait to see it in person.
Heather R. writes:
Quite frankly, I never was a huge fan of “it’s a small world.” To me, it was one of those rides you go on when your legs are tired, so I am really excited about the character cameos. It will be fun to try and pick them out. Since they are done in the style of the original dolls, I don’t think that it in any way cheapens the original ride. How can you cheapen a ride with dolls that sing the same thing over and over again anyway?
Michele writes:
I think that the new changes are great. Once again the Imagineers surprised all of the naysayers and made the changes subtle, relevant, and didn’t destroy the ride. I am looking forward to seeing the changes in June during our next trip to the park.
Marjorie writes:
It is really cute! I like the changes as long as the storybook characters fit in the each specific country and they kept the other dolls as well. Wonderful and adorable.
Katran writes:
I just watched the video and I LOVE the new “it’s a small world!” I think it looks great. They incorporated characters that give a more “Disney” feel to the ride without ruining the original effect and feel. It’s never been my favorite ride (though I don’t dislike it either), but now I’m excited to go on it.
Tawni writes:
I haven’t got to see it in person, but the pictures were very clear. The ride, obviously, would’ve been fine without the characters as it has been for many years now. Walt never wanted anything to remain the same too long though so I’ve learned to trust the Imagineers. I think they did this in a great way. I love how the kids look like “small world” children and not exactly like the characters. Most of the characters blend in really well and if you weren’t looking really carefully, I don’t think you’d notice them.
On the America room, I like it. I remember how surprised I was when I first rode “it’s a small world” in Disneyland Paris and they had an America room because we weren’t in America. I like the idea and I think they did a great job with it.
LIF writes:
It’s not a matter of Imagineering going too far but a matter of management adding more items to merchandise.
Dean Z. writes:
I think the new Disney characters that have been imbedded throughout detracts from Walt’s original vision of the attraction.
Mouse Tales author and MousePlanet writer David Koenig‘s column “Upheaval at the Opera House” (January 23, 2009) inspired the following readers to write in with their opinions on the ultimate fate of the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction.
Lincolnfan writes:
I am a huge fan of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Nothing, even the great monuments in Washington DC, has ever captured so precisely, in such a minimal amount of words, the true character that is uniquely American. Also, the message regarding the greatest danger to America is failure of vigilance within, rather than an attack from outside is needed more today than ever.
Disney took this out at exactly the wrong time in America’s history. In Disney’s defense, it is a large under-utilized space. I do not believe it is the attraction (though Disney went a bit overboard with American symbolism in its last renovation. I preferred the more dignified presentation of the 60’s and 70’s) that is the problem, rather the problem lies with the location.
Guests of Disneyland generally run through Main Street to get to the attractions in the other lands. They rarely think of Main Street as a land with attractions, but more as an entrance and exit way where one can shop. For this reason, few of the attractions (Lincoln, the Main Street Theater, etc.) on Main Street are ever highly visited.
I believe Disney would be pleasantly surprised at the increase in attendance if they moved Lincoln into the old Horseshoe Review building. Mr. Lincoln has always belonged in Frontierland and if located properly, will draw many more visitors. Frankly, I’m shocked Disney Imagineers never realized this.
Hopefully Disney will keep its promise to bring back Mr. Lincoln, but I also hope they will put him in a better location than the head of Main Street, where it’s ultimate demise will be guaranteed in this face paced world as visitors run past it, never even noticing it (the greatest presentation ever made anywhere) on the way to the other lands.
If Disney can’t realize the greatness and importance of this presentation, or can’t properly showcase it, I sincerely hope it will end up in the Smithsonian or other great venue rather than in the recycle trash heap. Were it to end up on the recycle trash heap, what does that say about the American Spirit?
Thanks for the forum to vent and make suggestions.
Carl B. writes:
I agree that the current presentation of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln cannot compete with how it used to be. Whenever I visited Disneyland, my first stop was at the Opera House. And it had nothing to do with beating the summer heat. I enjoyed the whole performance, including Paul Free’s narration. My favorite feature of the show was the song “Two Brothers,” sung by Susan Almo. As of this date, I can’t find a single Disney CD that has that song on it. Now that the original show has changed, when I visit Disneyland, I do what most people do–I walk past the Opera House without even giving it a passing glance. Sadly, the exibit is not like it used to be. Disney should have kept the old format. Like they say: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I suppose someone wasn’t listening.
It was nice knowing you Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Frees, and Miss Almo. You will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Del L. writes:
Great site! As a former cast member at Disneyland I am too so very disappointed at the lack of most Disneyland guests response to such a beautiful show. I was an attractions host in Tomorrowland working mostly at Circlevision. At the time I worked at that attraction the same fate was happening there as with the Opera House.
Guests would ask what was inside the building, I would recite our spiel about the 360-degree movie inside: that it was a tour of our nation presented on nine screens that were two stories high with an original soundtrack and narration. With that anyone with some class and American pride would join our next presentation of American Journeys. Or they would run as fast as they could to board Space Mountain or the Matterhorn. Sadly that wonderful theater is now an “interactive” play station type facility. Let’s hope Mr. Lincoln and Walt’s love for his country can withstand the next profit-center, hostile-takeover attempt, if for nothing else than to show some honest to goodness respect for the man that started it all, and because of him they all have jobs!
