In a segment titled “it’s a small contentious world” in our March 24 Disneyland Park Update (link), we reported on the controversy surrounding the rumored changes to “it’s a small world” at Disneyland, and asked you what you thought. This week’s mailbag contains a selection of those responses, both pro and con. We start with Pete B., who writes:
Many Disneyland aficionados seem to resist change in their “favorite” attractions. Especially susceptible are many of the Imagineers themselves, and their families and children. It’s a bit sad to me that their sensibilities are so fragile in this area. The premise of the park was that it would constantly evolve and change as the populace and popular culture changed. It embraced change. It was never meant to be “locked in,” sealed as a vault and admired as a time capsule of a more innocent time. It has some of those aspects, but the change is necessary. I find such change exciting, invigorating and revitalizing. Sometimes the changes work better than others, and when they do new generations of fans find that special attraction that speaks to them.
I dearly miss the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship in Skull Rock Cove and the Pack Mules Through Nature’s Wonderland. I wish the park could have kept the Skyway, but I am a realist and I will say that the new Dumbo location is better, the Matterhorn benefited when they closed up the giant holes, and I love the inclusion of Nemo and Friends in the Submarine lagoon. I miss Carousel of Progress too, but I always find something interesting in Innoventions.
Small World has been static since it was introduced in 1966—oh wait—they changed it when they added the ‘Holiday’ overlay! That’s right! And I LOVE IT! My wife and I always make a pilgrimage to see the great transformation, and we’ll be there this year, excited to see what they’ve done. That’s one of the fantastic things about Disneyland… it’s always changing, improving, maturing… it’s a living, breathing entity, and while there are pretenders out there, it will always be my favorite Disney Park!
Jim writes:
I just do not understand the wailing and gnashing of teeth about every time a ride changes. Will it be different? Of course! Isn’t that great? It gives us a new experience. We’ll all remember the way it “used to be” but now have something else. I still miss the mine train ride and America Sings…but some things move on. I liked the Pirates changes. I love the Holiday Mansion overlay. I liked the idea of non-Disney rock music for Space Mountain and California Screamin’. Come on gang, get a life. But they’d better leave Main St. alone…
Scott writes:
I was a little concerned it would be distracting, but after seeing the Hong Kong video and seeing how the characters were stylized to match the ride, I think it will be great. After all, Disney characters are a unifying common thread to all the children of the world. Plus, It will be kind of like finding ‘Hidden Mickeys’ as you ride! I’m all for it.
Brandon M. writes:
Just wanted to say that I love the site, and I almost always check it out daily!
But about the addition of Disney Characters in “it’s a small world” in Anaheim… I’m not sure that it’s a horrible idea. I liked how the Holiday Overlay had stockings filled with small Disney Plush items. Maybe if the ride had Disney Characters, but in subtle, and less obvious ways? Have Lilo and Stitch in the background of the Pacific Islander section. Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the main Disney characters strewn across the world in different costumes dancing along with the children. I see this as a way to get people other than little children excited to ride “it’s a small world”. Sure, everyone either loves or hates the song, but visually, it’d be like “Where’s Waldo” for Disney.
I do agree that the children are the focus of this wonderful ride. But if that patriotic section replaces the rainforest, I don’t know what to say other than that Disney would need to rethink its intentions. The U.S. is not the center of the world, nor should we try to throw that into every tourist’s face or even Americans that aren’t as excited about patriotism. It’s one thing to be proud of our vast nation, but to replace a great representation of another part of the world is ludicrous. In this context, a Patriotic section in “it’s a small world” wouldn’t be right.
Carol writes:
It’s disgusting to think of them changing “it’s a small world” by adding Disney characters. It’s bad enough when they’ve renovated some of the children and they end up not looking like they fit in: different style heads, different size dolls, and colors that don’t blend in. Good grief. If they want to update it they should think about the countries and cultures and keep it real. To add the Disney characters would cheapen it and I think it would give me just one more reason not to renew my annual pass.
Patricia B. writes:
It is a horrible idea to change what has worked perfectly for decades, of course beyond the rebuilding of the waterway and boats to accommodate larger passengers. To add the characters which are already everywhere in the park does nothing but cheapen the ride and take the focus off of the spirit of the attraction. And patriotism will do nothing but cause division amongst people with differing viewpoints.
The attraction is focused on what we have in common and to bring up patriotism (which works well in fireworks, parades etc…) in this attraction is to point out exactly what we DO NOT have in common; it defeats the purpose. Disneyland is supposed to be a place where you “today you leave the world of today and enter the worlds of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy” patriotism would bring the real world inside the park and Walt would have never put up with that if he were alive, and I think we all know this deep within our hearts.
Jeff writes:
I agree completely with what ReImagineering has to say on the rumored Small World changes. Adding “classic” Disney characters would relegate the children of the ride to supporting status. Even if they were not the center of each room, they would still immediately become the focal point of each rider’s trip, becoming a virtual “Where’s Waldo?” of finding the Disney characters in the room.
This ride is and always has been about different children from different places getting along (and being the same underneath it all). It is not about talking clown fish or lions. Does this ride need an update? Every time I’m in the park, it always has long enough lines to keep me away. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
Bill A. writes:
I really don’t care what they do with the Hong Kong version of Small World, but they should not mess with the original. I enjoy the Christmas version of Small World because it follows the original concept, how children celebrate Christmas around the world, but I don’t see the need to change the “Small World” theme. There are enough Disney characters outside the attractions, not every one of them has to have Mickey inside too. Is Haunted Mansion next? Space Mountain? Or will they have Goofy replace the White Rabbit and Donald become the Mad Hatter?
It makes me wonder if adding Disney characters to an attraction like Small World is more appealing to adults who have lost their ability to enjoy the full experience without familiar reference points than it is for children (and those adults who still can) who become absorbed in the mix of color, action and music.
Ron K. writes:
“it’s a small world” is a classic and popular attraction that is indeed in need of general refurbishment. I have no problems with them installing an American scene, either, however I would like to see them move the Rainforest scene versus getting rid of it altogether.
I am very much against them installing Disney characters anywhere in the attraction. I feel the addition of these characters would take away from the meaning of the ride and place the focus on them. We have the Disney characters in almost every corner of both parks. We don’t need them infiltrating the classic attractions too. I don’t see how they could possibly add any value to this attraction other than for marketing purposes. You asked for opinions on this topic. Thanks for reading and thanks for the weekly updates!
Scott W. writes:
You asked for people’s opinions regarding potential changes to “it’s a small world,” particularly the rumored addition of Disney characters and an American scene. As someone who has interviewed many people who were involved in both the creation of Disneyland as well as the attraction, I cannot speak for them, but I feel that I have valuable insight into the issue.
I am a firm believer that Disneyland should change. That, as many have often explained to me, Disney is not a museum. That, according to the perhaps overused Walt quote, “Disneyland will never be completed.”
I am also a believer, however, of not changing the original concept and theming of a classic popular attraction when changes are made.
For me, I met my wife on Main Street and simply stepping onto Main Street brings back instant beautiful memories. Shops may change, the music may change, the paint colors may change, but if it still has that same feel, the magic is working. If they suddenly added “World of iPods Shoppe” it wouldn’t work. If suddenly the soundtrack of High School Musical were played it wouldn’t have the same turn-of-the-century feel. If Disney characters were suddenly added to all of the signs, it may be fun and whimsical, but it wouldn’t work. Those types of things would ruin the theming of Main Street.
It is the changing of the theming of “it’s a small world” that has me most concerned. Even if the addition of characters is met with great praise, people will remember the characters. Children will leave remembering seeing their favorite characters and some adults are sure to recall the ride about Disney characters all around the world. Rather than hearing a child say, “My favorite part was the little kids clicking their wooden shoes,” we are sure to hear, “My favorite part was seeing Peter Pan flying around the clock.” With the introduction of Disney characters, the message of “small world” might be interpreted by people as being about how Disney is worldwide or no matter where you go in the world, Disney and the characters are there. The entire powerful message of the original attraction may actually be lost.
While I personally would love to see the rain forest scene preserved, I also feel that if done properly the addition of the American scene might be able to fit in without changing the theming, however there are reasons why America wasn’t originally as prominent in “small world.” It was not an oversight. Perhaps egos or even fears are greater today than they were in the 1960s and it is now felt that we must be more prominent. Sadly, however, that is the exact opposite of the attraction’s original message.
Because we are in America we know what we are like in America but we may not know what people are like all over the world and this is our window to see the differences and similarities of children in the rest of the world. While the American scene could be beautiful and entertaining, thematically it is of unimportance other than for egotistical purposes. Considering how often I hear Imagineering stressing the importance of a storyline, it is somewhat confusing to me that they could consider any of the rumored changes.
I am troubled with the spokesperson for Disney who said that, “As with all our classics, any enhancements made to “it’s a small world” will be in the original spirit of celebrating the children of the world” because that is not really what the message is.
Of the numerous people I’ve spoken with who have worked on various aspects in the creation of the original attraction, there seems to be a general consensus about the message and that not simply about celebrating the children of the world. It is more about world peace THROUGH the children of the world. As Richard Sherman told me when Walt asked him and his brother to compose the theme song, Walt explained that it was “that the children of the world are our hope for the future.” As Alice Davis told me who designed all the original costumes, in the finale of the attraction the children are dressed in white because it represents the innocence and purity of children, and that goes back to why Walt considered them the hope for the future.
The attraction is much more than celebrating the children of the world, but rather a prayer for peace through the children of the world. The differences are obvious, and yes Disney acknowledged that there are great differences in people around the world. We see the various costumes of their native lands, the dances such as the Can Can or Polynesian dancing or Irish Jig, the various musical instruments, the different skin and hair colors and of course their native languages. Regardless of all these differences we see the similarities because there is “so much that we share.” The children that come into our world pure and innocent come into the world similarly where “a smile means friendship to everyone.” Each scene in the attraction had the sun or moon represented in various styles, and through the song lyrics we were reminded that “There is just one moon and one golden sun.” No matter where we live on this planet it is the same moon and the same sun “that we share” and that helps us make us aware, it’s a small world.
When understanding the deeper meaning and great thought that went into the initial creation of the attraction, perhaps it becomes more obvious why the by then already popular Disney characters were not originally placed in the attraction or our own country was not represented widely. Perhaps the money that would go into the rumored changes could have gone into a beautiful final scene as you exit the finale room. Perhaps it should have the point of the attraction written out clearly because obviously the message has become muddled. A message that is more important than ever. Perhaps a message there should remind us the importance of trying to coexist on this planet because it is time we’re aware that it’s a small world… after all.
Mike writes:
I would not like to see Disney characters woven into “it’s a small world” at Disneyland (despite my great love for them). The original attraction is a manifestation of the grand ideals of Mr. Disney and the incredible team of artisans he gathered together. In my opinion there must be someplace in the Disney experience where people can experience the “original magic” that made its mark on the world (as it still does today). I don’t have an issue with recreations of an attraction in other Disney parks being changed. However, Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” is one of those brilliant icons that deserves to remain as originally intended.
Melissa writes:
I am not sure how I feel about the addition of Disney characters into the ride. If it is like in Hong Kong and the characters look like the other dolls, I wouldn’t hate it. Not my favorite decision, but I could deal with it. The addition of a room celebrating America is what would bother me. The ride is about celebrating peace in the world. In America, I feel like we need to be inviting other cultures in and celebrating the world, rather than adding a room to say how important we are.
Kevin C. writes:
Since the first time I visited Disneyland in 1971, “it’s a small world” could not be missed. Even as a teenager when a ride like that anywhere else would have been considered uncool, it could not be missed. The reason was the theme and the song. The world was always a better place after you left this ride. And the song stayed with you to the next day and beyond. But of every good memory of this ride I have, I was never impressed with the outside of the ride. I always thought it was too white and uninteresting compared to the inside. And the inside could sometimes give you the feeling that it was lower budget. Maybe something on the level of what you might see in a storefront window around Christmas time, if you’re old enough to remember things like that.
I agree it could use a make over to help with the things I’ve mentioned. But to add anything but the children would not only change the theme, but might ultimately change the ride’s purpose. Like many things in Disneyland, this ride should always remain stand-alone. It doesn’t need to be connected to something else Disney. It is Disney. It instills the feeling I think Walt may have wanted: the feeling of unification all around the world, and the feeling that this world is small and we are all family. To do anything to change that feeling or purpose would be wrong.
