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INTRODUCTION

The children of the world host this simplistic yet charming, whimsical, and gentle boat ride. Small boats glide along the international waters and you are very quickly surrounded by dancing dolls, animals and flowers, singing that now almost infamous song, "it's a small world."

Walt Disney originally designed the attraction for the Pepsi-Cola Company to benefit UNICEF at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. When the Fair closed, the attraction was moved to Disneyland where it opened in July 1966.

ATTRACTION

"it's a small world" is considered a Fantasyland attraction, yet it occupies its own separate building outside of the main Fantasyland area. The building is practically an attraction in and of itself - the facade is a crazy quilt of different shapes and patterns, and incorporates architectural features from a variety of countries such as pagodas and minarets. In the center of the facade is a huge clock, with a smiling face that continuously rocks back and forth. Every 15 minutes the doors below the clock face open and there's a musical "children's march of nations". This is followed by the opening of another pair of doors to reveal a set of blocks that give the current time -- hour and minute.

The grounds around the building feature a veritable zoo of topiary animals, including moose, dolphins, giraffe, and elephant.

The queue is entirely outdoors, and winds down a ramp to the loading area.

As your boat serenely glides along for 10-1/2 minutes, you'll be entertained by many audio-animatronics including doll figures, toys, animated props and even characters from Disney movies. Each room you pass through has a theme, with the audio animatronic dolls outfitted in clothing and props that reflect their respective cultures. The major themes include: Europe, Asia, Africa, Central/South America, South Pacific Islands, the U.S.A., the Finale and the Good-bye Scene. Listen to the lyrics of the song -- throughout the cruise you'll hear it in Spanish, French, and Japanese, to name a few.

During the 11-month refurbishment in 2008-2009 a number of changes were made. These include:

• The boats were redesigned to look like a child's toy boat, with brighter colors. They also hold fewer passengers.
• The new "Spirit of America" room, featuring a scene of the American west based on a painting by Mary Blair, replaced the Rainforest Room. A new version of the rainforest was moved to the South Seas room.
• 29 characters from Disney and Disney*Pixar movies were added to the attraction. These include Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, Alice in Wonderland and the White Rabbit, Cinderella, Jacques, and Gus, Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket, Mulan and Mushu, Aladdin, Jasmine, and Abu, Donald Duck, Panchito and Jose Carioca, Simba, Pumbaa and Timon, Ariel and Flounder, Dory and Nemo, Lilo and Stitch, and Jessie, Bullseye, and Woody.
• The soundtrack has been augmented in places and familiar Disney movie theme music has been added, appropriate to the scene and the characters. theme songs from some of the Disney movies. For example, "Golden Afternoon" can be heard near Alice in Wonderland, and "A Whole New World" near Jasmine and Aladdin.
  
  Additional information on the refurbishment:
  it's a small world reopens
  "it's a small world" - Ride-through with Imagineer Kim Irvine

During the holiday season (first week of November through first week of January) it's a small world is transformed into a holiday fantasy. The outside of the building, including all of the topiary animals, are decorated with white lights and the clock face wears a Santa hat. Inside the building it seems like everyone and everything is in the holiday spirit. There are signs proclaiming "Happy Holidays", "Merry Christmas", and "Happy New Year" in many different languages, holiday and fireworks displays, and everyone is dressed in their holiday best. The animals get into the spirit of the season, too -- there's reindeer with red noses, and the kiwi birds have jingle bells on their beaks. Even the soundtrack has a holiday flavor -- for most of the ride it alternates verses of "it's a small world" with Jingle Bells. Be sure and listen as you pass by the mermaids, though, since they sing their own version: Jingle Shells. In the "Goodbye" room everyone joins together in a chorus of Deck the Halls.

Read about the Walt Disney World version of "it's a small world" HERE.

TOURING TIPS

It's a Small World is a continuous loading ride; that is, as soon as one boatload of visitors disembarks, another is then loaded on. Each boat can hold up to 15 people. During crowded times, the boats often back up at the end of the ride and sometimes gently bump each other, so do not stand or allow your children to stand until the Cast Member beckons you to unload.

Wheelchairs or ECVs should proceed through the auxiliary entrance, located in front of the attraction, then ask a Cast Member for boarding instructions. Wheelchairs can be rolled right onto specially equipped boats. ECVs must transfer to a standard wheelchair before riding.

Handheld captioning devices may be used on "it's a small world".

There are a number of Hidden Mickeys in this attraction.