At Disney’s “It’s a Small World” ride, it’s a world of laughter and a world of tears, according to the famous song we all know by heart. Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about “It’s a Small World” on its 50th anniversary.
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Walt Disney’s ‘It’s a Small World’ | 50th Anniversary | Disney World Facts and Trivia | World’s Fair
It Had a Sponsor Once
It’s a Small World” first opened at New York’s World’s Fair in April 22, 1964. At the time, it was sponsored by Pepsi-Cola. UNICEF was also a partner, along with Disney, for the attraction.
The Chief Mouse
Walt Disney himself helped oversee construction of the “It’s a Small World” attraction at the World’s Fair. He also worked with the composers on the ride’s song.
Sing-Along Dolls
During the ride, hundreds of dolls perform It’s a Small World (After All) in five languages: English, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Swedish. When the ride was originally conceived, the plan was for the dolls to sing their own national anthems.
The Songwriters
Richard Sherman (right) and Robert Sherman were the brothers who wrote It’s a Small World (After All). They would win two Academy Awards for their musical work on Mary Poppins. They also wrote non-movie songs, including the Ringo Starr song Sixteen, which was a No. 1 hit for the former Beatle in 1974.
UNICEF Connection
Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, visits “It’s a Small World” at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., for the ride’s 50th anniversary. Disney partnered with UNICEF on the original World’s Fair ride, which Stern attended as a child, and the partnership continues today. At SmallWorld50.com, fans were able to record a sing-along video and build a digital doll based on the attraction’s doll, with Disney donating $1 toward UNICEF for each creation.
Welcome to California
After leaving the World’s Fair, “It’s a Small World” was packed up and shipped off to California, where enhancements were added, eventually growing the attraction by 33 percent. it reopened in 1966 in Disneyland.
All Over the World
The “It’s a Small World” attraction now appears at each of Disney’s theme parks around the world. Given the locations, operating hours and time zones, it’s estimated that the It’s a Small World (After All) song plays every hour, 365 days a year in a Disney park. See the websites for the Tokyo, Paris and Hong Kong parks.
How Many Dolls
Because the attraction changes slightly from park to park, it’s hard to give an exact answer on the number of dolls featured in “It’s a Small World,” but Disney estimates each version features at least 240 figures representing children from different nations and cultures. And each figure includes at least a dozen props and toys.
Long Boat Ride
The “It’s a Small World” boat ride through the “Seven Seaways” takes 10 minutes, 30 seconds. That’s about the same length as Splash Mountain, but nowhere near as long as the Hall of Presidents, which is the Magic Kingdom’s longest ride at 22 minutes, 48 seconds.
A Disney Tradition
According to Walt Disney guest research, one in four guests consider “It’s a Small World” a “tradition” and visit the attraction each time they visit the park.
