The Its a Small World Ride
at Disneyland

The It's a Small World ride has been a popular attraction for many years at Disneyland in California. Though this ride can also be found at other Disney parks, this is the original!

This ride is perfect for slowing down the pace of the day. It's slow and long (about 15 minutes), so perfect on very hot days since the interior is highly air conditioned. On not-so-hot days, bring a sweater because it can get a bit chilly in there. This is a boat ride the gently moves along and is great for adults and kids alike. Located in Fantasyland, the ride goes through 300 different audio-animatronic dolls brightly dressed in the traditional style of the world's children. These dolls are cavorting in a show of international spirit, while singing the title song to the ride, "It's a Small World," which is all about world peace.

Like many of the attractions at Disneyland "It's a Small World" began at the 1964 World's Fair in New York in the pavilion Pepsi had. When the fair was over it was then transported to Disneyland in California and was opened officially in 1966.

The ride was first called "Children of the World." At the time that Walt Disney showed the ride to songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman (who were brothers), the soundtrack for it was collection of national anthems playing at the same time. Unfortunately, the clashing anthems made for a horrible sound, so Disney asked for one song to play throughout the ride instead. To this request, the brothers came up with the answer of "It's a Small World (After All)". It is by far the most translated and most performed song in the world.

The song was first sung in ballad fashion, but Walt Disney did not think it was cheerful enough at that slow speed. So the beat was picked up and the "children" sing the song in rounds. It is also done in the counterpoint musical technique. When first presented, Richard and Robert Sherman, along with Walt Disney, sang the song while strolling around the attraction's scale model clapping their hands. The song was recorded in different locations throughout the world.

Mary Blair designed this whimsical ride. She also worked as the art director on such animated movie features like "Peter Pan" and "Cinderella" for Disney. Marc Davis designed the characters and scenes in this ride, while Alice Davis, his wife, designed the dolls' costumes. It took only nine months for the ride to be ready to open, which is the shortest length of time from beginning to end of any Disneyland attraction.

In 2008, the ride was closed for most of the year and renovated. This included the structure of the building being refurbished, and the water flume and the boats being replaced. During this renovation 29 characters from Disney were added, the North America Room was made out of the New Guinea Room, and the South Seas Room was made using the set's props, figures, and other materials.

In November 2008, SYLVANIA started sponsoring the ride and holds a contract to do so until 2020. They gave the ride a newly-designed marquee, which will heighten the rider's experience.

Be warned: the catchy theme to the It's a Small World ride is contagious! You may find it going through your head throughout the rest of your visit to Disneyland. And beyond.

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