It's A Small World

It's A Small World traces its origins to the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. The attraction was built for the Pepsi-Cola Company's pavilion by WED Enterprises (which later became Walt Disney Imagineering), as a salute to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Artist and Imagineer Mary Blair, famous for her work on many Disney films and attractions, assisted with the design. Song writing brothers Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman wrote the famous (perhaps infamous?) theme song. With some of Disney's best creative minds at work, the attraction was destined to become a hit.

The fair closed in 1965, and the attraction was moved to Disneyland, where it continues to entertain today. When Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom opened in October, 1971, it was given its own version.

Other articles of historical interest:

• Over on his web site, Jim Hill offers this interesting story on the initial decision to create the ride for Pepsi-Cola.


• This Day in Disney History highlights the other attractions that Disney designed for the Fair.


• On MousePlanet.com, Wade Sampson provides a detailed history of the original Disneyland attraction.

Hard to believe, but a controversy has been brewing with the Anaheim version of this innocuous ride. It all started with this MiceAge article, in which Al Lutz talked about rumored changes to the classic attraction, including the addition of Disney characters to some of the scenes, and the replacement of the rain forest scene with a patriotic tribute to the United States.

The article ruffled a lot of feathers, including Kevin L. Blair, son of the late Mary Blair. This letter was posted on the Re-Imagineering blog, from Kevin to Disney executives, urging them not to tamper with Mary Blair's "Children of the World" theme. (Be sure to read the discussion comments which follow - some interesting points are raised, both pro and con.)

Kevin L. Blair's letter, along with comments from many fans, generated a response from Marty Sklar, The Walt Disney Company's international ambassador for Walt Disney Imagineering, found here on The Disney Blog. (Be sure to read John Frost's initial thoughts on Marty's letter, found in the first Comment after the letter.)

The rumored enhancements have instigated the creation of Save the Rainforest, Save the Small World. This web site is an attempt to convince The Walt Disney Company to do the right thing, and contains contact information for those who wish to write to the company and express their displeasure in these changes.

Additional links to articles and web pages on this topic:

• John Frost provides additional thoughts about Marty Sklar's letter


• From the Re-Imagineering blog, The World Of Animation Speaks includes comments about the proposed changes from many famous people from the Animation industry.


• The Disney Gossip blog claims to have the real story behind the changes to the beloved attraction, and it doesn't have a happy ending.


• Disney archivist Dave Smith pipes in with his opinion in these letters to LaughingPlace.com. And John Frost has a frosty response on The Disney Blog.


• 2719 Hyperion's Jeff Pepper takes a step back and makes some observations about the entire debate.


• John Frost reports that Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine discussed the Small World changes during a recent interview on KCRW.


• John Frost suggests that the Disney Synergy may be out of control.


• On the "Passport to Dreams Old & New" blog, FoxxFur identifies what it is about "Blairgate" that really bothers her.


• Over on NETCOT.com, Van says he's ok with the rumored changes.


• Al Lutz provides a photo essay on Why 'small world' Matters.


• Mary Blair's nieces recount a Blair Family Memory to help explain why the integrity of Small World should be maintained.

My thoughts on all this? I believe that the idea that an attraction can be plussed simply by throwing Disney characters into it shows a huge lack of creativity and imagination from a company that is supposed to excel in those concepts.

The Sound of Magic website has links to lots of Disney Park music in MP3 format that you can download and play. Check out the Small World instrumental music files on the site's Fantasyland page.

If music in MIDI format is ok with you, Chris's Walt Disney World Music has 4 different arrangements of "It's A Small World". My favorite is here. And the Kiddy Karaoke Song Corner has this version with lyrics, in case you'd like to sing along!

covering the mouse has a couple of interesting covers of "It's A Small World" here (playable from a built-in MP3 player on the web page), including one by Rodney Allen Rippy, and one by Rockapella.

If you're looking for the lyrics in various languages, check out this web page. The lyrics are listed here in English, Spanish, French, Japanese (Nihongo), German (Deutsch), and Italian (Italiano). (Be sure to keep scrolling to view them all.)