Changes coming to "Its a Small World"

[Toad]

I don't think the attraction needs any changes. Seriously, how is the inclusion of some Disney characters going to make it any more interesting or relevant. If anything it'll trivialize the ride and it's message (though not nearly as bad as Pirates, The Tiki Room, or Mexico). I don't like to be a naysayer, but I can't help but think that Disney has nearly lost all sense of subtlety and taste.

[Carol]

I think you all should check out the thread in the Disneyland forum to see the pictures and read the details before judging.

I, for one, cannot wait to see the Disneyland version next month -- and "it's a small world" is one of my family favorites.

[IamBelle]

I believe a few little, small changes wiould be okay, as long as the characters are in the same form as the classic dolls, no 3d special effects of that nature. And as for the song, it's catchy and a Disney staple, it works, why change it??

[Coaster_Chick!]

How could they change 1 of the best disney classics?!?this is 1 of the few rides designed by Walt himself!!CHARACTERS DONT BELONG HERE!!

[Melanie]

Just wanted to reiterate that there has been no announcement regarding a rehab/character addition at Walt Disney World. At this time, changes have only been made at Disneyland.

[Toad]

I think you all should check out the thread in the Disneyland forum to see the pictures and read the details before judging.

I, for one, cannot wait to see the Disneyland version next month -- and "it's a small world" is one of my family favorites.

I've seen the pictures of the new Disneyland ride and I've seen a video of the Hong Kong ride and I still feel the addtions are unnecessary.

[Soul_Power]

The Hong Kong Disneyland Small World was built this way, and I loved it! Very tastefully done, and it breathed some new life into a classic attraction, IMO. I would gladly welcome the change at WDW.

I was going to talk about this as well. I went to HK Disneyland last year, and I thought that they incorporated the characters into the ride very well. They're designed to have the look of the others in the ride, so they don't stick out too much, and it was actually difficult to find some of them.

[Coaster_Chick!]

NNNNNOOOOO!!!! i think they should make no changes to its a small world!!characters do NOT belong here!

[cgriff]

Is this the refurb where the isaw boats will now support more hefty guests without bottoming out? I had heard something about that some time ago, but just figured it was another JimHill lie.

[DryCreek]

BTW The changes to Mexico ride IMO were great and it has become a family favorite instead of a ride we skip often.

The old "El Rio Del Tiempo" (the River of Time). I think that the new ride has made a complete mockery of the rich history of Mexico. It seems to be just a short trailer featuring a lost Donald Duck and two other ducks popping up in odd places.

If I were a country hosting an exhibit that was designed to educate guests about my nations' past, and then had it turned into a mindless chase scene through an endless party - I would be deeply offended. It didn't even take time to reflect on the basis of why the season of Fiesta is so important to the culture. I was saddened when I saw this last week.

Of course, that's just my opinion..

[Melanie]

Is this the refurb where the isaw boats will now support more hefty guests without bottoming out?

It is true that the Disneyland version got new boats. They debuted with the It's A Small World Holiday on November 21, 2008.

Just a reminder to keep this discussion about It's A Small World.

[crazygoalie39]

I've looked at the Disneyland pictures and quite honestly hate all of the new additions. The only ones I thought were decently done were Aladdin and Lion King. Stitch and Toy Story were terrible. I really hope they don't do this to WDW. And they reallllly can't change the song. It's classic and everyone in the world knows it.

[horizonsgirl]

Well, I watched the video of the refurbished ride on another site and my response was "Well, I never have to go to Disneyland again!"

When I was 5 years old, I road the original ride many times at the New York World's Fair. From that time on, I bugged my parents to take me to California so I could ride it again. Their response was "they put one in Disney World, it's just the same." My response was no it isn't, it isn't the original.

When I was in my 20s (early 80s) I went out to California with a friend and we went to DL to A Small World (now I'm more than willing to believe some tweeks were done), but the minute we entered the ride in the boat I burst into tears because this was the ride I'd been yearning to see. I couldn't tell you what was different from WDW (well colors were changed in WDW for sure) but somewhere deep inside me I knew I was seeing was what had been the most seminal thing in my life as a child. I still believe searching for the wonder of that World's Fair is what drives me. So, hearing they disfigured that ride that I loved as a 5 year-old (yes, I loved it even w/out Mickey and Donald) just made me sad. And if they put those changes in WDW, I'll never have to ride the ride ever again. Went on it four times two weeks ago and was compelled to take close ups of the dolls for some reason. Maybe something inside me knew this was the last I'd see of my beloved ride.

[grwoolf]

Well, I watched the video of the refurbished ride on another site and my response was "Well, I never have to go to Disneyland again!"

When I was 5 years old, I road the original ride many times at the New York World's Fair. From that time on, I bugged my parents to take me to California so I could ride it again. Their response was "they put one in Disney World, it's just the same." My response was no it isn't, it isn't the original.

When I was in my 20s (early 80s) I went out to California with a friend and we went to DL to A Small World (now I'm more than willing to believe some tweeks were done), but the minute we entered the ride in the boat I burst into tears because this was the ride I'd been yearning to see. I couldn't tell you what was different from WDW (well colors were changed in WDW for sure) but somewhere deep inside me I knew I was seeing was what had been the most seminal thing in my life as a child. I still believe searching for the wonder of that World's Fair is what drives me. So, hearing they disfigured that ride that I loved as a 5 year-old (yes, I loved it even w/out Mickey and Donald) just made me sad. And if they put those changes in WDW, I'll never have to ride the ride ever again. Went on it four times two weeks ago and was compelled to take close ups of the dolls for some reason. Maybe something inside me knew this was the last I'd see of my beloved ride.

I think this post highlights the constant struggle Disney must deal with. Nostalgia vs. modern relevence. Back when I first visited WDW as a child in the mid 70's, small world was a pretty cool ride and that is probably the main reason I enjoy it as an adult (nostalgia). However, I don't think my kids will have the same feeling about this ride when they are adults. While the message of the ride is still great, they struggle to get past the dated technology and just don't care for the ride. I think rides need to evolve so that new generations will continue to be excited about them. I don't want 20k leagues under the sea back in it's original form with plastic fish on strings, I want it done the way they did it at DL with computer generated characters swimming outside your window. There are some things that are cool because they are old (like Steam Trains), but Disney can't leave the rides unchanged forever. I wish Disney were a little more aggressive with their ride updates. I love what they did with HM and Pirates and I didn't loose any of the nostaligia associated with riding these attractions as a child.

[Melanie]

I think this post highlights the constant struggle Disney must deal with. Nostalgia vs. modern relevence. Back when I first visited WDW as a child in the mid 70's, small world was a pretty cool ride and that is probably the main reason I enjoy it as an adult (nostalgia). However, I don't think my kids will have the same feeling about this ride when they are adults. While the message of the ride is still great, they struggle to get past the dated technology and just don't care for the ride. I think rides need to evolve so that new generations will continue to be excited about them. I don't want 20k leagues under the sea back in it's original form with plastic fish on strings, I want it done the way they did it at DL with computer generated characters swimming outside your window. There are some things that are cool because they are old (like Steam Trains), but Disney can't leave the rides unchanged forever. I wish Disney were a little more aggressive with their ride updates. I love what they did with HM and Pirates and I didn't loose any of the nostaligia associated with riding these attractions as a child.

I completely agree with your assessment!!

[Aggie97]

I think this post highlights the constant struggle Disney must deal with. Nostalgia vs. modern relevence. Back when I first visited WDW as a child in the mid 70's, small world was a pretty cool ride and that is probably the main reason I enjoy it as an adult (nostalgia). However, I don't think my kids will have the same feeling about this ride when they are adults. While the message of the ride is still great, they struggle to get past the dated technology and just don't care for the ride. I think rides need to evolve so that new generations will continue to be excited about them. I don't want 20k leagues under the sea back in it's original form with plastic fish on strings, I want it done the way they did it at DL with computer generated characters swimming outside your window. There are some things that are cool because they are old (like Steam Trains), but Disney can't leave the rides unchanged forever. I wish Disney were a little more aggressive with their ride updates. I love what they did with HM and Pirates and I didn't loose any of the nostaligia associated with riding these attractions as a child.

Very well put -- I agree!!

[goofy78]

what were the changes to the boat ride in mexico?

[bwk99]

the best change they could make is to provide headphones so I don't have to listen to that song 95 times on the ride

[TheVBs]

I definitely understand the position Disney is in regarding nostalgia vs. updates. But, I have to say, my children don't need any connection to a movie to enjoy this ride. They are mesmerized every time we go on it. Now, saying that, I have to add that they'd probably love spotting Stitch on it. But, they certainly don't need anything added to enjoy it, nor do they perceive it as outdated technology (yet).

[biodtl]

I don't mind adding the characters quite as much, but changing the song would be awful.