"It's a world of laughter a world of tears, it's a world of hopes and a world of fears. There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware, it's a small world after all!"

Welcome to It's a Small World!

Like many other classic Disney attractions, It's a Small World did not start off in Disney World. Built for the UNICEF Pavilion at the 1964 World's Fair, It's a Small World showed that everyone around the world has many things in common, even though we're all different. 

The 1964 World's Fair was a huge deal for Disney. They actually had four attractions at the fair, It's a Small World, The Carousel of Progress, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and The Magic Skyway. Every single one of these attractions were sent to Disneyland after the fair ended in 1966.

Mary Blair, now considered a Disney legend, was responsible for the ride's whimsical design. Over 300 animatronic dolls are featured in the ride representing almost every country in the world. They sing a song about world peace, and that even though we may look and act different, we're all really the same.

It's a Small World was an opening day attraction at the Magic Kingdom. Because of Florida's frequent rainy weather, the attraction is housed completely indoors (bottom), compared to the Disneyland and Disneyland Paris (top) versions of the ride, which have their facades outdoors. 

It's a Small World has gotten somewhat of a bad rap in popular culture. You may remember in the movie The Lion King, Zazu sings the theme song to the attraction and Scar responds "No! No! Anything but that!"

A lot of people like to joke around that the song is annoying and the ride is too long and the dolls are scary. If you go down the page a little and click on the ride-through video I posted of the attraction, just look at the comments people leave. "The Geneva Conventions recognize this song as a form of torture." "The song makes everyone mad, mentally and emotionally." Really people? I mean Disney even released a tshirt at one point that claims "I conquered It's a Small World!" parodying similar tshirts for large roller coasters at the park.

I think these kind of things are funny, but I don't think people really "get" what It's a Small World is really about. The message of the ride is just as current today as it was back in 1964. We're all the same even though we look different and act different and come from different places. I think that message is really important and very special and It's a Small World really is an awesome reminder.

Here's a ride-through of the attraction, make sure you watch it in HD!

Your boat will pass through different rooms representing different continents. Inside each room there are dolls that represent certain countries. Sometimes the theme song will even change to the native language of the countries you're near. This ride mainly is just one that you can sit back and relaxingly enjoy. It's really a wonderful atmosphere and you can tell how much love this attraction has to give.