“Children of the World” became “The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed” and then “it’s a small world”. Whatever the name, this attraction seemed the perfect antidote to a post-Cuban missile crisis era. The 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair theme of “Peace Through Understanding” rung out in the voices of children; it became a “world of hope” in nine languages.
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| At the entrance of “it’s a small world”; New York World’s Fair April, 1964. I remember well the “Bel-Gem Waffles”and the Vatican Pavilion’s “Pieta”, but at 6 years old, it was this most wonderful world of Disney that I remember best. |
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| “it’s a small world” makes its way from New York to Disneyland, and opens May 16, 1966. (ANOTHER 50 year anniversary this May. 2016!) |
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| Vaguely reminiscent of Rolly Crump’s The Tower of the Four Winds in New York. Sadly, this 200,000 pound, 120-foot tall moving edifice did not make the trek west. |
The Magic, Memories and You
Opening with the park on October 1, 1971, this Magic Kingdom version starts a new tradition; the debut of one “it’s a small world” attraction per decade!
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| Photo courtesy of our hostess, Focused on the Magic! |
Tokyo Disneyland “it’s a small world” opens in 1983 on April 15th.
Disneyland Paris “it’s a small world” opens on April 12, 1992.
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| Marking the entrance of “it’s a small world”, Disneyland Paris. |
In 2008, three years after the park’s introduction, “it’s a small world”, (along with the addition of 38 Disney characters created in Mary Blair style), was unveiled in Hong Kong Disneyland‘s Fantasyland on April 17th; guests simply demanded it!.
In this new decade we will have yet another cruise to look forward to; Shanghai Disneyland opens its doors in 2015. (As we now know, this date has been pushed back to 2016!)
As we both celebrate a birthday, I know what I’ll be singing all day tomorrow… #SmallWorld50 Me and about one million of my closest friends!
Be sure to whistle that tune as you hop over to read more about Walt Disney and Mary Blair- Their Grand World.
Wowzers Didi, these are incredible photos! It is hard to pick which one I like the most. The boat in DL Paris is pretty cool. Thanks for sharing these, they are wonderful!
Thanks Suzanne, this one attraction has provided so many wonderful memories!
I remember my first trip through It's A Small World very well! It was April,1964 … days after the fair first opened. I had naturally seen the Wonderful World of Color shows dealing with the World's Fair exhibits, and was so very excited to see them in person! IASW was the second one I saw – after the Ford exhibit. It was truly magic seeing it in person (and hearing that song!) after seeing it on TV.
We next waited the THREE HOURS!!! to get in to General Electric's Progressland which to this day is my favorite of the World's Fair exhibits. (Let's not forget that it is the 50th birthday of CoP as well as the other Disney/World's Fair attractions.)
Disney's Wonderful World of Color was THE reason I love Disney today; from the World's Fair promos, to the development sketches of Walt Disney World, Uncle Walt was in every living room every Sunday. Even as a small child, I missed him so much when he passed. And yes, we can't forget the Carousel of Progress in all this small world hoopla!!!
Oh. My. Gosh! That picture of you at the NY Worlds Fair — PRICELESS! This is SUCH a neat post. It's a Small World has always been up there on my list of Must Do's at WDW. There have been a few times when we've visited that it's been closed for refurbishment, and I feel somehow let down. There's something about the special connection it has to Walt himself that makes this ride so very special. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Heidi- that's exactly how I feel. Folks either love or hate this little cruise, but for me, seeing Walt's hand in all trumps the dolls, the decoration or the song. It's so SPECIAL!
Oh, so fun!! I love it's a small world!! Reminds me of my early Disney geek days at Disneyland!
Disney geeks unite! 😉
That first photograph is AMAZING!!
I'm new to visiting the World! Loving Retro week on #DisneyWordlessWendesday, here's mine!
Welcome Michelle! So glad you stopped by. 😀
No way – that can't be you – you don't look a day over 25. 🙂 What an amazing memory and even better to have it captured in a picture. Thanks for sharing and mentioning waffles, anyone else hungry?
Thanks Sean! It's crazy, but at the time, those waffles were such a first in this country and were fair stars themselves. I still remember the smell… (Food memories die hard. :D)
What wonderful memories! Because of The World of Color I couldn't wait to see all of the Disney attractions. I was 14 that summer and I remember clearly IASW the CoP and riding the People Mover. The "Pieta" was magnificent! Thanks for bringing back so many memories!!
They are! Thank goodness Walt took "it's a small world" and Carousel of Progress back home with him, because the rest of the fair is in! ruins. SO sad to see- as you know, it was glorious in its day!
Love all these photos! It's A Small World is such a classic Disney attraction!
I love that Disney is paying homage to this classic- I can see Walt grinning!!
Wonderful post! I love all the photos!!!
Thank you Brenda!
Loved reading all that history of one of my favorite Disney rides. Love your retro picture!
Thanks Mary- I only wish my mom had taken more. ;(
Great pictures and information! This is one of my favorite rides 🙂
Thanks Lynn- gotta love the oldies but goodies! 😉