To me the real promise of the next-generation technology Walt Disney World reportedly spent northwards of $1.6 billion installing in its parks has always been to augment the guest experience with even more magic. Disney chose to start with a different set of items; such… Read More »NextGen Technology StoryMaker adds personalized farewell to “it’s a small world”
Since 1997 it’s been a yearly tradition at the Happiest Place on Earth, “it’s a small world” Holiday features makeover of the famous facade into a bright display of festive lights. The whole transformation takes a couple of weeks. But Disneyland’s elves set up a… Read More »“it’s a small world” transforms into the holiday edition via magic of time-lapse
This is now a thing. The Muppets are doing dramatic readings of Disney classics, first we had Dr. Honeydew and Beaker with their take on “A Pirates Life for Me.” Now it’s Animal and Floyd attempting to interpret the Walt Disney classic attraction “It’s A… Read More »The Muppets offer a dramatic reading of “It’s A Small World.”
My family and I just attended a media event for the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, which is the fancy name given to Disneyland’s 60th anniversary. Spoiler alert: It’s fun! In addition to everything you have heard about the new “World of Color – Celebrate! The… Read More »Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration: An Overview
Last week a small portion of It’s A Small World’s beautiful facade was charred by an off-stage fire caused when fireworks malfunctioned and lit a tree and construction tarp on fire.
If you missed the video you can see it here
It’s a small world’s facade has been under renovation, which is periodically required to keep the complicated structure looking show ready (especially with all the abuse it takes each Christmas season). Here is a show of the construction taken on February 6th, a few weeks before the fire.
That there is the occasional fire from Fireworks fallout is to be expected. Consider how many shells Disney launches each night and then multiply that by a year’s worth of fireworks shows. A small fire or two is bound to happen.
By all accounts Disney cast members acted swiftly and correctly that night. Guests were evacuated from the danger zone and the firefighters who are on hand every night for the fireworks display had the fire extinguished in less than 20 minutes.
In the photos below you can see that some of the trees took a minor beating in the fire and that some of the gold spires are now charred by the fire.Read More »Disneyland Small World Fire Aftermath
A story in the Nikkei Asian Review reports that Tokyo Disneyland is about to undergo a partial renovation that will introduce a large attraction based on Disney’s mega-hit Frozen. As part of the construction, that park’s version of “It’s A Small World” may get moved… Read More »Tokyo Disneyland Renovation may Freeze out It’s A Small World
A big thank you to the Disney History Institute for sharing this incredible virtual recreation of Rolly Crump’s Tower of the Four Winds from the “it’s a small world” attraction marquee at the 1964 World’s Fair. It must have been something with all those World’s… Read More »Virtual Recreation of the Tower of the Four Winds from 1964 World’s Fair
Today was a big day in Disney theme park history. We celebrated the 50th anniversary of Disney’s “it’s a small world” along with thousands of guests and cast members at Disney Parks around the globe united today in a historic “It’s a Small World” sing-along. The iconic attraction opened as a tribute to peace and hope, saluting UNICEF, at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Today it is represented around the globe.
“‘it’s a small world’ has inspired hundreds of millions of people through its timeless theme,” said Tom Staggs, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Every moment of every day there are Disney guests enjoying ‘it’s a small world’ somewhere around the globe. The 50th anniversary of this attraction represents a celebration of the shared optimism, hope, and humanity of people throughout the world.”
I had the opportunity to talk with a few of the cast members who are responsible for maintaining the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction. We talk about the history of the attraction and what is involved in caring for all the dolls costumes:
Throughout the day, Disney Parks guests participated in events in all five resorts around the world, including in-park sing-alongs, cavalcades and special musical performances. Richard M. Sherman, the Oscar-winning songwriter who composed “It’s a Small World” with his late brother, Robert, led a sing-along at Disneyland Park in California.Read More »Celebrating 50 Years of “it’s a small world” Around the World