View source for It's a Small World

{{Short description|Old Mill boat ride at Disney theme parks}}
{{other uses}}
{{use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox attraction
<!--GLOBAL STATISTICS-->
| name                = It's a Small World
| logo                = 
| logo_width          = 
| image               = "it's a small world" Facade and Entrance Sign, June 2025.jpg
| imagedimensions     = 250px
| caption             = Facade and entrance sign of It's a Small World at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, 2025
<!--INDIVIDUAL PARK STATISTICS-->
| location            = Disneyland
| section             = [[Fantasyland]]
| coordinates         = {{coord|33.8147|N|117.9178|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}
| status              = Operating
| cost                = [[US$]]1.5 million
| soft_opened         =
| opened              = May 28, 1966
| previousattraction  = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| replacement         = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| location_website    = {{Official website|disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/its-a-small-world}}
| location2           = Magic Kingdom
| section2            = [[Fantasyland]] (Castle Courtyard)
| coordinates2        = {{coord|28.4208|N|81.5820|W|region:US-FL_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}
| status2             = Operating
| cost2               =
| soft_opened2        =
| opened2             = October 1, 1971
| closed2             =
| previousattraction2 = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| replacement2        = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| location_website2   = {{Official website|disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/its-a-small-world}}
|location_virtual_queue_name=[[Virtual queue systems at Disney Parks#Lightning Lane|Lightning Lane]]
|location_virtual_queue_name2=[[Virtual queue systems at Disney Parks#Lightning Lane|Lightning Lane]]
|location_virtual_queue_name4=[[Virtual queue systems at Disney Parks#Disney Premier Access|Disney Premier Access]]
|location_virtual_queue_name5=[[Virtual queue systems at Disney Parks#Disney Premier Access|Disney Premier Access]]
|location_virtual_queue_image=Lightning Lane Icon Logo.webp
|location_virtual_queue_image2=Lightning Lane Icon Logo.webp
|location_virtual_queue_image4=Disney Premier Access Icon Logo.svg
|location_virtual_queue_image5=Disney Premier Access Icon Logo.svg
|location_virtual_queue_status=available|location_virtual_queue_status2=available
|location_virtual_queue_status4=available|location_virtual_queue_status5=available
| location3           = Tokyo Disneyland
| section3            = [[Fantasyland]]
| coordinates3        = {{coord|35.6304|N|139.8812|E|region:JP_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}
| status3             = Operating
| cost3               =
| soft_opened3        =
| opened3             = April 15, 1983
| location_website3   = {{Official website|https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/attraction/detail/172/}}
| location4           = Disneyland Park (Paris)
| section4            = [[Fantasyland]]
| coordinates4        = {{coord|48.8753|N|2.7761|E|region:FR_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}
| status4             = Operating
| cost4               =
| soft_opened4        =
| opened4             = April 12, 1992
| closed4             =
| previousattraction4 = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| replacement4        = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| location_website4   = {{Official website|disneylandparis.com/en-us/attractions/disneyland-park/its-a-small-world}}
| location5           = Hong Kong Disneyland
| section5            = [[Fantasyland#Hong Kong Disneyland|Fantasyland]]
| coordinates5        = {{coord|22.3137|N|114.0391|E|region:HK_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}
| status5             = Open
| cost5               =
| soft_opened5        =
| opened5             = April 28, 2008
| closed5             =
| previousattraction5 = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| replacement5        = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| location_website5   = {{Official website|hongkongdisneyland.com/attractions/its-a-small-world}}
| location6           = 1964 New York World's Fair
| section6            =
| coordinates6        =
| status6             = Closed
| cost6               =
| soft_opened6        =
| opened6             = April 22, 1964
| closed6             = October 17, 1965
| previousattraction6 = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| replacemen6        = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->

<!--GENERAL STATISTICS-->
| type                = [[Old Mill (ride)|Old Mill]]
| manufacturer        = <!--Must not be linked.-->
| designer            = [[Walt Disney Imagineering|WED Enterprises]]/[[Walt Disney Imagineering]]
| theme               = [[World peace]] and unity
| music               = "It's a Small World (After All)", written by the [[Sherman Brothers]] (music & lyrics), arranged by [[Bobby Hammack]] (1964–1971), [[John Debney]] (1992–1993)
| height_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| height_m            = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_ft             = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_m              = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_m            = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_mph           = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_km/h          = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| sitearea_sqft       = <!--Must be expressed in square feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| sitearea_sqm        = <!--Must be expressed in square metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
| vehicle_type        = Boats
| riders_per_vehicle  = 16
| rows                = 4
| riders_per_row      = 4
| duration            = 12–15 minutes
| restriction_ft      = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| restriction_cm      = <!--Must be expressed in centimetres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| pay_per_use         = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| custom_label_1      = Propulsion method
| custom_value_1      = Water jets, electric turbine
| custom_label_2      = Number of lifts
| custom_value_2      = 0
| custom_label_3      = Language
| custom_value_3      = [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]]
| accessible          = yes
| small               = <!--Must be "yes" to collapse location sections by default-->
}}
'''It's a Small World''' (stylized in [[all lowercase]] and in quotations or with [[exclamation mark]]) is an [[Old Mill (ride)|Old Mill boat ride]] located in the [[Fantasyland]] area at various [[Disney Experiences|Disney theme parks]] around the world. Versions of the ride are installed at [[Disneyland]] in [[Anaheim, California]]; [[Magic Kingdom]] in [[Bay Lake, Florida]]; [[Tokyo Disneyland]]; [[Disneyland Park (Paris)]] and [[Hong Kong Disneyland]]. The inaugural version of the ride premiered at the [[1964 New York World's Fair]] before permanently moving to Disneyland in 1966.

The ride features over 300 [[audio-animatronic]] dolls<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/10/quiz-its-a-small-world-at-magic-kingdom-park/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724050405/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/10/quiz-its-a-small-world-at-magic-kingdom-park/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 24, 2018|title=QUIZ: 'it's a small world' at Magic Kingdom Park|website=Disney Parks Blog|last=Montgomery|first=Allison|date=October 4, 2016 }}</ref> in [[traditional costume]]s from [[culture]]s around the world, frolicking in a spirit of international unity, and singing the attraction's title song, which has a theme of [[global peace]]. According to ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', the [[Sherman Brothers]]' song "It's a Small World" is the most publicly performed song of all time.<ref name="Time-Song Plays" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/fact-checking-saving-mr-banks-with-disney-historian-jim-korkis/Content?oid=2240838|title=Fact-Checking Saving Mr. Banks with Disney Historian Jim Korkis|last=Kubersky|first=Seth|date=January 7, 2014|work=Orlando Weekly|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817120412/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/fact-checking-saving-mr-banks-with-disney-historian-jim-korkis/Content?oid=2240838|archive-date=August 17, 2017}}</ref> In recent years, the Small World attractions at the various Disney parks have been updated to include depictions of Disney characters—in a design compatible with the original 1960s design of [[Mary Blair]]—alongside the original characters.

==Background{{Anchor|History}}==

=== Ride ===
The ride was fabricated at the [[Walt Disney Studios (Burbank)|Walt Disney Studios]] in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]] as ''Children of the World'', and created by [[Walt Disney Imagineering|WED Enterprises]]. It was shipped to the [[1964 New York World's Fair]], where it was housed at the [[UNICEF]] pavilion (sponsored by [[Pepsi]]), which featured at its entrance a kinetic sculpture, ''The Tower of the Four Winds'', a 120-foot perpetually spinning mobile created by WED designer [[Rolly Crump]].<ref name=":0" /> The ride joined three other World's Fair attractions—''Magic Skyway'' (Ford pavilion), ''[[Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln]]'' (Illinois pavilion), and ''[[The Carousel of Progress]]'' (General Electric pavilion)—that Disney was already involved with. All were intended to be dismantled and rebuilt at Disneyland after the World's Fair had closed in 1966.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://huntingpixiedust.com/history-of-its-a-small-world/|title=History of It's a Small World|date=June 26, 2018|website=Hunting Pixie Dust|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421140144/https://huntingpixiedust.com/history-of-its-a-small-world/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Tirella">{{cite book |last=Tirella |first=Joseph |url=https://archive.org/details/tomorrowland19640000tire/page/n5/mode/2up |title=Tomorrow-Land: The 1964–65 World's Fair and the Transformation of America |publisher=Lyons Press |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-4930-0333-4 |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=53–57}}

[[Mary Blair]] was responsible for the attraction's whimsical design and color styling.<ref name="RS 2024">{{Cite web |last1=Reilly |first1=Maeve |last2=Seastrom |first2=Lucas |date=2024-05-28 |title='it's a small world' turns 60: A Global Celebration at The World's Fair |url=https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/its-small-world-turns-60-global-celebration-worlds-fair |access-date=2024-08-25 |publisher=The Walt Disney Family Museum}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Fanning |first=Jim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sJ7GDwAAQBAJ |title=The Disney Book: A Celebration of the World of Disney |date=2015-10-06 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1-4654-9541-9 |page=172}}</ref> The scenes and characters were conceived by animator [[Marc Davis (animator)|Marc Davis]],<ref name="n153980659">{{Cite news |last=Martens |first=Todd |date=2018-09-09 |title=Disneyland's beatnik by design |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-disneylands-beatn/153980659/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The Los Angeles Times |pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/34364206/ E5]}}</ref><ref name="Evans2022">{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=2022-11-07 |title=Alice Davis Dies: Costume Designer for Disneyland's 'It's A Small World' & 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' Rides Was 93 |url=https://deadline.com/2022/11/alice-davis-dead-disneyland-costume-designer-its-a-small-world-was-93-1235165939/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Deadline}}</ref> who also choreographed the [[Audio-Animatronics|audio-animatronic]] figures' dances.<ref name="n154035702">{{Cite news |date=1964-05-05 |title='Small World' a Big One for Youngsters at Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-news-small-world-a-big-one/154035702/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The Evening News |pages=17}}</ref> His wife [[Alice Estes Davis|Alice Davis]] designed the dolls' costumes.<ref name="Evans2022" /><ref name="n154035702" /> The costumes were heavily influenced by other countries' clothing,<ref name="n154035702" /> as [[Walt Disney]] had directed Alice Davis to "do whatever it takes to make these look like dolls every woman in the world would want to have".<ref name="Brown2020">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Genevieve Shaw |date=May 7, 2020 |title=Take a virtual ride on Disney's 'It's a Small World' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Travel/virtual-ride-disneys-small-world/story?id&#61;70555407 |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=ABC News}}</ref> Crump designed the toys and other supplemental figures on display, as well as the original attraction's facade.<ref name="n153980659" /> The animated dolls were designed and sculpted by Blaine Gibson.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weber |first=Bruce |date=2015-07-11 |title=Blaine Gibson, Sculptor of Figures in Disney Parks, Dies at 97 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/arts/design/blaine-gibson-sculptor-of-figures-in-disney-parks-dies-at-97.html |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

[[Arrow Development]] was heavily involved in the design of the passenger-carrying boats and propulsion system of the attraction. Two patents that were filed by Arrow Development staff and assigned to The Walt Disney Company illustrate passenger boats and vehicle guidance systems with features very similar to those later utilized on the Disneyland installation of the attraction.<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=3404635|status=patent|title=Boat amusement ride|pubdate=October 8, 1968|fdate=April 16, 1965|invent1=Bacon, Karl W.|invent2=Morgan, Edgar A.|assign1=The Walt Disney Company}}</ref><ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=D204282|status=patent|title=Passenger-carrying amusement boat|pubdate=April 5, 1966|fdate=March 8, 1965|invent1=Morgan, Edgar A.|assign1=The Walt Disney Company}}</ref> The firm is credited with manufacturing the Disneyland installation.<ref name=Gurr>{{cite web|last=Gurr|first=Bob|title=DESIGN: Those Were The Times – No. 23 1955 Arrow Development – Ed Morgan and Karl Bacon|url=http://micechat.com/49581-bob-gurr-arrow-development/|website=MiceChat.com|access-date=November 28, 2013|date=November 27, 2013}}</ref>

===Song===
"Children of the World" was the working title of the attraction. Its soundtrack, composed by the [[Sherman Brothers]],<ref name="p962663036">{{cite magazine |last=Fessier |first=Mike Jr. |date=12 Feb 1964 |title=Vaudeville: Actors No Longer Safe From Robots As Disney Preps 'Lincoln' for Fair |magazine=Variety |pages=72, 74 |volume=233 |issue=12 |id={{ProQuest|962663036}}}}</ref> was originally supposed to feature the national anthems of every country represented throughout the ride; they were all played at once, resulting in cacophony.<ref name="Brown2020" /> Walt conducted a walk-through of the attraction scale model with his staff songwriters [[Robert B. Sherman|Robert B.]] and [[Richard M. Sherman]], saying, "I need ''one'' song that can be easily translated into many languages and be played as a round."<ref name="OneSong">{{cite web |url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=4691 |title="It's a small world" by Disneyland Chorus |access-date=July 1, 2011 |website=songfacts.com}}</ref> The Sherman brothers then wrote "It's a Small World (After All)"<ref name="iasw-a2z">{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Smith (archivist) |year=2006 |title=Disney A to Z: The Official Disney Encyclopedia |publisher=Disney Editions |page=354 |isbn=0-7868-4919-3}}</ref> in the wake of the 1962 [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], which influenced the song's message of peace and brotherhood.<ref name="n154045547">{{Cite news |last=Quill |first=Greg |date=2009-08-21 |title=Parent trap, too: behind the hits |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-parent-trap-too-behin/154045547/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The Toronto Star |pages=43}}</ref> When they first presented it to Walt, they played it as a slow ballad. Walt requested something more cheerful, so they increased the tempo and sang in [[counterpoint]]. Walt was so delighted with the final result that he renamed the attraction "It's a Small World" after the song.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/small-world-big-message-music-its-small-world | title=Small World, Big Message: The Music of "it's a small world" {{pipe}} the Walt Disney Family Museum |date=August 22, 2017 |website=WaltDisney.org}}</ref> Recordings of the song were first sold in October 1964.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laffler |first=William D. |date=1964-11-06 |title=Adults Won by Doll Tune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-adults-won-by-dol/154038322/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |pages=23}}</ref>

The Sherman Brothers originally wanted to donate all profits from "It's a Small World (After All)" to [[UNICEF]], but Walt Disney dissuaded them from doing so, telling the brothers that the song would become popular.<ref name="n153983050">{{Cite news |last1=Shrieves |first1=Linda |last2=Matthews |first2=Mark K. |date=2004-05-01 |title=Small World memories loom large among all ages |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-small-world/153983050/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The Orlando Sentinel |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-small-world-memorie/153983084/ A1], A4}}</ref> ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' wrote of the song in 1967: "Visitors go away humming it as though they had made it up themselves."<ref name="p510996879">{{cite news |last=Hendrick |first=Kimmis |date=22 July 1967 |title='Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'...: Disney's choice |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=6 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510996879}}}}</ref> Robert B. Sherman's youngest son, Robert J. Sherman, has said that this song is the single most-performed and most-translated piece of music ever produced.<ref name="OneSong"/> In 2014, it was estimated that the song had played nearly 50&nbsp;million times worldwide on the attractions alone, beating the radio and TV estimates for "[[You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin']]{{-"}} and "[[Yesterday (Beatles song)|Yesterday]]", which were believed to have been played at least eight and seven million times, respectively.<ref name="Time-Song Plays">{{cite magazine|last=Corliss|first=Richard|title=Is This the Most Played Song in Music History?|url=https://time.com/82493/its-a-small-world-50th-anniversary/|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=June 1, 2016|date=April 30, 2014|url-status=live|archive-date=October 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026225052/https://time.com/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Schneider|first=Caitlin|title=The Most Frequently Played Song in the World is One Everyone Hates|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/73391/most-frequently-played-song-world-one-everyone-hates|date=January 9, 2016|website=Mental Floss|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601020605/http://mentalfloss.com/article/73391/most-frequently-played-song-world-one-everyone-hates|url-status=dead}}</ref> On average, the song is played 1,200 times during a 16-hour operating day.<ref name="Brown2020" /><ref name="Martin2014">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Hugo |date=2014-08-06 |title=The back story on Disneyland 'Small World' ride at 50 |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/lifestyle/travel/2014/08/06/20140806-the-back-story-on-disneyland-small-world-ride-at-50-ece/35325724007/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=The Providence Journal}}</ref>

A third verse celebrating the attraction's 45th anniversary was written and popularized, but not incorporated into the ride.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/03/sights-and-sounds-of-disney-parks-its-a-classic-attraction-its-just-turned-50-its-a-small-world/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140326134256/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/03/sights-and-sounds-of-disney-parks-its-a-classic-attraction-its-just-turned-50-its-a-small-world/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 26, 2014 |title=Sights and Sounds of Disney Parks: It's a Classic Attraction. It's Turning 50. 'it's a small world!' Disney Parks Blog |website=Disneyparks.disney.go.com |date=March 25, 2014 |access-date=May 20, 2014}}</ref> In 2022, a 1964 recording of "It's a Small World (After All)" performed by the Disneyland Boys Choir was selected by the [[Library of Congress]] for preservation in the United States [[National Recording Registry]]<ref>{{cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Brady |date=April 15, 2022 |title=Disneyland's iconic 'It's a Small World' song inducted into Library of Congress music registry |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/04/15/disneylands-iconic-its-a-small-world-song-inducted-into-library-of-congress-music-registry/ |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=The Mercury News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ulaby |first=Neda |date=April 13, 2022 |title=The Library of Congress is preserving these major historical recordings for posterity |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/04/13/1091585574/the-library-of-congress-adds-25-titles-including-alicia-keys-and-ricky-martin |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=NPR}}</ref> as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref>{{cite web |title=National Recording Registry Inducts Music from Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin, Journey and More in 2022 |url=https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/national-recording-registry-inducts-music-from-alicia-keys--ricky-martin--journey-and-more-in-2022/s/fee30140-0454-401c-a2a2-205298e32fb1 |website=Library of Congress |access-date=April 13, 2022}}</ref> Shortly before his death, Richard Sherman composed a new verse to "It's a Small World". On November 27, 2024, Disney premiered it in a short film on ABC.<ref>{{cite web | title=New Verse To "It's A Small World" Featured In Poignant New Disney Short Paying Tribute To The Legendary Sherman Brothers Songwriting Team | website=The Walt Disney Company | date=November 28, 2024 | url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/new-verse-to-its-a-small-world-featured-in-poignant-new-disney-short-paying-tribute-to-the-legendary-sherman-brothers-songwriting-team/ | access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref> On February 12, 2025, it was announced that the new verse would be added to the Disneyland version of the attraction starting on July 17, 2025, as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration and on July 7, 2025, it was announced that the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction would receive the new verse as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Disneyland adding new verse to 'It's A Small World' for park's 70th anniversary
 |url=https://ktla.com/news/theme-parks/disneyland/disneyland-adding-new-verse-to-its-a-small-world-song-for-parks-70th-anniversary/ |website=Library of Congress |access-date=April 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Disney World and Disneyland to Debut 'it's a small world' Finale Scene Lyrics |url=https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/disney-world-and-disneyland-to-debut-its-a-small-world-finale-scene-lyrics/ |website=Disney Parks Blog |date=July 7, 2025 |access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref>

==World's Fair{{Anchor|1964 New York World's Fair}}==
[[File:It's a small world+Ticket+Logo+64World'sFair.jpg|thumb|140px|right|1964 World's Fair "It's a Small World" ticket, logo portion]]The first incarnation of It's a Small World—which debuted at the [[1964 New York World's Fair]] at [[Flushing Meadows–Corona Park]] in [[Queens]], New York, U.S.—was a last-minute addition. It was only announced in August 1963, eight months before the fair was to open.<ref name="p226776028">{{Cite news |date=17 Aug 1963 |title=Pepsi's Fair Site Done By Disney |work=New York Amsterdam News |page=9 |id={{proQuest|226776028}}}}</ref><ref name="p1017107670">{{cite magazine |date=Aug 14, 1963 |title=Vaudeville: N.Y. Fair Getting Walt Disney Touch |magazine=Variety |page=59 |volume=231 |issue=12 |id={{ProQuest|1017107670}}}}</ref> The [[Ford Motor Company]] and [[General Electric]] had engaged Disney early on to create their pavilions for the 1964 New York World's Fair.<ref name="Tirella" />{{Rp|pages=53–55}} WED Enterprises had already been at work developing a crude [[Audio-Animatronics|audio-animatronic]] fashioned as [[Abraham Lincoln]] when the state of [[Illinois]] approached Disney to create the Illinois Pavilion.<ref name="Tirella" />{{Rp|page=56}} Afterward, [[Pepsi]] approached Disney with a plan for a tribute to [[UNICEF]], the United Nations Children's Fund.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=Disney |first1=Walt |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/ocm59360033 |title=Walt Disney: conversations |last2=Jackson |first2=Kathy Merlock |date=2006 |publisher=University Press of Mississippi |isbn=978-1-57806-712-1 |edition=1st |series=Conversations with comic artists |location=Jackson |pages=83 |oclc=ocm59360033}}</ref> Walt Disney Productions agreed to construct, maintain, and operate a boat ride for Pepsi-Cola,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1963-10-20 |title=Disney Official's Answer: It Was Just a Business Deal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-register-disney-officials-answer-i/153972814/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The Register |pages=18}}</ref> which was called "It's a Small World&nbsp;– A Tribute to UNICEF".<ref name="p226776028" /><ref name="p1017107670" /> Pepsi also gave UNICEF $100,000 for the construction of an exhibit next to the ride, as well as $200,000 in [[Bond (finance)|bonds]].<ref name="n154035431">{{Cite news |last=Crews |first=Watson Jr. |date=1964-08-09 |title=The Big Kid Hit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-the-big-kid-hit/154035431/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=Daily News |pages=5}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1964-08-21">{{Cite news |date=1964-08-21 |title=Advertising: Fair 'Hits the Spot' With Pepsi |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/21/archives/advertising-fair-hits-the-spot-with-pepsi.html |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> 
<blockquote>Disney seemed to be the showman to give us the package we want&nbsp;... He's terrific. He's got his hands in more bowls than anyone I've ever seen, but he accomplishes what he sets out to do.&nbsp;— J. G. Mullaly, Ford's World's Fair program manager<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>

=== Operations ===
The World's Fair opened on April 22, 1964,<ref name="The Sun 1964">{{Cite news |date=April 23, 1964 |title=World's Fair Opens To Picketing; Stall-In Fails: Johnson Foresees Global Peace Soon Rain, Racial Troubles Keep Crowd To 90,000; More Than 290 Integrationists Seized |work=The Sun |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|540050678}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 23, 1964 |title=Rain Soaks Crowd; Sit-Ins Mar Festivities at Some Pavilions—Attendance Cut |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/23/archives/rain-soaks-crowd-sitins-mar-festivities-at-some-pavilionsattendance.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514000810/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/23/archives/rain-soaks-crowd-sitins-mar-festivities-at-some-pavilionsattendance.html |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and [[UN Secretary General]] [[U Thant]] dedicated It's a Small World three days later, on April 25.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lelyveld |first=Joseph |date=1964-04-26 |title=Children at Fair Ride and Shriek; And Some Get Very Weary Sooner or Later |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/26/archives/children-at-fair-ride-and-shriek-and-some-get-very-weary-sooner-or.html |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p540115498">{{Cite news |date=26 Apr 1964 |title='Epoch-Making' N.Y. Fair Is Saluted By U Thant |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=3 |issn=1930-8965 |id={{ProQuest|540115498}}}}</ref> Tickets cost 60 cents for children and 95 cents for adults, and proceeds from ticket sales were donated to UNICEF.<ref name="n154035431" /><ref name="nyt-1964-08-21" /> Despite the admission fee, it was still one of the fair's most popular exhibits, with 35,000 to 40,000 daily riders on average.<ref name="nyt-1964-08-21" /> The attraction saw nearly five million visitors during the first year alone.<ref name="p226833259">{{Cite news |date=27 Mar 1965 |title=Disney Fantasy Tour At Pepsi-Cola Pavilion |work=New York Amsterdam News |page=56 |id={{proQuest|226833259}}}}</ref><ref name="p964064565">{{cite magazine |date=Jul 7, 1965 |title=Vaudeville: Soft Drink Workers Local Throws Pepsi Exhibit to Milk and Juice |magazine=Variety |pages=49 |volume=239 |issue=7 |id={{ProQuest|964064565}}}}</ref> A writer for ''The New York Times'' wrote that the "wondrous boat ride" was worth riding multiple times,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1964-04-22 |title=A Visitor's Guide to 5 Main Areas; Systematic Approach Will Cause Less Fatigue |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/22/archives/a-visitors-guide-to-5-main-areas-systematic-approach-will-cause.html |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' called the attraction "one of the greatest contributions to world peace ever shown anywhere".<ref name="p510567114">{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Everett M. |date=16 May 1964 |title=Wonders of Tomorrow With Audio-animatronics At the World's Fair |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=15 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510567114}}}}</ref> The World's Fair version of the ride was also featured in the TV show ''Disney Goes to the World's Fair''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1964-05-17 |title=Walt Disney 'Goes to the Fair' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-walt-disney-goe/154036276/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |pages=182}}</ref>

The fair did not operate between October 18, 1964,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1964 |title=Young Employes Say Farewells Gather to Reminisce on Six Months at Fair — Few Expecting to Return |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/19/archives/young-employes-say-farewells-gather-to-reminisce-on-six-months-at.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516194354/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/19/archives/young-employes-say-farewells-gather-to-reminisce-on-six-months-at.html |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=Cassidy |first=Joseph |date=October 19, 1964 |title=Fair's Last Day Draws Crowd |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fairs-last-day-draws-crowd/147511723/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516195531/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fairs-last-day-draws-crowd/147511723/ |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |pages=67 |via=newspapers.com |issn=2692-1251}}</ref> and April 21, 1965.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=April 22, 1965 |title=158,000 Open the Fair's Second Year; Paid Admissions Are 3 Times More Than First Day's in '64 158,000, Half of Them Children, Attend World's Fair on Crisp, Sunny Opening Day |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/04/22/archives/158000-open-the-fairs-second-year-paid-admissions-are-3-times-more.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516213745/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/04/22/archives/158000-open-the-fairs-second-year-paid-admissions-are-3-times-more.html |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Maureen |date=April 22, 1965 |title=The Natives Return—They're Hardy Lot |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-the-natives-re/147516845/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516213738/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-the-natives-re/147516845/ |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=Newsday |pages=91 |via=newspapers.com |issn=2574-5298}}</ref> Between the fair's two seasons, the figures were refurbished at Disney's studios in Hollywood.<ref name="p913625981">{{cite news |last=Wiemer |first=Robert |date=30 Nov 1964 |title=Fair Is Anything But Fair As It Awaits Snow |work=Newsday |page=11 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|913625981}}}}</ref> The ride remained otherwise unchanged, although the queue line was modified to increase visitor flow.<ref name="p226833259" /> To accommodate the high ridership, the ride was operating 15 hours a day by mid-1965;<ref>{{Cite news |date=1965-07-18 |title=Pavilion Hours Are Extended As Fair Attendance Soars |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-pavilio/154042964/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The Central New Jersey Home News |pages=2}}</ref> the attraction had recorded 10.3 million total visitors by the end of the second year.<ref name="n153989293">{{Cite news |date=1966-07-04 |title=Disney's 'It's Small World' Makes Real Treat for Youths |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-post-disneys-its-small-wor/153989293/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=Daily News-Post |pages=7}}</ref>  After the fair ended on October 17, 1965,<ref name="Abrams 1965">{{cite news |last1=Abrams |first1=Arnold |last2=Smith |first2=Edward G. |date=October 18, 1965 |title=Drunks and Vandals Close the Fair: They Dig the World's Fair on Its Last Day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-drunks-and-van/149444310/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |work=Newsday |pages=5, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-drunks-and-van/149444344/ 79] |via=newspapers.com |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914444914}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=October 18, 1965 |title=Vandalism Mars Last Day Of the Two-Year Exposition; Weeping Children, Sad Employes and Vandalism Abound as World's Fair Closes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/10/18/archives/vandalism-mars-last-day-of-the-twoyear-exposition-weeping-children.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516215354/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/10/18/archives/vandalism-mars-last-day-of-the-twoyear-exposition-weeping-children.html |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the Walt Disney Company planned to send the ride to [[Disneyland]] in [[Anaheim, California]], U.S.<ref name="p179386193">{{cite news |last=Vernon |first=Scott |date=16 Feb 1964 |title=Disney Puts His Magic in N. Y. Fair: Speaking Lincoln to Cave Men |work=Chicago Tribune |page=H17 |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|179386193}}}}</ref><ref name="p962973627">{{cite magazine |date=12 May 1965 |title=Pictures: Those Disney 'Dolls' At N.Y. World's Fair Part of 'Gnomobil' Film |magazine=Variety |pages=22 |volume=238 |issue=12 |id={{ProQuest|962973627}}}}</ref> Its high hourly capacity influenced future attractions; [[Pirates of the Caribbean (attraction)|Pirates of the Caribbean]] had been under construction at Disneyland as a subterranean walk-through, but that design was changed to a boat ride.<ref>{{cite book |last=Fanning |first=Jim |title=Disneyland Challenge |publisher=Disney Editions |year=2009 |isbn=978-14231-0675-3 |pages=28}}</ref>

=== Description ===
The ride was located on one of the largest sites in the fairground's industrial zone.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bennett |first=Tom |date=1963-08-26 |title=Scope |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier-express-scope/153974060/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=Buffalo Courier Express |pages=17}}</ref> The ''1965 Official Guide Book to the New York World's Fair'' described the ride as "a salute to the children of the world".<ref name="designing">
{{cite web |title=Designing "It's a Small World" – The 1964 New York World's Fair |url=http://www.designingdisney.com/content/designing-its-small-world-1964-new-york-worlds-fair |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101121553/http://www.designingdisney.com/content/designing-its-small-world-1964-new-york-worlds-fair |archive-date=January 1, 2013 |access-date=November 28, 2011}}
</ref> As planned, the ride was nine minutes long and could accommodate 54,000 visitors an hour.<ref name="p914356109">{{cite news |last=Ommerman |first=Betty |date=23 Jan 1964 |title=UNICEF Aide Seeks Fair Volunteers |work=Newsday |page=49 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914356109}}}}</ref><ref name="p1017107670" /> Outside was Rolly Crump's 12-story ''Tower of the Four Winds'',<ref name="MacDonald 2024">{{cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Brady |date=April 22, 2024 |title=Disneyland Pays Tribute to Tower of the Four Winds During Pixar Fest |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/04/22/disneyland-pays-tribute-to-tower-of-the-four-winds-during-pixar-fest/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601212313/https://www.ocregister.com/2024/04/22/disneyland-pays-tribute-to-tower-of-the-four-winds-during-pixar-fest/ |archive-date=June 1, 2024 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |website=Orange County Register}}</ref><ref name="PSH 2014 z923">{{cite book |last1=Pearce |first1=Celia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x4shBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA410 |title=Meet Me at the Fair: A World's Fair Reader |last2=Schweizer |first2=Bobby |last3=Hollengreen |first3=Laura |publisher=(Carnegie Mellon University) ETC Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-312-11587-3 |page=410 |access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> an [[openwork]] structure made of aluminum.<ref name="Stern (1995) p. 1044" /> The tower was a large sculpture measuring {{Convert|120|ft}} tall,<ref name="n154035431" /><ref name="PSH 2014 z923" /> with depictions of animals that blew around in the wind.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williams |first1=Pat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RV2hAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT425 |title=How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life |last2=Denney |first2=Jim |publisher=Health Communications Incorporated |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7573-9446-1 |page=425 |access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> Next to the ride was a store for UNICEF,<ref name="Pepsi-Cola">{{cite web |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Pepsi-Cola |url=https://www.worldsfairphotos.com/nywf64/pepsi.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524203024/https://www.worldsfairphotos.com/nywf64/pepsi.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |website=The 1964–1965 New York World's Fair}}</ref> and there were also UNICEF exhibits that were managed by [[Disneyland]] staff.<ref name="p1017107670" />

Entertainers dressed as the [[Seven Dwarfs#Disney Dwarfs|Seven Dwarfs]] roamed around the attraction's [[queue line]], mingling with riders.<ref name="nyt-1964-06-04">{{Cite news |date=1964-06-04 |title=Dwarfs at Fair Vie for Laughs; Young Men in Disney Roles Have Fun Being Funny |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/04/archives/dwarfs-at-fair-vie-for-laughs-young-men-in-disney-roles-have-fun.html |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>  Silent jets propelled the boats through a winding track.<ref name="n154035431" /> The boat ride depicted faraway locations where people could buy Pepsi-Cola,<ref name="Stern (1995) p. 1044">{{Cite New York 1960|page=1044}}</ref><ref name="p226833259" /> as well as fanciful depictions of landmarks such as the [[Eiffel Tower]] and the [[Leaning Tower of Pisa]].<ref name="n154035431" /><ref name="p371609254">{{Cite news |date=25 Apr 1964 |title=Disney World Of Fun, Fantasy Featured At The World's Fair |work=New Pittsburgh Courier |page=20 |id={{ProQuest|371609254}}}}</ref> Throughout the ride were audio-animatronic dolls of singing children from around the world,<ref name="p914356109" /><ref name="p226833259" /> placed on both sides of the ride.<ref name="p179386193" /> There were 350 figures that sang the "It's a Small World (After All)" song in various languages.<ref name="p962663036" /><ref name="p371609254" /> Each of the figures was intended to be in constant motion; some figures sang, while others danced or played instruments like [[Tabla|tablas]] and [[Sitar|sitars]].<ref name="n154035702" /> Each section of the ride included figures from a different nationality, except at the end of the ride, where figures from every nationality sang side-by-side.<ref name="n154040645">{{Cite news |last=Raynolds |first=Ron |date=1965-07-08 |title=Walt Disney for President |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bennington-banner-walt-disney-for-presid/154040645/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=Bennington Banner |pages=4}}</ref>

== Disneyland ==
[[File:It's a small world (28317874165).jpg|thumb|It's a Small World in Disneyland]]
In February 1966, Walt Disney announced that It's a Small World would be reinstalled at Disneyland as part of a $23 million expansion of that theme park.<ref name="p155414141">{{cite news |last=Felton |first=Dave |date=3 Feb 1966 |title=4 Projects to Give Disneyland New High in Fantasy |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=A1 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|155414141}}}}</ref><ref name="p1032431899">{{cite magazine |date=Feb 9, 1966 |title=Disneyland Sets $23-Mil Expansion; To Install N.Y. World's Fair Exhibits |magazine=Variety |pages=47 |volume=241 |issue=12 |id={{ProQuest|1032431899}}}}</ref> The ride was installed at the northern end of [[Fantasyland#Disneyland|Fantasyland]],<ref name="MacDonald 2024" /> opening on May 28, 1966.<ref name="n153990100">{{Cite news |date=1966-06-01 |title='Small World' Offered as New Disneyland Attraction |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-new-disney/153990100/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The San Bernardino County Sun |pages=21}}</ref><ref name="p155461224">{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Ray |date=31 May 1966 |title=4 Projects to Give Disneyland New High in Fantasy |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=A1 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|155461224}}}}</ref> One critic for the ''Chicago Tribune'' said the ride "captures the essence of Walt Disney as it shows the children of the world in joyous abandon".<ref name="p169896760">{{cite news |last=Handley |first=Gayle |date=13 Sep 1970 |title=Everyone's a Winner: Disneyland: Gigantic Game of 'Let's Pretend' |work=Chicago Tribune |page=N19 |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|169896760}}}}</ref> Within a year, It's a Small World was one of the park's most popular attractions.<ref name="p510976178">{{cite news |last=Hendrick |first=Kimmis |date=9 May 1967 |title=Disney's new Tomorrowland: Future discussed |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=11 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510976178}}}}</ref> In 2014, ''[[The Providence Journal]]'' estimated that the Disneyland installation of It's a Small World had carried 290 million riders since its opening. The ride's popularity has been attributed to its design, the 15-minute ride time, the fact that the queues typically move quickly, and its indoor location.<ref name="Martin2014" />

The ride building occupies a {{Convert|1.25|acre|adj=on}} site<ref name="n153990100" /> and is four stories high, covering {{Convert|65000|ft2}}.<ref name="p155434662">{{cite news |date=13 Mar 1966 |title=4 Disneyland Projects Well Under Way |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=O2 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|155434662}}}}</ref> The facade was designed by Rolly Crump, who was inspired by Mary Blair's styling. On the attraction's primary facade, Crump designed a clock with a smiling [[face]],<ref name="n153980659" /> located {{Convert|30|ft}} high.<ref name="p155414141" /><ref name="p1032431899" /> Every 15 minutes, costumed wooden dolls dance out from the base of the clock.<ref name="Strodder2017">{{Cite book |last=Strodder |first=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ywKgDgAAQBAJ |title=The Disneyland Encyclopedia: The Unofficial, Unauthorized, and Unprecedented History of Every Land, Attraction, Restaurant, Shop, and Major Event in the Original Magic Kingdom |date=2017-04-11 |publisher=Santa Monica Press |isbn=978-1-59580-798-4 |page=1950}}</ref><ref name="n36041139">{{Cite news |last=Horner |first=Tom |date=1967-01-21 |title=Disney's 'Magic' Unchanges |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal/36041139/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The Akron Beacon Journal |pages=6}}</ref> When the ride opened, it was accessed by an oval pavilion surrounded by gardens and paths.<ref name="n153989293" /><ref name="n153990100" /> There were originally 70 ride vehicles.<ref name="n153989293" /><ref name="n153990100" /> The boats carry voyagers past representations of structures such as mosques, huts, and castles,<ref name="p169896760" /> as well as figures singing "It's a Small World (After All)" together in their native [[language]].<ref name="p155414141" /><ref name="p169896760" />

=== 1966–2008 changes ===
When the ride was moved to Disneyland, the Tower of the Four Winds was scrapped.<ref name="MacDonald 2024" /> In addition, representations of children from the Pacific islands and the Arctic were added to the attraction,<ref name="n153989817">{{Cite news |date=1966-05-27 |title=Disney's Land Living Fantasy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin-disneys-land-living-fa/153989817/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=Anaheim Bulletin |pages=D3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin-disneys-land-living-fa/153989905/ D5], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin-disneys-land-living-fa/153989959/ D12]}}</ref> and the number of figures was expanded to 500.<ref name="n36041139" /><ref name="n153989817" /> The ride was originally sponsored by [[Bank of America]].<ref name="n153990100" /><ref name="p155461224" /> It was an E-ticket attraction, which meant that only visitors with an [[E ticket]]—the highest tier of Disneyland admission ticket at the time—could ride.<ref name="n154045892">{{Cite news |last=Tashman |first=George |date=1968-07-27 |title=It Began With Mickey Mouse |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-more-tashman-on-tv/154045892/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-it-began-with-micke/154045935/ 23], 30, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-tashman/154045915/ 31]}}</ref> 

The facade was changed several times. The first major change occurred in 1977 where the clock tower had blue colors.<ref name="Gorillas Don't Blog">{{cite web |date=January 6, 2009 |title=A Puppet's Life For Me, July 1977 |url=https://gorillasdontblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/puppets-life-for-me-july-1977.html |access-date=May 1, 2025 |website=Gorillas Don't Blog}}</ref> Following the opening of another version of the ride at [[Disneyland Paris]] in 1992, the entire facade was given a pastel-colored scheme in 1993.<ref name="D23">{{cite web |date=October 25, 2019 |title=it's a small world |url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/its-a-small-world/ |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=D23}}</ref> In addition, the Bank of America canceled its sponsorship in 1992.<ref name="p282108779">{{cite news |last=Woodyard |first=Chris |date=27 July 1993 |title=B of A Leaving Disneyland, Setting Up Shop at Knott's Marketing |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=1 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|282108779}}}}</ref> The toy company [[Mattel]] agreed to sponsor the attraction in late 1991<ref name="p281520933">{{cite news |last=Woodyard |first=Chris |date=12 Nov 1991 |title=Mattel, Disney Put Their Toys, Rides Together Agreement |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=8 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|281520933}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Stevenson |first=Richard W. |date=1991-11-12 |title=Company News; Disney and Mattel Expand Toy Alliance |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/12/business/company-news-disney-and-mattel-expand-toy-alliance.html |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and built a shop at the ride's exit the next year.<ref name="p1731043937">{{cite news |date=7 Nov 1992 |title=Mattel Carves Cozy Niche in Disney's Small World: Merchandising: Toy manufacturer builds shop next to Disneyland attraction as part of special licensing agreement |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=SDD1 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|1731043937}}}}</ref> The guest loading flow on and off the dock was reversed to accommodate the new gift shop's location; previously, guests entered the loading area from the western end of the dock, and exited from the eastern end. The ride was also given a modified version of John Debney's soundtrack used at Paris. Mattel dropped its sponsorship in 1999 and the store at the attractions exit no longer sold Mattel toys.<ref name="p279367657">{{Cite news |date=15 Nov 1999 |title=Mattel Pulls Sponsorship |work=Orlando Sentinel |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|279367657}}}}</ref> In 2002, the original 1966 audio was brought back to the ride along with reverting the facade's colors to the classic white and gold scheme.
=== 2008 refurbishment and further additions ===
[[File:AliceIASW.png|thumb|[[Alice (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)|Alice]] and [[White Rabbit]] (from [[Alice in Wonderland (1951 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]) stand inside It's a Small World in [[Disneyland]] since 2008 refurbishment]]
Disneyland's "It's a Small World" was closed from January to November 2008 (closed and reopening in a holiday version, skipping the summer season) to receive a major refurbishment.<ref name="refurb">{{cite web | url=http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/its-a-small-world/ | title="It's a Small World" attraction page | access-date=February 1, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="refurb2">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-small-world-get-big-154781|title=Disney's 'Small World' to get big retrofit|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=November 10, 2007|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref name="refurb3">{{cite web | url=http://www.mouseplanet.com/8620/Disneyland_Resort_Update | title=MousePlanet DLR Update | date=November 24, 2008 | access-date=April 24, 2009 }}</ref> The building's structure was improved, permanent attachments created for the "It's a Small World Holiday" overlay, the water flume replaced and its propulsion upgraded to electric water jet turbines, and the attraction's aging fiberglass boats redesigned in durable plastic. The refurbishment added 29 new Disney characters, each in their native land in a similar manner to the Hong Kong Disneyland version.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 17, 2024 |title=Every Disney Character That's Hidden In It's a Small World |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/every-disney-character-that-s-hidden-in-it-s-a-small-world/ar-BB1oavey?item=flightsprg-tipsubsc-v1a?season89c26d1ce19649ab8c6b1ea6904de419thu |website=[[MSN]]}}</ref>''[[File:Wheelchair doll Disneyland.png|thumb|New wheelchair doll (right) in the Disneyland version of It's a Small World since 2022 holiday]] [[File:The finale of it's a small world at Disneyland.jpg|thumb|The finale of it's a small world at Disneyland]] [[Osram Sylvania]] agreed to a twelve-year sponsorship in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 17, 2009 |title=Theme Parks: SYLVANIA to Sponsor Iconic 'it's a small world' at Disneyland Resort |url=https://blooloop.com/uncategorised/news/theme-parks-sylvania-to-sponsor-iconic-its-a-small-world-at-disneyland-resort/ |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=Blooloop}}</ref> The sponsorship was taken over by Sylvania's parent firm [[Siemens]] in 2014,<ref name="D23" /> and Siemens discontinued its sponsorship effective October 2017.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 14, 2020 |title=Siemens ending longtime Disney sponsorship |url=https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2017/6/30/siemens_disney_end_l |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=News 13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Skambis |first=Chip |date=July 1, 2017 |title=Siemens to end sponsorship with Walt Disney Company |url=https://www.wftv.com/news/local/siemens-to-end-sponsorship-with-walt-disney-company/546871013/ |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=WFTV}}</ref> The ride got another change during It's a Small World Holiday in 2022, in which two new dolls in wheelchairs (one in the South America scene and the other in the Finale room) were added in the ride.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Natasha |date=2022-11-11 |title=Disneyland adds dolls in wheelchairs to 'It's a Small World' ride |url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/disneyland-small-world-dolls-wheelchairs/index.html |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Galloway |first=Kayla |date=2022-11-11 |title=Disneyland Adds Dolls in Wheelchairs to 'It's a Small World,' Representing Guests and Cast Members With Disabilities |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-news/disneyland-its-a-small-world-wheelchairs/3031739/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=NBC Los Angeles}}</ref> In addition, Miguel Rivera and Dante from [[Pixar]]'s 2017 film ''[[Coco (2017 film)|Coco]]'' were added in the South America room,<ref>{{cite web |last=Minton |first=Matt |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Disney to Update 'It's a Small World' Ride With New Lyrics |url=https://variety.com/2025/biz/news/disney-its-a-small-world-ride-new-lyrics-update-1236305853/ |access-date=February 13, 2025 |website=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tapp |first=Tom |date=February 13, 2025 |title=Disney Adding New Final Verse To "It's A Small World" Song On Disneyland Ride |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/disneyland-its-a-small-world-new-verse-1236287657/ |access-date=February 13, 2025 |website=Deadline}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tuttle |first=Brit |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Disneyland Adding 'Coco' to "it's a small world" and 70th Anniversary Decor to Toy Story Mania|url=https://wdwnt.com/2025/03/disneyland-resort-adding-new-magic-to-select-attractions-for-70th-anniversary-celebration/|access-date=March 8, 2025 |website=WDW News Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Shahan |first=Lauren |date=April 15, 2025 |title="it's a small world" at Disneyland Resort Reopening Date Delayed by Two Weeks|url=https://wdwnt.com/2025/04/its-a-small-world-at-disneyland-resort-reopening-date-delayed-by-two-weeks/|access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=WDW News Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rowland |first=Jamie |date=April 25, 2025 |title=Updated Clock Face Installed, More Walkway Opened as "it's a small world" Refurbishment Continues|url=https://wdwnt.com/2025/04/updated-physical-clock-face-returns-more-walkway-open-as-its-a-small-world-refurbishment-continues/|access-date=April 26, 2025 |website=WDW News Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McDermid |first=Gretchen |date=April 27, 2025 |title=PHOTOS: Construction Walls Removed from 'it's a small world' Facade at Disneyland Park|url=https://wdwnt.com/2025/04/photos-construction-walls-removed-from-its-a-small-world-facade-at-disneyland-park/|access-date=April 27, 2025 |website=WDW News Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ace |first=Shannen |date=May 8, 2025 |title="it's a small world" Reopening at Disneyland Delayed By a Few Days|url=https://wdwnt.com/2025/05/its-a-small-world-reopening-at-disneyland-delayed-by-a-few-days/|access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=WDW News Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tuttle |first=Brit |date=May 13, 2025 |title=PHOTOS, VIDEO: "it's a small world" Debuts New 'Coco' Figures, New Verse for Disneyland 70th|url=https://wdwnt.com/2025/05/photos-video-its-a-small-world-debuts-new-coco-figures-new-verse-for-disneyland-70th/|access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=WDW News Today}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=October 2025}} while it was announced that was a new projection show, '''Tapestry of Happiness''' on May 16, 2025, as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ace |first=Shannen |date=2025-05-15 |title=PHOTOS, VIDEO: 'Tapestry of Happiness' Projection Show on "it's a small world" Celebrates Classic Disneyland Rides for 70th Anniversary - WDWNT |url=https://wdwnt.com/2025/05/photos-video-tapestry-of-happiness-projection-show-on-its-a-small-world-celebrates-classic-disneyland-rides-for-70th-anniversary/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=WDW News Today}}</ref>In July of 2025, alongside the Magic Kingdom version of the ride debuted an unreleased third verse of the song in the finale portion of the ride.<ref name=":2" />

== Magic Kingdom ==
[[File:The loading area of it's a small world at Walt Disney World.jpg|thumb|The loading area of it's a small world at Walt Disney World ]]
On October 1, 1971, a version of the ride opened within the Fantasyland section of [[Magic Kingdom]] at [[Walt Disney World]] in [[Bay Lake, Florida]], U.S.<ref name="Obrien 1997">{{Cite book |last1=O'Brien |first1=Tom |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rt26m2QyhBsC |title=The Amusement Park Guide: Coast to Coast Thrills |last2=O'Brien |first2=Tim |date=1997 |publisher=Globe Pequot Press |isbn=978-0-7627-0048-6 |page=196}}</ref> It was one of Magic Kingdom's original rides.<ref name="Fox 35 j642">{{cite web |date=October 1, 2021 |title=What attractions were open when Magic Kingdom debuted in 1971? |url=https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/what-attractions-were-open-when-magic-kingdom-debuted-in-1971 |access-date=August 25, 2024 |publisher=FOX 35 Orlando}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Veness |first=Susan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hIr-DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA76 |title=The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World, 3rd Edition: Over 600 Secrets of the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom |publisher=Adams Media |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-5072-1256-1 |page=76 |access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> This version of the ride included over 600 figures with costumes.<ref name="n75729984">{{Cite news |date=1971-11-21 |title=Meet the 'Cast' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/75729984/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The Orlando Sentinel |pages=354, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/75730011/ 355]}}</ref>

The attraction lacks the elaborate facade present on the Disneyland version of the attraction,<ref name="D23" /><ref name="p170280226">{{cite news |last=Handley |first=John |date=13 Aug 1972 |title=Walt Disney World: Exploring Magic Kingdom, 100 Acres of Fun, Adventure |work=Chicago Tribune |page=F2 |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|170280226}}}}</ref> and it is also smaller in scale compared to the Disneyland ride.<ref name="p170280226" /> Unlike the Disneyland version, the facade and the loading area were built indoors due to the adverse weather conditions in Florida. For three decades, the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction underwent relatively few changes. Depictions of Chinese dolls were added in the 1990s, and a set of laughing African children with hyenas were removed in the 1970s.<ref name="n153983050" />

[[Kodak]] sponsored the attraction in the early 1980s.<ref name="n153992109">{{Cite news |last=Garner |first=Jack |date=1982-12-05 |title=Kodak adds imagination to Disney's dream |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-kodak-adds-imagin/153992109/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-kodak-adds-imagin/153992133/ 1D], 12D}}</ref> The toy company [[Mattel]] agreed to sponsor the attraction in 1991,<ref name="p281520933" /> discontinuing its sponsorship in 1999.<ref name="p279367657" /> The ride was closed in May 2004 for refurbishment, which included a new entrance, a refurbished exterior, and a new sound system inside.<ref name="n153983050" /> After the renovation was completed, the ride reopened in 2005.<ref name="n153983589">{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Jay |date=2005-05-01 |title=New thrills abound as Disney party goes all-out |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-new-thrills-abound-as-d/153983589/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The Miami Herald |pages=962}}</ref> In 2021, for the park's 50th anniversary, its facade was repainted in bright colors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-08 |title=PHOTOS: Repainting of "it's a small world" Continues at Magic Kingdom – WDW News Today |url=https://wdwnt.com/2021/09/photos-repainting-of-its-a-small-world-continues-at-magic-kingdom/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=wdwnt.com}}</ref> A doll in a wheelchair was added in 2023,<ref>{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Ashley |date=March 2, 2023 |title=Disney World adds doll in wheelchair to 'it's a small world' attraction |url=https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/attractions/2023/03/02/disney-world-adds-doll-in-wheelchair-to-its-a-small-world-attraction |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=News 13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bevil |first=Dewayne |date=March 9, 2023 |title=Disney: 'it's a small world' change isn't big, but is notable |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/03/09/disney-its-a-small-world-change-isnt-big-but-is-notable/ |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=Orlando Sentinel}}</ref> and further minor adjustments to the dolls took place in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bevil |first=Dewayne |date=January 23, 2024 |title=Country Bear Jamboree's closing is latest Magic Kingdom rehab |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/01/23/disney-magic-kingdom-country-bear-jamborees-closing-2024-summer-reopen/ |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=Orlando Sentinel}}</ref>

In July of 2025, alongside the Disneyland Resort version of the ride debuted an unreleased third verse of the song in the finale portion of the ride.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tuttle |first=Brit |date=2025-07-07 |title=BREAKING: Walt Disney World to Debut New "it's a small world" Finale Scene Lyrics Alongside Disneyland - WDWNT |url=https://wdwnt.com/2025/07/breaking-walt-disney-world-to-debut-new-its-a-small-world-finale-scene-lyrics-alongside-disneyland/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=WDW News Today}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Peyton |date=2025-07-07 |title=Disney World and Disneyland to Debut 'it's a small world' Finale Scene Lyrics |url=https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/disney-world-and-disneyland-to-debut-its-a-small-world-finale-scene-lyrics/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Disney Parks Blog}}</ref>

== Tokyo Disneyland ==
[[File:It's a small world at Tokyo Disneyland.jpg|thumb|It's a Small World at [[Tokyo Disneyland]] after the 2018 refurbishment.]]Another version of It's a Small World opened at [[Tokyo Disneyland]] in [[Chiba (city)|Chiba]], Japan, on April 15, 1983.<ref name="Obrien 1997" /> The Tokyo Disneyland version of the attraction is identical in layout to the Magic Kingdom version except for these differences:
* The facade's design is an almost-complete replica of the California counterpart under a different color scheme, resembling Disneyland's 1990s version.
* The loading area is split into two zones instead of one.
* A Welcome room was added during the 2018 refurbishment, resembling the one at the California version.
* There are scenes featuring various Disney characters redesigned in Mary Blair's style that were added during the 2018 refurbishment.
* The Asian room features radically different sets and dolls for Japan and China compared to the Magic Kingdom version. A Mandarin-language track was added to the China section in the 2018 refurbishment.
* The ride uses a different, more recent recording of the song sung in Japanese specifically created for this version instead of the original Japanese recording. The vocal track is used for both the Asian room and finale room.
* The walls of the African, South American, and Oceanian rooms are painted in colors similar to the Magic Kingdom version before its 2005 renovation.
* The Polynesian room has vocals singing in English.
* The Goodbye room resembles the one found at the California version.

=== 2018 refurbishment ===
On March 1, 2017, Tokyo Disneyland's version of "It's a Small World" closed down for refurbishment for its first major update since the park's opening in 1983. Reopened in April 2018,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/calendar/event.html|title=Tokyo Disney Resort Event Calendar}}</ref> to coincide with Tokyo Disneyland's 35th anniversary, the attraction featured 40 characters from Disney properties including ''[[Cinderella (1950 film)|Cinderella]]'', ''[[Alice in Wonderland (1951 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]'', ''[[Peter Pan (1953 film)|Peter Pan]]'', ''[[The Aristocats]]'', ''[[Brave (2012 film)|Brave]]'', ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'', ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'', ''[[Pinocchio (1940 film)|Pinocchio]]'', ''[[The Jungle Book (1967 film)|The Jungle Book]]'', ''[[The Lion King]]'', ''[[Hercules (1997 film)|Hercules]]'', ''[[The Three Caballeros]]'', ''[[Mulan (1998 film)|Mulan]]'', ''[[Tangled]]'', ''[[Lilo & Stitch]]'', ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'', ''[[Finding Nemo]]'', and ''[[Moana (2016 film)|Moana]]'' similar to its counterparts in California and Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/blog/pr161124/|script-title=ja:東京ディズニーランドのアトラクション「イッツ・ア・スモールワールド」がリニューアル！さらに幸せな船旅に。|trans-title=Tokyo Disneyland's attraction "It's a Small World" has been renewed! For a happier voyage. |website=Tokyo Disney Resort Blog |date=November 24, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126164400/http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/blog/pr161124/ |archive-date=November 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://d23.com/all-the-magical-art-you-need-to-see-for-tokyo-disney-resorts-35th-anniversary-celebration/?share_token=d1a0ae56ff|title=All the Magical Art You Need to See for Tokyo Disney Resort's 35th Anniversary Celebration|date=January 24, 2018 |publisher=Jocelyn Buhlman}}</ref>

The attraction was initially set to be relocated to another area in Fantasyland with a new facade similar to the California counterpart as part of original expansion plans announced in October 2014 for the resort within the next ten years, before being revised and updated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tdrexplorer.com/tokyo-disney-resort-expansions-announced/|title=Tokyo Disney Resort Expansions Announced|date=October 30, 2014 }}</ref> The transformed version of the attraction soft-opened on April 15, 2018, revealing an updated color scheme for the facade, a new tick-tock sound and parade music (similar to the ones used in Hong Kong and Anaheim), an entirely reconstructed loading area dubbed "Small World Station", a new Welcome room, an extended Goodbye room, rebuilt set pieces, and music tracks new to the ride including a Mandarin-language track added to the China scene formerly exclusive to the Hong Kong version along with the aforementioned Disney characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wdwnt.com/2018/04/photos-video-its-a-small-world-returns-at-tokyo-disneyland-loaded-with-disney-characters/|title=PHOTOS, VIDEO: "it's a small world" Returns At Tokyo Disneyland Loaded With Disney Characters|date=April 7, 2018|publisher=Jose Castillo|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-date=April 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409043615/https://wdwnt.com/2018/04/photos-video-its-a-small-world-returns-at-tokyo-disneyland-loaded-with-disney-characters/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== "It's a small world with Groot" overlay ===
On March 27, 2024, Tokyo Disneyland announced that "It's a Small World" would receive a [[Marvel Studios|Marvel]]-themed overlay, called "It's a small world with [[Groot]]", closing on September 17, 2024 for installation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Francis |first=Kate |date=2024-03-27 |title="it's a small world with Groot" Marvel Overlay Coming to Tokyo Disneyland – WDW News Today |url=https://wdwnt.com/2024/03/its-a-small-world-with-groot-marvel-overlay-coming-to-tokyo-disneyland/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=wdwnt.com}}</ref><ref name="Taylor o553">{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Blake |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Groot and Marvel characters coming to Tokyo's Small World for limited time |url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/groot-marvel-characters-tokyo-disney-small-world/ |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=Attractions Magazine}}</ref> The park did not specify when the overlay would end, but it indicated that the ride would reopen in 2025.<ref name="Taylor o553" /> However, on October 29, 2025, it was announced the Marvel-themed overlay of the attraction will set to return on December 27, 2025 in Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ace |first=Shannen |date=2025-10-29 |title="it's a small world" with Groot Returning to Tokyo Disneyland |url=https://wdwnt.com/2025/10/its-a-small-world-with-groot-returning-tokyo-disneyland/ |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=WDW News Today |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Disneyland Paris ==
A fourth version of It's a Small World opened at [[Disneyland Paris]] in [[Marne-la-Vallée]], France, on April 12, 1992.<ref name="Obrien 1997" /> [[France Telecom]] was the original sponsor of the Disneyland Paris version of the ride.<ref name="p222952320">{{Cite news |last=Scimone |first=Diana |date=May 1991 |title=Mickey Mouse Is Coming to Town: Euro Disney Resort to Open in 1992 |work=Europe |page=17 |issue=306 |id={{ProQuest|222952320}}}}</ref>

The attraction at Disneyland Paris is a departure from other versions of the attraction. The facade features rearranged and slightly redesigned landmarks with a completely different clock tower. The exterior clock face features a wide-awake sun on its left half and a sleeping moon on its right half. Unlike all other versions of the ride, every scene is housed in one room with arches being used to define sections of the ride. The scenery design is a complete departure from Mary Blair's distinctive style, though the dolls used remain identical to all other versions. The ride also uses a completely different soundtrack composed by [[John Debney]]. This is the first version of the ride to incorporate a vibrant [[Europe]]an room with dolls singing in [[French language|French]] and [[Germany|German]], a distinct [[Middle East]]ern section with dolls singing in [[Arabic]] and [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] and a scene for North America with dolls representing [[Canada]] and the [[United States]].  In the Finale room, in addition to the song being sung in English, it is also sung in [[France|French]]. Also, the attraction had a post-show area called World Chorus that was sponsored by [[Orange S.A.]], which opened with the park in 1992 and then closed in 2010 to make way for the Princess Pavilion meet and greet area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dlptoday.com/2009/01/13/france-telecom-hangs-up-on-small-world/|title=France Télécom hangs up on "small world"}}</ref>

=== 2015 refurbishment ===
As part of an ongoing plan to refurbish several attractions for the park's 25th anniversary, this version was refurbished for six months, reopening on December 19, 2015. The refurbishment included a different color scheme for the facade that is identical to the color scheme when it first opened, restored assets and special effects, refurbished boats, new LED lighting to replace the old stage lighting, and all 176 dolls in the ride being progressively replaced through 2017. The entrance and exit rooms have been completely revamped, being identical to the entrance scene in Hong Kong Disneyland's version and the exit scene in the Magic Kingdom and Hong Kong Disneyland versions (rendered in the Mary Blair style similar to the other parks). The soundtrack has been completely remastered with the base instrumental removed from the majority of the ride's audio except for the finale, making the soundtrack more similar to the original version. Additionally, new audio tracks are added including a new recording of someone yodeling to the tune of the song in the Switzerland scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/its-a-small-world-beautifed-boats/|title=Beautified boats at "it's a small world"|access-date=March 1, 2016|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308153336/http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/its-a-small-world-beautifed-boats/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2021–2023 refurbishment ===
Disneyland Paris's "It's a Small World" was scheduled to be closed for extensive refurbishments from November 2021 until May 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wdwnt.com/2023/01/its-a-small-world-will-reopen-at-disneyland-paris-this-spring-after-extended-refurbishment/ |title="it's a small world" Will Reopen at Disneyland Paris This Spring After Extended Refurbishment |work=WDW News Today |last=Francis |first=Katie |date=January 10, 2023 |access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref> After an additional nineteenth-month delay and during Disneyland Paris' 30th anniversary celebration and the Walt Disney Company's 100th anniversary celebration, the ride was officially reopened on May 5, 2023 and featured three new disabled and handicapped, wheelchair-accessible dolls in three scenes: a [[Germany|German]] doll in the Germany scene, an [[Arabian Peninsula|Arabian]] doll in the Arabia scene and another German doll in the Finale scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mousesteps.com/2023/05/06/more-photos-of-its-a-small-world-at-disneyland-paris-as-it-reopens-after-refurbishment/ |title=More Photos of "it's a small world" at Disneyland Paris as it Reopens After Refurbishment |website=MouseSteps.com |author=denise |date=May 6, 2023 |access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref>

== Hong Kong Disneyland ==
[[File:IASW HK.jpg|thumb|It's a Small World at Hong Kong Disneyland]]
The [[Hong Kong Disneyland]] version of the attraction on [[Lantau Island]], Hong Kong, opened on April 28, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-04-28 |title=Hong Kong Disney opens 'It's a Small World' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24353971 |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=NBC News}}</ref> It is located in the Fantasyland section of the park.<ref>{{cite web | last=Cochran | first=Jason | title=Hong Kong Disneyland's Hotels, Rides, and Food: Worth a Visit? | website=Frommer's Travel Guides | url=https://www.frommers.com/slideshows/848318-hong-kong-disneyland-s-hotels-rides-and-food-worth-a-visit | access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref> Hong Kong Disneyland marketed the ride using a [[Cantonese]] version of the song "It's a Small World (After All)" by [[James Wong Jim]].<ref>{{cite book | last=Chu | first=Yiu-Wai | title=Lost in Transition: Hong Kong Culture in the Age of China | publisher=State University of New York Press | series=SUNY series in Global Modernity | year=2013 | isbn=978-1-4384-4647-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mCOOHHDvV_wC&pg=PA83 | access-date=August 26, 2024 | pages=83–84}}</ref> The ride is mostly modeled after the original Disneyland counterpart in that the boats travel through a canal. Some of this version's prominent and unique characteristics include:
* 38 Disney characters (all rendered in the Mary Blair style) added to scenes where their stories originated.<ref>{{YouTube|jZHZDcgCao8|Hong Kong Disneyland 2008 promo}}</ref>
* An expanded Asia sequence with [[Hong Kong]], [[the Philippines]] and [[Korea]] represented with children singing in [[Cantonese]], [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] and [[Korean language|Korean]], respectively, as well as an extended [[China]] scene with represented with children singing in [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]]
* A distinct [[Arabian]] room, and scenes for North America, similar to the Paris version
* Extraordinary [[fiber-optic]] lighting effects in the Finale room not seen on any other Disney attraction<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hkdlsource.com/news/viewstory&story=73 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309154743/http://www.hkdlsource.com/news/viewstory%26story%3D73 |archive-date=March 9, 2014 |title=Three New Attractions in 2007 and 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]], [[Korean language|Korean]], [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]], and [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] versions of the song that were specifically recorded for Hong Kong Disneyland. The finale is sung in three languages: Cantonese, English and Mandarin.
* In Spring 2024, two new dolls in wheelchairs (a [[Mexico|Mexican]] doll in the South America scene and a [[Sweden|Swedish]] doll in the Finale room) were added in the ride, similar to the Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Paris versions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Dolls in Wheelchairs Added to "it's a small world" at Hong Kong Disneyland |url=https://wdwnt.com/2024/02/dolls-in-wheelchairs-added-to-its-a-small-world-at-hong-kong-disneyland/ |website=WDW News Today}}</ref>

==Holiday overlay==
{{Infobox attraction
<!--GLOBAL STATISTICS-->
| name                = It's a Small World Holiday
| logo                = <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[File:]] link-->
| logo_width          = <!--Default is 250px-->
| image               = "it's a small world" holiday (35492921122).jpg
| imagedimensions     = 250px
| caption             = "It's a Small World Holiday" lighting display
<!--INDIVIDUAL PARK STATISTICS-->
| location            = Disneyland
| section             = [[Fantasyland]]
| location2           =
| section2            =
| location3           = Tokyo Disneyland
| altname3            = "It's a Small World" Very Merry Holidays
| section3            = [[Fantasyland]]
| location4           = Disneyland Park (Paris)
| altname4            = "It's a Small World Celebration"
| section4            = [[Fantasyland]]
| location5           = Hong Kong Disneyland
| altname5            = "It's a Small World" Christmas
| section5            = [[Fantasyland#Hong Kong Disneyland|Fantasyland]]
| location6           =
| section6            =
|coordinates          = {{coord|33.8147|N|117.9178|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}
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|coordinates3         = {{coord|35.6304|N|139.8812|E|region:JP_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}
|coordinates4         = {{coord|48.8753|N|2.7761|E|region:FR_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}
|coordinates5         = {{coord|22.3137|N|114.0391|E|region:HK_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}
| coordinates6        =
| status              = Operating 
| status2             =
| status3             = Closed
| status4             = Closed
| status5             = Closed
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| cost3               =
| cost4               =
| cost5               =
| cost6               =
| soft_opened         =
| soft_opened2        =
| soft_opened3        =
| soft_opened4        =
| soft_opened5        =
| soft_opened6        =
| opened              = November 25, 1997
| opened2             =
| opened3             = 2003
| opened4             = 1999
| opened5             = 2009
|opened6              = April 22, 1964
| closed              =
| closed2             =
| closed3             = 2015
|closed4=2018|closed5 = 2010
| closed6             =
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| type                = [[Old Mill (ride)|Old Mill]]
| manufacturer        = <!--Must not be linked.-->
| designer            = [[Walt Disney Imagineering|WED Enterprises]]/[[Walt Disney Imagineering]]
| model               =
| theme               = Worldwide winter holidays
| music               = "[[Jingle Bells]]" and/or "[[Deck The Halls]]" (finale only) featuring "It's a Small World (After All)", written by the [[Sherman Brothers]], composed by Bruce Healey
| height_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
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| gforce              =
| capacity            = <!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
| vehicle_type        = Boats
| riders_per_vehicle  = 16
| rows                = 4
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Starting in 1997, Disneyland has featured "It's a Small World Holiday" during the end-of-the-year [[Christmas and holiday season]].<ref name="n153993925">{{Cite news|date=1997-11-23|title=Magic Kingdom decks the halls|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hanford-sentinel-magic-kingdom-decks/153993925/|access-date=2024-08-25|work=The Hanford Sentinel|pages=22}}</ref><ref name="n153994242">{{Cite news|date=1997-10-11|title=It's a 'World' of Christmas|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-its-a-world-of/153994242/|access-date=2024-08-25|work=The Los Angeles Times|pages=179, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-its-a-small-world/153994287/ 184]|first=Jan|last=Herman}}</ref> The Disneyland version of the ride has been redecorated nearly every year since then.<ref name="D23" /> The attraction is closed in late October to receive temporary holiday decorations inside and outside and reopens in early November before the start of the busy holiday tourist season. After the holiday season, "It's a Small World Holiday" stays open until late January where it closes to remove the holiday overlay and return to classic "It's a Small World" in early February. Almost one million lights are included during the holidays.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Eades|first1=Mark|title=How Disneyland transforms Small World for holidays|newspaper=[[The Orange County Register]]|date=November 27, 2016|page=Local News 11}}</ref> In "It's a Small World Holiday", the main theme song is not played in full; instead, the children sing "[[Jingle Bells]]" and a bridge of "[[Deck the Halls]]" in addition to the main theme.<ref name="n153993925" /><ref name="n153994242" /> In addition, the ride has decorations and symbols that are based on the holidays celebrated in different parts of the world. A projection show introduced in 2005 plays every 30 minutes across the facade while playing a techno version of the [[Nutcracker suite]].<ref name="n153994242" />

In 2003, Tokyo Disneyland introduced a version of "It's a Small World Holiday" called "It's a Small World Very Merry Holidays". Although having lights on the clock tower, the rest of the facade was covered in giant snowflakes. The inside of the attraction also had a modified soundtrack, the Asia room, and finale used Japanese vocals replacing the English dub used at Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. The 2011 season was skipped due to damaged props from the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|earthquake that same year]]. The Holiday overlay was removed in 2015 due to [[Haunted Mansion Holiday|Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare]] having higher demand, and the two attractions being to close to each other.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberson |first=Benjamin |date=December 31, 2021 |title=it's a small world Very Merry Holiday Tokyo Disneyland full ride 2003 (courtesy of TAKAHASHI MAKOTO) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XZWVQoFLFo |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

Disneyland Paris introduced a Holiday overlay in 1999. The first iteration of the overlay though was poorly made. The ride used an incomplete soundtrack mixed in with the ride's regular audio. The first iteration was removed in 2006. For the 2009 winter season, the overlay returned, and it received an official name of "It's a Small World Celebration". The ride received an overhaul including, new lighting, Holiday decorations throughout the inside, and the entire attraction now used the full "It's a Small World Holiday" soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dlptoday.com/2009/11/22/its-a-small-world-celebration-all-round/ |date=November 18, 2009 |title=It's a Small World – Celebration all-round! |publisher=DLP Today |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> The clock tower was also given a Santa hat worn until a refurbishment in 2015. Following that renovation, "It's a Small World Celebration" was planned to use an updated soundtrack originally set for winter 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/its-a-small-world-reopening-behind-the-scenes-with-tracy-eck-walt-disney-imagineering/|title="it's a small world" is reopening : interview with Tracy Eck from Walt Disney Imagineering|access-date=March 1, 2016|archive-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129100301/http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/its-a-small-world-reopening-behind-the-scenes-with-tracy-eck-walt-disney-imagineering/|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was delayed for unknown reasons. "It's a Small World Celebration" returned for the 2017–2018 holiday season, featuring an updated soundtrack. Since then, it has not returned.

Hong Kong Disneyland implemented its own version called "It's a Small World Christmas" that highlights the Disney character scenes in Christmas fashion with an appearance of Santa Claus in the Arctic scene. Despite being heavily decorated on the outside with clock tower dolls displayed in Holiday attire, the ride was barely decorated on the inside. The audio also was a mix between the regular, and Holiday soundtrack that would transition at points. Hong Kong's overlay lasted only one season possibly due to poor feedback.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news-en.hongkongdisneyland.com/PressReleases/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?AssetId=652634cf-4803-433d-9040-9c7da8ecb757 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216141212/http://news-en.hongkongdisneyland.com/PressReleases/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?AssetId=652634cf-4803-433d-9040-9c7da8ecb757 |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |title=Snowflakes Light Up A Sparkling Christmas – A Winter Wonderland A Season of Giving and Whimsical Fun Starts at Hong Kong Disneyland |url-status=dead |access-date=December 16, 2018 |date=November 18, 2009}}</ref>

== Nighttime Projection Shows (Disneyland) ==
{{see also|Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland}}

=== ''The Magic, the Memories, and YOU!'' ===
{{Infobox attraction
<!--GLOBAL STATISTICS-->|name=''The Magic, the Memories and YOU!''|logo=|logo_width=<!--INDIVIDUAL PARK STATISTICS-->|location=Magic Kingdom|section=Cinderella Castle|location2=Disneyland|section2=It's a Small World|section3=Cinderella Castle|status=Closed|status2=Closed|status3=Closed|cost=|soft_opened=|opened=January 18, 2011|opened2=January 18, 2011|closed=September 3, 2012|closed2=September 3, 2012
<!--GENERAL STATISTICS-->|previousattraction=|replacement=[[Celebrate the Magic]]|replacement2=[[Disneyland Forever]] (2015)<br>Tapestry of Happiness (2025)|type=Multimedia and pyrotechnic show|ride=no|manufacturer=<!--Must not be linked.-->|designer=[[Walt Disney Creative Entertainment]]|model=|theme=Iconic moments from Disney films<br/>Disney Parks Memories|music="Let The Memories Begin"|speed_km/h=<!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->|sitearea_sqft=<!--Must be expressed in square feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->|sitearea_sqm=<!--Must be expressed in square metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->|gforce=|capacity=|duration=9–10 minutes|accessible=yes|transfer_accessible=|assistive_listening=|cc=|small=<!--Must be "yes" to collapse location sections by default-->|custom_label_1=|custom_value_1=|custom_label_2=|custom_value_2=}}
As part of Disney's "Let the Memories Begin" campaign for 2011, a nighttime projection show premiered at the [[Disneyland]] version of It's a Small World on January 27, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 27, 2011 |title=New Projection Show Turns 'Small World' Into a Big Canvas, for 'The Magic, The Memories, and You' |url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/01/new-projection-show-turns-small-world-into-a-big-canvas-for-the-magic-the-memories-and-you/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128090445/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/01/new-projection-show-turns-small-world-into-a-big-canvas-for-the-magic-the-memories-and-you/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 28, 2011 |access-date=April 26, 2011}}</ref> ''The Magic, the Memories, and You'' show projected sequences of Disney attractions and characters set to Disney music onto the exterior facade of It's a Small World to fill its architectural features, personalized with exclusive photographs and videos of park guests taken that day by [[Disney's PhotoPass]] cast members. The show also existed in [[Walt Disney World]]'s [[Magic Kingdom]], but was projected onto [[Cinderella Castle]]. As the Let the Memories Begin campaign drew to a close, the show ended its run on Labor Day, September 3, 2012, at both locations. This version was replaced with [[Disneyland Forever]] as part of the Disneyland's Diamond Celebration in 2015, which included projections throughout [[Main Street, USA]] and [[Sleeping Beauty Castle]] in addition to It's a Small World.

''The Magic, The Memories, and You'' theme song was later used for ''[[Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland]]'' as part of the [[Tokyo Disney Resort]] 35th Anniversary celebration that premiered at [[Tokyo Disneyland]] on July 10, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 18, 2018 |title=ディズニー新キャッスルプロジェクション、ストーリー発表 噴水・パイロ・炎・イルミネーション...壮大なスケールに＜Celebrate！Tokyo Disneyland＞ |url=https://mdpr.jp/disney/detail/1760925 |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=modelpress |language=ja}}</ref>

=== ''Tapestry Of Happiness!'' ===
As part of Disneyland's 70th Anniversary, another nighttime show premiered. Just like ''The Magic, the Memories, and YOU!'', ''Tapestry of Happiness!'' also projected sequences of Disney attractions, both past and present. Unlike the previous show, this show was set to the anniversary theme song "Celebrate Happy" remixed with other Disney attraction songs.{{Infobox attraction
<!--GLOBAL STATISTICS-->|name=''Tapestry of Happiness!''|logo=|logo_width=<!--INDIVIDUAL PARK STATISTICS-->|location=Disneyland|section=It's a Small World|location2=|section2=|section3=|status=Operating|status2=|status3=|cost=|soft_opened=May 14, 2025|opened=May 16, 2025|opened2=|closed=|closed2=<!--GENERAL STATISTICS-->|previousattraction=|replacement=|replacement2=|type=Multimedia and pyrotechnic show|ride=no|manufacturer=<!--Must not be linked.-->|designer=[[Walt Disney Creative Entertainment]]|model=|theme=Iconic moments from Disneyland's attractions and shows<br/>Disney Parks Memories|music="Celebrate Happy" - [[The Jonas Brothers]]|speed_km/h=<!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->|sitearea_sqft=<!--Must be expressed in square feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->|sitearea_sqm=<!--Must be expressed in square metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->|gforce=|capacity=|duration=5–10 minutes|accessible=yes|transfer_accessible=|assistive_listening=|cc=|small=<!--Must be "yes" to collapse location sections by default-->|custom_label_1=|custom_value_1=|custom_label_2=|custom_value_2=}}

==In other media==
{{more citations needed section|date=September 2025}}
* In the 1970s, a planned feature film was going to be a [[Cold War]]–tinged comedy adventure where the children of [[United Nations]] leaders try to get their parents to stop squabbling through faking mass-kidnapping, only for a war profiteer to try to take advantage of the fear and start a mass conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Jim |date=2003-09-29 |title="It's a Small World" ... The movie?! |url=https://jimhillmedia.com/its-a-small-world-the-movie/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=Jim Hill Media}}</ref>
* The attraction's song was performed in a 1979 episode of ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' guest starring [[Spike Milligan]].<ref>{{cite news|last=May|first=Natasha|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/feb/22/the-muppet-show-episodes-given-a-content-warning-on-disney|title=The Muppet Show: Disney+ adds content warning of 'negative depictions of cultures'|website=theguardian.com|date=February 21, 2021|access-date=May 19, 2025}}</ref>
* In the 2005 film ''[[Kronk's New Groove]]'', when Yzma and Kronk take a boat to their new secret lab, they ride past an Yzma version of It's a Small World.
* In the 2005 children's book ''[[Disney After Dark]]'', the dolls from It's a Small World attack holograms of the main characters.<ref name="p917194081">{{Cite magazine |date=Aug 15, 2005 |title=The Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark |magazine=Kirkus Reviews |issue=16 |id={{ProQuest|917194081}}}}</ref>
* An attraction titled "It's a small world" appears in ''[[Kinect: Disneyland Adventures]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mandy |first=Chaos |title=Kinect Disneyland Adventures |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/11/kinect-disneyland-adventures/ |access-date=2024-04-11 |magazine=Wired |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>
* In ''[[Epic Mickey]]'', the Gremlin Village is based on the attraction. The Clock Tower on the ride's facade is the first boss that players fight in the game.
* On November 26, 2013, Disney premiered ''[[It's a Small World: The Animated Series]]'' on [[Disney.com]] as an online-exclusive series, and the final episode was released on February 4, 2014.<ref name="cartoonbrew">{{cite web |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/internet-television/disney-creates-its-a-small-world-animated-web-series-95943.html |title=Disney Creates "It's A Small World" Animated Web Series |access-date=August 20, 2019 |website=Cartoon Brew |last=Amidi |first=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi |date=February 10, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="disneyinsider">{{cite web |url=https://ohmy.disney.com/insider/2014/02/04/design-behind-the-scenes-the-making-of-its-a-small-world-the-animated-series/ |title=Design Behind the Scenes, The making of It's a Small World: The Animated Series |access-date=August 20, 2019 |website=Disney Insider |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819223143/https://ohmy.disney.com/insider/2014/02/04/design-behind-the-scenes-the-making-of-its-a-small-world-the-animated-series/ |archive-date=August 19, 2019}}</ref><ref name="mommyfactor">{{cite web |url=https://www.mommyfactor.net/2013/12/disney-its-small-world-animated-series.html |title=Disney It's A Small World: The Animated Series & Trailer |access-date=August 20, 2019 |website=Mommy Factor |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819223145/https://www.mommyfactor.net/2013/12/disney-its-small-world-animated-series.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Just One Moon! Small World goes to China |first=Dina |last=Sherman |url=https://www.dinasherman.com/just-one-moon-small-world-goes-to-china/ |date=April 17, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-04 |title=Disney Interactive Brings Families Around the World with Original Online Series, 'it's a small world: the animated series' |url=https://disneyconnect.com/dpep/disney-interactive-brings-families-around-the-world/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=[[Disney Parks, Experiences and Products]] |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211195046/https://disneyconnect.com/dpep/disney-interactive-brings-families-around-the-world/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* On April 22, 2014, it was announced that a feature film franchise about the ride was in the works, to be directed by [[Jon Turteltaub]], written by [[Jared Stern]], and produced by Turteltaub, Stern, and [[Dan Lin]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming |first=Mike |url=https://deadline.com/2014/04/disney-taps-jon-turteltaub-to-direct-its-a-small-world-feature-film-718387/ |title=Disney Taps Jon Turteltaub To Direct 'It's A Small World' Feature Film |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=April 22, 2014 |access-date=May 20, 2014}}</ref> The project was still in development in early 2016;<ref>{{cite web|last=McNary |first=Dave |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/disney-small-world-movie-writers-1201716098/ |title=Disney Taps Writers for 'It's a Small World' Movie |website=[[Variety.com]] |date=February 26, 2016 |access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref> {{As of|2025|lc=y}}, no new information on the film has been released.
* In [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney]]'s 2015 movie ''[[Tomorrowland (film)|Tomorrowland]]'', the [[1964 New York World's Fair]] version of It's a Small World is seen in a flashback.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tomorrowland (2015) 1964 World's Fair Scenes |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO_wCdPArsQ |website=[[YouTube]] | date=February 24, 2022 }}</ref>
* The Disneyland version of It's a Small World made an appearance in 2013 American [[Independent film|independent]] [[horror film]] ''[[Escape from Tomorrow]]''.<ref name="NY Times article">{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |date=January 21, 2013 |title=It's a Grim World, After All |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/movies/escape-from-tomorrow-at-sundance-scrutinizes-disney.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121170945/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/movies/escape-from-tomorrow-at-sundance-scrutinizes-disney.html |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |access-date=January 21, 2013 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
* The facade of It's a Small World made a cameo appearance in the ''[[Mickey Mouse (TV series)|Mickey Mouse]]'' episode "O Sole Minnie".<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2015 |title=Disney Easter Eggs in Mickey Mouse (2013) – Season 1 |url=http://adamcot.com/posts/2015/06/disney-references-mickey-shorts-season-1/ |website=AdamCOT}}</ref>
* During the pre-show of the defunct attraction "[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It!|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Play It!]]", audience members were warned not to shout out answers, and were told that, if caught, they would have to ride "It's a Small World" on a continuous loop for eight hours straight.
* A ride called "Lair Entrance: The Ride", which was a parody of It's a Small World and [[Splash Mountain]] appeared in the ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]'' episode "The Lake Nose Monster".
* In ''[[Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension]]'', [[Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz]] is sent through a theme park-style dark ride as he rides a chair to his second dimension counterpart's office. He rides past animatronic characters and scenes that parody It's a Small World with a Dr. Doofenshmirtz theme as the dolls sing "He's Doof".
* In the ''[[Hamster & Gretel]]'' episode "The Earworm", It's a Big Big World ride is the parody of It's a Small World.
* In the ''[[Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain]]'' episode "A Walk in the Park", the ride is parodied as "The Happy, Sappy Children of Many Lands".

==Accidents==
{{See also|List of incidents at Disney parks}}
* On August 18, 1994, a 6-year-old girl from [[Miami]] fell out of one of the ride's boats in the Magic Kingdom version while it was in the loading area. Orange County authorities believe an incoming boat then struck her after the fall. The girl suffered a broken hip, a broken arm, and a collapsed lung. Paramedics took her to a hospital and she recovered fully from her injuries. The ride was closed for an inspection and reopened the following day.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 30, 1994 |title=Girl Tumbles From Disney's "It's a Small World" Ride, Is Hurt |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/08/30/girl-tumbles-from-disneys-its-a-small-world-ride-is-hurt/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001224726/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-08-30/features/9408300128_1_barbara-paribanez-ride-small-world |archive-date=October 1, 2012 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>
* On October 6, 2010, a Disneyland Paris staff member died when the ride restarted unexpectedly while he was working on it. According to police, the 53-year-old man was cleaning the amusement park ride due to an earlier incident with a child guest. The unnamed man, a sub-contractor of the park, was reportedly trapped beneath a boat on the ride when it started up by accident. He was severely injured and transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital, where he later died of his injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-10-06|title=Worker dies in apparent mishap at Disneyland Paris|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2010/10/06/worker-dies-in-apparent-mishap-at-disneyland-paris/|access-date=2024-08-25|website=San Diego Union-Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-10-06|title=Disneyland Paris cleaner dies after accident|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-11489229|access-date=2024-08-25|work=BBC News}}</ref>
* On February 28, 2015, during renovation and re-painting at the Disneyland version, a fire broke out on the left side of the facade, closest to [[Mickey's Toontown|Toontown]]. The fire was sparked from a firework malfunction which burnt a small portion of the facade, a tree, and a construction tarp. There were no injuries, and the main show building was untouched.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire quickly extinguished at Disneyland |url=https://abc7news.com/disneyland-fire-its-a-small-world/539253/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=ABC7 San Francisco |date=February 28, 2015 }}</ref>
* On November 10, 2021, in the Disneyland version before holiday, a flood in the underground machinery room below the attraction's loading area damaged the ride's machinery and delayed its reopening in November.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2021 |title=Flooding on Disneyland's iconic It's a Small World ride delays holiday reopening |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/flooding-on-disneylands-iconic-its-a-small-world-ride-delays-holiday-reopening |website=[[KTLA 5]]}}</ref>  The ride was able to reopen on December 6, which stayed open until late January 2022 to compensate for the delayed reopening.
== Other incidents and controversies ==
* During It's a Small World Holiday in Disneyland on November 27, 2009, the ride broke down while a guest with [[Quadriplegic|quadriplegia]] was on the ride. The guest was stuck in the ride's "Goodbye Room", the final setting of It's a Small World Holiday, for 30–40 minutes before being evacuated. As he suffered from medical conditions that were aggravated by the "blaring Christmas carols" and was unable to exit the ride, the guest sued Disney for its inadequate evacuation procedures for disabled guests, and for not providing proper warnings for those who could not evacuate during a ride stoppage. On March 26, 2013, a jury awarded the man $8,000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peralta |first=Eyder |date=2013-03-27 |title=Judge Awards $8,000 To A Man Who Got Stuck On Disney's 'Small World' Ride |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/03/27/175502673/judge-awards-8-000-to-a-man-who-got-stuck-on-disneys-small-world-ride |access-date=2023-02-28 |newspaper=National Public Radio}}</ref>
* On {{date|2014-12-25|MDY}} in the Magic Kingdom version, a 22-year-old woman lost consciousness after riding the attraction and later died. The woman had a pre-existing condition.<ref name="pedicini">{{cite news |last=Pedicini |first=Sandra |date=January 21, 2015 |title=Disney reports deaths after Small World, Toy Story rides |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-deaths-rides-20150121-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626193100/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-deaths-rides-20150121-story.html |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=June 13, 2015 |newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]}}</ref>
* On November 26, 2023 in the Disneyland version during holiday, a 26-year-old man exited a boat, removed several pieces of his clothing, walked over several props and entered the flume, resulting in a ride stoppage. The man eventually wandered to one of the outside entrances in which he was seen fully nude. The guest was arrested and removed by the Anaheim Police Department.<ref>{{cite news |author=Josh DuBose |title=Naked guy spotted on iconic Disneyland Ride |url=https://www.kron4.com/news/california/naked-guy-spotted-on-iconic-disneyland-ride/ |access-date=November 26, 2023}}</ref>
* On August 6, 2025 in the Disneyland version, a female guest secretly placed a dirty doll holding a protest sign reading "Remember Hiroshima" in the Japan scene of the Asia Room to mention the 80th anniversary of [[atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] during [[World War II]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2025 |title=Business owner behind mysterious 'Remember Hiroshima' protest doll at Disneyland's 'Small World' ride revealed |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/business-owner-behind-mysterious-remember-hiroshima-protest-doll-disneylands-small-world-ride-revealed |website=[[Fox News]]}}</ref> The doll was later removed from the ride.

==See also==
* [[1964 New York World's Fair pavilions#Industry pavilions|List of 1964 New York World's Fair pavilions]]
* [[List of Disneyland attractions]]
* [[List of Disneyland Park (Paris) attractions]]
* [[List of Hong Kong Disneyland attractions]]
* [[List of Magic Kingdom attractions]]
* [[List of Tokyo Disneyland attractions]]
* [[Incidents at Disneyland Resort]]
* [[Incidents at Disneyland Paris]]
* [[Incidents at Walt Disney World]]
* [[List of Disney attractions using Audio-Animatronics]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/its-a-small-world/ Disneyland – It's a Small World]
* [https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/its-a-small-world/ Walt Disney World Resort – It's a Small World]
* [https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/attraction/detail/172/ Tokyo Disneyland – It's A Small World]
* [http://www.disneylandparis.com/en-us/attractions/disneyland-park/its-a-small-world/ Disneyland Park (Paris) – It's a Small World]
* [https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/attractions/its-a-small-world/ Hong Kong Disneyland – It's a Small World]
* {{cite news |last=Richards |first=Jason |title=It's an Annoying Song (After All) |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/03/its-an-annoying-song-after-all/254429/ |access-date=March 13, 2012 |newspaper=The Atlantic|date=March 13, 2012}}
* [https://www.latimes.com/california/emcyh0drmsa-123 "It's a Small World" is a boat ride through a museum | How Your Favorite Ride Was Made] by Todd Martens and Mark E. Potts, Los Angeles Times.

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[[Category:1964 New York World's Fair]]
[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 1964]]
[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 1971]]
[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 1983]]
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[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 1992]]
[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2008]]
[[Category:Audio-Animatronic attractions]]
[[Category:Dark rides]]
[[Category:Disneyland Park (Paris)]]
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[[Category:Magic Kingdom]]
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[[Category:Walt Disney Parks and Resorts attractions]]
[[Category:Walt Disney Parks and Resorts gentle boat rides]]
[[Category:Water rides manufactured by Arrow Dynamics]]
[[Category:World's fair music]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:2024 disestablishments in Japan]]
[[Category:1992 establishments in France]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Folk costumes]]
[[Category:1966 songs]]