Disney Parks Celebrates 50 Years of “It’s a Small World”

It excites me greatly to share my 50th year with what is probably the most iconic Disney attraction and song!

Disney Parks is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its iconic “it’s a small world” attraction with a global celebration that benefits UNICEF. Capturing the happy, peaceful spirit of children everywhere, the attraction, which debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair, now entertains guests at five Disney theme parks worldwide. Fans around the world are invited to join the celebration at SmallWorld50.com where they may record videos of themselves singing “it’s a small world” and create virtual dolls in the style of those from the attraction.  The celebration continues April 10, when hundreds of voices from the Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, Disneyland Paris in France and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will be united in a global sing-along.

photo courtesy of Disney Parks

I have already visited SmallWorld50.com and recorded myself singing and created my virtual doll. I hope you will take a few minutes and record yourself and/or your children singing this classic Disney tune.

It’s a Small World Fun Facts

• The “It’s a Small World” song was composed by Richard M. and Robert S. Sherman, the Academy Award®-winning composers of “Mary Poppins,” at the request of Walt Disney. Arranged and orchestrated with instruments from all over the world – bagpipes in the attraction’s Scotland scene, Peruvian reed flutes, Tahitian drums, etc. – the music not only provides accents to each scene, it underscores the attraction’s theme of unity.
• During a 16-hour operating day in the parks, the “It’s a Small World” song is played, on average, 1,200 times.
• After two hit seasons at the New York World’s Fair in 1964 and ’65, “it’s a small world” moved to Disneyland in California, where it was expanded and then reopened as a major attraction in 1966. Shipping stickers with 1965 dates can still be found on the back of some set pieces.
• During extensive refurbishments in 2004-2005, the clown piloting a hot air balloon in the “it’s a small world” Finale at Walt Disney World changed his demeanor. He now smiles and carries a balloon in his hand. Formerly, he frowned and carried a sign saying, “Help.”
• A team of 18 seamstresses, tailors and milliners worked for two years in the Creative Costuming shop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World to create the dolls’ traditional costumes for Disneyland Paris. Authentic materials were used for each region, including silks for the Indian saris and fine wool for the Scottish bagpiper.
• Disneyland in California, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland all have a holiday version of the attraction.
• Disneyland in California and Hong Kong Disneyland include “it’s a small world” dolls dressed as classic Disney Characters, including Ariel and Flounder (“The Little Mermaid”) in the Pacific Island scene; Mulan and Mushu (“Mulan”) in Asia; Aladdin and Jasmine (“Aladdin”) in the Middle East; and Donald Duck, Panchito and Jose Carioca (“The Three Caballeros”) in Latin America.
• With the 1992 opening of “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Paris, the cheerful “it’s a small world” anthem may be heard somewhere on the planet every hour of the day.

I know the song is stuck in your head now, so smile as you sing it all day long!

“It’s a Small World (After All)” Lyrics

It’s a world of laughter
A world of tears;
It’s a world of hopes
And a world of fears.
There’s so much that we share
That it’s time we’re aware

It’s a small world after all.
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small, small world.

There is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means
Friendship to ev’ry one.
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide,
It’s a small world after all.