Happy 50th Birthday, It’s A Small World!

It’s A Small World turns 50 this week. Amounting to this celebration, Disney has posted pictures and history to their blogs and spread the cheer throughout social media. “The Happiest Cruise that Ever Sailed” was originally created for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. It was created in honor of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).  It was transferred to the Disneyland Resort and opened on May 28, 1966. This E-Ticket attraction has been re-imagined for each of the Disney Parks around the world.

This attraction is definitely a staple to each of the family vacation to Disney World. Recently, I was finally blessed to be able to trek out to Disneyland and ride the original (or at least its latest reincarnation). As the first It's A Small World attraction, it has undergone many updates. The 2008 refurbishment brought in a cast of 37 familiar faces to the Disney community. In each scene, characters from Disney and Pixar films can be found amongst the other 300+ dolls that had been in place since opening day. During the holiday season, It's A Small World undergoes a holiday transformation including songs featured in the attraction. They have also created a nighttime presentation on the outside facade of It's A Small World, which also undergoes its own Holiday treatment.

As in Picturing Disney fashion, here are some photos from It’s A Small World in Disneyland.

Unlike the loading bay in Walt Disney World's version,
Disneyland's loading bay is outside.

Peter Pan & Tinkerbell (she is flying next to the crescent moon) in
the beginning of England.

Alice & the White Rabbit in England

Cinderella, Jack, & Gus in France 

Pinocchio & Jiminy Cricket in Italy

Aladdin, Jasmine, & Abu in the Middle East

<3 <3 <3 My Favorite <3 <3 <3

Mulan & Mushu in China

Simba, Timon, & Pumba in Africa

Each time I tried to get a shot of Timon he went back into the
prop next to Pumba and Simba. However if you look closely,
you can catch his little face popping out ever so slightly.

Donald, Jose Carioca, & Panchito Pistoles in Mexico

The Three Caballeros

Ariel & Flounder in the South Seas Room. Although she is not really
 recognized formally at all in Andrina, one of Ariel's Sisters. Attina has also
been included but was not there when I made my visit.

Marlin & Dory in the South Seas Room

Lilo & Stitch in the Polynesian Scene

Woody, Jesse, & Bullseye in North America

Finale Room. It differs a lot from the Walt Disney World version as there more
colors instead of the white, gold, and blue hues.

In California, the ride exits through a small shop called
It's A Small Toy Shop.

In the next post, I'll share some photos from the It's A Small World Attraction in Walt Disney World.