It's A Small World - It's A Classic just a bit outdated but still well-intentioned
Written: Jan 15 '05 (Updated Feb 06 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Line moves very quickly, long ride, families can go together
Cons: Could be updated
The Bottom Line: This Disney ride is a classic and is still fun to go on.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: it's a small world - Disneyland |
We have been on It's A Small World many, many times. I know it's cliche and I know it's repeatedly made fun of. Still, I have to sheepishly admit that I love this ride.
LOCATION
It's a Small World is located behind Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. It is set off by itself although it isn't too far of a walk from Fantasyland.
WAITING
It's a Small World has one of the easies waits to deal with. Similar to Pirates of the Caribbean, this ride takes place in boats that seat about twenty guests. Additionally, the boats take off with constant frequency. Because so many guests are boarded so quickly, the line moves very fast. Even with long lines, we have never waited more than 15 minutes and the line was continuously moving.
The line forms at the front of the ride. The front of the ride is really part of the attraction and is covered in a detailed gold and white design. Periodically, a clock on the front chimes and a whole parade of figurines starts. My kids love catching this extra show. Also, the front of the ride makes a nice backdrop for photos. In addition to that scenery, there are lots of cool topiaries in the landscaping. My kids really got a kick out of looking at the clever topiary animals.
The waiting areas are like wide sidewalks and are paved. They are wide enough your family can stay together and you don't feel crowded in. The line splits but this is only to make loading faster. The wait and the ride are the same no matter which line you get in.
BOARDING
There are no height restrictions on this ride. The ride takes place in large boats. We visited on such a slow day, our party of three adults and three children got a boat all to ourselves. We have to sit in the middle of the boat for weight distribution according to the cast member so no front or back rows for us. Normally, each boat seats about 20 people with about 4 to a row.
The ride is extremely gentle so there are no restraints.
Boarding does require you to step down into the boats. It wasn't hard to board and my mom with her bad knees managed fine. Although this is a water ride, the board is completely stable for boarding.
THE RIDE
Okay, the part everyone complains about is the song that plays over and over again. I admit, I don't love the song and would never buy a recording of it. Still, it is appropriate in the setting and even kind of cute when you are on the ride. I even don't mind the high-pitched children's voices singing.
The ride is quite long for a Disney ride and that part is very enjoyable. You float through large rooms that feature dolls from various countries. The dolls are not sophisticated by Disney standards. The dolls might spin or wiggle, or even hula, but they don't look or act real. In addition to dolls, there are animals, other toys and all kinds of detail, some of which move and some don't. The settings are also not very sophisticated by Disney standards. Many settings are simply painted wooden cutouts. Tinsel was also used a bit too much. Still, the scenery is enough to take in and there is enough in each room that you won't see it all the first time through.
The European countries are first. You see Beefeater dolls from England and cute little Dutch dolls in wooden shoes. Most countries are represented by both dolls and some landmarks or cultural props from the country the represent. India has the Taj Mahal and there are dragons to represent Chinese New Year. After the European countries, you go though a Middle East section with Egypt being the dominant country, an African section, a Polynesian setting with Australia and New Zealand represented, and an Asian setting with mostly Thailand, India and China represented. We find it fun to point out to the children which dolls represent which country. My eight year old was able to guess most correctly on her own.
Finally, in the last room, you see all the dolls again, each wearing their national costumes. However, in this final scene, the dolls costumes and many of the props are white. By showing the dolls in the same color, Disney intended to show world harmony and while this is probably naive and definitely an over-simplification, it still appeals to children and is well-intentioned and a laudable goal and value.
(small rant ahead) The only thing that bugged me about the final room were two particular dolls standing together. One was an American Indian and one was a Cowboy. The idea, I think, was that they made peace in the spirit of Disney magic or something along those lines. But here is the thing, the settlers massacred the Native Americans and that is history and can't be corrected. It is awfully sad and I don't think Disney should whitewash that little piece of history. (rant finished)
Most well-known countries are represented on this ride but, It's a Small World is clearly dated and it definitely reflects an antiquated view of the world. Many of the representations are cliches. For example, the Irish dolls are set in a green setting with pots of gold. The portion of the ride that represents Africa is dated and shows black dolls in tribal outfits. The scene ignores modern Africa and doesn't even distinguish between African countries. To really enjoy this ride, you need to set aside political correctness and try to remember that Disney's original goal was a good one - the children singing the ride's theme song are telling us that, despite our differences, we are all similar after all.
The only very minor gripe I have about this ride is that sometimes the boats are so close together they bottleneck and start bumping each other. We rode once and continually bumped the boat in front of us and the one behind us kept bumping as well. It got quite distracting and detracted from the ride.
I also should mention that the baby loved this ride. It is pretty low-stimulation and she liked looking at the movement and color.
ONE MORE TIP
We always see a Disney prince or princess near the front of this ride. Alice seems to hang out here quite a bit. These characters are not nearly as crowded as they are in other parts of the park and we have had some great photos taken here.
GIFT SHOP
There is a gift shop right near the exit to the ride. You don't have to walk through it but you do have to walk right past it.
HOLIDAYS
When we visited Disneyland in January 2005, It's a Small World still had its decorations up. The song in the ride changed to incorporate Jingle Bells with the regular song. The scenes inside the ride also had a lot of additional holiday detail. It was a nice change since we go on this ride a few times each trip to Disney and it was fun to see something new.
RECOMMENDATION
I really like this ride. The line moves quickly and the ride is long. Also, the whole family can ride together and there is nothing scary to frighten little ones. I definitely recommend this ride.
MY REVIEWS OF THE DISNEY THEME PARKS IN CALIFORNIA
Disney's California Adventure
Disneyland
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK HOTELS IN CALIFORNIA
Disney’s Grand Californian
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK RESTAURANTS
Storyteller’s Cafe
Blue Bayou
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Soarin’ Over California
Grizzly River Run
The Sun Wheel
Orange Stinger
Mulholland Madness
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D
It’s Tough to be a Bug 3D
Princess Dot Puddle Park
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
Flik’s Flyers
Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
Misson Tortilla Factory Tour
Boudin Bakery Factory Tour
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEYLAND
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Peter Pan’s Flight
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It’s a Small World
Tarzan’s Tree House
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Autotopia
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 3D
MY REVIEWS OF OTHER THINGS TO SEE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Legoland
SeaWorld San Diego
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Wild Animal Park
Balboa Park
The Museum of Making Music
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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modernmarvel
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