The recently-announced additions to Disneyland's "it's a small world" attraction have sparked criticism from fans that adding characters would trivialize the main stars of the show -- the Children of the World -- and make the attraction into nothing more than a 10-minute boat ride advertising the Disney DVDs and plush sold at the attraction's gift shop.
Apparently Walt Disney wasn't interested in making "it's a small world" into an advertisement, either.
From page 34 of Imagineering and Disney Legend John Hench's Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of Show:
"Post shows were developed by Walt [Disney] to enhance the exit from a show, and to provide a place for a corporate sponsor to have a presence. In It's a Small World at the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair, Walt was concerned about the message at the end of the attraction - it felt too much like advertising to him. He wanted a farewell for guests at the end of their boat ride celebrating the children of the world. So we created a scene that said good-bye in several languages over the music of the show's famous song."
2 comments:
This was the age of innocence at Disney. The hope for world peace which is ihherent in the original ride was heartfelt.
The little dolls were stand-ins for real people all over the world. with the arrival of the Characters, they will become background and the beauty of the original ride will be lost.
This will just be an animated doll shop with no special purpose or focus other than to look cute.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I read with shock and disappointment today that your company is planning to change the It's A Small World ride, adding Disney characters to the already charming display. I cannot condemn this decision strongly enough.
It's A Small World has brought joy and happiness to millions of children throughout the world for over 40 years. There is no reason to change its message of peace on earth. It is more relevant now than it's ever been. Further, whether it is your intention or not, this "refurbishment" is being seen as a cynical attempt to make more money by pushing your new characters on the public at the expense of children and the young at heart.
I remember riding It's A Small World in Paris in 2006, and the comfort and joy I took at seeing the Twin Towers still standing. The fact that nothing had been changed allowed me to forget the mess our world is in for just a few minutes, and go back to a happier time of innocence. Why on earth would you want to change something that so many people cherish?????
Remember New Coke, and how the Coke company thought that was such an "improvement"? Well that was a bust, and almost spelled the end of that noble product. They finally had to change it back or face financial ruin. This will make the New Coke debacle seem like a Sunday school picnic in comparison!
By all means, change the boats so the fat people don't get stuck. That's not only good marketing, but in keeping with Disneyland being the happiest place on earth. But to change anything in the ride itself would render Disneyland the Saddest place on earth for me and countless others.
Respectfully,
Jeff Woloson
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