London - It has long been a classic part of the Disney theme-park experience – and it is not a high-speed rollercoaster, a splash-happy water ride or even a spooky haunted house.
But the It’s A Small World attraction has become such a part of a day at one of Disney’s enclaves that it is about to chalk up its half-century.
And the theme-park giant has big plans to celebrate this 50-year anniversary with a mass singalong that will stretch across three continents and four countries.
It’s A Small World was previewed at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, designed as a tribute to peace and hope, but quickly became a firm favourite at Disney parks – a musical boat ride where guests are carried on a gently-paced excursion “around the world”.
Within, they are serenaded by around 300 animatronic dolls in different international scenes – representing children from all over the planet.
The song that accompanies travellers on their “journey” has also become familiar to millions, with the refrain of “it’s a small world” ringing in ears as people leave the ride.
Now, Disney is planning to mark the enduring success of the ride with a “worldwide” rendition of the famous ditty, to be held at five of its theme parks.
On April 10, Disney’s US resorts – Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida – will join forces with Disneyland Paris, plus the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort – for an arms-around-the-globe rendition of the famous song. And fans will be encouraged to join in virtually.
Disney has launched a website – www.smallworld50.com – where enthusiasts can record videos of themselves performing the naggingly familiar number.
“It’s A Small World has inspired hundreds of millions of people through its theme,” says Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “The 50th anniversary of this attraction represents a celebration of the shared optimism, hope and humanity of people throughout the world.” – Daily Mail
A song of peace, love and harmony
The single most widely translated and globally performed song of all time, It’s A Small World (after all) made its debut on May 28, 1964, as Disney Parks celebrated the attraction’s grand opening.
This anthem for global unity was created by two of Disney’s most acclaimed songwriters, Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The Sherman Brothers were approached by Walt Disney to create one song (originally, the ride was accompanied by several national anthems) that would not only convey the message of world peace to its listeners, but would also be easily translated to the many languages and cultures around the globe. The song remains the only creation by Disney that has not been copyrighted, at the urging of Unicef, who wanted the song to forever be “a gift to the children of the world.”