Disney News

Disneyland's 'it's a small world' ride celebrates its 40th anniversary

Disneyland’s popular Fantasyland boat ride “it’s a small world” celebrates its 40th birthday this Sunday, May 28, 2006.

First opened on April 22, 1964 at the New York World’s Fair, “it’s a small world” was a huge Disney hit. When the fair ended, the attraction found a new home at Walt Disney’s Disneyland in California and reopened on May 28, 1966 in Fantasyland. The slow-moving boat ride has brought joy and hope of international harmony to millions of guests.

The attraction features more than 300 Audio-Animatronics and has entertained more than 100 million guests at the four versions of the ride around the world (Disneyland, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris). A version of “it’s a small world” is rumored to be in development for the newly opened Hong Kong Disneyland.

The title theme song featured in “it’s a small world” was written by Richard and Robert Sherman, who also wrote songs for the beloved film Mary Poppins as well as “There’s A Great, Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” the theme song for the Tomorrowland attraction Carousel of Progress.

The song has become one of the most internationally known songs thanks to its catchy melody. Inside the Disneyland ride, “it’s a small world” plays on a loop approximately 1,200 times per day and therefore more than 4,800 times around the world each day.

“it’s a small world” song lyrics

In 1997, “it’s a small world” started a new wintertime seasonal tradition: a transition to “it’s a small world holiday.” The attraction retained its festive spirit by adding lights, decorations, and songs to show how different cultures celebrate their respective winter holidays. This popular overlay has been running each winter since then.

Source: Disneyland Press Release