Interactive Name Display Removed from ‘its a small world’ ride at Disney World. We may be late on this one, but we don’t often ride the classic ‘its a small world’ attraction in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. It is not like we don’t appreciate the ride, the children from around the globe, or the artwork and design by Mary Blair, it is because we know the song will be stuck in our heads for days! Have you ever been stuck in traffic and wanted to yell at the person going slow in the left lane, and “it’s a world of laughter, A world of tears…” starts playing in your head?
Anyway, I digress, one of the best parts of the Small World ride is the storytelling, and in the final scene, Disney Imagineers figured out how to make you feel part of the story as one of the children of the world, by having your name display at the end scene of the ride. Back in 2016 with the rise of the use of MagicBands, an interactive display was added to ‘its a small world‘. If you had on a Magicband or the RFID chip in the credit card like a theme park pass, your name would appear.
We have spoken to many people who either really enjoyed seeing their names displayed, they also went on to mention how this technology is in use at other attractions like Star Tours and Rock n’ Roller Coaster in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But, alas, this does not happen anymore in the Magic Kingdom. Disney has removed the name displays and replaced them with basic cutouts that feature different languages of the word “Goodbye”.
There is no word on if the displays are going to be replaced, fixed, or removed completely. We hope this makes a return, at least for those times we do ride the amazingly fun, yet hauntingly familiar attraction.
Below: you can see the yellow-bordered display is physically gone.
“it’s a small world” Embark on a whimsical boat ride past a jubilant chorus of children from around the globe.
“The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed”
Sing along to the classic anthem of world peace during a delightful musical boat tour. Cruise along the Seven Seaways Waterway on a gentle 10-minute journey through all 7 continents. Pass through vivid, fantastical scenes representing the iconic sights and sounds of dozens of nations.
Behold a cast of dancing darlings from nearly every corner of the globe and watch as the Audio-Animatronics figures achieve universal harmony as they sing one song in many languages.
By journey’s end, Walt Disney’s simple message is clear: it truly is a small world after all!
Related: D23 Tribute to Richard M. Sherman Brings Together Disney Elites for Musical Celebration
History, After All
“it’s a small world” was created for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. Personally overseen by Walt Disney in support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the attraction was a huge hit. After 2 seasons there, it was shipped to Disneyland park, where it opened on May 28, 1966.
In 1971, “it’s a small world” was recreated to become one of the Opening Day attractions at Walt Disney World Resort. Due to its immense popularity, the attraction has been replicated at many Disney theme parks around the world and is considered a Walt Disney masterpiece.
The Story Behind the Song
“It’s a Small World (After All)” is a timeless classic and one of the most well-known songs of all time. Walt Disney asked the Academy Award®-winning brothers, Richard and Robert Sherman, who were hard at work on Mary Poppins, to create a single song that could be sung by Audio-Animatronics figures in multiple languages.
Mary Blair Flair
With her distinctive use of color, geometric shapes and a simple, child-like art style, Mary Blair was renown for her visual aesthetic. Her colored paper collages give you the impression of sailing through an illustrated children’s book.
Authentic Doll-Sized Costumes
Under the direction of designer Alice Davis, Disney seamstresses sewed over 300 costumes in all. Authentic materials were used for each region’s traditional attire, from silks for the saris of India to fine wool for the Scottish bagpiper.
