We just returned from a week-long trip to that enormous sociology experiment called Disney World. The cynic in me can’t help but be disenchanted by the massive environmental impact and the huge crowds, but the kids loved it and I re-lived some nice childhood memories. All in all it really was a nice trip, but now I need a vacation from our vacation. It was exhausting.
I made the kids ride It’s a Small World three times. And as someone commented on yesterday’s post, I too realized that this ride may have informed much of my design aesthetic. Not something that you really think about when you’re eight years old, but those early memories definitely make a difference. When I was a kid, we also vacationed in a small resort town with a kitschy Swiss theme, which furthered my love of tiny wooden toys, cuckoo clocks and clogs.
If you’ve never experienced this ride, you can see a video on YouTube here and read about it here. But of course there’s nothing like the real thing. It’s a magical experience that seems to hold up well after almost 50 years, captivating the full attention of both of my children. On this boat ride with sweet animatronic dolls wearing beautifully detailed costumes, happy animals and glittered scenery representing different parts of the world, there’s something new to see each time you ride. The song It’s a Small World was written exclusively for the ride. The scenery was designed by artist Mary Blair who helped define Disney’s style in the ’50s and ’60s with her art direction on classic films such as Peter Pan and Cinderella. The white and gold facade (above, top left), with its layers cut out in geometric shapes, reminds me of the work of artist Louise Nevelson with added glitter and lights. Blair’s modern style mixed with the international theme to create a look that may seem a bit kitschy now, but nevertheless stands the test of time.
And yes, I’m totally nostalgic about it. My photos are pretty terrible since they were taken in the dark with a flash (apologies to the people behind me), but you can see them all on flickr here. Do you have childhood memories of this ride?
I remember this so clearly. We went to the US in 1984 and I was 11 and my brother 8. We were forced to go on this ride by my Mum, and I have to say, to this day I still can’t get the blasted SONG out of my head!!!!
love that ride. i went as a child in disneyland. Last December, we took our girls on a quick 3 day trip to disneyworld. My DH, who is not american, didnt really understand my fascination with the ride. We, too, rode 3 or 4 times
I was a new mommy when It’s A Small World first opened in California. For me It’s A Small World is and was Disneyland. I never could get enough. The most fun was reliving it all over again with family Christmases with my grandchildren. In our family we now have ne babies both grandchildren and great grandchildren. I am looking forward to more treasured moments on the ride. Thanks for the memories!
I will always remember the first time I went on this ride. 1978. It was also the only ride my mum would go on. I also remember the first time my oldest daughter went on it (her 3rd birthday), mouth wide open the entire ride. Thanks for posting this, I am feeling very nostalgic right now (but not for space mountain).
Mary Blair is awesome, and had a beautiful aesthetic!
We went two years ago. It is definately a vacation that you need a vacation afterwards. But so much fun. Glad you had fun!
Did you know they recently shut the whole ride down and reconstructed it so that they can accommodate larger passengers? It was a major reconstruction project.
Having been to Disneyland for the first time a year ago, I can definitely say the CA version is even better than the FL version, if you ever have the opportunity.
We just got back from a trip to California. The whole time we were on this ride I kept saying to my kids, “This is someone’s job, to come up with all of this, paint, create, maintain all of this.” I had that thought many times during our time at Disneyland. Even the flowers look like an artist planted them!!
I love It’s a Small World! I grew up in So Cal with regular trips to Disneyland and have been to Disney World twice. It’s one of those rides that I appreciate more and more because every time I experience it, I see something new.
By the way, I am headed to Atlanta for first time next month with my family. My boys are 8 and 5. I’d love a local person’s suggestion about what we should try to do. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them! Thanks!
we lived near disney when i was a child. i went many times (even as field trips!) and this ride is what i remember most. it is fuzzy though so thanks for taking me back!
We were just talking about It’s a Small World today – a year after we escaped the Olympics in Vancouver for Disneyland. I had never been and had never really wanted to go – just wanted my parents to be the kind of parents that would take a completely kid-centred vacation. We surprised our kids with the trip – funny as they had very little exposure to Disney until that week. So I suspended my expectations/cynicism and ended up having a great time. My kids were so happy and it blew their mind when we went on that ride and I sang along! I loved the people watching – the big tough looking tattoed daddies with their little daughters in princess outfits and the transvestite/transexual parents with their kids – Disneyland makes everyone happy! And I totally get the Louise Nevelson resemblance too.
Without a doubt, this is my favorite ride in all of Disney. When I learned it would be closed on our last trip in September, I cried for an hour. I still feel cheated now.
Is it wrong that I would so love to go to Disney with you just to hear you snark on it? I’m a certified Snow White Disney loving nut, but somehow I think your take on it all would entertain me to no end!
I remember going to Disney in when I was about 13 with my mom, dad, 2 brothers and little sister. I had the map so we could hit all the good spots, but my dad kept asking “Where is It’s a Small World? Did we pass it? Are we there yet?” every 30 minutes or so. A forty-year-old man, whose favorite things include semi trucks and drag racing, could not wait to get there. And it’s one of my favorite memories; seeing a slightly softer side of the tough guy.
LOVED this ride! It was the first ride I ever went on at Disney and we went on it so many times and that song was stuck in our heads for days…
Thank you so much for the trip down memory lane. I’m going to be smiling all morning at my own Disney adventure 20+ years ago.
Oh my gosh – memories of this ride???? Heck yeah! I was at DisneyWorld the year it opened, and have visited many times since. It’s just a clean, fun, safe place to go with friends and/or family. And there’s something about this particular ride that’s just so…well…innocent! It’s sweet, and cute, and yes, that song gets stuck in your head *forever*. I do wish they would turn down the volume, but that’s Disney for you! Nice post. : )
I love that ride so much I copied the style for a nursery for baby #3, http://www.flickr.com/photos/margoisland/sets/72157612485567399/
didn’t ride ‘it’s a small world’ until i was over 50- i see some of you in there, and after you commented on it’s influence on you, i was really drawn to it, too, probably for the color aspect of the place. there, everything goes with everything and looks beautiful at the same time.
p.s. i’m working hard 🙂
I have not yet been to DisneyWorld; but, my husband went with his family when he was 12 (probably too old for that ride – but his Mother insisted)… he says this ride has scarred him for life, AND refuses to let our 3 bubs (8, 7 and 2) go on it this fall… I think I could take it or leave it… if the kids want to go on it, I can take them and he can sit out, as I’ll be experiencing it for the first time too… but I’m afraid too that I’ll be singing that song forever more….
Wow–this brings back great memories! What fun!