Scrapping the Magic

Disney Lane: It’s a Small World

April — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:58:14 +0000

It’s A Small World After All…
But it Was Bigger When I Was A Kid.

By Amy Beth Combs

it's a small world postcard circa 1981

It’s funny the things we remember from our childhood. Certain sights, certain sounds, certain tastes & smells. Our surroundings can bring up such vivid memories that it’s like we’re watching home movies. When I’m in Walt Disney World, specifically in the Magic Kingdom or Epcot, it’s like this for me. I take a moment to look around and fleeting images of what Walt Disney World was to a shorter version of me are projected onto today’s reality.

Take Fantasyland, for example. Take “it’s a small world.” The attraction has gone mostly unchanged during its run at the Magic Kingdom, but when Disneyland turned 50 years old, it got what has been its biggest refurbishment to date. The load area was rethemed to resemble the outdoor load area of the California version. If you’ve visited the attraction in Disneyland, you know the refurb doesn’t really look all that much like it, but the addition of the clock tower is still a pretty cool plus. Every fifteen minutes, the doors open and you find out what time it is.

When I was a kid, I remember the load area being dark with some flashing lightbulbs along the walls, highlighting the tops of the painted-on buildings that were supposed to represent the architecture of the countries you were about to visit on your voyage around the world. The boats were larger. You didn’t feel cramped if you were an adult of any size. You had legroom. I remember the smell of the water. It wasn’t a dirty smell, it wasn’t an old smell. It was just vivid… a distinct Disney smell.

As I sailed, the ride seemed as dark as the atmosphere you’d left on the dock, at least in my recollection. Still, the dolls were amazing, the costumes were whimsical, and the hippo that winked at me was my favorite.

That shadow of a dancing lady with four arms behind the screen always used to scare me.

Those birds behind those long silver strips of whatever-that-is had spinning heads and bodies, and even though those were some of the most primitive pieces in the whole attraction, I loved them and always laughed.

When we’d approach the unload area, I’d always feel sad to be leaving. We’d walk up the ramp from the dock and I’d always look at the illuminated photos of the child representing Africa and the child representing Switzerland until I had to watch where I was going again. Those photos always fascinated me. They were children from somewhere out there in the world, and seeing them was like seeing an old friend.

Now I’m an adult, and “it’s a small world” has changed for me, but not much. I’d have to say I am more detail-oriented now. I notice how the seat size has changed since they redid all of the boats a couple years ago; the backs on the seats were heightened, and the metal bars were removed. I’m much larger now that I’m an adult, so that probably has something to do with it, too.

After setting sail, I listen for the subtle changes in the way the song sounds when passing each country’s scene. Sometimes it’s slight, sometimes it’s severe, but it’s always beautiful. I notice the sounds that the animatronics make as they move. Sometimes you hear pieces clicking when they touch (usually unintentionally), sometimes you hear air whooshing, sometimes you hear nothing at all, but it’s such a huge part of the attraction for me now.

I notice the wardrobe, the costumes, and the props, and marvel at how long it must take for someone to go through and make sure all the clothes are on straight. If a doll isn’t moving the way it should, I wonder what they do to fix that. If it can be fixed. I notice when the Italian boy in the gondola is missing, and I notice when the Polynesian surfer boy is missing. Speaking of Polynesia, I also notice every time they decide to re-paint the kangaroo with a different color scheme.

I notice the water stains on any show piece that comes in contact with the seas, and I feel sad about it. I notice how you can see through the ceiling in some parts of the ride, like they forgot to replace some of the tiles, and wonder what reason they had for leaving it that way… I lean toward ventilation.

When I was a kid, getting stuck next to the wooden soldiers from England for fifteen minutes would have been a delight. It was still a delight last year… but when our voyage resumed, I was pretty happy about it.

Most of all, I notice how absolutely gorgeous this experience has become. I recall reading that every single last one of the costumes for the dolls had been replaced, and the interior had been cleaned and repainted when necessary. Also, the sound was remastered. The finale is spectacular with everything done in white and very mild pastel shades of blue and pink. The frightened child in the hot-air balloon who once held a sign reading “Help me!” now smiles and is happy to be along for the ride. I wonder who rescued him? Maybe the cowboy, or the indian.

My childhood friends from Africa and Switzerland are gone from the exit ramp area. I do miss them and think about them every time I walk pass that wall. I wonder if anyone else remembers them.

Regardless of what memories you’ve taken with you from “it’s a small world,” the attraction is definitely an experience that stays with you… and not just the earworm of a song. The faces, the emotions, the sweeping panoramas are what left a huge impression on me as a child, and those same things still get me to this day.

Click here to discuss and share you it’s a small world memories.

May 2010 Photo Contest Winner

April — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:52:44 +0000

Congratulations to KingoftheMooners for winning May’s photo contest, Star Wars!

Playing Games

April — Sat, 22 May 2010 00:06:58 +0000

Do you like Disney? Do you like games? Then come on down and play with us on the Games Board! We have lots of games to choose from, like Name That Song, Attraction Quotes Challenge, Disney Movie Trivia, Hangman, and Have You Ever! And there’s lots more where that came from. Whether you’re a super scrapper, a prime photographer, jazzy with jewelry, or just like the company of some nice folks who love Disney like you do, there’s lots of fun in store! Mosey on over to the Games Board today!

April 2010 Photo Contest Winner

April — Mon, 03 May 2010 03:03:19 +0000

Congratulations to lovemyblt for winning April’s photo contest, Stitch!

March 2010 Photo Contest Winner

April — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:23:55 +0000

Congratulations to Mainstreetgazette for winning March’s photo contest, France Pavilion at Epcot!

February 2010 Photo Contest Winner

April — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:17:38 +0000

Congratulations to Mindymar for winning February’s photo contest, it’s a small world!

January 2010 Photo Contest Winner

April — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:31:43 +0000

Congratulations to Bonnie for winning January’s photo contest, Expedition Everest!

February 2010 Photo Contest – it’s a small world

April — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:33:45 +0000

Welcome to February’s Photo Contest! This month’s theme is:

it’s a small world

Post a photo of the it’s a small world attraction at any of the Disney parks!

Want to know what you will win? An “it’s a small world” Pin!

Rules:

The photo can be from current or past
The photo must be yours, do not use other people’s work or copyrighted photos (this includes Photopass Photos and on-ride photos)
The photo must be acquired legally. (i.e. do not submit a photo that used a flash in a no-flash allowed location)
Photos cannot be digital altered in anyway. (Red Eye Reduction is acceptable)
Photo may not have won a previous StM photo contest.
Photos can be no larger than 600 pixels in one direction.
You may only enter 1 photo into the contest.
Please upload photos to the StM Gallery if possible; this will allow for easier access in linking them to the voting and winners threads.
Post your pictures in this thread to enter the contest.

Entries are due Saturday, February 27th @ 11:59pm EST. On February 28th the panel of judges will vote on the photo they think fits into the judging criteria: Composition, Creativity, and Overall Impression. Winner will then be announced once a decision has been reached.page!

If you have any question, please feel free to ask!

Enter today…

December 2009 Photo Contest Winner

April — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:36:30 +0000

Congratulations to ReAnSt for winning December’s photo contest, Sorcerer Mickey’s Hat!

Homemade Mickey Ornament!

April — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:37 +0000

If you are looking for a way to add a little Disney touch to your holiday decor, Staff Member Stephanie has posted a really cute and easy project on the forums today on how to create a Mickey Ornament that you are sure to love!

For complete directions and more samples…