Disneyland Salutes 40th Anniversary of ‘iasw'.....

Originally Posted By Darkbeer

Disneyland Resort Press Release

DISNEYLAND SALUTES 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ‘IT’S A SMALL WORLD’ AND ONE OF POP CULTURE’S MOST ENDURING (AND UN-ENDING) SONG HITS


Thanks to Disneyland, The Sun Never Sets on the Song “It’s A Small World (After All)



ANAHEIM, Calif. (May 25, 2006) - - This Sunday May 28, 2006, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the classic attraction “it’s a small world†at “The Happiest Place on Earth.†One of the most popular Disney attractions of all time, the show is a fun-filled and whimsical salute to the children of the world that conveys its message of peace and harmony through the international language of music.


The water-borne journey originally debuted on April 22, 1964, at the New York World’s Fair, but it was its move to an elaborate new home at Disneyland that firmly cemented its place in pop culture and created, literally, an unforgettable theme song (much to the chagrin of many).



Although it was a hit with visitors to the fair, “it’s a small world†did not gain widespread fame as a must-see Disney experience until after Walt Disney himself presided over its official opening ceremonies at Disneyland on May 28, 1966. The attraction’s new address in Fantasyland provided a platform where millions of guests from around the world would be annually introduced to its visual charms and catchy title tune (by the Academy Award-winning songwriting team of Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman).


The new Disneyland version of the attraction, with its 900-foot long gleaming white, blue and gold façade, a fanciful 30-foot high chiming glockenspiel clock tower and over 300 singing and dancing Audio-Animatronics performers, became an instant favorite with park guests from around the globe. Through initial merchandise tie-ins (toys, records, music boxes, etc.) and the sheer popularity of its new incarnation, the attraction’s theme song became an international sensation (performed by everyone from top-name performers to local school and church choirs), so much so that today it is purported to be one of the most performed and recognized songs in the world.


“Disneyland was the springboard for making our little tune a phenomenal hit,†said songwriter Richard M. Sherman whose current projects include successful stage adaptations of his musicals “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang†and “Mary Poppins,†soon to debut on Broadway. “The song was originally written as a slow ballad and a prayer for peace and in 1966 the world was in a bad state of affairs so I think the song sparked and resonated even more . . . highlighting that we’re all together in this world and we’re more alike than we are different.â€



Due to its popularity at Disneyland, “it’s a small world†has been duplicated with similar success at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (1971), Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan (1983) and Disneyland Paris Resort in France (1992), ensuring that during every minute of the day its happy anthem is playing somewhere on the planet. Since 1966 more than 100 million people have enjoyed the four different versions of the attraction around the world, resulting in numerous Internet articles citing its title tune as one of the greatest “earworms†(songs or melodies you just can’t get out of your head) of all-time.



Inside the attraction the song and melody are repeatedly featured within a soundtrack loop. The loop is played, on average, 1200 times a day during a 16-hour operating day at each Disney Park. It is estimated that the song and melody are therefore played over 4,800 times around the world during any 24-hour period!



The song and attraction have even taken on a holiday motif through the years. On November 27, 1997, Disneyland unveiled “it’s a small world holiday,†a spectacular seasonal make-over of the attraction (exclusive to Disneyland) that celebrates the winter holidays around the world. Each year the attraction’s famous façade is adorned with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights while the interior and its cast of international children receive a festive overlay. Even the familiar “it’s a small world†soundtrack gets into the holiday spirit as the attraction’s famed song becomes part of a medley featuring “Jingle Bells†and “Deck the Halls.â€



“Of the many great songs and scores created by the Sherman Brothers, for such classic films as ‘Poppins,’ ‘The Jungle Book,’ and ‘The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh’ to name a few, none have the gravitas of international fame as ‘it’s a small world,†stated Jeff Kurtti, co-author of the book “Walt’s Time: From Before to Beyond†(a biography of the Sherman Brothers). “From its start as a song for UNICEF at the New York World’s Fair to a hit tune synonymous with Disneyland and the Disney parks, the song has become both a beloved and parodied pop culture song staple.â€


A mainstay of childhood music education, the song has become both cherished and derided. Disney itself has even parodied the song. In the hit 1994 animated feature “The Lion King,†the villain, Scar, requests to be serenaded with a bouncy tune to improve his bad mood. His lackey Zazu begins to sing “It’s a Small World (After All),†prompting Scar to shout in apparent agony, “No, No! ANYTHING but that!†The song is also playfully poked fun at during the madcap “MuppetVision 3D†attraction at Disney Parks in California and Florida.



“The song’s perpetual cheery disposition may be grating on some nerves but there’s no denying it’s a catchy tune,†adds Sherman, with a wink (who confides as an aside that his home doorbell also plays the first few bars of the song). “If this were the only song my brother Bob and I ever wrote we would be most grateful songwriters – to have your song play virtually every minute of the day around the world with a message of peace, childhood hope, understanding between peoples and joy – I don’t think it gets any better than that!â€


More information about the continuing Disneyland 50th anniversary celebration, and vacations at the Disneyland Resort, is available at www.disneyland.com, by calling (877) 700-DISNEY, or by visiting local travel agents. Additional insights can be found on the Official Disneyland Resort Podcast at www.disneyland.com/podcast.

 

Originally Posted By friendofdd

Wow!

Time flies. I've always enjoyed this attraction.

However, I find it difficult to believe the facade is 900 feet long. Perhaps 90 feet is intended?

 

Originally Posted By Liberty Belle

Yeah, that threw me too FoDD. But I really enjoy iasw, despite its often-bad reputation!

 

Originally Posted By dresswhites

Its a Small World is one of most favorite Disneyland attractions. Everytime i ride it, it brings back all the memories of visiting Disneyland over the years. Everytime I go on it, I see something new. I also like the message which still resonates. It is also one of favorite buildings in all of Disneyland. The ticktock of the clock is just one of those moments that you make remember where you are and what a magical place it is.
i am wierd but i actually much prefer Small World to Pirates. I can go on SW several times, but after one time Pirates bores me. LIke i said I am wierd.
I really hope that disney commorates this hostoric day. Maybe they will finally dedicate a window to Rolly Crump or Mary Blair. I am suprised that neither of these individuals have ever recieved one at Disneyland.

 

Originally Posted By gurgitoy2

I also love It's a Small World! I don't care that the song annoys people, I just adore that attraction. Everything about it is charming.

 

Originally Posted By Rivkah86

I agree, gurgitoy2. IASW is wonderful!

 

Originally Posted By englishboy

So is antyhing going to actually happen at the park on Sunday, or is this just a little free PR advertising for Disney?

 

Originally Posted By gadzuux

Do those people who enjoy this attraction so much wish that it were just a bit better? When held up to other DL 'classics', small world seems a bit under-executed. As one of the oldest (and largest) attractions at the park, it could certainly benefit from a thorough reimagining and improvement.

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

<<I find it difficult to believe the facade is 900 feet long.>>

While 900' seems a bit long to me, maybe this photo will help illustrate its length. Figure that the people in the picture are 5' tall on average:

<a href="http://www.dougdb.net/tl/dlsmallworld.JPG" target="_blank">http://www.dougdb.net/tl/dlsma
llworld.JPG</a>

 

Originally Posted By gadzuux

900 feet is the equivalent of three football fields. No way.

 

Originally Posted By gurgitoy2

"Do those people who enjoy this attraction so much wish that it were just a bit better? When held up to other DL 'classics', small world seems a bit under-executed. As one of the oldest (and largest) attractions at the park, it could certainly benefit from a thorough reimagining and improvement."

No, not really. Other than sprucing up the paint and dolls, I can't think of any major changes to theme or artistic style. I might add more countries, or change costumes, but overall, I really can't think of anything I would like done to the attraction. I am not all that crazy about the DLP version and it's diversion from the Mary Blair style, so I like the original just fine.

 

Originally Posted By believe

>>>While 900' seems a bit long to me, maybe this photo will help illustrate its length. Figure that the people in the picture are 5' tall on average:<<<<

900 feet is the length of the Titanic.
My guessitmate is that it's more like 200 feet, tops. They use forced perspective to make it seem bigger.

They must have used the finance group to do the measurement and used creative measurements.

 

Originally Posted By wonderingalice

I've always loved iasw... As a child in the '60s I had the record. It featured the yodeling version on the flip side and I always yodeled along (quite badly) like a merry little goofball!

And the holiday version... Well that practically has me bawling like a baby... it moves me so deeply. Love it, love it, love it!

 

Originally Posted By Moderation

Duff Beer for me,
Duff Beer for you;
I'll have a Duff-
You have one too!

 

Originally Posted By oneyepete

Could they mean the ride/canal be 900 feet long, from the time you get into the boat to when you get out?

 

Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt

"Do those people who enjoy this attraction so much wish that it were just a bit better? When held up to other DL 'classics', small world seems a bit under-executed. As one of the oldest (and largest) attractions at the park, it could certainly benefit from a thorough reimagining and improvement."

Yes. The DLP version seems just about right to me. The DLR version is a bit long, and I find the finale to be kind of underwhelming. It is a great attraction, though. Mary Blair was an incredible artist.

 

Originally Posted By seanyoda

Using Google Earth's measuring tool, the facade is about 200 feet long.

 

Originally Posted By mstaft

One of my favorites- really.
SM Holiday is a treat, too.
Just wish the US parks' version had the North American section that DLP does. (Does Tokyo's have a NA section?)

 

Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt

It didn't when I rode it years ago. In fact it was almost identical to WDW's version.

 

Originally Posted By fkurucz

>>Duff Beer for me,
Duff Beer for you;
I'll have a Duff-
You have one too!<<

And whatever you do, don't drink the water from the water way