Save the Rainforest.
Save the Small World.
"it's a small world" is the world-famous Disney theme park attraction which first debuted at the 1964 World's Fair. Designed by Disney for UNICEF and Pepsi Cola, "it's a small world" is the crowning achievment of artist Mary Blair and numerous other talented individuals. The attraction, dubbed as "The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed 'Round The World" was designed with UNICEF's core values in mind, and offers a "prayer for peace" sung by the Children of the World.
Recent reports say the Walt Disney Company will be making several significant changes to the original "it's a small world" attraction at Disneyland Park in Southern California. Walt Disney Imagineering has confirmed the addition of new dolls representing characters from Disney's animated films including Alice in Wonderland. Reports also claim the the Papua New Guinea rainforest show scene will be replaced with a tribute to America.
"it's a small world" was never designed to be a place for popular Disney characters. These changes risk damaging the attraction's core message of world peace by trivializing the show's stars and message bearers - the Children of the World. Simply put, Mickey Mouse, Stitch, and Cinderella are not appropriate in an attraction designed as a child's "prayer for peace."
Furthermore, "it's a small world" was designed for its American audiences to take a step back and take stock in the world around them. Removing the Papua New Guinea show scene in favor of a tribute to America would detract from this goal. Additionally, the removal of the Rainforest would be removing a show scene designed specifically for Disneyland audiences when the attraction was moved to the park after the 1964 World's Fair.
Save the Rainforest is a campaign for positive change. Disney has a long tradition of enhancing aging attractions to renew and maintain interest, but these enhancements traditionally aim to maintain and strengthen the core themes and messages an attraction holds. The proposed additions to "it's a small world" do not enhance, support, or strengthen the core message and themes of the show, and thus the additions should be cancelled by Disney.
Change should be a step forward. It should clairify, strengthen, and enhance the experience an attraction creates for guests. It should not distract, muddle, or change it with superflouous additions.
The time to act is now. Others, including Kevin L. Blair, son of attraction designer Mary Blair has already spoken out with an open letter to the Walt Disney Company. Let your voice be heard, and tell Disney to Save the Rainforest and Save the Small World.
CALLThe Walt Disney Company: (818) 560-1000
Walt Disney Imagineeering: (818) 544-6500
Disneyland Resort Public Relations: (714) 781-4500
WRITE
Walt Disney Company
Attn: Robert Iger
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521-0001
Walt Disney Imagineering
Attn: Tony Baxter
1401 Flower Street
P.O. Box 25020
Glendale, CA 91201-2421
Disneyland Resort
Attn: Ed Grier
1313 S. Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim , CA 92802-2309
E-MAIL
Disneyland Resort - www.disneyland.com/contact
Further Reading and Media Coverage
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Mary Blair with "it's a small world" character model.
Walt Disney dedicates "it's a small world" with costumed Children of the World.
The iconic Mary Blair-designed attraction facade.
Photos: Disney
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