IASW Refurbishment & Rumor

[ADP]

It appears IASW will be down for a somewhat lengthy refurbishment 8/1 - 10/22. There's speculation and rumor that during this refurbishment Disney characters will be integrated into the ride similar to Disneyland's version. Again, just rumor about the characters, but considering the length of the refurbishment it appears there will be more going on than just a general cleaning and tune-up.

 

[TSWJan78]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! We are taking DD on her firsttrip.. How can you go to WDW for the first time and not do IASW?!?!?

Guess that means we will have to go back (as if we needed a reason)

 

[DisneyKevin]

Leave "it's a small world" alone.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Oh boy. I guess I better make sure I go on it in July then.

Kevin, you coming on with me? I'll sing. lol

 

[WaltD4Me]

IASW was just down for a long refurb not all that long ago. They should leave it alone, it doesn't need Disney characters. Then again, I guess it's better than Marvel characters.

 

[turkeymama]

Oh this makes me sad. As corny as it sounds, that is my favorite ride. On my first visit (at the young age of 29), my sister rode it with me and our kids and I was in awe. I had really made it to Walt Disney World! I almost cried at the end. That moment, it all clicked for me. I even have the song as my ring tone. Pretty corny, right?

I'd rather not see them add the characters, even though they already have in Disneyland. Even worse, if we actually get to go this year, it will likely be the first of August.

Oh well, such is life.

 

[Disney~Rocks~08]

according to this tweet yesterday by @**************, it looks like they will NOT be adding characters.

@************** WDW/WDI say NO Disney characters to be added to it's a small world at MK during upcoming rehab.

 

[NC Belle]

I thought IASW had insert some characters at WDW last year. I thought I pointed out some to hubby on our last trip in 10/09. I hope I didn't watch Pete's DL IASW video one time too many. I have not been to DL yet.

*I thought I saw characters like Puumba and Timon was at WDW's Africa scene and like IASW Sleeping Beauty/Belle like doll in France. I don't remember taking pictures of the ride last year.

 

[luke]

Uhoh, DW is going to kill me, tis her favourite ride and it'll be down for our whole trip

I don't necesarily want the Disney characters adding, but it wouldn't be the end of the [small] world if they were

 

[rotlex]

While I realize these things need to be done at some point, I can't believe they are shutting down this one from August through Sept., during a time they push free dining etc.

We have our 3rd trip with our son, he'll be almost two this August, scheduled, and my wife and I have been dying to see how he reacts on IASW. We video taped the ride last August on our last trip, and he loves watching it, and is very, very familiar with the song.

We have been so looking forward to taking him on it again this year.

 

[MomofKatie]

While I realize these things need to be done at some point, I can't believe they are shutting down this one from August through Sept., during a time they push free dining etc. (

Even with Free Dining, Aug/Sept is one of the slow times of they year. Maybe Disney schedules these popular attraction rehabs during Free Dining to entice some to either re-book for a later trip in addition to their Free Dining one, or forego FD altogether and book when their favorites are open (and surprise, it is a higher priced time of year to go)...

 

[OKW Lover]

Leave "it's a small world" alone.

Kevin, maybe you can console yourself by substituting the Electric Water Pageant.

 

[Applemomma]

It takes a long time to dust all those dolls.....

Glad it will be done when we get there in November...it's our traditional first ride.

 

[Joshua_me]

I wouldn't mind them doing something with the ceiling.

Seriously. It's always annoyed me that when you look up all you see are those acoustic foam tiles painted black with all the little holes in them. Looks tacky.

No other ride has that.

Just a thought.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Leave "it's a small world" alone.

I used to feel that way.

Until I saw what they did in Disneyland - and integrated characters in the style of Mary Blair. It's really quite terrific!

 

[lisah0711]

I used to feel that way.

Until I saw what they did in Disneyland - and integrated characters in the style of Mary Blair. It's really quite terrific!

ITA! The addition of the characters that was done at Disneyland took an old ride that was getting to be a snoozer and gave it an update that was totally in keeping with the spirit of the ride and Walt's philosophy of making things better. The lighting was improved alot too.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I stand by my original statement.

Leave "it's a small world" alone.

Something are awesome on their own.

Would you paint Tow Mater in the background of a Picasso painting?

Maybe we could place a Disney princess in the red head scene in Pirates.

Maybe place the Mad Hatter in the ballroom scene in Haunted Mansion.

Or add the dancing hippos from Fantasia to the Jungle Cruise.

"it's a small world" is awesome just as it is. Updating the electronics, changing the lighting, doing something with the black 70's acoustical tile ceiling....those are all improvements I can understand.

Adding Disney characters to an artist's vision seems a bit blasphemous to me and if you do some research...you will find that Mary Blair's family felt similarly.

This ride was developed to promote world unity and to show children from around the world. Richard Sherman has described the theme song as a "prayer for peace".

Lilo and Stitch have other homes in the park. Disney characters can be found anywhere. They dont need to reside in "it's a small world".

I know what you are going to say.....they added Captain Jack to Pirates and it was very successful. Fine. Make a movie about children around the world singing about world peace and I will have a different opinion...but placing Jessie from Toy Story in "it's a small world" is wrong in my opinion.

Leave a classic ride alone. It doesnt need to be "improved".

 

[k5jm]

I stand by my original statement.

Leave "it's a small world" alone.

Something are awesome on their own.

Would you paint Tow Mater in the background of a Picasso painting?

Maybe we could place a Disney princess in the red head scene in Pirates.

Maybe place the Mad Hatter in the ballroom scene in Haunted Mansion.

Or add the dancing hippos from Fantasia to the Jungle Cruise.

"it's a small world" is awesome just as it is. Updating the electronics, changing the lighting, doing something with the black 70's acoustical tile ceiling....those are all improvements I can understand.

Adding Disney characters to an artist's vision seems a bit blasphemous to me and if you do some research...you will find that Mary Blair's family felt similarly.

This ride was developed to promote world unity and to show children from around the world. Richard Sherman has described the theme song as a "prayer for peace".

Lilo and Stitch have other homes in the park. Disney characters can be found anywhere. They dont need to reside in "it's a small world".

I know what you are going to say.....they added Captain Jack to Pirates and it was very successful. Fine. Make a movie about children around the world singing about world peace and I will have a different opinion...but placing Jessie from Toy Story in "it's a small world" is wrong in my opinion.

Leave a classic ride alone. It doesnt need to be "improved".

Isn't that like having Astronaut Mickey in Frontierland?

 

[NC Belle]

I stand by my original statement.

Leave "it's a small world" alone.

Something are awesome on their own.

Would you paint Tow Mater in the background of a Picasso painting? Maybe...if it will fit a story line

Maybe we could place a Disney princess in the red head scene in Pirates.
Ariel the pirate queen
Maybe place the Mad Hatter in the ballroom scene in Haunted Mansion.
It could work

Or add the dancing hippos from Fantasia to the Jungle Cruise.

"it's a small world" is awesome just as it is. Updating the electronics, changing the lighting, doing something with the black 70's acoustical tile ceiling....those are all improvements I can understand.

Adding Disney characters to an artist's vision seems a bit blasphemous to me and if you do some research...you will find that Mary Blair's family felt similarly.

This ride was developed to promote world unity and to show children from around the world. Richard Sherman has described the theme song as a "prayer for peace".

Lilo and Stitch have other homes in the park. Disney characters can be found anywhere. They dont need to reside in "it's a small world".

I know what you are going to say.....they added Captain Jack to Pirates and it was very successful. Fine. Make a movie about children around the world singing about world peace and I will have a different opinion...but placing Jessie from Toy Story in "it's a small world" is wrong in my opinion.

Leave a classic ride alone. It doesnt need to be "improved".

I would mind some additions as long it is Mary Blair styled.

 

[ADP]

This maybe the best clue that Disney World's version of IASW will add classic Disney characters to the attraction during this current refurbishment.

This merchandise just popped up at the Magic Kingdom a few days ago. It shows Peter Pan flying over IASW character dolls. This could simply be Disneyland merchandise making it's way over to WDW, but who knows for sure.

Again...All of this is just rumor at this point. Disney is still claiming the current refurbishment is only related to queue work.