It's a Small World closed for NINE MONTHS??

[OnWithTheShow]

The exterior of It's a Small World will remain the same, however if you have ever noticed there is a large mostly unadorned wall inside the structure past where the boats load. This is the area that is expected to get the treatment like Disneyland's.

 

[rocketriter]

Egad! Just reading the title of this thread has started that tune going round and round and round and round inside my head! Aaak!

 

[johare]

I was at MK yesterday and can confirm that Small World is now closed and will not re-open until sometime next March.

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by Bella the Ball 360
The ride in Disneyland was originally at the NY World's Fair and if I am not mistaken it was sponsored by either Coke or Pepsi. I know Disney has an affiliation with Coke but I still feel that it was Pepsi. That I think is the reason it is so elaborate.

The original Worlds Fair Version was sponsored by Pepsi, with proceeds going to UNICEF (thus the children of the world theme). The exterior of the Worlds Fair Small World buidking was actually quite plain, with the exception of a tower which sat out in front called the Tower of the Four Winds (designed by Rolly Crump). This tower was covered with windvanes and propellors and was quite spectactular.

When the fair closed, the plan was to move the tower to Disneyland, but it turned out to be too expensive. It was eventually destroyed, however it server as the ispiration for much of the artwork you see on the exterior of Disneyland's Small World.

Here is a picture of the pavillion and the tower at the NY64/65 Worlds Fair. That tower was really something. I wish they could have kept it.

 

[cindyfan]

WOW......AWESOME PICTURE!!!

Do you have any others of IASW at the fair?

Or any from the first days of IASW at DL??

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by cindyfan
WOW......AWESOME PICTURE!!!

Do you have any others of IASW at the fair?

Or any from the first days of IASW at DL??

I have to admit, I cheated. I found this postcard on the web. I do know of some other sites that should have some better IASW pictures from the worlds fair, but I can't put my finger them right now. I'll do a little research and post here again when I find them.

 

[Rence]

FYI: I am pretty sure that about a year ago, I saw an old episode of Wonderful World of Disney (or whatever it was called in 1964) on the Disney channel. It was called something like Walt Disney goes to the World's Fair.

It covered Pepsi's It's a Small World, Illinois' Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, GE's Progressland (Carousel of Progress) and Ford's Magic Skyway.

You may want to watch for it. Hopefully they'll repeat it.

 

[rjg41]

To re-confirm. It's a Small World is closed. We were there Monday and Tuesday. According to the attendant it has been closed for two weeks already and will not open until next spring. A great dissapointment. We were there in 1964 at the World's Fair, we took our kids for the first time in 1975 at DisneyWorld, and just went to DW with two of our grandchildren and were not able to show them Small World.

As for pictures, I have 8mm movies, now on DVD, of the original, It's a Small World, outside and while on the boat inside the ride, from the 1964-65 New York World's Fair.

 

[TammySB]

This is my favorite ride at the MK, I was disappointed when it was posted that it would be closed for refurb. We are going mid June for our third trip since 99. Well I guess that means my DH has to take me back so I can see it after the refurb!! I know it needs it, it just seems like alot of refurbs are going on during the busy season. Oh well its not like its going to ruin our trip, there is plenty to see and do!!

 

[aikodude]

My DH6 is sooo disapointed. Guess we'll have to go back next spring. Don't want to disapoint a little girl!

When is Easter break 2005? Wonder if it'll be open by then...

dave

Arrrrgh! Thar's packing to do mateys!

 

[DisneyDude10171]

As my mother put it when we were there, "It's a Sad World"

IASW is definately overdue for some major updates, but I hear the real reason they closed it is in order to use all the dolls to sing nightly for Wishes

 

[rclacey]

We just got back from DWD left beach club on 5/14 and Small World was closed when we went to MK on 5/11/2004.

 

[lillasmom]

Does this mean it might open earlier? We have a trip planned for January and would love to see it open earlier than predicted. My DN will be so disappointed if it's not open.

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by lillasmom
Does this mean it might open earlier? We have a trip planned for January and would love to see it open earlier than predicted. My DN will be so disappointed if it's not open.

Sorry, but January seems unlikely from what I have read. They are shooting on having it up for spring break.

 

[Tatakai]

Leaving for WDW tommorrow , absolutely gutted that " It's a Small World " will be closed. Shabby or not I love it , even the version at WDW Paris is good

 

[madhouserobey]

i think they should have filled in this ride and saved 20,000 leagues. this ride could make anyone go crazy. but just me because dw,dkids love this ride.

 

[MDMOUSE]

I hope the ride remains similar to the way it was- how often can you enjoy something with your children that you enjoyed as a child? It was such an important link to the past and I so hope that they don't go and ruin it!