Its a Small World Rehab and Expansion

[Goofmeister]

I read on MousePlanet.com that It's a Small World is rumored to be down for rehab and the addition of a new "room".

Any thoughts about what this would be, and is it true?

I told my family that the ride might be down, and my daughter was very upset.

She wants me to write a letter and tell them that it is her favorite ride, and it has to be open when we go in November.

It will seem a little strange to be at Disney and NOT do ISW at least once.

 

[WDWHound]

From what I've read, Smalll World is indeed going down for a long rehab. The following was taken from Screamscape.com:

"(1/26/04) We’ve been given the rough dates of June 7th, 2004 to March 18th, 2005 for the rehab of Small World. While we don’t know much about what will change inside, other than technical upgrades, it seems they may swap the current Exit and Entrance ramps to improve the flow of foot traffic and congestion between Small World and Peter Pan."

 

[airlarry!]

It needs it.

When we went in December, we were surprised at how many of the effects were not working. The tight rope riders, and I seem to remember a balloon or two, were either not working or removed from the show.

Yes, the ride is annoying to some, but to a little kid, seeing all the dolls and singing the song they learn quickly, it is a highlight of Fantasyland. It would be nice to see it refurbished.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Agree WDW IaSW has been looking pretty shabby for a long time. And things stationary that should be moving only enhance it's lackluster appearance.
Now if they would just fix the stationary items that should be moving in Splash Mountain too.

 

[exDS vet]

Since I grew up in California, I was raised on Disneyland and often heard many of the comparisons to it's WDW counterpart. Therefore I couldn't wait to get to FL so that I could draw my own conclusions.

What I took from my first trip to WDW was this. With the exception of Big Thunder and Splash Mtn., all of the attractions at the MK that were introduced at DL are much better at DL. This is especially true in the case of It's A Small World.

First off, the best part of the attraction is the facade in California. Why this wasn't duplicated I'll never understand. Second best is the finale, and the WDW finale just is not the same. I hate the que at the MK. It's old and tired and sometimes smells. Where are all of the topiary animals?

I'm sure one of you will let me know if either of the following has changed, so here it goes. Last time I was at WDW, the soundtrack to Small World was still the old music (updated at DL in 1994). And the biggest rip off of all was that they had not started converting to "It's a Small World Holiday" yet.

With a rehab scheduled that will take that much time, I think they should seriously consider scrapping the new room and completly rebuilding the entrance with a new facade similar to the one at Disneyland.

Before everyone loses their minds over this, don't get me wrong. I love WDW and the MK. They do have their better things as well;
Cinderella Castle
Tomorrowland (Except for Space Mountain)
Over-all size

That's just my opinion.

 

[YoHo]

Originally posted by exDS vet


Before everyone loses their minds over this, don't get me wrong. I love WDW and the MK. They do have their better things as well;
Cinderella Castle
Tomorrowland (Except for Space Mountain)
Over-all size

That's just my opinion.

At this point, I'd have to say WDW's Space mountain blows away DL's. If only because it exists where DL's does not.


Also, while DL's did have a soundtrack, that kinda helped cause wear and tear on the track which hastened its demise. Plus, Florida is the original Space Mountain, Not D. THe cars are more like Matterhorn cars in Florida whereas in DL they WERE sidebyside.

 

[exDS vet]

Originally posted by YoHo
Also, while DL's did have a soundtrack, that kinda helped cause wear and tear on the track which hastened its demise. Plus, Florida is the original Space Mountain, Not D. THe cars are more like Matterhorn cars in Florida whereas in DL they WERE sidebyside.

I was implying that MK has the better Tomorrowland with the exception of SM which is (or was) a better ride at DL than the MK version. It was simply a case of the newer ride being better than the original. I am very aware of the history.

Don't know how the soundtrack affected the tracks themselves. The music only existed for what 6 years? Off and on I might add. I have no problem with the cars on the DL version. Every single time I have been to the MK, Space Mountain has broken down repeatedly. I experienced that ride broken down more often in five years of trips to WDW than I ever experienced in over twenty-five years of visits to DL since the ride opened in 1977.

The debate on the similar attractions at the parks is a good one though.

 

[YoHo]

I really didn't notice a particular difference between the rides. I do have tis recollection of SM ALWAYS being closed.

Anyway, I was mainly just being picky on your Tense.

The soundsystems redistributed the weight of the cars thus affecting the way they rode. so, sound on or off, the cars were affected.

 

[JayCT]

I really hope they do not change Its a Small World too much. I know some find it annoying but it is not designed to be a high-tech wonder like other WDW attractions. Little kids and many adults love it for its simplicity. It also processes a lot of people, so there is rarely a long line (which is a welcomed relief at WDW). This ride was originally built as the Pepsi Building for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. It was transported to Florida for WDW. I love it because it is so simple, a product of a simpler time. It does, however, need some work, since it is over 40 years old.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree that the facade in DL is much fancier but I don't think it would work in MK. The MK building is designed to fit in with the overall theming of Fantasyland and the DL style would look odd there IMO. Remember that the DL building is set away from the other buildings and can look anyway it wants to without looking out of place.

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by JayCT
This ride was originally built as the Pepsi Building for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. It was transported to Florida for WDW. I love it because it is so simple, a product of a simpler time. It does, however, need some work, since it is over 40 years old.

Actually, the World's Fair version of the ride was transported to a new show building at Disneyland in California. The one in Florida is a copy.

 

[ShadowWind]

We got the short end of the stick in a couple of rides, especially Pirates who is not anywhere near as long. I think it would have been great to have the Small World facade at Disney World, but I guess they were going for a more quaint village as an offshoot from the castle than major show buildings.

While I certainly understand the better traffic system, on a personal note I will miss the entrance and exit ramps for one thing. My father worked for Exmet (Expanded Metal Corp) in CT, who had gotten an order for expanded metal to be used at WDW back in the late 60's. They said it was a custom job for IASW. Since the opening, there have been the metal grids that divide the people in the queue as you walk down the ramp. As far as I'm aware, my father actually stamped out the metal and made that order from start to finish at the company he worked for. Now we have no way of knowing whether that is the same metal or not, except upon going there in 1971 Dad recognized his handiwork. Also have no idea if they've been swapped out over the years. Still would like to think that he made just a little piece of Disney magic and history. Wonder if they plan to sell the pieces on Ebay or at Disneyana, would love to get one.

ShadowWind

 

[disneywy]

I have one more rumor to add to the IASW refurb....I recently heard that where the sky way was located was going to be adjusted and room for stroller parking is going to be made there. Not sure how legit this rumor is, but if it is true it would be good due to the excess of strollers in the area.

 

[Goofmeister]

I agree that it needs a rehab, but that seems like a long time to just make some repairs, and do some repainting.

The area really does get conjested with stollers which takes something away from the attraction.

I hope it doesn't impact the view from inside The Pinocchio Village Haus.

 

[hyzdufan]

The New and Improved It's a Small World!

<b><u>Featuring:</b></u>
<li>A 250 foot drop
<li>5 double looped inversions
<li>3 corkscrew turns
<li>2 minutes of weightlessness
<li>Forces pushing 5G's!
<li>10 FULL SECONDS UNDER WATER!

Now THAT'S a rehab. Still think it's boring?

 

[Chuck S]

With a rehab scheduled that will take that much time, I think they should seriously consider scrapping the new room and completly rebuilding the entrance with a new facade similar to the one at Disneyland.

While I love the facade of the DL version, those uncovered queues and outside effects (the clock) would never work in Florida weather with thunderstorms and heavy downpours. I think the re-had at WDW will upgade the ride to better enable a transition to holiday theme, as well as upgrading the soundtrack.

Also, a lot of the attractions at WDW were built to be more energy effecient, not a concern when DL was operating in the 1950s and early 60s...power was cheap. But by the early 70s power prices had started to increase a little...not as much as the late 70s, but they were rising.

 

[grinningghost]

I think if they're going to rehab, they should stick to the original theme, keep the same dolls doing the same things (it's tradition for many people) - just clean the place up. New paint, new costumes, new boats and do something about the ceiling! I know I'm the only one who probably notices, but they need to somehow camouflage the ceiling better. Like in Pirates - now that's a good camouflaged ceiling.

 

[MitchK]

I have to say Small World is a classic, but it is a little boring. If they were to add a new room, I suggest they add a small drop in the ride. Like in Pirates to add the efect of going into a whole different place. Mabey a underwater romm would be nice. Just my thoughts

 

[Baloo]

I know I'm the only one who probably notices, but they need to somehow camouflage the ceiling better. Like in Pirates - now that's a good camouflaged ceiling

No you're not I do too!!! I've thought the same way do for a long time.I find the Hidden Mickey that's the big,hanging,purple vine and then there's that blechy ceiling staring back at me! I'd even go for something like the ceiling in Rio del Tiempo in Mexico...those fireworks are pretty cool!

I hope they don't change the ride just spruce it up,then when they're done with IASW march right on over to SpMt and start on it...talk about a mess! OY!

 

[jlima]

We were there in July 01 and a leaky roof dripped on the que area during a downpour. I was stunned that someone over there thought it was OK for their park guests to be dripped on while they were in line. If the public areas aren't maintained it's certaily a reflection of the attention given to the entire attraction. It's no surprise the rehab to fix the whole thing is going to take 10 months; it's an indication of the scope of the work that they will do to the ride.

This ride is better at DL . . . and you just have to see the holiday presentation to believe it. And I have 2 boys. I'll tell them ahead of our trip in June that it will be down but I don't think they'll miss it too much.