What's the story behind coins dropped throughout "It's a Small World?"

[N10CJT]

If it has to do with anything, I imagine it is a tradition begun when the ride was in direct support of UNICEF.
Regardless, can we all agree that the argument that throwing a penny into water is an absurd waste of money is just a bit over-dramatic? I know it only takes 250 of them to buy a Mickey Bar, but I'm pretty sure that if you're sitting at 248 or 249 some kind soul will be generous enough to dig deep and donate the difference.....

 

[If U Had Wings]

I had heard the same thing about the Give Kids the World Charity. I think I heard it on a non-Dis Disney podcast.

As an aside the coins in the fountains always remind me of one of my favorite books as a kid - "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil Frankweiler" where two kids runaway from home and hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY and live off the change in the fountain. I always loved that book as a kid because I always wanted to stay overnight in a museum and sit on all the furniture.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

To me it's akin to littering.

 

[Iri920]

You let your son throw coins in IASW? WHY? It's not a wishing well.

I know it's not a wishing well, but you try telling a two year old that.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

As an aside the coins in the fountains always remind me of one of my favorite books as a kid - "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil Frankweiler" where two kids runaway from home and hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY and live off the change in the fountain. I always loved that book as a kid because I always wanted to stay overnight in a museum and sit on all the furniture.

Me too! I loved that book! If you'll remember, the kids also took baths in the fountain!

My DH and I also talked about all the coins in IASM when we were there a few weeks ago. It looked like they hadn't been cleaned out in years, but surely they collected them during the refurb a few years back. I'm sure they donate the money if it's usable.

 

[Dictator]

I know it's not a wishing well, but you try telling a two year old that.

When my daughter was 2, I told her no a lot of time. Now that's she three, I tell her even more.

 

[Cherlynn25]

I had heard the same thing about the Give Kids the World Charity. I think I heard it on a non-Dis Disney podcast.

As an aside the coins in the fountains always remind me of one of my favorite books as a kid - "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil Frankweiler" where two kids runaway from home and hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY and live off the change in the fountain. I always loved that book as a kid because I always wanted to stay overnight in a museum and sit on all the furniture.

off topic but I have never read that book. Looked it up and just bid on it on ebay for my 4th grader. It looks like one he will really like. Thanks!

 

[DramaQueen]

I think it would be totally cool if there was a tradition to toss a coin from the specific country in their little area.

but as far as i can see through the ripples in the water it's mostly american coins, maybe a few canadian in their somewhere.

I get throwing pennies in...but when i see QUARTERS it boggles my mind.
I've seen loonies & toonies in some "wishing wells"/random bodies of water that people toss their coins in...it's insane!

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I'm too busy keeping an eye on all those dolls, making sure they don't come alive, to even GLANCE down!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

When my daughter was 2, I told her no a lot of time. Now that's she three, I tell her even more.

 

[pumpkin5156]

Okay people. Here's the scoop. I've been going to Disneyland for ever, and this is the reasoning behind the coins in IASW:

You take pennies and try to throw them in the mouths of the singing dolls! It's fun! That's what we used to do anyways...

 

[suzimar57]

my DH just said the only coins that won't ever deteriorate are those made of solid gold (which is why when shipwrecks from long ago are found, the coins are all clean and like new when brought up from the water below)

he said that yes, all other coins will corrode (pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters) over time in the water

 

[BarleyJack]

I never dropped coins in the water on IASW, but I did throw a few at those dolls towards the end of the ride, just out of sheer frustration.....get me out of here! shut up! ahhhhh! (totally kidding btw, before any gets upset )

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I know it's not a wishing well, but you try telling a two year old that.

You know...

Forget it. It's not worth getting points over.

 

[Iri920]

You know...

Forget it. It's not worth getting points over.

Yup I'm a horrible mother who can't control her son because she lets him throw coins in the water. Nope, he never gets told no and is spoiled rotten. I'm sure a lot of those horror stories about toddlers that get told on here are perfect examples of how he acts.

It's just funny how people make ASSumptions based on one silly thread.

 

[skater]

Yup I'm a horrible mother who can't control her son because she lets him throw coins in the water. Nope, he never gets told no and is spoiled rotten. I'm sure a lot of those horror stories about toddlers that get told on here are perfect examples of how he acts.

It's just funny how people make ASSumptions based on one silly thread.

ITA with you. Seriously - what's the big deal - does it hurt anything to toss a coin? When my kids were little they used to throw a few pennies in the fountain at the Mall. I'm sure lots of kids are thinking its the same thing. If it doesn't hurt anybody or the ride, what does it matter? Is this really worth judging someone over? Its not like you re-used a refillable mug or something . I'm sure if it was against the rules you would be able to tell him no.

 

[If U Had Wings]

off topic but I have never read that book. Looked it up and just bid on it on ebay for my 4th grader. It looks like one he will really like. Thanks!

I hope he loves it. I might have to pick up a copy for myself! There was also a movie based on the book that was pretty good too. I think it was called the Hideaways or the Runaways or something like that.

 

[Mom2JoeyandBen]

My oldest DS and I both throw coins into the water during the ride. It is just a fun family tradition. My DH thinks we are crazy but he is the one who makes sure that we have coins to throw into all bodies of water at Disney

 

[Kaler131]

Okay people. Here's the scoop. I've been going to Disneyland for ever, and this is the reasoning behind the coins in IASW:

You take pennies and try to throw them in the mouths of the singing dolls! It's fun! That's what we used to do anyways...

LMAO!!!!

 

[Mad Tea Party]

I've never noticed this on IASW but I have seen at the WL loads of coins in the water feature in the main lobby.Towards the end of our holiday we saw some CM's collecting the money so I asked where it was all going and they said to charity