Spring Break
It's a Small World of understanding
Scott Dennis
Issue date: 5/9/08 Section: Forum
Saying "It's a Small World" isn't relevant enough is like saying maps aren't relevant to a geography classroom.
Sure the ride is slow, and the song will roll around your head for days, but the intent of the ride - corny as it may be - is clearly understood. Disney used this same excuse when they added characters from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies into the original ride.
In fact, the company has cited that particular refresh as proof that, despite fans' early criticisms, this renovation will be loved by fans once it opens to the public. While the additions of Captain Jack Sparrow and company were enjoyed by many guests, many fans in fact detested their intrusive presence in the ride.
A director on SpongeBob has even claimed that while "the old 'Pirates' transported riders to a completely unique world and a completely different time period," the new version "breaks the fantasy" and "brings riders into the modern day."
In a letter to the fan community, Disney stated that the additions to Small World would be in the "distinctive 'Mary Blair' style."
Mary's son also wrote a letter, decrying the character additions and calling the changes "an insult to Mary Blair, her art and her memory and to the entire Blair family itself."
What Disney doesn't seem to realize is that it isn't the style in which the characters are depicted that bothers Disney fans; it's the concept.
Why in Walt's name would they even consider adding Disney movie characters such as Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, etc. into "It's a Small World"?
Whenever questioned about this, the company will say that Walt Disney himself was all about changing the park, which obviously means that he (still dead, by the way) would be fine with these changes. If that be the case, then why did he not put them in when he originally built the darn thing?
It's not like he didn't have any Disney characters available at the time. It was a purposeful decision not to put Disney characters into a ride (as Walt himself avowed) whose stars are, "the children of the world."
Sure the ride is slow, and the song will roll around your head for days, but the intent of the ride - corny as it may be - is clearly understood. Disney used this same excuse when they added characters from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies into the original ride.
In fact, the company has cited that particular refresh as proof that, despite fans' early criticisms, this renovation will be loved by fans once it opens to the public. While the additions of Captain Jack Sparrow and company were enjoyed by many guests, many fans in fact detested their intrusive presence in the ride.
A director on SpongeBob has even claimed that while "the old 'Pirates' transported riders to a completely unique world and a completely different time period," the new version "breaks the fantasy" and "brings riders into the modern day."
In a letter to the fan community, Disney stated that the additions to Small World would be in the "distinctive 'Mary Blair' style."
Mary's son also wrote a letter, decrying the character additions and calling the changes "an insult to Mary Blair, her art and her memory and to the entire Blair family itself."
What Disney doesn't seem to realize is that it isn't the style in which the characters are depicted that bothers Disney fans; it's the concept.
Why in Walt's name would they even consider adding Disney movie characters such as Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, etc. into "It's a Small World"?
Whenever questioned about this, the company will say that Walt Disney himself was all about changing the park, which obviously means that he (still dead, by the way) would be fine with these changes. If that be the case, then why did he not put them in when he originally built the darn thing?
It's not like he didn't have any Disney characters available at the time. It was a purposeful decision not to put Disney characters into a ride (as Walt himself avowed) whose stars are, "the children of the world."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Sam
posted 5/18/08 @ 7:53 AM PST
OK, I admit it, I'm one of those fans! I am looking forward to seeing the end result with the Disney characters integrated. I've seen photos of the Hong Kong ride and I like how the characters have been included in the ride. (Continued…)
SamE
Sam
posted 5/18/08 @ 8:50 AM PST
I'm happy to admit that I'm one of those people that likes Small World!
I'm looking forward to seeing the new changes. Having seen photos of the new Hong Kong version I think the Disney characters look great, and bring in the Disney theme to an otherwise non-Disney themed ride. (Continued…)
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