Here is the continuation of a series of photos taken inside "It's a Small World". I like to use the classic "Walt Disney Presents - It's a Small World" album (narrated by Winston Hibler) as my guide; I listened to that album so many times when I was a kid!
Weirdly the album seems to entirely skip the African scenes, not counting Egypt, so I can't quote Mr. Hibler's descriptive text. But we see some two boys, one sitting on the back of a goofy lion, while another plays a sort of harp. the giant glowing blossoms are cool!
This psychedelic hippo has always been one of my favorite parts of the attraction, the way he bobs his head, his sleepy eyes, and the fact that he is lit from within (did he swallow a flashlight?). He's dark green here, but I've seen other photos of a pink hippo, and maybe even a blue one. Maybe those are from other parks?
Friendly llamas climb the peaks of the Andes mountains as we start up the South American continent. We hear a little Chilean boy playing on his reed flute.
I believe that these last two photos are from the big "grand finale" (correct me if I'm wrong!). Scores of the world’s children, who we have just visited in their homelands, assemble to sing us a friendly farewell. Still in their national costumes, they join in a universal rendition of the song.
With the finale, all boundaries have been removed. Our hosts on this tour were simply children of the world, who share the common bond of friendship, imagination, purity, and understanding. It’s a small world - and a happy one, after all.
Rich, saturated colors and whimsical figures; these photos make me feel good. I can't help hearing The Song as I view these images, and that's a good thing; such a happy song.
ReplyDeleteMajor, I think you're right about the last couple of photos being from the finale. All the costumes are white, except those that are bathed colored light.
These photos transport me into the ride. Thanks, Major.
Major, I agree with you that the last two photos are of the finale. I believe the second to the last photo was taken after the last photo. And I believe the photographer turned around 180 degrees to take that photo. Notice how the dolls are all facing in the other direction, and not towards the boat.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing more vintage IASW pics with us, Major!
While these images are from 1973 we are still mostly still seeing original Disneyland “1966” it’s a small world. In 1975 the attraction revived a pretty extensive renovation which included updates to the sponsor “bank of America “ graphics and the “welcome” and “farewell” rooms. I believe dolls representing Korea and the Philippines were also added (….. or was that 1977?)
ReplyDeleteMajor when I was really little I used to play the 7” records of The story of It’s A Small World and the story of The Haunted Mansion … all the time … I can still recite both of them exactly today . But they were kinda frustrating that neither featured the music from the attraction or they used alternate recordings like on the small world record that used a boys choir version of the song that always sounded too slow or like it was recorded at the wrong speed. I remember when I was a little older getting the larger 33 1/3 albums of these attraction that used actual soundtrack sources - I played those till the record needles wore out!! I remember going with my dad to Radio Shack to get a replacement needle ( stylus) and finding out they were made from diamonds!! I was amazed and then learning that they were industrial grade diamonds and not the same as jewelry diamonds.
Thanks Major, from an adult fan of IASW --- the ride may get more poignant as the years pass, as it represents an ideal probably most children can conceive of, and most grownups cannot.
ReplyDeleteI was at Disneyland in February 1971 during "it's a small world" days; the attraction was free for all visitors (that was during the ticket book era, kids), there were dances and parades featuring real children in international dress, and the Robie Lester Storyteller IASW album was handed out to kids as they left the park.
The details ... there is a smiling face atop the harp instrument, just the edges visible here ... those chicken wire blossoms in front of the glowing flowers ... and maybe WED hippie Rolly Crump gave the hippo a flower power makeover.
One improvement was painting the walls and ceiling of the finale room black; before one was too conscious of being in a warehouse- sized room. I have only seen the current version with added Disney figures on YouTube, but it looks to have been a lousy idea, faithfully executed.
I have always loved IASW, a splendid idea and a beautiful attraction. For some odd reason, the hippo has been a favorite, I remember my Mom commenting on him. I think he just swallowed a porcelain light bulb socket.
ReplyDeleteI also remember the acoustic suspended ceiling and the way that the “warehouse” interior was often visible. It didn't matter to me, the whole ride concept was a “fantasy” and it had to happen “somewhere”, so why not a black box?
Stefano, I hope you can experience the ride again, I didn’t find the added figures to be much of a distraction IRL. Perhaps the video dwelt on them excessively? I will draw the line at adding MCU figures, however. There seems to be a bottomless well of lousy ideas at WED these days.
Major, thanks for these excellent tour photos! Much appreciated.
JG
JB, I wish these photos were a little bit sharper, but we’re talking a 1973 camera (presumably not the finest in the world) and 1973 film in a dark(ish) ride, so I will take it. Hey, I am dressed in white and bathed in colored light too!
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic!, I figured the dolls were facing away because they were ashamed of me. Maybe I need counseling?
Mike Cozart, I’ve always wondered how much the early Disneyland version was like the World’s Fair version. I’m sure I’ve read about changes, but can’t recall what they were. As for Disney albums, there were a few that were in “heavy rotation” for me; the Haunted Mansion record (with Ronnie Howard); “Chilling, Thrilling Sounds From the Haunted Mansion”; my Peter Pan “Storyteller” record; the Winston Hibler “It’s a Small World” record. I think those were the ones that I listened to the most, though I did have others. I know what you mean about realizing that the tracks on the records were not the same as the ones in the actual ride. Diamond styluses - I remember looking at the little diamond tip on the stylus, you could see that it was clear! Like you, I was amazed. I feel like maybe there were sapphire-tipped styli as well? Maybe cheaper for kid’s record players.
Stefano, I think even as a kid, I was touched by the last sentence of the album’s narration, “It’s a small world - and a happy one, after all”. I wanted it to be true! Wow, I was not aware of “It’s a Small World Days”, it sounds fun. I wish they still did events like that, but… I’m not holding my breath. Hmmm, I wonder if I’ve heard the Robie Lester Storyteller LP? It must be on YouTube, I’ll have to check it out! I’m sure you are right about Rolly Crump’s “hippie” vibes coming through on the ride in places, and the hippo seems about right. I don’t hate the addition of the Disney characters, but it seems kind of unnecessary. And the USA scene is just not well done.
JG, I used to go to the park with friends who would always complain about going on IASW, and yet… once we were on the ride, they appeared to be enjoying it. Then, once we were off, they would complain about “that song”. I felt like there was something wrong with me for liking it so much! But oh well, at this point I am comfortable with my Disneyland fandom not being cool. I don’t care! I’ve never been clear on whether the supposed addition of Marvel characters to IASW was just a dumb rumor, or if it will really happen. Nothing says “friendship, imagination, purity, and understanding” like superheroes who fight constantly.
This was one of my favorite rides s a kid, (and still is). Little did I realize it was from a world's fair, though it always seemed to be a bit extra-special in those earlier years when there really wasn't anything comparable to it. Major, I think I remember reading somewhere (perhaps in Rolly Crump's book) that they did add more set pieces to fill out the scenes since the Disneyland show building was larger than that at the fair, but I'm definitely not the expert. I may be one of the few people who wishes the outside portion of the ride was longer. I really like the topiary garden.
ReplyDeleteThe World’s Fair version of It’s A Small World was substantially smaller and only countries represented by UNICEF were included. The Disneyland 1966 version was spaced out more and also included an all new SOUTH SEAS section. Most of the original fair set pieces still have freight labels on them from when they arrived in Flushing Meadows .
ReplyDeleteAn interesting fact : the JAPANESE version of the song was recorded new for Walt Disney World ( so was Italy) I’m not sure why. And the Japanese track was recorded new again for Tokyo Disneyland in 1983. The original Small World Fair masters had been lost after WDW …. So whenever Disneyland , WDW or Tokyo Disneyland needed new audio it was made from 1971 WDW PLAYBACK masters . These became so worn that Disneyland switched to new small world audio recorded for Disneyland Paris . The pristine fair and 1966 Disneyland audio masters were accidentally re-discovered while WDI audio technicians were looking for something else. So impressive in quality were the fair masters were it was decided to restore the entire 1966 soundtracks ..for Disneyland’s 50th … a the restoration of the white & gold clock.
ReplyDeleteThe second-to-the-last photo has a 'shoebox diorama look.'
ReplyDeleteI love everything about iasw, so thank you, Major, for today's smiles.