it’s a small world Becoming Walk-Through Attraction

it’s a small world is one of the most popular and well known attractions at Disney World and Disneyland. The world famous attraction made its debut in the 1964 New York World’s Fair and it was an immediate smash hit. Millions of people came to see it. Following that, the ride opened in 1966 at Disneyland and 1971 at Disney World. Now in 2022, you will get to experience the attraction in a brand new way!

it's a small world becoming walk-through attraction at disney world
First look at new it’s a small world walk-through attraction. Photo via @abc7tony TikTok

it’s a small world will soon be a walk-through attraction in Disney World and Disneyland. If you have ever wanted to walk the track of its a small world, you’ll now be able to do so! Disney has drained the water and removed the boats. Soon the only way to go through the attraction is by walking. This is a great idea by Disney and makes a ton of sense. There are so many benefits to making it a walking attraction, which we’ll dive into below.

Despite being open for over 50 years, a water based attraction like it’s a small world poses many safety hazards. People have lost fingers from sticking them in the water, there’s a great risk of drowning, and the boats can collide and potentially cause whiplash. By making it a walk-through attraction, Disney is reducing the dangers brought about by a water ride.

it's a small world will be a walking attraction to improve guest experience
it’s a small world will close briefly as it transitions to walk-through attraction. Photo via micechat.com

Making it’s a small world a walk-through attraction has many benefits to the guests as well. They’re able to spend more time in areas and countries of interest since they’re not restricted by the speed of the boat. They are also able to get more up close and personal with the friendly dolls and spend more time indulging in and enjoying the beautiful art of Mary Blair. On top of all of that, it’s great exercise walking the 0.2 mile track.

The it’s a small world walk-through experience should be opening in the near future, certainly before Tron, which was delayed until 2024. Disney first needs to pave the middle of the track for safety reasons, as it’s currently trenched out for the boats. That should be a fairly quick process, which once complete, should allow Disney to open it up for the brand new walking experience!

walk the track of it's a small world when it re opens after brief closure
it’s a small world will re open as a walk-through attraction

Disney is truly embracing one of their most loved attractions and building it up. The excitement around it’s a small world continues to ramp up. A few months ago we learned there would be a meet and greet with the it’s a small world dolls just outside the attraction, which you can read about here. They will also be sponsored by Duolingo, which we also reported on here. It’s no surprise they are now making it a walk-though attraction.

What do you think of it’s a small world becoming a walk-through attraction? Let us know in the comments below!

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Brenda weppler
Brenda weppler
5 months ago

It was so much fun to sit down and enjoy the boat ride in small world. It’s very tiring standing in lines and walking around disney that it was sooo…. enjoyable relaxing in the guided boat! It’s unfortunate this has been taken away!

Sandy Houx
Sandy Houx
4 months ago
Reply to  Brenda weppler

I agree completely. My kids and Grandkids alike love that ride, watching them delight in the different lands, lights, sounds and smells made my heart explode. I hate to see this. Can you imagine Pirates of Caribbean as a walk through ride? There are dangers on every ride. Kids would much rather ride in a boat than do even more walking.

Marie Latchmansingh
Marie Latchmansingh
5 months ago

It’s A Small World ride was one of the main reasons why I would go to Magic Kingdom. Sorry to see it go. It was a relaxing ride. There’s enough walking in the park. You don’t need an attraction for that.

Janet Giampaoli
Janet Giampaoli
4 months ago

So you still sticking with this story? It’s set to close at Disneyland today 1/9/23 and reopen on 1/20/23… as they take down Christmas decorations every year. Nothing about switching it to a walk thru. Where did you get your info?

Janet Giampaoli
Janet Giampaoli
4 months ago

haha nevermind, I see where you say it was made up

Jim Figueroa
Jim Figueroa
4 months ago

This is the dumbest thing Disney management has done to date. This is a travesty. Destroyed one of the original experiences of Disneyland. What morons… Mr. Disney I’m sure is rolling in his grave in disgust. Geez… idiocy. What is next. Take down Walt’s statue. Again incredibly stupid idea. A lazy idea to save money on refurbishing the “ride”… not walk through which no one will do. This is unimaginably stupid.

Debbie Berns
Debbie Berns
4 months ago

I disagree that Its a small world become a walk through. I feel it is a dumb thing to do. I don’t think it is going to be as enjoyable as sitting and riding through on the boat. Please don’t do it.

Jeanne
Jeanne
4 months ago

Sad to see it turned into a walk through ride. Won’t be friendly for tots and the elderly. The boat ride was very relaxing

David
David
4 months ago

No. Disney is nust getting tired of having to shut down the ride every 5 – 10 years or so to tear out the fiberglass bottom of the ride and the boat track to dredge out another 5 or so feet of earth and then re fiberglassing the bottom and re-installing the mechanicical guts of the ride to accommodate our American love of super-sizing everything because the boats keep bottoming out and becoming stuck because the average American is now approximately 35 pounds or MORE overweight than Americans back in the 60’s when ride was opened. Each boat as I recalled had 5 or 6 sections for seating of 2 adults and maybe a child figure at minimum of 35 pounds overweight, (and trust me 35 is being generous when 75lb. Lard****s or more were the norm!) at 35 lbs. Per person and figure 12 adults per boat, that meant that each boat was carrying a MINIMUM of 420 lbs. Extra weight than it was designed for. Can’t tell you how many times as a kid.wanted a cooled.ride in summer, (with a Walkman and fresh batteries to drown out that song and a cool 20 minute snooze),and it would be “broken”. Have some lame excuse out front but us locals knew the real reason. So ALL of you bitching about another ride going away, they will tell you anything they think you will swallow, but what I am telling you is the truth. Americans own fat asses got rid of the boats and made it a walk through ride now.

regina
2 months ago
Reply to  David

david its a joke

Rooftop Voter
Rooftop Voter
2 months ago
Reply to  regina

David is on a roll.

Jeffersonie.prudent@gmail.com
Jeffersonie.prudent@gmail.com
1 month ago

Agreed. it wasn’t even demolished!