One of the most popular and original rides at Disneyland is It’s a Small World, which is a gentle boat that guests ride in along a canal that takes them through different cultures with different themes and characters. The attraction is filled with little animatronic dolls that represent children from places all over the world. The ride also features the iconic “It’s a Small World” song, which is sung in different languages throughout the journey.
Sophomore Kenidy Clapp loves the idea of the ride and the creativity of it.
“I love this cute ride because the dolls are beautiful and the decorations are awesome,” Clapp says.
This same song was first written in 1964 by the Sherman Brothers. Since this song has been the exact same for 61 years, most everyone has heard of it and know the tune. The lyrics in this song convey a message of global unity and understanding, emphasizing that even through people’s differences humanity is connected. The words highlight shared experiences like laughter, tears, hope, and fear.
Sophomore Bella Valenzano also likes this ride for the music, not just the decorations. She likes the meaning of the song.
“The “It’s a Small World” song is special because that’s the whole point of the ride, that everyone is united,” Valenzano explains. “The decorations are just a cool edition to the ride.”
The original English lyrics of “It’s a Small World” are:
“It’s a world of laughter,
A world of tears.
It’s a world of hopes,
And a world of fears.
There’s so much that we share,
That it’s time we’re aware,
It’s a small world after all.
Chorus:
It’s a small world after all.
It’s a small world after all.
It’s a small world after all.
It’s a small, small world.”
Sophomore Tayana Lee has been on the ride before, and is interested to see how the verse is going to add to the ride’s theme.
“I’m excited to hear the new verse because I think it’s going to add variety to the original song and that will be cool,” Lee comments.
Although the ride has had updates and changes, it has remained virtually the same as when it was first built. The ride will debut a brand-new verse on July 17th 2025 as a part of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration. The new verse for the iconic song was written by one of the Sherman brothers, Richard Sherman, right before his death in 2024. Richard Sherman introduced his brand-new verse in a short film called “The Last Verse,” and here it is:
“Mother earth unites us in heart and mind,
And the love we give makes us humankind.
Through our vast wondrous land,
When we stand hand in hand,
It’s a small world after all.”
