Vintage Disney Parks Video: Take a Trip Back to the Beginning of ‘it’s a small world’

As Thomas Smith just announced, we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the debut of “it’s a small world” at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. This, of course, means a trip to the archives! We found historical footage from both the 1964 New York World’s Fair and the attraction’s opening day here at the Disneyland Resort, two years later on May 28, 1966. Imagineer Kim Irvine takes us down memory lane, along with co-composer of the attraction’s unforgettable theme song, Richard Sherman. You’ll even hear from Walt Disney himself, as he shows off the plans for “it’s a small world” in a clip from the “Wonderful World of Color” television show. I hope you enjoy this trip back in time, and make sure to join the celebration at SmallWorld50.com!

Comments

  • The SmallWorld50 link isn’t working 🙁

  • Small World is my favorite attraction at DisneyLand and the Magic Kingdom! Perhaps it’s because my parents visited it at the World’s Fair in 1964 and I was born about 9 months later. Coincidence? 😉

  • I love the vintage Disney footage. It’s wonderful to hear Uncle Walt and Mary Blair talk about the planning. Thank you for sharing this with us!

  • Hi Valerie,

    This post tugged at my heartstrings because ‘it’s a small world’ is my favourite attraction and seeing these clips, hearing Walt Disney and Mary Blair, listening to the wonderful music made me nostalgic today.

    Thank you for sharing,
    Jackie

  • My favorite attraction – probably because it’s one of my oldest memories, having visited the 1964 World’s Fair as a 3 year old, and I remember the boats and song.

  • I remember seeing “it’s a small world” at the World’s Fair in New York. We visited there from Chicago. And now, 50 years later I am working at Walt Disney World. A dream come true!

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