Magic Kingdom is changing rapidly, but Disney's newest projects aren't the only areas of the park worth watching.
One of Fantasyland's longtime attractions is showing some wear.
Guests visiting “it’s a small world” can currently spot several maintenance problems around the attraction. None have prevented the ride from operating, and Disney has not announced plans for a refurbishment.
Still, the number of visible issues raises questions about whether the classic boat ride could eventually be due for an update.
The Wear Is Becoming Noticeable
Guests don't have to look particularly hard to find some of the problems.
Around the queue, there are marks on portions of the white paint. Grime is also visible underneath a gold-colored metal beam, while wrinkled material remains near the base of the attraction's decorative mural.
Then there is the waterline.
Dark lines have appeared where parts of the facade meet the water, and some of the white exterior material is peeling away near the base.
Several bulbs have also burned out on one of the attraction's arches.
No single issue is enormous on its own. Together, though, they create an attraction that doesn't look quite as polished as guests might expect from one of Magic Kingdom's most recognizable classics.
That's particularly noticeable on “it’s a small world” because guests move through the experience slowly.
This isn't an attraction where riders race past scenery. Guests have time to take in the colors, figures, sets, and smaller details surrounding their boats.
When something isn't looking its best, people notice.
Missing Dolls Add to the Concerns
Some figures around the attraction also need attention.
The toy soldiers incorporated into the famous exterior clock have shown signs of wear.
Meanwhile, the Irish dancer and flamenco dancer dolls inside the ride have reportedly been missing for an extended period.
Disney occasionally removes figures for maintenance, so that alone wouldn't necessarily be unusual.
However, their continued absence comes as other areas around the attraction are showing cosmetic deterioration.
That combination makes a future refurbishment seem increasingly reasonable, even though Disney hasn't announced one.
An Update Doesn't Have to Mean a Major Change
For longtime Disney fans, the word “update” can immediately create concerns about what might disappear.
That doesn't have to be the case here.
Disney could address many of the current problems without fundamentally changing “it’s a small world.”
Cleaning the facade, repairing peeling surfaces, repainting worn areas, replacing lights, refreshing scenery, and restoring missing figures could give the attraction a cleaner appearance while preserving the experience guests already know.
For now, that's only a possibility.
Disney hasn't announced a closure or refurbishment for the attraction, and “it’s a small world” continues welcoming guests at Magic Kingdom.
But as Disney pours resources into updating other areas of the park, this Fantasyland classic may eventually deserve a place on the refurbishment schedule too.
Sometimes an aging attraction doesn't need to disappear. It just needs enough attention to look like itself again.
