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Disney Takes a Step Back, Restores Classic 33-Year-Old Ride After Mass Changes

Disney has been on a tear with updating its classic attractions recently, making changes to some of its most iconic rides. But the company’s latest move is an unexpected shift in direction, as it announces a major restoration to one of its oldest and most beloved attractions. “It’s a small world,” a ride that embodies Disney’s message of global unity, is receiving a refresh that goes against the grain of recent ride tweaks.

Disney has been known to modernize its rides in recent years, introducing new effects, updating outdated cultural representations, and even integrating characters from its films.

Pirates of the Caribbean auction scene
Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the Magic

Disney Ride Updates

Pirates of the Caribbean, for example, has been altered to address some of its culturally insensitive scenes, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has received enhancements designed to heighten its thrills. There has even been talk of removing certain scenes, like the hanging corpse from Disneyland’s version of the ride, for the sake of modern sensitivities.

The changes reflect Disney’s commitment to keeping its rides relevant and engaging for new generations of parkgoers. However, not all changes have been as well-received.

Cartoon versions of Marvel characters, including Baby Groot, in a poster for a new version of "it's a small world" at Tokyo Disney Resort
Credit: Tokyo Disney Resort

In fact, some of Disney’s updates have sparked controversy among fans. The inclusion of movie characters in classic attractions has been one of the most divisive decisions. One of the most discussed updates came from Tokyo Disneyland, where “It’s a small world” was recently temporarily revamped to include Groot, the beloved Guardians of the Galaxy character.

The ride’s new iteration, “it’s a small world with Groot,” guides guests on a journey that blends the original cultural themes of the ride with Marvel superheroes. While some fans have embraced the change, others have found it to be an unwelcome departure from the ride’s original intent.

Restoring a Classic at Disneyland Paris

Despite the mixed reactions to other updates, Disneyland Paris has chosen a different path with its own version of “it’s a small world.”

Disneyland Paris it's a small world reopening
Credit: Disney

Instead of introducing new characters or modernizing the ride in a way that could alienate its loyal fan base, Disneyland Paris has opted to restore the attraction to its former glory.

The recent 11-day closure provided the perfect opportunity for Disney to update several Audio-Animatronics, returning them to the look and feel of the ride’s early days.

Perhaps the most striking change is the restoration of the dolls’ costumes, which have been revamped to reflect the original designs from 1992. Disney Imagineers, working with a team of 13 dressmakers, wigmakers, and milliners, embarked on a two-year research project to ensure that the new costumes were as authentic as possible.

A colorful castle illuminated at night with vibrant fireworks bursting in the sky.
Credit: Disney

The team relied heavily on archival photos from the early ’90s to ensure the costumes stayed true to the spirit of the original design while also ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship. In total, 60 pieces of clothing were created, using 3 meters of fabric per doll and 4 meters of wool for each wig.

“Each stage of production (including the choice of fabric, the prototype and the finished costume) is carefully inspected by the Imagineers, to ensure not only the highest quality but also the authenticity of the country they represent,” Disneyland Paris said in a statement.

What do you think of Disney’s latest update?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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