Reviews of New "Small World" at Disneyland - Post HERE

[snorkeld]

I rode it this morning with my 3 yr old and 10 month old. My 3 year old really liked it, plus it was fun to point out the characters that she is familiar with to her. I was fun kinda like a where's waldo of disney characters. BTW I loved the AP preview, we were there about 11:30 and the wait was about 1 minute.

[PhotoMatt]

[sir clinksalot]

Matt, AMAZING pics!!!

[PhotoMatt]

[Dustysage]

WOW! Matt, those are so bright and crisp. Fantastic!

[PhotoMatt]

[OldSchoolMickey]

Since the kids were "sick" today and skipped school, we were all able to check out the ride together today. We did it three times.

No posted pics, since mostly everyone else has already posted theirs. And a fine job of that, too!

Aside from the newness of the ride (everything seemed to shine) and the soundtrack, we could take it or leave it.

But mostly leave it.

It's definitely more "Disney" than before...

The new Disney characters just didn't quite fit in. It was easy to tell them from the originals. Maybe since we have probably been on the original version at least a few hundred times??? LOL

The most enjoyable part for the kids (and us) was pointing out the new characters. After the first spin, we hardly even noticed the new soundtrack. We were too busy looking around for the new characters to pay attention to the new sounds.

Hence the three rides...

We'll probably enjoy the ride twice a year. Once during "normal" times and once again during the Christmas overlay.

As our usual M.O. goes, if the line is longer than 10 minutes, we go do something else. That M.O. will still hold true now, too.

After hearing the reviews, I hope the folks at Disney still think all of the expense was worth it.

Well, off to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner!

[SingingAngel7242]

for the most part...everything looks good.
I don't like Lilo and Stitch...and I'm very disappointed with Jesse and Woody. Otherwise, I like most of the rest.

[DisneyIPresume]

I voted that I didn't like it. I did not vote that it was ruined, because even with the changes the overall theme of the ride is still present.

For the most part the characters were non obtrusive. I did have a problem with Peter Pan -- he just looked so lifeless flying around up there. Also, why was Pinocchio so flat? In the China scene there is a kite that looks like Mushu, but then you see the real Mushu standing next to Mulan, which I thought was a little strange. And I am actually quite upset that they removed the surfer boy and put Lilo and Stitch in his place. Not that they don't belong, but I do miss that little surfer!

But in my opinion, even though they added Disney characters, the ride felt less "Disney" to me. What I mean is that even though the meaning of the ride still exists, the presentation got lost in a major way. As a scene, the America scene itself is well done. However, the transition from Polynesia and the rain forest to the America scene and into the finale is now way too abrupt. The scene transitions in the rest of the ride remain intact -- you go through a dark tunnel, and you don't really see what is ahead of you -- perhaps a little bit if anything but not too much.

In the new version there is no transition between the rain forest and America. First you go from Latin America, through a tunnel to experience far-flung reaches of the world such as the bottom of the ocean, and then to the South Pand tropical rain forest. Then BOOM -- you are in America for no apparent reason. You even enter America through a tiki-type building, which makes even less sense than the abrupt change, and you can see a too much of the America scene as you are sailing past the Papua New Guinea/rainforest scenes.

There really is nothing wrong with the America room. I thought it was well done in and of itself. But it is very bright and in my opinion does not feel separate from the finale where the children of the world are together singing as one. Especially since, once again, you go from the America room immediately into the finale scene. The old placement of the rainforest served as yet another "tunnel" to transport the guest to the finale room. This transportation method is now nonexistent.

I will continue riding, mainly because the message has not been changed, but WDI could have done much better in telling the story.

Just my 2 cents...

[LarrySubs]

Arrived before the rope drop for the AP preview today. We took our first trip at about 10:05 a.m. and rode it 5 times in a row by 11:10 or so! Guess that gives you an idea about the lack of an AP preview line (they even opened up a line for the general public since there were not that many APs riding).

Since there have been so many good photo's already provided, I won't load in mine. There are lots of good opportunities for taking clear photos of the "new" characters as the as easy to spot.

As for the attraction itself, the changes are subtile enough by will be appreciated by the younger crowd. It hopefully will make the ride more attractive for them. It certainly has taken the staleness of the 1960's out of it. Fresh paint, cleaner look, music that still resonates, and some clever blending into the storyline of each room/area certainly worked for me.

It's a nice improvement without taking away from the basic IASW attraction. The more things change, the more they stay the same!

[DisneyIPresume]

Originally Posted by Fishbulb

The brash America room

I posted my reply before I saw all the pictures. Fishy's pictures are great, as are everyone else's!

This is exactly what I was referring to in my post. See how abrupt the America room appears -- just out of the middle of nowhere. And as you can see in the top picture, you still enter the room through that Tiki room-like structure. That makes no sense at all to be entering a structure like that and you are in America. I know America is a great melting pot and all, but I think what they should have done is remove that structure and make the rainforest even more "rainforesty" and put some huge trees in that area and some greenery as the transition between the two rooms. That would have been a lot more effective, and would have actually plussed the rainforest scene itself.

In the second picture, you see the finale room, just as brightly lit as the America room. There is no transition between the two rooms. The original rainforest was dark, and the entrance to the bright finale room served as the "light at the end of the tunnel." Now it appears to be just an extension of the America room. You now go through a brightly lit arch more reminiscent of a Vegas casino than a transition to the finale of the show...

[JulieMouse]

I was worried there might be lines, but I hopped on the monorail as soon as they opened it up to non early entry guests at 10am and arrived in Tomorrowland at 10:15, I saw that the lines were empty as we went by Small World. Sure enough I walked right on at 10:20 and before 11am I'd gone on it 3 times. The second time I had the whole boat all to myself! Ater that I did a quick ride on Big Thunder, then over to Single Rider on Indy then lunch at Carnation Cafe and a visit with Oscar before heading off to work...it doesn't get much better than that before 1pm most days!!!

I thought it was overall a good thing, but I do still worry that the message of the ride is now overshadowed by the search for Disney characters. I enjoyed the music and liked how bright and fresh everything looked. I can't say I'm a fan of the America room, it was my least favorite of the changes. It just seemed like flat pictures of the desert and a farm with big ol' Woody and Jessie...

Also, I really thought Peter Pan looked like a green doll you'd buy at any drugstore.

But overall I think it's still a great ride, especially for young children, and the message isn't lost to those of us who understood it in the first place...

[TDLFAN]

For what I can see so far, it does not seem all that different than the HKDL version which premiered last April. However, there are few differences here than what was done with HKDL's IASW.
I think seeing Cinderella in servant outfit here fits better than seeing her and Charming by the Castle in the UK scene at HKDL. Alice and white rabbit were new to me.
I do not see Pocahontas and Meeko in the USA, Wendy and Tink (flying with Peter) over London, or Marie in France..as seen in the HKDL version.
I do have an issue with the placement of Jasmine and Aladdin in the India scene. That does not fit. India is most certainly not the middle east, but rather south east Asia. HKDL got that India scene right by placing it in the Asia section, but they do have a decidedly Middle Easterner setting with belly dancers and harem girls where Al and Jazmine were placed. Jaz and Al do not work here at all! Also, is there a Genie in the magic Lamp anywhere as they do in HKDL? Maybe not.

All in all, pretty much what I expected.

BTW.. loved Fishy's commentary.

[MonstersGoBoo!]

I liked it.
The music changes weren't really that noticeable, but they were there. It was very interesting to listen to.

As for the America scene, I can really careless for it. The dolls on the left side on the hills are motionless and stuck in one position singing. It was a little creepy. The Disney characters, IMO, made the ride a lot more interesting. Some of you have said this, but I am REALLY bummed that the little surfer boy was replaced by Lilo & Stitch. He was my favorite doll! I thought Woody, Jesse, and Bullseye were cute, but sort of in your face.

I absolutely LOVED the DLRR train lighting sequence. That was awesome.

EDIT: TDLFan - Tink is flying right behind Peter.

[MaryAnn in Wndrlnd]

Shocker_Batman and I arrived at 7:20 PM tonight and took a spin.

First things first. Fishy, I hope you don't mind me borrowing your photo to point something out. (My camera's out for repairs.)



Jiminy Cricket! I spotted him while on the ride. Usually, I don't find these things. So I'm kinda proud to be the first on here to notice. (Or at least the first to post about him.)

Some initial, somewhat disassociated thoughts. The merits of the change have been debatedly endlessly. So I'm focusing on the artistic aspect.

• I thought the Alice doll was the doll that blended most seamlessly with the surroundings.
• I was not a fan of a Mushu doll plus a Mushu kite. Pick one.
• Peter Pan looked like he blended, sorta. Tinkerbell stood out like a sore thumb.
• Aladdin and Jasmine fit in nicely. But they should have been on the rotating wheel. Not stationary, smashed in next to the rotating carpets.
• Simba and Pumbaa looked GREAT in the Africa room. They matched the style of the giant, beloved, pink hippo.
• Ariel's voice was WAY too loud. We couldn't hear any audio from the other mermaids, whose mouths were moving. On a side note, you can see Ariels BRIGHT red hair from a mile away.
• The Three Caballeros are obviously out of style with ANYTHING ELSE in the ride. Whether that bothers you or not, is a matter of taste. Shocker_Batman is just happy that Donald appears in a ride somewhere.
• Pinnochio as a marionette is obviously the right choice in our opinion.
• Lilo blends in well, until you get a look at the giant Stitch. Bleh. I wish they had just put Lilo in. Stitch is large, distracting, and doesn't blend at all with the scene.

Then, we have the USA scene.

• What a let down. Super boring scene. Nothing really going on. Cowboys and midwesterns sitting on scenery. Native Americans standing and....standing.
• The room, itself, is super bright, out of color scheme for the rest of the ride, and detracts from the dolls, which aren't numerous to begin with. And with the left being practically a scene from Oklahoma, and the right being the old west desert, why the heck would they make the room's exit arch look like the top of the Hollywood Bowl with spotlights? It's simply inconsistent. It's just plain ugly.
• Speaking of ugly, Jessie, Woody and Bullseye are ugly. Batman, who isn't nearly as into Disney as I am, has corrected me. Apparently, they are SUPER ugly. They are indeed larger then the people dolls, and they are right up front, exactly where your boat is pointed when heading into the room.
• Speaking of placement, the Native Americans, as history has shown us, receive the blunt end of the stick, and are relegated to the most out of the way, unnoticed corner of the room. Batman confessed to me, after riding, he didn't even notice any Native Americans. I would have liked to see the Native Americans where Woody and the gang are, and move Pixar up on the mountain top. Considering that the Native Americans are the native inhabitants of the US, I can't fathom what would posess Disney to push them to the side. Batman would like to add that he is shocked they missed the opportunity to add Pocahontas.

After reading about the opening ceremony, and then riding the ride, I am seriously sick of the Disney spin. They said that the additions were subtle, but if you ride the ride, it is clear, that they wanted you to notice every single Disney character. In many of the cases, they placed the Disney dolls exactly where your boat points coming down the flume. Pinocchio, is surrounded by theatre lights, and Aladdin and Jasmine are pointing straight down at you, stationary, immediately entering the Middle East section. And my personal favorite: they LITERALLY spotlighted each character. Seriously. Next time you ride, pay attention to the lighting. It is really obvious where Disney wants your focus in the rooms.

Frankly, if that was their intent, I would rather they just own up to it, and stop trying to spin it. Neither Batman or I are ready to give up our AP's over these changes. In fact, Batman doesn't see why Disney characters shouldn't be in it. But I lose a little respect for the Disney imagineers, or at least their publicists, for not simply owning up to their intent with the changes.

OVERALL, most of the Disney characters, I could take or leave. However, the USA scene is truly awful. And that's why I had to give it two stars. Batman says he's closer to a three star, but wants to emphasis how if we were just rating the America room, it would be a one star. I would agree.

(Now, how to motive him to vote in the poll.....)