Save Small World! (Why the Classic Shouldn't be changed!)

[composerboy]

Frankly, I think that the format and style of IASW in general is a ship that sailed long ago. I've never been a fan of Mary Blair's angular and primitive work, and that it was showcased in an attraction for so many decades always confounded me. I'm sure it worked well, and was aesthetically pleasing in the late 60s, a period not exactly known for it's timeless designs. You may argue that it's still around, so it is therefore "timeless." But folks, just because it's still around, doesn't make it timeless. The only reason we're still forced to endure the "charm" of such style is due to the purists and the children. Children love the bold bright colors and primitive simplicity, and adults inexplicably have nostalgia for the experience. As it stands today, the attraction is an edifice to one person's design philosophy, and a naive and ethnocentric world view. It is a museum, and adding contemporary and traditional Disney character figures will only serve to pervert the original vision even further. To me, at this point it doesn't matter what is done to "plus" the tired old nag.

Think of all the other possibilities for that realestate. An incredible family "super" E Ticket the likes of the Carsland attraction, or even an entire new land.

The charm of IASW has worn off.

[Witches of Morva]

ORDDU: In some ways, adding Disney characters into IT'S A SMALL WORLD reminds a coven of witches about the time Epcot decided to allow Disney characters to do meetings and greetings there within World Showcase--while doing so at the appropriate countries from which they originally came from.

ORWEN: Like Snow White being in Germany, Pinocchio being found in Italy, Princess Aurora, Belle and Beast in France, etc., etc...

ORDDU: At the time, there were many who complained about this, as well. Yet, over time, it seems many guests expect to find Disney characters there by now. As a matter of fact, we recently witnessed a family that was very upset when Marie, from The Aristocats, couldn't be found in France on the particular day they were visiting.

ORWEN: I'm sure there are still some ducklings out there who still don't like the idea of Disney Characters doing their meetings and greetings around World Showcase. But, personally, I think it only adds to the excitement of going there.

ORDDU: Plus it helps to educate everyone about which countries our beloved characters originally came from. Having the characters inside IT'S A SMALL WORLD will be one more way to continue this same enlightenment.

[Walt Jr.]

Originally Posted by composerboy

Frankly, I think that the format and style of IASW in general is a ship that sailed long ago. I've never been a fan of Mary Blair's angular and primitive work, and that it was showcased in an attraction for so many decades always confounded me. I'm sure it worked well, and was aesthetically pleasing in the late 60s, a period not exactly known for it's timeless designs. You may argue that it's still around, so it is therefore "timeless." But folks, just because it's still around, doesn't make it timeless. The only reason we're still forced to endure the "charm" of such style is due to the purists and the children. Children love the bold bright colors and primitive simplicity, and adults inexplicably have nostalgia for the experience. As it stands today, the attraction is an edifice to one person's design philosophy, and a naive and ethnocentric world view. It is a museum, and adding contemporary and traditional Disney character figures will only serve to pervert the original vision even further. To me, at this point it doesn't matter what is done to "plus" the tired old nag.

Think of all the other possibilities for that realestate. An incredible family "super" E Ticket the likes of the Carsland attraction, or even an entire new land.

The charm of IASW has worn off.

If the charm has worn off, why are there still long lines?

If Mary Blair is such a primitive artist, then why are many wanting the return of her Tomorowland murals?

[Walt Jr.]

Originally Posted by MasterGracey

"it's a small world" is not part of the Bavarian storybook village.

Exactly.

It's a Small World is it's own area. It has it's own mall in fact. Disney characters aren't even relevant.

Small World has nothing to do with the characters. WHY THEN ARE THEY THERE?

(Sorry about so many posts in a row)

[ashley solo]

I can't fathom why having DISNEY characters in a ride in a DISNEY theme park is wrong. I was rooting for a change, but I'm not going to fight it either. I think this could be nice, I am curious to see how the characters will look in that style of artwork.

When I was a child, I forced my mother to ride It's a Small World with me over and over while my brother and father had fun around the park. I'm going to say the horrid long line is just 4 year old girls with their Tylenol poppin' mothers in tow.

[lazyboy97O]

Originally Posted by ashley solo

I can't fathom why having DISNEY characters in a ride in a DISNEY theme park is wrong.

Then why not just put Jack Sparrow in Space Mountain? It's all DISNEY.

[ashley solo]

Originally Posted by DarthDucky

One last thing, if they add Peter Pan, they will probably add hook, if they add Hook and he has facial hair, I will slap a CM when I get off the ride.

Because it was the CM's idea after all to add characters, add Pan, add Hook with a beard, and all to piss you off!

[ashley solo]

Originally Posted by lazyboy97O

Then why not just put Jack Sparrow in Space Mountain? It's all DISNEY.

I wish I had a sound clip of the Mad Hatter saying "Don't be silly!" If I was aashee, I would post a picture of him.

*Sorry for double post.

[tasman]

Let's see the changes before we criticize. From what I read I would certainly prefer the unchanged original but a few Disney characters in Mary Blairesque forms is hardly reason enough to cry bloody murder.

[lazyboy97O]

Originally Posted by ashley solo

I wish I had a sound clip of the Mad Hatter saying "Don't be silly!" If I was aashee, I would post a picture of him.

*Sorry for double post.

Why is it silly? A Disney character in a Disney ride. It's your logic.

[MoonRakerSCM]

Trying to discredit his argument by making up an obviously stupid example is silly. That's he meant and you know it.

They're not putting Winnie the Pooh in Japan, they're putting characters in as geographically fit.

[ashley solo]

Originally Posted by lazyboy97O

Why is it silly? A Disney character in a Disney ride. It's your logic.

Now I need a picture of the Joker. Why so serious?

Obviously Jack in the Matterhorn would be ridiculous. Well, unless he was offering Riccolas.

[Disneyphenom]

I read a few of these posts and wonder if there was the same type of arguements going around when they wanted to add the Abominable Snowman to the Matterhorn. It doesn't really fit with the story behind the real Matterhorn, and there was question of where it was located, thus it sort of became its own land somewhat.

"That's a reproduction of a real Swiss mountain, and the Snowman doesn't even fit in with the lore of the area, so therefore it should not even be there."

"But it's in Fantasyland, so therefore it would be a thematic fit."

"No, the Matterhorn was originally part of Tomorrowland, so there is no reason to put mythological creatures in a futuristic based attraction."

"Wait a minute, why WAS the Matterhorn put in Tomorrowland? Could Walt Disney himself have made a mistake with the theming?"

"Of course not. He envisioned, in the future, that all mountains would be launching pads for gigantic pixies on wires. Years from now, the pixie technology will be far superior to what we currently have..."

---

(The preceding message was an attempt to lighten the tone of this thread. Now, we return you to your regular programming, already in progress.)

[composerboy]

Originally Posted by Walt Jr.

If the charm has worn off, why are there still long lines?

If Mary Blair is such a primitive artist, then why are many wanting the return of her Tomorowland murals?

Nostalgia and bad taste.

[brandond6]

I don't see why people are making such a big deal about this geez. We barely have any details and they are just really small changes by the looks of it.