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

[2DieFR]

I think Stitch was mentioned as being included in the Polynesian scene. If not he almost certainly will be.

I think penguinsoda is right, though. They won't fit in with the existing dolls and animals.

Further, isn't the point of adding them to make them immediately obvious?

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by Coheteboy

Count me on the many that feel that this change is unnecessary. Originality and Individuality is a very important thing and with Disneyland's having the original, I think it's very important to stay true to that design and vision that paved the way for the many clones that followed.

One can argue till the cows come home that change is good. But the truth is, they are changing it and have changed it even prior to this announcement. Repainting the facade. Fixing up the sound system. Replacing the dolls. Cleaning up the dirt. Even putting in a new flume. These are all GOOD changes that keep the attraction's original intentions while providing a better experience for all who visit it.

Even the Small World Holiday is a welcome change and keeps guests entertained in the holiday season, but also creates a slightly higher demand for the original when it ISN'T holiday time. (much like the haunted mansion holiday overlay).

The fact is, IASW is one of those love it or hate it attractions and adding Disney characters will not alter the hater's point of views. This is a fix that would be better suited for the tourists at Walt Disney World, not the original Disneyland.

Film critics have often griped about the Disneyfication of classic stories and fairytales. I never thought the Disneyfication would happen to Disneyland itself.

Fantastic post.

[mousechild]

I can hardly wait for the Matterhorn to be re-themed to the Yeti scene from Monsters Inc.

[penguinsoda]

Originally Posted by mousechild

I can hardly wait for the Matterhorn to be re-themed to the Yeti scene from Monsters Inc.

Darn you Mouse! Somewhere in TDA a suit is going to see that post and a lightbulb will go off over his head...

[MasterGracey]

Originally Posted by MrLiver

Winnie the Pooh has wait times that are consistent with the type of attraction it is. There is nothing wrong with the ridership of Pooh.

If Small World is being changed, it is because the ridership counts do not justify the huge expense of keeping the attraction operating and maintained. The operating and maintenance budget for an attraction like Small World is lightyears above that of something like Winnie the Pooh. You're comparing apples and oranges.

This isn't a matter of my own personal opinions on these changes - this is only my attempt to try and explain the situation to you.

I'm not comparing ride maintenance budgets. I'm comparing popularity.

I think its absolutely preposterous that you're implying that "it's a small world" is less popular than attractions like The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and thus needs the addition of Disney characters in order to maintain ridership.

That's fantastically laughable, my friend.

[Applegeek]

Originally Posted by Walt Jr.

According to Al, It's a Small World, now over 40 years old is being rumored now to be seeing the addition of Disney characters.

Not only does this mock the whole pride of the attraction. But it mocks the pride of the park.

Disneyland 30 years ago barely had as many attractions which delt with Disney characters and movies. Now, if we lose Small World we will be seeing the number of current original Disney attractions that haven't been affected by Disney markets drop to under fifteen.

• Jungle Cruise
• Enchanted Tiki Room
• Mark Twain
• Canoes
• Columbia
• Big Thunder
• Space Mountain
• Disneyland Railroad
• Monorail
• Autopia
• Space Mountain
• Matterhorn

Several of those attractions mentioned already have character tie-ins - someone mentioned the Canoes etc. as being from TV shows. Autopia has several "Mickey" signs as you drive along. Matterhorn sometimes has a Mickey climber. Monorail sometimes has Goofy as the narrator (I have it on video). I think it would be hard to not have a character tie-in at a Disneyland attraction.

I'm not a huge fan of IASW - it seems really clunky and dated to me - but I know a lot of people enjoy it.

I really think its time for a freshening-up of the attraction. Just like how all the dark rides in Fantasyland got a re-do in the early 80's, its time for IASW to get a facelift. Keep the parts that work, and make the not-so-good parts better. It'll be a win-win situation for everyone.

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by Applegeek

It'll be a win-win situation for everyone.

What about those who just want it's a small world restored, not altered? Is it a win situation for them?

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by mousechild

I can hardly wait for the Matterhorn to be re-themed to the Yeti scene from Monsters Inc.

Nice. All this and a slight F! dig--you're ON today, my friend.

[mousechild]

Originally Posted by fo'c's'le swab

Nice. All this and a slight F! dig--you're ON today, my friend.

Well it seems pointless and futile to keep talking about theme violations piecemeal. All too often on this board the discussion about changes coming to DL breakdown into a cross talk of "I like the changes, who cares about theme" and "I hate the changes, management has their head up so far they can taste today's lunch.", with people switching sides depending on their like/dislike of the ride.

Theme violations are going to take continue to take over the park as long as derived revenue continues to increase.

I expect that given the present trends Disneyland will be unrecognizable long before the 75th anniversary. And while it may be good for the corporation it will probably not be good for the traditionalist guest.

When discussing theme on this board the example often used is the idea of a horse drawn carriage in Tomorrowland. Well the rumored changes to IASW may well be the Fantasyland equivalent, but on the ground instead of on this board. But that is OK because many people on this board that anything can be done in Fantasyland because Fantasyland has no theme.

[merlinjones]

"it's a small world" was designed by Walt Disney, Mary Blair and company to salute Unicef and the power of hope represented by children all over the world... not consumer franchises or cartoon characters. This is art, people - - with specific meaning.

Put Stitch in the Toy Shop outside if they must - but not in the ride.

[MrLiver]

Originally Posted by MasterGracey

I'm not comparing ride maintenance budgets. I'm comparing popularity.

You simply do not understand.

Popularity alone cannot keep an attraction open. If the maintenance budget for an attraction far exceeds the value assigned to each person riding it, than the attraction cannot stay open.

Small World could get 5x the riders as Winnie the Pooh, but if it costs 15x as much as Pooh to keep it open, it wouldn't be worth the cost, regardless of the popularity.

Disney is trying to make the effort in keeping the attraction open by investing countless millions in keeping the ride running (fresh paint, AA maintenance, replacing the flume and roof) and to justify that huge expense, they want to add something that they think will get more people riding the attraction.

The alternative of course would be to say that the cost of keeping it open is no longer worth the investment and the ride would have to be closed.

If the alternative is having the ride closed out-right and replaced with something else, I think that adding characters is a nice compromise.

[MasterGracey]

I'm willing to bet that come holiday season 2008, the entire marketing campaign will center around "it's a small world" celebrating the holidays with your favorite Disney characters.

These additions aren't being added because they enhance the show. They aren't being added because "it's a small world's" numbers are dropping.

The characters are being added so they can be sold as a new attraction for the holidays. I wouldn't be surprised if the toy shop at the exit gets expanded, too.

There's loads of DVDs, keychains, and plush to be sold now at "it's a small world."

[The International]

Hmm, well, I USED to enjoy this ride, but now that they've updated it by freshening the paint, maintaining the AAs, and adding a few subtle Disney characters I really hate it. Way to go, TDA!

[MrLiver]

Originally Posted by MasterGracey

The characters are being added so they can be sold as a new attraction for the holidays. I wouldn't be surprised if the toy shop at the exit gets expanded, too.

There's loads of DVDs, keychains, and plush to be sold now at "it's a small world."

People wouldn't buy that stuff if they didn't like it.

[The International]

Originally Posted by MrLiver

People wouldn't buy that stuff if they didn't like it.

Unfortunately, the theme violation crew doesn't care what people like and don't like, because what does the average guest know about anything, anyway? Fantasmic, for example, is a gross "thematic violation" despite the fact that it puts a smile on roughly 20,000 faces nightly. So yeah, while I certainly agree with you don't expect them to listen to this line of reasoning.