*Walt Disney's Final Message: It's A Small World* | Documentary

Before Walt Disney died he opened a ride that epitomized the final message of optimism he had for us. The lyrics that say it best: There is just one moon and one golden sun, and a smile means friendship to everyone. Though the mountains divide, and the oceans are wide, it's a small world after all.

#disneyland #waltdisney #history

CHAPTERS:
0:00 How It Started
5:06 Engineering The Ride
14:37 Ship It To Disneyland!
19:20 The Years Since
23:34 Walt's Final Message

CREDIT:
Some on-ride footage of "it's a small world" is credited to my friend @LMGVids

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I plan to sail to the UK to film dozens upon dozens of historic places for this channel, if you would like to learn more about it, or help support the effort, visit the link below!

VENMO: @AlexAHistorian

To learn more about the Queen Mary, I have an online encyclopedia, rmsQMwiki:

DISCLAIMER: I am not a University-educated historian, Alex the Historian was a nickname I got while working at Disneyland as a tour guide. After 8 years of using it as a stage name for my channel, it would be detrimental to the channel to suddenly change the name.

[gregoryfaith]

Over the 80's & 90's, one could guage the economy outside Disneyland by the number of burnt out light bulbs all around that park and how neglected the interior lighting got inside of It's A Small World ride. My last visit there was 2005 and the entire parks and rides shined of respect and tender loving care. Thanks to Walt's dreams being passed down to cast members after his passing.

[chrismetzger]

Can’t believe the ride is 60 years old.

[toddhensley]

For me, the songs “It’s a Small World”, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow”, and “One Little Spark” are the core Disney message.

[Ericland_Entertainment_Inc]

YES YES YES!!

I'm shocked I used to hate this beautiful ride, now I love it with all of my oversized heart.

I'm glad this ride still promotes world peace thru the sheer innocence of children singing together.

What a great message Walt sent to the world before he left us too early.

If only people could appreciate the rides universal message, it really is a small world after all.

[goofyrulez]

And... it was so hard to synchronize the music in all the areas, they decided to just let the ride run 24/7/365 (I could be wrong, my memory is not so great). Thank you for the video, it brings back wonderful memories.

[disneylandmusician]

This is an excellent documentary. Fantastic job!!

[jetsons]

To be honest, "It's A Small World" isn't in my top 5 rides at Disneyland --- it does make the top ten. The way the ride looks is part of the charm, character and feel of the ride, it's not cheap --- it has a look that kids can relate to, bright colors and movement. This and many other Disney rides are great examples of "Doing it right the first time." May the light in the Firehouse always shine
NOTE: The fifth block of the vid was

[billsauder]

Thank you for this astute review of a major landmark in themed attractions. I visited Disneyland weeks after "it's a small world opened". I was six years old and the facade and art direction inside was more exciting that words will describe. I became fascinated with the design of attractions: Were they the work of one person? or a corporate team all working closely together? ... the new Tomorrowland opened a year later with huge carry overs from "small world" in the murals and ticket booth architecture compounding the mystery. Decades later I discovered the individual contributions of Rolly Crump and Mary Blair. -- A few months after "small world" opened, Walt died. When it came on the news I remember turning to my mother and asking "Do we have to call him Saint Walter now?"

[TheIndyMaestro]

Another wonderful historical Disney video! Thanks so much Alex! RIP Walt, and much more recently Richard Sherman (and Robert a few years ago), Rolly Crump, and Alice Davis!

[stephenkramp]

"Typical" Alex the Historian video. Peaceful, informative, educational and enjoyable. Always time well spent.

Walt was my childhood hero. I remember, as a small child, bring fascinated by the monorail and the Tiki House, but only on TV. I visited WDW in 71 or 72 with my parents. Small World was my mom's favorite ride. Every time I visit WDW, that is the one ride I have to visit. A good remembrance of a different era, and in many ways a better time.

Thanks Alex!

[NorseNerdleMeister]

Thanks Alex, love that you’re still doing Disney content!

[m.hreels]

This is a really excellent documentary! ❤

[cndexeo]

Thank you, Alex! I still love "Small World"- I ride it every time. I remember singing the song with a children's choir when I was about 9 yr old- before I had ever rode the ride!! Last time we drove to Disneyland, we did all the original rides that still exist, plus the "world's fair" rides like Tiki Room (which has been edited too much...) and Small World. We also rode a lot of the Main Street vehicles and had a great time taking things slow and just riding the "old" rides. - Linda😀

[susanhansen]

A lovely tribute, Alex - to both an iconic attraction and to the man and his vision. Thank you. Well done. ❤

[skywalkerpanyt]

Absolutely love this! Such a beautiful history of small world and such an incredible tribute to Walt’s legacy. Thank you for this! 😄

[benjaminroberson]

Wonderfully made! You did a stellar job covering the history of this attraction and why it's always been so important.

[jeffreycharles]

Always happy to see a Disneyland history video from you! Thank you!

[waynemartin]

Great video! I remember visiting Small World at the world’s fair and enjoying the tower in spite of the creator’s dissatisfaction!

[toshibavoodoo]

How I miss this video? Great Channel, Great information, and great vibes!

[Jacob]

IT was a nice video detailing the history. Despite how annoying the song can get over time. It’s still a classic ride and good song. Because of how significant it was an how it represented the children of the world. A good final message left by Walt Disney and another legacy that lives on till this very day.