Photo Essays

It's A Small World Christmas -- by Jane Jones

For those of you that have ridden on "It's a Small World", you know what a magical ride it can be. EVERYONE knows the tune, and like it or not, it is sung EVERYWHERE you go! The ride was originated by Walt Disney himself for the World's Fair, and later became a permanent fixture, not to menetion it's original home, at Disneyland, just on the outskirts of Fantasyland. It's a 15 minute attraction that is well worth the time!

We were very excited that we were there the first day the ride reopened with the holiday theme. It was pouring all day.....and the ride was still packed (the queue is outside as is load/unload) and at Disneyland, this is a Fast Pass ride.

Unlike Walt Disney World, Disneyland's version starts outside, with a whimsical white and gold facade outlined in colorful lights for the holidays. A large clock looms in the middle. Every 15 minutes it chimes for all in the "Kingdom" to hear (well, maybe just those in Fantasyland). As a clock from Gepetto's own workshop, little "children" dressed in costumes from all over the world file out and "greet" the waiting guests. This is where you get the first glimps of the magic that awaits you inside as you load onto the small boats (seats about 10 comfortably). Each boat is adorned with a beautiful pastel colored wreath....you'll fit right in when you get into the "white room"! (Because of the rain, there are no pictures of the outside to share.)

What makes this attraction special is that Disney closes the ride in the fall to prepare it for the holiday season! Disneyland's Small World is a series of small rooms instead of a few larger rooms like it's Florida counterpart. Each is decked out for Christmas, both in look and in the famous music. The music intertwines "It's a Small World" with "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells". It is so well done that they sell the CD titled "Holiday Magic" for those of us that can't get enough!

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