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In April of 1964, New York City played host for a third time to the World's Fair. Seizing the opportunity, Walt Disney chose this fair as a venue to perfect and showcase his nascent Audio-Animatronics technology that would be adopted and still employed in most of the attractions at the Disney Theme Parks. Among the shows he developed for the fair was a ride that would become loved and simultaneously loathed for the next 50 years, It's a Small World.
Sponsored by Pepsi, the ride was inspired by a noble concept. It was designed to foster unity and understanding among all the peoples of the earth, while promoting the good works of UNICEF. With both Pepsi and Disney behind the project, money was certainly no object. The costs associated with developing the Audio-Animatronics technology was steep in those days. The 298 dolls were dressed in sumptuous traditional costume representing their countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and the South Pacific Islands. Originally, the figures were to all sing the national anthems of their respective countries. The Sherman Brothers were tasked to compose the music. Quickly discovering that the competing anthems created what what Richard Sherman admitted was a cacophony the simple yet insidious earworm of the century was born.
It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hopes and a world of fears
There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
The attraction was originally scheduled for demolition after the New York Worlds Fair came to an end. However it proved such a massive hit, it was crated up piece by piece, expanded on and given a permanent home at Disneyland in Anaheim. With the opening of Disney parks in Orlando, Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, you will be sobered to realize that there is never a moment on the planet when that song isn't lodging itself into someone's brain.
Even the Walt Disney Company was forced to admit the serious repercussions overexposure to this unrelenting ditty could cause. On November 27, 2009 a disabled man became stuck on the ride after it suffered a breakdown. While others were evacuated, he remained on his little boat with the song continually blaring for over 30 minutes. He sued the park and won $8,000 in damages for pain and suffering and a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I can completely relate as I was in a similar boat with Brian a decade ago. The ride broke down on us and we spent just under ten minutes stuck next to the dancing dolls from Ireland taking their little song hammer to our ears. We vowed never again.
Yet, the ride endures. For 50 years visitors have subjected themselves to that song for the simple nostalgia and sweet message the attraction affords. To celebrate, Disney has launched a fundraiser for UNICEF at smallworld50.com. Disney is doing a dollar to dollar match.
To mark the 50th, Disney is donating $150,000 to UNICEF and will donate another $1 for each video and doll posted or shared on SmallWorld50.com or related social media, up to $100,000.
Personally, I think they could have upped the ante a bit, but still, it's a good thing for the kids and I plan on donating a twenty.
Even though I don't think I could ever endure it again, if you have never experienced the ride, I do encourage you to give it a go. It's likely anyway that at some point in your life that song burrowed itself into your brain and wouldn't let go. You may as well see the reason for it yourself. For the person of strong constitution, I leave you with a tape of the complete ride-through. If you feel a lawsuit coming on, please contact legal council at The Walt Disney Company
Now on to Tops!
TOP COMMENTS
March 22, 2014
Thanks to tonight's Top Comments contributors! Let us hear from YOU
when you find that proficient comment.
From Puddytat:
Sometimes the best place to find Top Comments is in Top Comments. I'm with Tara the Antisocial Social Worker. Maybe they would find cures. for Alzheimer's and cancer while they're at it.
From Tara the Antisocial Social Worker:
In Puddytat's fine diary, Scottenfreuden: Scott Walker's book bombs!, steelman asks "Who is Scott Walker?" Agnostic comes up with a better question.
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TOP PHOTOS
March 21, 2014
Enjoy jotter's wonderful PictureQuilt⢠below. Just click on the picture and it will magically take you to the comment that features that photo. Have fun, Kossacks!
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