Big Controversy Over Small World

I'm a big fan of the "It's A Small World" attraction at the Disney parks; I even have a Squidoo lens about it. So as you can imagine, I have been following the latest controversy over this innocuous ride with much interest. It all started with this MiceAge article, in which Al Lutz talked about rumored changes to the classic attraction, including the addition of Disney characters to some of the scenes, and the replacement of the rain forest scene with a patriotic tribute to the United States.

The article ruffled a lot of feathers, including Kevin L. Blair, son of the late Mary Blair. (I have a Squidoo lens about her too!) This letter was posted on the Re-Imagineering blog, from Kevin to Disney executives, urging them not to tamper with Mary Blair's "Children of the World" theme. (Be sure to read the discussion comments which follow - some interesting points are raised, both pro and con.)

Kevin L. Blair's letter, along with comments from many fans, generated a response from Marty Sklar, The Walt Disney Company's international ambassador for Walt Disney Imagineering, found here on The Disney Blog. (Be sure to read John Frost's initial thoughts on Marty's letter, found in the first Comment after the letter.)

The rumored enhancements have instigated the creation of Save the Rainforest, Save the Small World. This web site is an attempt to convince The Walt Disney Company to do the right thing, and contains contact information for those who wish to write to the company and express their displeasure in these changes.

Additional links to articles and web pages on this topic:

• John Frost provides additional thoughts about Marty Sklar's letter


• From the Re-Imagineering blog, The World Of Animation Speaks includes comments about the proposed changes from many famous people from the Animation industry.


• The Disney Gossip blog claims to have the real story behind the changes to the beloved attraction, and it doesn't have a happy ending.


• Disney archivist Dave Smith pipes in with his opinion in these letters to LaughingPlace.com. And John Frost has a frosty response on The Disney Blog.


• 2719 Hyperion's Jeff Pepper takes a step back and makes some level-headed observations about the entire debate.

My thoughts on all this? I believe that the idea that an attraction can be plussed by throwing Disney characters into it shows a huge lack of creativity and imagination from a company that is supposed to excel in those concepts. Sure, the characters are popular, but they are already all over the place, and too much of a good thing is not usually good. (It's sad that The Walt Disney Company hasn't learned its lesson from "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.") What's next, updating the Hall of Presidents, replacing George W with the real Goofy? There are other ways to plus an attraction, perhaps throwing in a few special effects, like they did with the Jungle Cruise renovations. No characters slipped in there, but the pirhana effect was a big hit.

And then there's the rumor about the Imagineers destroying the rainforest scene to replace it with that tribute to America. If that is true, then I am simply amazed that the WDC cannot see what a PR nightmare that would create. Besides the symbolic ecological implications from a company that pretends to be so green, I've always thought of that scene, with its flamboyant cat and alligator, as a mini-tribute to the gay community. I wouldn't be surprised if the destruction of those characters ruffled a few rainbow-colored feathers as well.