Disney Axing Classic “it’s a small world” for New Marvel Makeover, Confirms Final Day To Ride

Disney will soon transform one of its most iconic theme park rides.

A group of smiling visitors enjoying a boat ride through a vibrant and whimsical indoor theme park attraction. — Credit: Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disney has shared more details regarding the upcoming Marvel overlay of “it’s a small world.” This special, limited-time experience will be called “it’s a small world with Groot” and will feature a variety of popular Marvel characters represented in the same iconic Mary Blair styling that the original attraction is famous for.

Along with the attraction’s start date, the Tokyo Disney Resort also shared a first look at some of the animatronic figures that will be a part of the ride, with “it’s a small world with Groot” set to open soon.

A person with glasses and long hair tied back is sitting on the floor, carefully working on a small costume for a tree-like character with a head of leaves. In the background, another person is adjusting a figure dressed as Thor from Marvel. Various tools and equipment are scattered around. — Credit: Disney

While each Disney theme park is full of thrilling and immersive attractions, few rides are as iconic or infamous as Disney’s “it’s a small world.” The ride has become bigger than the Disney parks themselves and is likely recognizable even to those who have never even stepped foot into a Disney theme park.

The attraction is known for its cutesy art style, as well as its main theme song, which some may love while others may love to hate. Over the last several decades, “it’s a small world” has remained mostly the same, becoming one of the few Disney attractions considered to be “untouchable.”

However, this all ends soon, with Tokyo Disney set to breathe new life into the legendary ride.

Disney Confirms New Marvel “it’s a small world”

Cartoon versions of Marvel characters, including Baby Groot, in a poster for a new version of "it's a small world." — Credit: Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disney’s “it’s a small world with Groot” will begin on January 15 and run through June 30, 2025. The new take on the classic ride will feature a variety of characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, all of whom will carry on the same endearing styling of the original “it’s a small world.”

Tokyo Disney also shared a new video on YouTube, showing off some of the characters guests can expect to see. The video reveals several “it’s a small world” dolls dressed as Marvel characters such as Captain America, Black Panther, Gamora, and Mantis, among others.

Guests will spot multiple instances of Groot as he becomes the ride’s leading character.

“Groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy series and his friends from Marvel Studios’ movies will be visiting Earth,” reads the official announcement on the Tokyo Disney Resort website. “Look forward to meeting friends from all over the world and spending the holidays surrounded by children!”

Tokyo Disney unveiled this makeover earlier this year, shocking the Disney theme park community.

This is undoubtedly one of the strangest and most bewildering overhauls fans have seen from the Disney theme parks, but fans of the MCU are certainly in for a treat.

While there’s been increased controversy regarding intellectual property (IP) inside the Disney parks, this idea is fun and wacky enough that “it’s a small world with Groot” may just work.

What do you think of this new Marvel version of “it’s a small world?”