Before Opening to the Public, Disney World Cast Members Get Sneak Peek of Updated ‘it’s a small world'

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Before Opening to the Public, Disney World Cast Members Get Sneak Peek of Updated ‘it’s a small world’

in Disney Parks, Walt Disney World

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Rick Lye

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A whimsical amusement park ride featuring colorful, ornate buildings with various towers, spires, and geometric designs. Lines of people wait in a queue area to board small boats for an enchanting journey. The brightly lit and festive environment feels like stepping into an auto draft of a dream world.

Credit: Disney

With the eyes of the theme park world focused on the West Coast and Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary, some may forget that Disney World in Central Florida has something to celebrate today as well. In conjunction with its Anaheim sister park, the Magic Kingdom introduced its new lyrics to “it’s a small world” today to the general public.

Dolls on "it's a small world" — Credit: Disney

However, before guests could work through the gates and experience the updated verse penned by Richard Sherman before his death, Disney World cast members lined up and were the first to experience the new attraction before the park opened.

Disney announced the Magic Kingdom version of “it’s a small world” earlier this month. The Magic Kingdom version opens the same day as the updated version at Disneyland.

The late Richard Sherman penned the final verse before he died in 2024. Richard and Robert Sherman wrote the song’s original version for the 1964 World’s Fair.

Four childlike dolls are dressed in colorful outfits, each holding a book and standing on a platform. Their attire includes hats and hoods, giving them a whimsical, festive appearance. The background features soft lighting and a dreamy ambiance. — Credit: Disney

The new lyrics are:

“Mother earth unites us in heart and mind
And the love we give makes us humankind
Through our vast wondrous land
When we stand hand in hand
It’s a small world after all.”

Richard M. Sherman. An older man with short dark hair and a big smile sits at a piano. The background reveals a wooden bookshelf adorned with various items, including a framed photograph, a stuffed bear, books, and even a small statue of Mary Poppins, the beloved Disney icon. — Credit: Disney

Disney’s announcement of the new ride paid tribute to the Sherman Brothers and the beauty of the latest version. Disney wrote:

The late Richard and Robert Sherman wrote the song’s original verses, and before his passing, Richard wrote a new verse as his final gift to Disney. We are honored that the last verse of this beloved song will debut in the finale scene of “it’s a small world” at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort beginning July 17, 2025.

The update to the finale scene is meant to add to the attraction’s legacy and further emphasize the song’s meaning. As Gregg Sherman, son of Richard Sherman, explains, the new verse is intended to “celebrate that there’s more that unites us than divides us, and reinforce the message of that song.”

For those who can’t make it to Disney World or Disneyland to hear the new song, Disney made it available for digital download, and on July 18, fans can order the “it’s a small world” vinyl. It’s available for preorder now at the Disney Music Emporium.

If you’re unable to make it to Disney World or Disneyland this week, you can download the new verse and get it stuck in your head before your next trip. It shouldn’t be that hard.

What do you think of “it’s a small world’s” new verse? Let us know in the comments.

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