Disney Park Unveils Divisive "It's a Small World" Replacement, Effective Tomorrow

One Disney park has just unveiled the new overlay heading to one version of “it’s a small world” from tomorrow.

Many Disney rides are iconic to regular parkgoers, but only a few are widely recognized by those who have never visited a Disney park.

Exterior of "it's a small world" — Credit: Disney

“it’s a small world” is undeniably one of the most instantly recognizable Disney attractions, thanks in no small part to its theme tune.

The ride – which was originally designed for the 1964 World’s Fair alongside Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – is soundtracked by the Sherman Brothers’ song of the same name and has become so prominent in pop culture that one recording was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry in 2022 for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

The OG version of the attraction can still be found in Fantasyland at Disneyland Park to this day. Over the years, additional versions have opened at Magic Kingdom Park, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland.

Three child-like dolls wearing white outfits and white hats are singing and holding songbooks titled "Deck the Halls." One doll sits in a golden wheelchair, capturing the spirit of it's a small world. The background includes festive decorations and other dolls dressed in Christmas attire. — Credit: Disney

Each “it’s a small world” ride experience is similar, featuring hundreds of audio-animatronic dolls in traditional costumes from different cultures with the goal of promoting international unity. However, each park’s version also boasts slight differences, from its exterior (of which Magic Kingdom’s is undeniably the worst) to the scenes within the ride.

Tokyo Disneyland Switches Up “it’s a small world”

As of tomorrow, Tokyo Disneyland’s version of “it’s a small world” is undergoing a radical change.

For a short time, the ride will become “it’s a small world with Groot” thanks to a Marvel Cinematic Universe-inspired overlay.

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

First announced in March 2024, this will see Groot – the lovable sentient tree-like character from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy – take over the attraction as its new host, venturing through different cultures and spotting various figures from the franchise along the way.

This overlay has proven divisive, to say the least. While some have praised Tokyo Disneyland’s first substantial inclusion of the MCU (other than its nighttime spectacular, Reach for the Stars), others remain outraged by the concept of the park tampering with such a classic attraction.

Regardless of how guests feel, the ride is happening. We now have a preview of what guests can expect from “it’s a small world with Groot” when it debuts tomorrow, and it looks—dare we say it—cute.

Groot waving cheerfully as it joins the vibrant and whimsical world of "it's a small world." — Credit: Edited by Inside the Magic

We were also split on the idea of Marvel working its way into “it’s a small world,” but the footage and images we’ve seen so far are pretty hard to hate. The temporary overlay (which runs until June 30, 2025) sees multiple audio-animatronics of Groot, designed in the same iconic Mary Blair aesthetic as the rest of the ride, decked out in costumes inspired by various cultures.

Tokyo Disneyland “It’s a Small World with Groot”
Captain America (Sam Wilson), Drax, Star-Lord, Captain Marvel, and Thor appear in the Latin America area ☆

東京ディズニーランド「イッツ・ア・スモールワールドwithグルート」
中南米エリアにはキャプテン・アメリカ（サム・ウィルソン）、ドラックス、スター・ロード、キャプテン・マーベル、ソーが登場☆
詳細→https://t.co/R8lX8GKKZx pic.twitter.com/QvdSCZkXWj

— DtimesDeparture (@DtimesDeparture) January 14, 2025

Other characters that feature in the ride include the Hulk, Gamora, Mantis, Nebula, Star-Lord, Thor, Captain America, and Captain Marvel.

It’s a Small World with Groot Marvel characters make their first appearance at Tokyo Disney Resort ☆

イッツ・ア・スモールワールド with グルート
マーベルキャラクターが東京ディズニーリゾートに初登場☆https://t.co/8pMbDWpnzF pic.twitter.com/32CfpuxAiO

— DtimesDeparture (@DtimesDeparture) January 14, 2025

While we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to check out a full ride-through, for now, we remain impressed!

In the meantime, Tokyo Disney Resort has released an original comic to commemorate the ride’s opening titled “it’s a small world with Groot: Take Off” on the Tokyo Disney Resort app, exclusively available to Tokyo Disneyland guests.

The park has also debuted a new mix that plays outside the ride, mixing tracks typically found on “it’s a small world” with the likes of “The Avengers Theme” by Alan Silvestri, “Agatha’s Theme” from Agatha All Along, and the Marvel theme.

Recent Developments at Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disney Resort – the first Disney resort built outside the U.S. – has undergone a handful of major changes in the past year in addition to “it’s a small world with Groot.”

In 2024, Tokyo Disneyland said farewell to its versions of Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters. While the former is being demolished to make way for a newer, bigger, and better version of the iconic indoor roller coaster, the latter is being replaced with Disney’s first Wreck-It Ralph (2012) ride.

A family enjoys an interactive ride, with a child and two adults shooting light guns in a dimly lit, colorful arcade-style environment. they appear excited and engaged in the fun activity. — Credit: Tokyo Disney Resort

At the neighboring park, Tokyo DisneySea, last year also saw the opening of the new land Fantasy Springs. This features three mini lands inspired by Frozen (2013), Tangled (2010), and Peter Pan (1953), respectively.

While guests are now free to enter the land at any time, access was previously restricted, with guests required to secure a Standby Pass, Disney Premier Access, or Fantasy Springs Passport to check out the area.

What do you think about “it’s a small world with Groot”?