At a glance
It’s a Small World is one of the great Disney classics. The ride was first designed for the UNICEF pavilion at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, under the name Children of the World, sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and personally overseen by Walt Disney. Art direction came from Mary Blair, famous for her style of bright colors and geometric shapes, the costumes from Alice Davis, and the title song from brothers Richard and Robert Sherman, who were deep into work on Mary Poppins at the time.
The ride is a slow boat cruise along seven waterways, the Seven Seaways, past nearly 300 Audio-Animatronics figures in traditional costume representing children from five continents. Everyone sings the famous tune in several languages, taking turns or all together. The Paris version stands apart from all the others: a single large room organized around arches, a soundtrack by John Debney, and dedicated scenes for the Middle East and North America, with Canada and the US.
Outside, the large animated facade styled like a medieval clock draws on the clocks of European cities such as Prague. Every fifteen minutes, a parade of international dolls circles the clock before two puppets announce the time.
The ultimate family boat ride. A miniature trip around the world with hundreds of dolls themed by country and a legendary tune on repeat. Just right for a calm break with young kids between thrill rides.
History
"it’s a small world" opened on April 12, 1992 along with the park. It’s the Disneyland Paris take on a ride that debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and later came to Disneyland Anaheim (1966), Orlando’s Magic Kingdom (1971), Tokyo Disneyland (1983), Hong Kong Disneyland (2008), and Shanghai Disneyland (2016). Its original look is the work of artist Mary Blair, and the Sherman brothers wrote the song.
Starting in 2008, over thirty Disney characters were slipped in among the dolls, each placed in the country linked to the movie they come from. A 2023 refresh added ideas of diversity and inclusion, and since February 2025, hundreds of dolls have sported new outfits created by the teams at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris.
Technical specs
- Duration
- 9 min
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Boat
- Opening date April 12, 1992
- Duration 9 min
- Number of boats 24
- Guests per boat 23
- Design Walt Disney Imagineering
- Manufacturer Intamin
- Imagineers Mary Blair (original 1964 design)
- Composers Robert and Richard Sherman
- Sponsors France Télécom (1992-2008), Osram (since 2012)
- Inspiration It’s a Small World (1964 New York World’s Fair)
Theme & world
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact high
- Perceived wait moderate
- Height requirement None (open to everyone)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access fully accessible
- Pregnant visitors OK to ride
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Skip the standby line whenever you like. Handy in peak season, when the wait often goes past 60 minutes.
This ride has no Single Rider line. If you want to cut your wait, rely on Premier Access or get there at park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
This ride stays closed during Extra Magic Time and only opens when the park does.
Who it’s made for
Pros and cons
The highlights
- A cult song that sticks with you
- High hourly capacity, with long lines a rarity
- Animated facade every 15 minutes
The downsides
- That tune will be stuck in your head all day
- At 9 minutes, some find it drags
- No big thrills for teenagers
My verdict
"it’s a small world" is the ultimate family ride: nearly 300 animated dolls in traditional dress float past along a 9-minute canal, set to that legendary, impossible-to-forget tune. Originally created for the UNICEF pavilion at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, it has been a great Disney classic ever since Disneyland Anaheim. Hourly capacity is very high, so lines are rarely very long.
I know the song divides people, but it’s one of my safe bets with family: everyone gets something out of it, from babies to grandparents. My little game for staying focused after 8 minutes: try to spot the hidden Mickey along the way (there’s one). Also, the clock on the facade comes to life every 15 minutes, so time your arrival to catch it. It’s a show in its own right.
Best time to go
Based on this ride’s wait time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
It’s a Small World is at the back of Fantasyland, between Le Pays des Contes de Fées and the Bella Notte restaurant.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long lines for the most popular rides?
To skip long lines at Disneyland Paris, I mix several strategies. First, Single Rider is free and really speeds things up on the rides that offer it, including Crush’s Coaster, Flight Force, Ratatouille, and Spider-Man, as long as you don’t mind boarding apart from your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that guarantees you priority entry on the headline rides. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and that’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without waiting. Last, heading to the busiest rides during a parade or a big show empties the lines dramatically.
02 Are the wait times posted in the park accurate?
Yes, the wait times shown in the app or on the park’s screens are generally accurate. They’re often equal to or slightly longer than the real wait, which helps you plan your day better.
03 How can I find out if a ride will be under refurbishment during my vacation?
Disneyland Paris posts the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website several weeks ahead of time. Since the parks are open year-round, maintenance crews sometimes work on days the park is open, which leads to temporary closures. My tip: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before you book, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young kids?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can be a bit much for young kids, even with no height requirement. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, in Fantasyland, has dark scenes with the witch that can catch them off guard. Les Voyages de Pinocchio also has some unsettling moments. La Tanière du Dragon, beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, leans into its ghostly mood and stays pretty intense for little ones. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful scenes and darker ones. I recommend watching how your child reacts before you board.
05 How far ahead does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris shares its list of ride closures about 2 to 3 months ahead. For major rides, the park lets guests know about planned construction at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, since dates can change. That way you won’t get the nasty surprise of finding out on the spot that your favorite ride is closed for refurbishment.
