It's a Small World!! Changes!!

[MmeLeota]

Ok, at the D23 Expo, there was a presentation about IASW (focusing on HK, but disucssing all versions). It was during that presentation (which included Tony Baxter and Kim Irvine) they explained that the characters were all based on Mary Blair's design so they would blend in and that it was not a "product placement" idea. Also, they explained that Ms. Blair's original ride included the America scene, but when it came time to build it out,, they simply ran out of room...a common problem within WDI. All that survived was the cowboy in the white room at the end. So with this last update, the imagineers decided to add the scene back in.
Later that evening, my DH and I took that new information and rode ISAW and though I don't exactly agree with characters being added, I have to say...it was done very well.

[mindflipper]

I heard it explained that the addition of the Disney characters was done for HK in order for park guests there to be relate to the ride. If that is the case, then why did they do it as Disneyland? (They could have done it to WDW for I know, I haven't been on the ride for some time). I don't like the characters being added either.

I don't mind old rides getting an update - I like Constance the black widow bride in the attic of HM. She was, however, actually based on a changing portrait by Marc Davis that was never used. Like the America scene based on Mary Blair in the IASW, I'm okay with changes that capture ideas from the original designs that for some reason could not have been built back then but can be done now.

[acp]

Also, they explained that Ms. Blair's original ride included the America scene, but when it came time to build it out,, they simply ran out of room...a common problem within WDI. All that survived was the cowboy in the white room at the end. So with this last update, the imagineers decided to add the scene back in.

The Paris version of small world had the USA scene in it from the start. I took this photo last time I was there.

Andy.

[MmeLeota]

Thank you for the pic Andy! They did explain this too...and that they changed it slightly for Disneyland for cultural reasons.

I have so much respect for the Imagineers. They have to really know the culture of the area they're dealing with.

There was concern when they were thinking about adding IASW to HK because the idea had been done in every other Chinese theme park, and thought it was played out. (There were some really scary looking pics of these knockoff IASW rides throughout China...the Imagineers then joked about what a Halloween version would look like ) But fortunately, it was a big hit.

[Amy]

I took a look at your photo Andy and had to go back and look at my photos. I have almost the exact same picture from DLP but mine is a little out of focus. I agree with MmeLeota about the Imagineers having to understand the various cultures around the globe with respect to attractions!

[proudcanuck]

I have been on Small World recently and the new changes are not that bad. Because I was with my 4 year old son, he knew Woody, and Pinocchio etc, so it was worth seeing his eyes light up when he saw those characters.

[SlueFootSue]

I know this is an older post - but just wanted to say I recently saw the new version in Disneyland and found the integration of the Mary Blair style characters and even some of the music enchanting!!

[Amy]

The Disney characters didn't seem so obvious this past December when we were there. I didn't notice any difference in the musical score, but that might have been because of the Christmas overlay.

[garyman]

All I know is that when we were there in December all the little kids loved Disney Characters. We had lots of fun as well.