AP preview of enhanced "it's a small world"

[club33az]

Did I hear the narrator say that the American scene WAS originally conceived by Mary Blair???

[refurbmike]

Out of place with what? The video only showed the one American scene by itself. They didn't show how it fit with it's surroundings.

Out of place with the rest of the "world."

Look at the "icons" they used to represent America: a barn and some mountains. They have the Taj Mahal, Tower of Pisa, Big Ben, Forbidden City, and a barn. Which of those just doesn't belong?

[Ben]

I just got back and have to say I liked the additions too. They seem to fit it quite well. Some of my favorites are The Three Caballeros in Mexico, Peter Pan and Tink flying around England and the dragon kite & dragon doll from Mulan in the China section... which is located where what I thought was Japan... but apparently is China. I honestly didn't hear any other animation soundtrack blending in any of the segments... but I wasn't particularly checking them out. The overall refreshness of the attraction is pretty apparent. Especially the lighting at the end and the soundtrack.

[club33az]

Out of place with the rest of the "world."

Look at the "icons" they used to represent America: a barn and some mountains. They have the Taj Mahal, Tower of Pisa, Big Ben, Forbidden City, and a barn. Which of those just doesn't belong?

I don't know. Ask Mary Blair.
From the LA Times article:

Art director Kim Irvine sought to emulate Blair's artistic style in creating the new America scene, which the original designer had sketched for Small World but which never made it into the attraction. The new room depicts the agricultural heartland, with a red barn towering over farmer dolls in overalls and straw hats, and the American West, with "Toy Story" characters Jessie and Woody against the backdrop of the Butte Mountains.

[club33az]

I also found this part of the article pretty interesting, especially to those that said IASW should stay in its "original" form.

This isn't the first time Small World has undergone change. Over the years, Imagineers have incorporated parts of the world that ride designers glossed over in 1964, including China and the Philippines.

Can any of us imagine IASW without China???

[Spokker]

I also found this part of the article pretty interesting, especially to those that said IASW should stay in its "original" form.

China and the Philippines sound like good additions that keep with the original message and theme of Small World.

Nobody said that Small World should stay in its original form. Opponents of the changes want good changes.

[Spokker]

I don't know. Ask Mary Blair.
From the LA Times article:

First, I would have to ask someone more familiar with the backroom dealings of Disney in the 60s than I if that is an accurate story.

And even if it is, it doesn't prove anything. There could be a reason why those designs never made it into the attraction in the first place.

[tcsnwhite]

Nobody said that Small World should stay in its original form. Opponents of the changes want good changes.

And isn't that the kicker right there..."good" changes.

Who gets to ultimately decide what is "good" and not good in the end?

[Spokker]

Who gets to ultimately decide what is "good" and not good in the end?

Nobody, but healthy debate can help us understand why one side feels the way they do when they attempt to justify their position.

[cinder]

I just got back and have to say I liked the additions too. They seem to fit it quite well. Some of my favorites are The Three Caballeros in Mexico, Peter Pan and Tink flying around England and the dragon kite & dragon doll from Mulan in the China section... which is located where what I thought was Japan... but apparently is China. I honestly didn't hear any other animation soundtrack blending in any of the segments... but I wasn't particularly checking them out. The overall refreshness of the attraction is pretty apparent. Especially the lighting at the end and the soundtrack.

That's great! Thanks for the update, sounds like it is nice.