Disney previously unveiled a new verse to the classic tune that songwriter Richard Sherman wrote before his death in May 2024.
Screen Archives/Getty; Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty
It’s a world of laughter and a world ofhappytears, asDisneyhas announced that it will finally update the lyrics of its iconic"It’s a Small World" theme songinside Walt Disney’s belovedDisneylandboat ride of the same name.
Months after revealing a new verse that songwriter Richard Sherman penned before his death in May 2024, Disney announced Wednesday that the updated lyrics will soon premiereinside the ridein celebration of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary.
Walt Disney and It’s a Small World ride at Disneyland.Credit:Screen Archives/Getty; Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty
As previously unveiled in November within Disney’sThe Last Verseshort film, the new lyrics (which Sherman gave to Disney CEOBob Igerin the summer of 2023) add a timely sentiment to the tune’s warm lyrics: “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.”
In addition to updating the “It’s a Small World” song inside the ride, Disneyland will also host daily screenings ofThe Last Verseat the Main Street Cinema theater located in the park’s Main Streetsection.Other new additions heading to the park for the 70th anniversary include a Walt Disney audio-animatronic figure that will debut as part of theWalt Disney A Magical Lifeshow that will enter into alternating rotation with the existingGreat Moments with Mr. Lincolnshow at the Main Street Opera House.
Richard and his brother, Robert Sherman, co-wrote the original “It’s a Small World” song ahead of the ride’s 1964 debut at the New York World’s Fair, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman, and Walt Disney.Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett
Due to the popularity of the ride which takes riders on a slow-moving water journey through scenes featuring animatronic figures representing nations from around the world Disney moved the attraction to its new, permanent home at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. in May 1966.
The brothers also won two Oscars and three Grammys, and worked on memorable Disney projects likeMary PoppinsandThe Jungle Book.
Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett
“As the legendary creators of some of the most cherished music of the past century, the Sherman brothers will be remembered for their profound impact on our global culture,” Iger said in November in a press statement aboutThe Last Verse.
“Hearing Richard Sherman recite the final verse to ‘Its a Small World’ before he died will be a moment I will carry with me forever.
This beautiful short film is our tribute to their immeasurable musical contributions, their memory, and to the countless memories they helped create for generations of people around the world.”
In addition to the version of the ride operating at Disneyland, additional adaptations of the attraction opened atDisney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Fla. in 1971, at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, at Disneyland Paris in 1992, and atHong Kong Disneylandin 2008.
Shanghai Disneyland, which opened in 2016, remains the only Disney park to not feature a version of the ride.
Disneyland will debut new lyrics for “It’s a Small World” inside the boat ride beginning July 17.
