FROM: Wandering the World with Wally Published Mondays

Wandering It's a Small World

When wandering through It's a Small World, Wally has a rather frightening habit: he likes to sing... THAT song. He never tires of it. His hearty voice often knocks the dolls right back on their haunches. He'd like to tell you about it. Come back!

- by Walter Octavius March, June 6, 2011

KUNGALOOSH!

After my All-American Adventure last week, I'm in a nostalgic mood. So I am heading to one of the original attractions in the Magic Kingdom.

Would you like to come with me?

Ah, bully! I'm happy you're coming along.

What's that? Which attraction are we to visit? I'll give you some hints as we journey to the park, and we'll see whether you can come up with it.

Wally is Your Quizmaster

Here's our bus, all aboard! Comfortable in that seat? Very well, then, your first clue:

This attraction was built by the WED Imagineers for Walt back in 1964.

A guess, my good friend? No?

Very well, next clue:

It was originally sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and presented by UNICEF.

I see the wheels turning, but still no answer? Another clue then:

It was first called "UNICEF Salutes the Children of the World."

What's that? Yes, you are correct: Walt Disney World did not open until 1971. So how did the attraction exist before then? Good question.

It was opened in Disneyland in 1966, before construction on Disney World had even begun. But as I said, it originally was built and presented in 1964.

Yes, the attraction did first exist outside of a Disney Park originally. Ah, I see a flicker of recognition. One more clue?

The Sherman Brothers, Bob and Richard, made the music for the attraction. Some people have described the song as hypnotic. Others say it is the most annoying song ever written. Richard Sherman described it as a prayer for peace.

I can see you know which ride it is now. Would you like a drum roll for your answer? That's right! It's a Small World.

Wally is Your Storyteller

Did you know that It's a Small World was one of the first attractions built for the Magic Kingdom and was in operation when the park opened? The ride contains 289 dolls to represent six continents, and the song is sung in five different languages.

Here we are at the gates to the Magic Kingdom!

Did I ever tell you about my first visit here? It was soon after the opening. My goodness, how the park has changed! Originally, there weren't any mountains here. Space, Splash, and Big Thunder weren't built until years later.

When I first arrived, the Cast Members recognized me and insisted that I ride the Jungle Cruise so I might give them a few pointers about the true meaning of Adventure. I believe they still use some of my old stories! And I believe my tale about an encounter with a headhunter in the Amazon inspired the 'Head Salesman' that you'll encounter on the cruise.

Anyway, on to our destination.

Should we just cut through the Castle, or would you like to divert through Tomorrowland, instead? Either is fine with me. Very good - through the Castle it is!

Here we are at the queue. The line isn't that long, is it? Did you know they have refurbished the ride? Well, they haven't really changed anything, because it all still likes as Mary Blair imagined it.

(You know Mary Blair, don't you? Oh, well, she was one of Walt's artists, and she also created the mosaic in the Contemporary Resort.)

About the refurbishment, though. In 2005, the Imagineers refurbished the attraction, and as part of that work, they restored the original 1964 orchestral recording of the song back into the attraction. Have I told you that I can sing the song in four of the five languages? I will entertain you during our boat ride through the six continents...

Wally is Your Cliffhanger

What's that? You need to use a restroom? You can't wait until after the ride. Oh, I see - an emergency.

Very well, do you want me to... no? I should ride without you? Alright, then, I'll meet you when the ride is over, and I'll entertain these other nice people in the line with my rendition of this most wonderful (and catchy) song.

Hellooo, my friends, I am Walter Octavius March, but you can call me Wally. Would you share your boat with me? Very good, now who is ready to accompany me in song? Excellent! Let me say good-bye to my friend, and I will be right with you.

Well, I guess he really did have to go; he's run off. Oh well... now, what's this, the Cast Member loading the boats is pointing to me. I wonder what this is about? (I haven't even begun to sing!)

I'll have to let you know next week, my friend!

Until next time, KUNGALOOSH! And keep your eyes open for Adventure!

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