March 21, on “Good Morning America,” plans were announced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic “it’s a small world” attraction, which debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
On April 10, hundreds of voices from the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland will sing the unforgettable theme song of the “happiest cruise that ever sailed the seven seas” in a global sing-along.
“‘it’s a small world’ has inspired hundreds of millions of people through its timeless theme,” said Tom Staggs, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Every moment of every day there are Disney Guests enjoying ‘It’s a Small World’ somewhere around the globe. The 50th anniversary of this attraction represents a celebration of the shared optimism, hope and humanity of people throughout the world.”
In addition, SmallWorld50.com launched today as a “global hub” of music and harmony, where Guests and Cast Members are encouraged to record videos of themselves singing the classic song and create virtual “it’s a small world” dolls that can be shared with friends through social media, all benefitting UNICEF. Along with a $150,000 donation on behalf of The Walt Disney Company in honor of the 50th anniversary, the company will also donate $1 for every sing-along video recorded, and another $1 for every virtual doll created on the website, up to $100,000.
Disney began its relationship with UNICEF in 1964 with the debut of “it’s a small world” at the New York World’s Fair. More recently, Disney and UNICEF have worked together to create a brighter tomorrow for thousands of children through programming that helps foster imagination and creativity. UNICEF provides health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more to children around the world.
To help announce the celebration, Disney Parks released a video featuring people around the world singing, dancing to and playing “It’s a Small World.”Filmed across six continents in more than 25 countries, the video features international “performers” – including bagpipers in Scotland, Bollywood movie actors in India, a firefighter in New York City, and members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir – to create one worldwide video.