A Toddler’s Guide to “it’s a small world” in Magic Kingdom
Originally designed as part of the 1964 -1965 New York World’s Fair, “it’s a small world” became an instant success. It would go on to open at Disneyland in 1966, and was ultimately recreated for the opening day of Walt Disney World in 1971. Since then, “it’s a small world” has remained a fan favorite amongst the millions of people visiting Magic Kingdom each year.
In this post, I’ll share some additional details about the ride and why it quickly became one of my toddlers’ favorite attractions as well.
What to Expect in the Queue
Much like other Disney attractions, strollers are not permitted in the queue. There are several stroller parking locations throughout Fantasyland that you can choose from. Typically, we park our stroller near the Prince Charming Regal Carousel and walk a short distance to the ride.
The queue itself is long and built to accommodate high crowd levels. Wait times can vary throughout the day, so if the line looks long you can always try returning later. It is also worth mentioning that this is a Lightning Lane attraction, which can help shorten your wait.
One thing I really appreciate about this queue is that it is covered from the sun, which is especially helpful during the hot Florida summers. As you move farther inside, you’ll begin to feel the air conditioning more, making it a great option if your family needs a break from the heat. It can also be a good place to duck into if it starts raining.
The Ride Experience
The ride vehicles are boats with rows of bench-style seating that you will need to step down into. There are no restraints, so little ones who need to lap sit should be fairly comfortable. There’s also plenty of space on the floor to place any bags you might have with you.
A quick word of caution: the water level is fairly close to the edge of the boat. If you allow your little one to sit on the end, make sure they won’t be tempted to stand or reach their hands into the water, as this is not permitted.
Once your boat begins moving, you’ll start your approximately 10-minute slow-moving journey guided by audio-animatronic figures singing one of Disney’s most recognizable songs, “It’s a Small World (After All)”.
Children from seven different continents are represented, all wearing authentic handmade costumes. As the ride progresses, you’ll hear the same song being sung in different languages. That was Walt Disney’s idea; by the end of the ride, you realize that no matter where we come from, it really is a small world after all.
Why Toddlers Love “it’s a small world”
My kids (ages 4 ½ and 22 months) absolutely love this ride. The colors are bright, the song is catchy and the boat moves at just the right speed so you can really take in all the details as you pass by.
My older son especially loved spotting the animals, the hot air balloons, and the ferris wheel along the way. There really is so much to look at, and it keeps little ones entertained the entire ride. Because there is no height requirement, it’s also a great attraction that the whole family can enjoy together.
If your toddler still has energy after the ride, you might also want to check out Magic Kingdom’s indoor playground, where little ones can run around and burn off some energy before heading to your next attraction. I share more information about our experience here.
Final Thoughts
“It’s a small world” is a classic for a reason. I remember riding it with my parents when I was little, so it’s really special for me to now take my own kids on it too.
Your little ones will love the bright colors, seeing the children from around the world, and listening to the classic song being sung in different languages. With a covered queue, air conditioning, and a 10-minute ride time, it’s also a great attraction when your family needs a break from the heat.
I hope your family finds this ride as magical as mine does.