Disneyland Resort has quietly ripped the iconic clock face from “it’s a small world,” a noticeable change to one of the most beloved attractions in Disney Park history. The clock face, a defining feature of the ride since its opening in 1966, has been temporarily replaced with a 2D decal as part of a larger refurbishment project.
“it’s a small world” first debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair before finding a permanent home in Disneyland Park’s Fantasyland on May 28, 1966. Created by Walt Disney, Mary Blair, and a team of talented Walt Disney Imagineers, the attraction has become an enduring symbol of the world’s beautiful cultural diversity. The catchy title song, written by Richard and Robert Sherman, has gotten stuck in the heads of generations of visitors.
As part of the ongoing preparations for Disneyland’s 70th-anniversary celebrations, Disney Imagineers began work on “it’s a small world” earlier this year. The ride closed for refurbishment in January, with no official reopening date set yet. While the attraction is closed, Disneyland Resort has confirmed exciting updates will be included when it reopens, such as new Coco (2017) dolls and a brand-new final verse to the iconic theme song. Additionally, Disneyland Park will introduce a new nighttime projection show on the ride’s exterior, “Tapestry of Happiness.”
However, during the refurbishments, Disney Parks fans have noticed that one iconic part of the Fantasyland attraction is gone. According to reports from WDWNT, the famous 3D clock face, which once smiled at guests as it spun around, has been replaced with a flat, 2D decal. This temporary change has left some fans puzzled, as it happened without a prior announcement from Disneyland Resort. The clock face, which has greeted generations of Disney fans, is now replaced by a square box covering the area where it once spun.
The missing clock face is expected to return once the refurbishment work is completed, though no official timeline has been provided. It’s possible that the clock is being removed for offsite refurbishment, though Disney has not confirmed this.
While “it’s a small world” remains closed, construction walls are up, and refurbishment efforts around the attraction continue. Disneyland Resort fans will have to wait until the park’s 70th-anniversary celebrations, which begin on May 16, to see the ride in its newly refreshed form.
This year’s anniversary party will also bring new entertainment offerings, including the return of the “Paint the Night” nighttime parade, the “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks, and the new “Celebrate Happy Cavalcade.” Disney California Adventure Park will also debut the “World of Color Happiness!” show and an updated version of Toy Story Midway Mania!, alongside the return of the “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade.
Which Disney character doll in Disneyland Park’s “it’s a small world” is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
