Which Version of "it's a small world" is the best?

[Touchdown]

Been on 4 versions (DL, MK, DLP,) the only one that is clearly better is it’s a small world holiday at Anaheim. It’s amazing and moves iasw up to even with Pirates and HM (multiple rides a day are desired.)

 

[Chester&Hester Enthusiast]

I'd say WDW personally between DL and WDW (only two I can speak on), but only because I think the flooded rooms add a lot to it. I also like that we don't have the characters and still have our rainforest scene.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Paris is definitely the worst version. Debney is a genius but his score just doesn’t compare to Hammack’s original. The vocals in this version are terrible, nails on a chalkboard. And then there’s the almost postcard looking sets. It reminds me of Superstar Limo. Maybe it’s significantly better in person. I doubt it.

WDW is the most rundown, but it’s also the most classic in the fact that it has no characters. Tokyo has the better facade and is cleaner, but the IP infusion is overbearing.

Then you have the two “flume” versions, California and Hong Kong. Prior to the third verse update, I’d probably lean towards the original ride for providing the most classic experience. Now it’s not really much more “classic” in its theming and audio compared to Hong Kong, so that version is probably the best. The IP additions and America scene are better integrated. Not as forced as it is in California.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I’ve ridden every Small World in our world (except Hong Kong). Yes the flooded flume/show scenes is certainly a better visual, but I honestly think the difference is still rather negligible. They are all so similar in so many ways, I wouldn’t say any are in the realm of a PotC Disneyland vs Magic Kingdom territory.

They are all cute, colorful, hopeful, and I ride it once and then flee.

I give points to both Disneyland and Paris for having the best facades. (Also I like the inserted characters, sue me).

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I’ve been on California, Florida and Paris - I like them all.

If I had to pick one as the “best” it would be Paris. Most of Disneyland Paris takes the scale of WDW and adds in the charm of Disneyland.

But that’s not necessarily my favorite - for the history alone it’s hard not to pick Disneyland.

 

[VJ]

having ridden both disneyland's and disney world's, the biggest advantage disneyland has is its separated rooms. with everything being in (more or less) one room in florida, the music is a constant cacaphony of multiple different, discordant versions of the song, over and over, for 15 minutes

never had i understood the complaints that it's a small world is annoying until i went to florida - that was one step below torture, and i felt the need to apologize to those around me afterward

with this in mind, between the two... disneyland. 500%.

 

[disneyC97]

I went on the one at HKDL in late 2024. Probably my least favorite…I think the indoor load queue and load felt cramped to me

 

[Brer Oswald]

having ridden both disneyland's and disney world's, the biggest advantage disneyland has is its separated rooms. with everything being in (more or less) one room in florida, the music is a constant cacaphony of multiple different, discordant versions of the song, over and over, for 15 minutes

never had i understood the complaints that it's a small world is annoying until i went to florida - that was one step below torture, and i felt the need to apologize to those around me afterward

with this in mind, between the two... disneyland. 500%.

There’s 6 rooms in Florida. Some of them don’t really have a sound mixing issue (South Pacific, Africa, and South America are fine), but then there’s the Europe room and the Finale. I love Small World so I can excuse it, but it’s far from ideal having several languages and audio tracks bouncing off each other. Europe is technically only one room in all versions, but the way it’s laid out in the California and Hong Kong versions is much better for the audio mixing.

 

[Dear Prudence]

The attention to details at Disneyland is so special, imo. I know everyone calls the Latin American show room "the Mexican Room," but Mexico is only one part of it. (It's very obvious the Saltillo sarapes are hand-woven)

I can't speak on this, but my friend who makes kimonos says that the Japanese kimonos on the Disneyland version are perfect.

 

[Dear Prudence]

Paris is definitely the worst version. Debney is a genius but his score just doesn’t compare to Hammack’s original. The vocals in this version are terrible, nails on a chalkboard. And then there’s the almost postcard looking sets. It reminds me of Superstar Limo. Maybe it’s significantly better in person. I doubt it.

WDW is the most rundown, but it’s also the most classic in the fact that it has no characters. Tokyo has the better facade and is cleaner, but the IP infusion is overbearing.

Then you have the two “flume” versions, California and Hong Kong. Prior to the third verse update, I’d probably lean towards the original ride for providing the most classic experience. Now it’s not really much more “classic” in its theming and audio compared to Hong Kong, so that version is probably the best. The IP additions and America scene are better integrated. Not as forced as it is in California.

Paris looks cute on the outside, though. It gets points for that.

 

[DL-fan]

I’ve done videos of both should you want to compare

Im not a big fan of the pastel colors in Paris even though I grew up with the Disneyland version showing off those same colors for about 13 years or so.
A little late here but is Martinsvids.net your website?

 

[marni1971]

Im not a big fan of the pastel colors in Paris even though I grew up with the Disneyland version showing off those same colors for about 13 years or so.
A little late here but is Martinsvids.net your website?

That’s me

I’m also on YouTube under the same name but Vimeo was the first when YouTube wasn’t technically as good. We just keep both going.

 

[DL-fan]

That’s me

I’m also on YouTube under the same name but Vimeo was the first when YouTube wasn’t technically as good. We just keep both going.

Well that’s awesome to know and I have been a subscriber of yours on YouTube for years. Thank you for your time, effort and attention to detail on the history aspect of the parks. I too am a Disney park history nut. From now on if you post something I don’t like, I’ll just look the other way since I enjoy your videos .

 

[marni1971]

Well that’s awesome to know and I have been a subscriber of yours on YouTube for years. Thank you for your time, effort and attention to detail on the history aspect of the parks. I too am a Disney park history nut. From now on if you post something I don’t like, I’ll just look the other way since I enjoy your videos .

Haha thank you !

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

The one consistent nag I have for every version is I wish there had been more of an attempt to disguise the interiors of the building itself. It sort of boggles my mind how consistently they have not even really tried every time they take a crack at it. It's not the worst thing in the world of course but it is really bizarre for the bare ceiling and naked walls to be so visible when they're really not in most dark rides and boat rides they've done before and after.

 

[DL-fan]

The one consistent nag I have for every version is I wish there had been more of an attempt to disguise the interiors of the building itself. It sort of boggles my mind how consistently they have not even really tried every time they take a crack at it. It's not the worst thing in the world of course but it is really bizarre for the bare ceiling and naked walls to be so visible when they're really not in most dark rides and boat rides they've done before and after.

It is more of an indoor warehouse ride than any other ride I can think of since it’s highly lit and very visible.

 

[PiratesMansion]

The one consistent nag I have for every version is I wish there had been more of an attempt to disguise the interiors of the building itself. It sort of boggles my mind how consistently they have not even really tried every time they take a crack at it. It's not the worst thing in the world of course but it is really bizarre for the bare ceiling and naked walls to be so visible when they're really not in most dark rides and boat rides they've done before and after.

I imagine it's because Blair's style is both very colorful and very flat (Rolly Crump has that quote about her being unable to translate her work into three dimensions). Probably not much they could do about it as a result.

Paris IMO tries to do this a bit more than the others. Is it successful? For others, yes; for me, not particularly.

 

[eddie104]

WDW is the most rundown

How?

I want specific examples and not just conjecture.

 

[Brer Oswald]

How?

I want specific examples and not just conjecture.

Worst maintenance. Most broken dolls at a time. Dirty load area and interiors. It brings me no pleasure to say any of that cause it’s probably my favourite ride at the resort.

 

[eddie104]

Worst maintenance. Most broken dolls at a time. Dirty load area and interiors. It brings me no pleasure to say any of that cause it’s probably my favourite ride at the resort.

Based on the videos I’ve seen the ride looks like it’s in great shape.

Just because they don’t announce a huge refurbishment doesn’t mean they don’t fix anything outside park hours.

Plenty of rides have maintenance done without being closed for a long period of time.