It’s a Small World Disneyland Paris Guide

🎶 It’s a Small World – The Happiest Cruise in Fantasyland

Picture this: you’ve just wandered through Fantasyland, the kids are flagging, and you need a break from the French sugar rush. In swoops “It’s a Small World”—the cheeriest boat ride on Earth. Since opening in 1992, it’s been the perfect “sit down, chill out, and get that song stuck in your head for the rest of your trip” spot. Updated in 2023 and looking better than ever for 2025, this pastel paradise is packed with more details than your gran’s souvenir spoon collection. 🚤🌎✨

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It’s a Small World – Disneyland Paris Thrill Guide

Location: Fantasyland
Opened: 12 April 1992
Type: Dark boat ride (no drops, unless you count your jaw at the cuteness)
Track Length: “Just right” for a 12-minute break
Max Speed: Think “floating with purpose”
Launch: Water jets—no rollercoaster nonsense here
Height Restriction: None – toddlers to grans welcome!
Ride Duration: 10–12 minutes (depends if you get the world’s slowest loader)
Inversions: Absolutely not!
Capacity: Massive – it eats crowds for breakfast
Single Rider Line: Nope
Premier Access: Technically yes, but you’ll barely need it
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, plus new dolls in wheelchairs added in 2023!

🌍 Fun Facts & Trivia

Paris’s version has its own iconic sun-and-moon clock tower – only in France!
Spot the dolls singing in French and English in the big finale – extra points if you can sing along.
There are 176 dolls in the Paris ride. That’s a lot of smiles (and zero creepy Annabelles, don’t worry).
Dolls in wheelchairs debuted here in 2023. DLP leads the way for inclusive Disney magic!
During Christmas (Nov-Jan), the ride gets a festive makeover—think tinsel, lights, and bonus carols.
The “It’s a Small World” tune repeats about 50 million times a year worldwide. Earworm warning: you’ll be humming it in the shower for weeks.

🚢 What to Expect

Relaxing boats, no splashes, and a never-ending parade of cheerful scenes—Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and even a mermaid or two.
It’s a continuous ride, so queues are usually super fast.
Clock tower comes alive every 15 minutes—watch the dolls march out while you’re in the queue for a nice distraction.
Spot the Scottish doll (kilt, bagpipes, ginger hair).

📝 Need-To-Know Tips

Go first thing in the morning or during parades for a walk-on experience.
If your feet are dying, this is the comfiest seat in the park!
Wheelchair users and pushchairs? Easy access, just ask a Cast Member.
For the best views, sit on the left for Europe, right for Asia (pro tip for photo-happy parents).
Christmas overlay is a must-see if you’re visiting in winter—extra sparkle guaranteed.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families & Little Explorers

Perfect for babies, toddlers, napping dads, and anyone who loves a singalong.
Easy to spot different national costumes—turn it into a “how many countries can you find?” game.
Gentle, quiet, and a lifesaver if overstimulation is setting in.
Big bonus: the song is much less annoying when you watch your little ones’ faces light up!

🍕 Where to Refuel Nearby

Pizzeria Bella Notte (right next door): pizza, pasta, tiramisu—Italy vibes, Disney prices.
Au Chalet de la Marionnette (quick walk): chicken nuggets, bratwurst, and fries galore.
Toad Hall Restaurant (fish & chips, British charm, and usually quieter seating).

Snack tip: If you’re in a hurry, grab a Mickey-shaped waffle from the Fantasyland snack stand and munch while queuing.

🎈 Fun Facts!

“It’s a Small World” in Paris once had a post-show ‘World Chorus’ sponsored by Orange. Now, you just step off and straight back into Fantasyland, feeling like a peace ambassador with a sore jaw from smiling too much.

This ride was originally seen in U.S.A parks back in the 1950’s and was originally to be named “Children of the World”. The tune was to be a loop of each national anthem as you progressed through the ride but this caused a very disjointed experience & was not pleasing to the ear. Walt Disney then asked the Sherman Brothers to write a song based on brotherhood & unity. The song they came up with was “It’s a Small World”. They had written the song as a ballad but Walt wanted something more cheerful & fun so the Brothers speeded up the tempo to what we know today as the played version.

It is estimated that the song is played around 50 million times per year around the world. This trumps the best played song of all time “Yesterday” by The Beatles which is said to be played around 7 million times per year. Go Disney!

🎉 Final Thoughts

If you only do one ride with a toddler, make it this. If you’re a grown-up chasing nostalgia (or a break from thrill rides), make it this. Zero queues, full accessibility, a dose of world unity, and—admit it—the catchiest theme in the universe. It’s not just a small world, it’s a pretty magical one, too.

It’s a Small World DLP Version

The Disneyland Paris version of It’s a Small World is unique as it features an updated façade with differing landmarks & a completely different clock tower to all other versions.

It’s a Small World at Disneyland Paris showcases 176 dolls from around the world. The dolls are identical to other parks versions but only Disneyland Paris features a Canadian & North American scene. They also showcase a Middle Eastern scene with the dolls singing in Arabic & extensive scenes featuring many European Nations.

In the final room of the ride the theme tune is sung in both English & French to highlight the fact that we are in France !