Good news! Walt Disney World is receiving one of the previously-announced experiences for Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary aimed at preserving the park’s legacy and introducing more rich history to a new generation of fans. Here’s what fans can enjoy later this month at Magic Kingdom, what else we hope is added from California, along with a bit of commentary about why we’re slightly apprehensive.
When it comes to classic Disney music, no song is more iconic than the theme from “it’s a small world.” This fan-favorite attraction has captivated audiences for decades, with its catchy melody first introduced at the New York World’s Fair in 1964 and later at Disneyland in 1966 before enchanting guests at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. The iconic boat ride translates globally, proving its own thesis: it really is a small world, after all.
The late Robert and Richard M. Sherman wrote the song’s original verses; before his passing, Richard wrote a new verse as his final gift to the Walt Disney Company. The last verse of this beloved song will debut in the finale scene of “it’s a small world” at Disneyland on the actual anniversary of Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom. We already knew this.
Now, Walt Disney World has announced that the last verse of the song will debut in the finale scene of “it’s a small world” at Magic Kingdom on July 17, 2025. No word yet on Paris, Tokyo, or Hong Kong–but we hope they follow suit over time if the last verse is well-received among fans in Florida and California.
The update to the finale scene is meant to add to the attraction’s legacy and further emphasize the song’s meaning. As Gregg Sherman, son of Richard Sherman, explains, the new verse is intended to “celebrate that there’s more that unites us than divides us, and reinforce the message of that song.”
For those who want to experience the new last verse outside the parks, they can listen to the digital single wherever they listen to music. Fans can also preorder the “It’s A Small World” (70th Anniversary) special edition vinyl today or purchase at Disney Music Emporium starting July 18, 2025.
Created for the song’s 60th anniversary, the final verse was first revealed in “The Last Verse” short film (watch below). In the spirit of the beloved song, viewers journey across the globe as the song is passed from person to person and generation to generation, culminating in the reveal of this heartfelt new verse:
“Mother earth unites us in heart and mind
And the love we give makes us humankind
Through our vast wondrous land
When we stand hand in hand
It’s a small world after all.”
Since its conception, the beloved “it’s a small world” attraction has become a symbol of unity and embodies hope for a world where all people are celebrated through the connections that make us all human. It’s a message that’s still important to this day.
To bring this vision to life, Walt Disney asked Richard Sherman and Robert Sherman – who wrote music for many Disney classics including “The Jungle Book,” “Sword in the Stone” and “Mary Poppins” – to write an unforgettable theme song that could be sung repeatedly and in different languages. The resulting song became one of the best-known Disney tunes of all time, “It’s a Small World (After All).”
The song pairs masterfully with the art style of Disney Legend, Mary Blair, a celebrated Disney artist who played a key role in shaping the visual style the attraction has become known for. To this day, the ride remains one of the most recognizable around the world.
Inside the famed Main Street Cinema at Disneyland (not Walt Disney World), you’ll get to see the story and impact of the famous songwriting duo, the Sherman brothers.
Here you can watch a heartwarming three-and-a-half minute film called “The Last Verse,” which celebrates the timeless connection and hope behind the Sherman Brothers’ iconic song, “It’s a Small World.”
I’d highly recommend watching the film above. It’s fantastic. I’d love to see this make its way to Walt Disney World. Main Street Cinema isn’t an option, at least not in its current form, but the short film could be added to Walt Disney Presents in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Or better yet, Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom.
As I’ve written elsewhere in posts about the Hall of Presidents, when that Liberty Square attraction is inevitably replaced, my hope is that it’s a switch to a combo of “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” and “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.” The latter debuts at Disneyland, also on July 17, 2025.
That upcoming theater show will share the incredible story of Walt Disney’s life. Through remastered footage and audio recordings, you’ll be taken on a cinematic journey that leads from Walt’s early endeavors to the bright lights of Los Angeles and beyond. And when the curtain rises, guests will be transported to Walt’s office.
Through the magic of Audio-Animatronics storytelling that he helped pioneer, Walt Disney will come to life and share heartfelt stories and words of wisdom. I had a chance to visit Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale for a sneak peek at the figure, and the attention to detail is remarkable. I cannot wait to see the finished version in the actual show, which should be a huge asset to Disneyland and introduce new generations into Walt, the man, instead of just Walt, the Disney Corporate mascot.
If that’s popular (and why wouldn’t it be?) in California, it could be brought to Magic Kingdom to run in tandem with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. While I’d prefer the Hall of Presidents continue indefinitely, it sure seems like its days are numbers unless America suddenly becomes less politically polarized and partisan. (Highly doubtful!)
There’s a lot of time between now and 2029 or the mid-2030s, and plenty of good ideas could be born between now and then. But as of right now, replacing Hall of Presidents with Walt Disney – A Magical Life and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln strikes me as the perfect compromise that respects the legacy of this space, the company’s founder, and our great nation’s history.
These two attractions would take up a lot less space than Hall of Presidents, leaving room for the other exhibits that are being added to the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland for the 70th Anniversary. Since the attraction is in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom, the exhibition space could offer a tribute to the American presidency as well as the history of the United States. That would be lovely to see, and would make for a less polarizing attraction.
As for commentary about the final verse of “it’s a small world,” I’m still in “wait and see” mode on that. It’s not that I’m against the idea–I’m not. To the contrary, this sounds like a lovely tribute to two of the all-time greatest Disney Legends, and one that will raise awareness about them and spur new interest in “it’s a small world.” All great goals and outcomes!
My only slight hesitation is that “it’s a small world” is one of the few sacred Disney attractions, and any changes should be carefully scrutinized and thoughtfully made. Basically, that ‘wait and see’ should be the default when changing the Walt-era attractions, especially those that are already perfect.
We were just at Disneyland yesterday to enjoy our last ride on “it’s a small world” before the changeover happens (that wasn’t the primary purpose of the visit). I still amazes me just how excellent and timeless that attraction is, and that even the most jarring of the character integrations (looking at you, Woody and Jessie) don’t change that.
I’m nevertheless slightly apprehensive about a more structural shift (for lack of a better term) to the attraction. A few characters are easy to miss; a new verse to the iconic song is potentially a different story.
I’d also add that even though it’s seldom held in as high of regard among the fan community, the substance of “it’s a small world” itself in Magic Kingdom is better than Disneyland. It doesn’t have the iconic facade, but the ride-through is the quintessential version of “it’s a small world” and I’m slightly apprehensive about Disney messing with the only remaining ‘pure’ version of the iconic boat ride.
Then again, it seems wild to write that about a song verse written by one of the Disney Legends who is responsible for the enduring popularity of “it’s a small world” and its cultural significance. That verse itself is fantastic and this sounds like a lovely tribute, so it all hinges upon how seamlessly it’s integrated with the rest of the historic boat ride.
I’m about 95% confident the outcome here will be a positive one–it’s just that lingering 5% that gives me pause. Especially when it comes to a ride we love and do as much as “it’s a small world.” At the very least, it’s better than injecting Marvel characters into the show scenes!
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of the final verse being added to “it’s a small world” in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World? Does this strike you as a no-brainer positive change since it was written by Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman? Or are you also in ‘wait and see’ mode with a bit of apprehension on execution, given that “it’s a small world” is such an iconic attraction? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment on honoring Walt Disney and his park’s history? Any questions? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
