The next time that you embark on a whimsical boat ride past a jubilant chorus of children from around the globe at the It's A Small World attraction at Magic Kingdom you might just notice a new addition to the 300 strong cast of children!
Walt Disney World has announced that they have added a doll in a wheelchair as part of its ongoing inclusion initiatives in the theme parks.
With its catchy song and beautiful display of culture and language, “it’s a small world” is more than just a beloved ride. The attraction uniquely positions Disney to honor the diversity of people around the world.
Magic Kingdom Park cast member Jean Collins who first rode “it’s a small world” when it debuted in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair fell in love with the attraction’s representation of peace through understanding and celebrating the unique and individual differences that make us human.
Her affinity for the attraction brought her to Magic Kingdom, and as an attraction host, she now spends her days helping guests delight in the ride the same way she did all those years ago.
“‘it’s a small world’ is special because so many people are able to see themselves reflected throughout the ride,” Jean says. “Walt would be proud if he could see the attraction today.”
To keep the parks and experiences in a constant state of becoming: becoming more vibrant, more inclusive, and more relevant, a new doll in a wheelchair was welcomed to the Magic Kingdom attraction, building on “it’s a small world’s” longstanding legacy of diverse representation.
Among those seeing this for the first time were cast members who are part of the ENABLED Business Employee Resource Group, a cast member led group with shared passion around accessibility.
“The parks are very special to my family,” Liv, a member of the ENABLED leadership team explains. “My sister Chloe used a wheelchair, so to see a character in such an iconic attraction that puts the spotlight on accessibility makes my heart feel full.”
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