One of the most recognizable pieces of a classic Magic Kingdom attraction has stopped working, and Disney apparently won’t have a quick fix.
The famous clock outside “it’s a small world” is currently broken. While the attraction itself remains available to guests, the colorful clock that has greeted generations of visitors in Fantasyland isn’t performing as it normally does.
Even more noticeable is the expected repair timeline.
According to a Cast Member, Disney has ordered replacement parts for the clock, but those parts aren’t expected to arrive for approximately three weeks. With the problem already present as of September 22, that could keep the clock out of operation well into October.
For an attraction where guests spend several minutes hearing one of Disney’s catchiest songs, it seems that “it’s a small world after all” may be working much better than the clock right now.
The “it’s a small world” Clock Has Stopped
If you’ve visited Magic Kingdom enough times, you probably recognize the large smiling clock incorporated into the attraction’s colorful Fantasyland façade.
It does much more than simply tell the time.
Normally, the clock’s face turns from side to side while flowers and gears move around the façade. A smaller traditional clock also features spinning hands.
Every 15 minutes, another part of the display comes to life. Doors are supposed to open and reveal large blocks displaying the current time.
Right now, those moving elements aren’t doing their job.
The clock has reportedly been inactive since at least Tuesday night, September 22.
Disney apparently needs replacement parts to get everything working again. Those parts could take three weeks to arrive, meaning this isn’t necessarily something guests should expect to see fixed tomorrow or even next week.
A Small Detail That Makes a Difference
A broken clock certainly doesn’t have the same impact as “it’s a small world” completely closing for three weeks.
Guests can still board their boats and take the familiar trip around the world. They can still see the colorful sets, watch the Audio-Animatronic figures and hear that famous song enough times to ensure it follows them around Magic Kingdom afterward.
Still, the clock matters.
Part of what makes classic Disney attractions special is the enormous number of smaller details working together.
Guests might not consciously think about every moving gear, flower or piece of the façade when everything works correctly. Once those elements stop moving, however, longtime visitors can quickly recognize that something is different.
That’s especially true for an attraction that has been part of Magic Kingdom since opening day in 1971.
“it’s a small world” doesn’t rely on huge drops or cutting-edge thrill ride technology. Much of its identity comes from its music, elaborate scenery, moving figures and colorful presentation.
The clock is another piece of that experience.
Other Maintenance Problems Have Been Spotted
The broken clock also comes as other maintenance concerns have been reported around “it’s a small world.”
Those issues reportedly include grimy or discolored walls, peeling and cracked surfaces and burned-out light bulbs.
None of those problems have prevented the attraction from operating, but together they can become noticeable on a slow-moving ride where guests have plenty of opportunities to examine their surroundings.
Disney World attractions experience significant wear and tear. Magic Kingdom operates throughout the year, and attractions like “it’s a small world” can run continuously for hours.
Eventually, things break.
In this case, Disney apparently already knows what is needed to repair the clock. The bigger issue is waiting for the necessary parts.
Time Stands Still in Fantasyland
Guests visiting over the next few weeks shouldn’t necessarily expect the broken clock to affect their ability to ride “it’s a small world.”
Instead, it’s one piece of the classic attraction that will temporarily be missing.
The boats can keep moving.
The famous dolls can keep singing.
And yes, that song can continue getting stuck in everyone’s head long after they leave Fantasyland.
But for potentially more than three weeks, the attraction’s famous clock could remain still.
For once at “it’s a small world,” it seems the music will keep going while time stands still.
