Disney has transformed one of its most iconic theme park rides.
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Tokyo Disney’s Marvel overlay of “it’s a small world” is up and running, but not for much longer. This special, limited-time experience is called “it’s a small world with Groot” and features a variety of popular Marvel characters represented in the same iconic Mary Blair styling that the original attraction is famous for.
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While each Disney theme park is full of thrilling and immersive attractions, few rides are as iconic or infamous as Disney’s “it’s a small world.” The ride has become bigger than the Disney parks themselves and is likely recognizable even to those who have never even stepped foot into a Disney theme park.
The attraction is known for its cutesy art style, as well as its main theme song, which some may love while others may love to hate. Over the last several decades, “it’s a small world” has remained mostly the same, becoming one of the few Disney attractions considered to be “untouchable.”
Disney Confirms New Marvel “it’s a small world”
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Tokyo Disney’s “it’s a small world with Groot” began on January 15 and runs through June 30, 2025. The new take on the classic ride features a variety of characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, all of whom will carry on the same endearing styling of the original “it’s a small world.”
On YouTube, Tokyo Disney showed off some of the characters guests can expect to see. The video reveals several “it’s a small world” dolls dressed as Marvel characters such as Captain America, Black Panther, Gamora, and Mantis, among others.
Guests will spot multiple instances of Groot as he becomes the ride’s leading character.
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“Groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy series and his friends from Marvel Studios’ movies will be visiting Earth,” reads the official announcement on the Tokyo Disney Resort website. “Look forward to meeting friends from all over the world and spending the holidays surrounded by children!”
This is undoubtedly one of the strangest and most bewildering overhauls fans have seen from the Disney theme parks, but fans of the MCU are certainly in for a treat.
While there’s been increased controversy regarding intellectual property (IP) inside the Disney parks, this idea is fun and wacky enough that “it’s a small world with Groot” may just work.
What do you think of this new Marvel version of “it’s a small world?”
