Disney Cancels “it’s a small world” Attraction Update After Months of Work

After months of refurbishment and anticipation, Disneyland Resort has once again delayed the reopening of “it’s a small world”, just one day before it was scheduled to return. The Fantasyland boat ride was initially set to reopen on April 25 following its extended closure, then rescheduled for May 9. But with no public explanation, Disney has now quietly pushed the date once again.

The attraction first closed in January after its annual holiday overlay wrapped for the season. Instead of reverting “it’s a small world” to its classic version, Walt Disney Imagineers used the closure as an opportunity to refresh the experience in time for Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary festivities, which officially begin on May 16, 2025.

Crews replaced large sections of surrounding pavement and worked on the attraction’s iconic facade, even temporarily removing its whimsical clock face for offsite refurbishment. That same clock has since returned, but several of the ride’s signature exterior special effects remain non-operational.

Among the updates planned for the 2025 reopening are the debut of new dolls inspired by Coco (2017), which join Disney characters like Alice, Lilo, and Stitch, who are already integrated into the ride. Additionally, Imagineers revealed that a final verse for the attraction’s famous tune, written by the late Sherman brothers, would be added to the musical loop for the first time.

But on May 8, just one day before the ride’s promised reopening, theme park reporter Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) announced that the attraction would not return as scheduled. Read his post on X (formerly Twitter) below:

NEW: The reopening date for “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Park has changed – the ride is now set to reopen on May 13. When the ride reopens, it will include Miguel and Dante from Pixar’s ‘COCO.’

NEW: The reopening date for "it's a small world" at Disneyland Park has changed – the ride is now set to reopen on May 13. When the ride reopens, it will include Miguel and Dante from Pixar's 'COCO.' pic.twitter.com/XNX96c7L1X

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) May 8, 2025

Disneyland Resort’s official webpage has since confirmed the change. The Fantasyland ride is now scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

The updated “it’s a small world” is now expected to return just days ahead of the kickoff for Disneyland70. The anniversary celebration will bring a slate of new offerings to the Southern California Disney parks, including the “Tapestry of Happiness” nighttime projection show on the “it’s a small world” exterior. That limited-time entertainment will run through summer 2026, while the new dolls and song update are expected to remain permanently.

Should Disneyland Resort add other characters to “it’s a small world”? Share your ideas with Disney Dining in the comments!