We know Disney’s ‘Small World’ ride dolls get yearly haircuts, but this tidbit about the dolls creeps us out even more

In a place as popular and as long-standing as the Walt Disney World Resort, there will always be different urban legends and myths circulating about the Resort itself, the theme parks, the attractions, and even sometimes about what takes place after Guests leave the parks at night.

Some of those myths and legends can get pretty creepy, but we’re most creeped out by the stories we hear that just might be the truth, not just the product of someone’s attempts at master storytelling.

The “it’s a small world” attraction at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is one of the oldest attractions in the theme park, having gone into operation when the park itself opened more than 50 years ago on October 1, 1971. A 50-year-old attraction–especially one in which more than 300 animatronic dolls are the focal point–is bound to be the subject of many myths, urban legends, and even some “big fish” stories.

Credit: Disney

Last fall, we brought you the story of the “it’s a small world” dolls’ grooming practices. It sounded made-up, and it sounded super creepy, but it’s true: each of the more than 300 adorable, vibrantly dressed dolls inside the attraction actually has to have their hair cut.

I know; it sounds crazy. They’re dolls.

The need for haircuts arises from a combination of two factors–their hair is made from yarn, and they “live” in Central Florida. According to The Orlando Informer, the average daily humidity in Orlando is 74% and rarely ever falls below 50%. All that moisture in the air causes the yarn to stretch, actually lengthening the dolls’ hair enough that it must be trimmed routinely to keep the dolls looking their best.

Credit: Disney Parks

Now we’ve learned something about Magic Kingdom‘s “it’s a small world” attraction that definitely gives us the heebie-jeebies. (Maybe even more so than their need for haircuts!)

According to this video from The Mouselets, the adorable little dolls inside the attraction are never allowed any downtime. We’ve heard rumors over the years that the music from the attraction never stops playing: that the iconic Sherman Brothers’ “It’s a Small World After All” plays on a loop 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

@themouselets

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♬ It’s a Small World – Christmas Party Music

The creator of this video, however, says that the music actually does stop at the end of the night. She says the lights inside the attraction are also turned out. However, she says that the little dolls representing countries from all over the globe never stop dancing. The can-can girls keep can-canning, the hot air balloon pilots keep floating, and the whole chorus keeps singing (minus the music and the words). Imagine all the clicking and clacking you’d hear!

Credit: Disney Parks

Can you imagine walking into the building that houses the “it’s a small world” attraction while it’s completely dark and completely quiet, except for the tiny sounds of the mechanisms inside the dolls, allowing them to move and dance, even with no music?

The prospect sounds a bit unsettling at best! We’re just thankful we don’t have to walk the attraction at night. We love the ride, but that kind of thing might just be the stuff of nightmares!

Have you heard something creepy about an attraction at Magic Kingdom or another theme park at Disney World? We’d love to hear what it is!