I’ve shared with you briefly in a previous Fun Fact Friday about the Sherman Brothers writing the theme song for it’s a small world. (By the way, the answer to the “For you to discover” question in that post is that the title song was first composed as a ballad. Walt Disney suggested they pick up the tempo, and so we have the song in its present form.)

Here are a few other fun facts about this signature Disney attraction.

1. Walt Disney dedicated it’s a small world at Disneyland on May 28, 1966. He invited children from around the world, and the children brought with them water from the rivers and seas of their homelands to be poured into the flume.

2. The design and development of this attraction is a virtual “Who’s Who” of Walt Disney Imagineering Legends. Mary Blair created the conceptual drawings and doll designs. The animated dolls were designed and sculpted by Blaine Gibson (the same person who did the Partners Statue). Rolly Crump designed the toys and other figures. Marc Davis created many of the character scenes, and his wife, Alice Davis, helped create many of the children’s costumes.

3. it’s a small world can be found at five Disney theme parks: Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World), Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

4. The exterior has been slightly modified over the years. The paint was first all-white with gold & silver trim, then shades of blue, then pink and white with pastel accents. Some of the original facade’s left side was removed in 1993 to make room for the entrance Mickey’s Toontown entrance. The facade is now back to white with a gold trim as it was in 1966, except the smiling clock face is now all gold leaf.

5. By the numbers: Total figures: 437. There are 297 children representing 100 nations.