Do you have any idea how excited I was to see the bright colors of “It’s a Small World” in Fantasyland?!?

I’ve already shared some pictures of Mary Blair’s work at the Contemporary Resort, but the Disney World attraction she’s most famous for is “It’s a Small World,” and I couldn’t wait to ride it!

Although the original ride was created by WED Enterprises (now known as Walt Disney Imagineering), at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, it wasn’t actually made for Disneyland…it was built for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Following its successful run there, it returned to California and became a beloved attraction at Disneyland. The ride was also added (with some variations ) to Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

I don’t know much about cruises, but in my opinion, it really is the “Happiest cruise that ever sailed.”

Mary Blair’s distinctive use of color is so obvious throughout the ride:

Even at the end of the ride, when the spirit of international unity is so evident, her fingerprint is unmistakable:

I really didn’t want to say goodbye!

“There is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means
Friendship to ev’ryone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It’s a small world after all.”