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Woody & Friends Make Their Big, Small World Debut

Woody & Friends Make Their Big, Small World Debut

February 05, 2009

29 New Characters Join The Cruise: Jasmine, Nemo, Lilo & more!

Giddy up, it’s full speed ahead once more. Disney put the finishing touches on their newly redesigned Fantasyland attraction: “It’s a Small World.” And once again, they’re right on. We got to preview the ride. It’s now open for all to cuise.

You’ll find the Small World song we all know so well remains (with a few new mixed-in melodies), and the bigger-than-life presence of the artsy, small dolls still gets a wide-eyed reaction from kids, but now the Disney imagineers have added a new emotional connection for kids with the introduction of 29 new favorite Disney and Disney-Pixar characters. My kids lit up as they spotted familiar friends: “There’s Nemo and Dory! Princess Jasmine! Lilo & Stitch!” It was fun to see the next generation of Disney kids get that magic in their eyes as the cruised through the colorful, multi-cultural world. And it’s still literally the coolest, kick-back, 12-minute ride with the a/c cranked on a hot sunny day.

Disney promises more magic throughout the year with their “What Will You Celebrate?” theme. “Street Party” fun hits March 27th as dancers, DJs and characters take to the street. And April is jam-packed with new draws: “Celebration Roundup,” invites you to enjoy Western-style eats in a new outdoor Big Thunder Family Barbecue restaurant, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique gives little girls the princess treatment with magical hair, makeup and nail girliness, and you can get your thrills as Mickey’s Fun Wheel ferris ride returns to Paradise Pier, along with new boardwalk games.

While the price of admission isn’t easy these day, Disneyland is really delivering a lot of quality, family bang for your buck, particularly with the new Free Admission on your Birthday deal, as well as swell 2fer offers to get you into both Disneyland and California Adventure.

You can get a taste of the Small World cruise in the video here (PLM cameo: we’re the last shot in the first rows). Enjoy! We did.