“it’s a small world”: Tips For Guests Needing Mobility Access
6 min read
“it’s a small world” is one of my favorite attractions. It brings back nostalgic memories of when I first visited Walt Disney World in 1979, accompanied by my father and two young sons. I still remember the boys singing and humming the “It’s A Small World” tune on the long drive home to New Jersey from Florida. It continued for days afterward. Then it drove me crazy, but now it’s a fond memory.
Another thing I remember was assisting my aging father and sons as they stepped in and out of the attraction’s boat. My sons and grandson now help me board the ride. I no longer have the balance or leg strength to step down from the loading platform and into the boat. Conversely, stepping up and back out of the craft would be just as challenging.
As A Point Of Reference
As a point of reference, the distance from the loading platform to the bottom of the boat is approximately two feet. However, you can transition in two stages, first by stepping halfway down onto the seat and then onto the boat’s floor. Fortunately, since that first visit many years ago, Disney has made it much more manageable for Guests with mobility issues when boarding the ride at “it’s a small world.”
The “it’s a small world” Entrance For Those Guests Needing Mobility Access Is Near The Exit Area
The procedure at the attraction for Guests needing mobility access is simple. First, the ride mobility entrance is near the exit area to “it’s a small world,” marked by an International Symbol of Access sign. Entering at this point, you’ll use your ECV or wheelchair to follow a long, steep, and straight downward ramp. If in a wheelchair, you may need someone with your party to assist you if you need help holding your momentum down the ramp.
(International Symbol Of Access) Sign Is
Affixed To The Front Side Of The Gate
Upper Level Of The Entrance Ramps
Separated By Metal Rails (The Yellow Arrows Indicate
The Entrance And Exit Paths)
“it’s a small world” Parking Area For Mobility Scooters
Stop at the bottom of the first ramp. When it’s your turn, a Cast Member will remove the access chain and direct you to the mobility device parking area. Mobility scooters are not allowed on the accessible boat or boarding area. Instead, guests can transfer to a manual wheelchair if they need one.
Parking Area For Mobility Scooters And Wheelchairs
If you need to borrow a Disney wheelchair and one is not there, ask a Cast Member for help finding one. They’ll bring it to you when one becomes available. Once in your wheelchair, continue down the second ramp to the gate at the bottom. However, if you are ambulatory enough, walk down the approximate thirty-foot ramp to the gated entrance to the boarding area at “it’s a small world.”
Ramps Are Separated By Metal Rails
When at this gate, wait for a Cast Member to open it and direct you to the boarding platform and onto the boat. It’s okay if you are in a power wheelchair. You’ll not have to transfer to a manual wheelchair from a powered one.
Disney’s Official Procedures Can Change With little Notice
Several people have contacted me asking if rollators are allowed onto the accessible boat. Unfortunately, I’m unaware of any official Disney policy regarding disallowance. However, using a rollator, knee scooter, or such, you should use a Disney wheelchair when boarding the boat at “it’s a small world” just for convenience. Nevertheless, I’ve seen Guests not use a wheelchair and enter the modified boat just by using their crutches or canes.
Sometimes Disney’s official procedures can change with little notice. I’ve read about these inconsistencies and have heard them from several people. As previously mentioned, ask questions and listen to the attending Cast Members. They’ll know the most current, hassle-free, and safe process for getting you into and out of the attraction.
Positioning Yourself Onto The Accessible Boat At “it’s a small world”
Depending on the queue length, you may have to wait a few cycles (each approximately ten minutes plus) until the modified boat returns. Then, when it’s your turn, a Cast Member will open the gate and direct you to the boarding location.
Next, roll the wheelchair directly onto a modified ride vehicle as instructed by a Cast Member. Upon entering the center aisle, continue to the front of the craft, parking behind the furthest white stripe. The proper parking position is between the two white lines. When entering the boat, the area will be flat. Then make a right turn, down a slight decline, and position the wheelchair between the white lines.
The white lines on the boat’s floor will indicate how far you should proceed to the front. As you can see from the images below, the lines are easily identifiable. Seating is available on each side, accommodating up to six party members.
Remember to engage the wheelchair brake locks to prevent unwanted movement during the ride. Additionally, a Cast Member will place a rubber bumper behind your rear wheels to prevent shifting during the ride.
From A Level Surface To A Short Downward Slope
A Power Wheelchair In Place On The Modified Boat
After The Ride
After the ride, a Cast Member will remove the rubber wheel bumper. Then, disengage your wheelchair brake locks, back up the short incline, and roll the wheelchair off the boat returning to the boarding platform. Lastly, head towards the exit ramp.
As you leave the boarding area, follow the exit ramp at the left, and return to the staging area to reclaim your mobility scooter or another device as necessary. The final step for leaving requires you to return up the last exit ramp to the attraction exit. These ramps are long and steep, so you may need help getting back up if unable to propel yourself.
In Conclusion
It doesn’t get any easier than this. So enjoy your ride on “The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed.” I can almost guarantee you’ll sing or hum the “It’s A Small World” tune a few times after you’ve left the ride. By the journey’s end, Walt Disney’s simple message is clear: it is a small world, after all!
In a November 2022 post on the official Disney Parks Blog, Disney Cast Members involved in the update of “it’s a small world” talk about adding wheelchairs to the attraction. It will recognize further diversity and inclusion in the iconic celebration of children across the globe.
California’s Disneyland has two examples of dolls in wheelchairs. There’s one doll located in the ride’s South America scene, and the other appears in the final scene, where dolls from many countries sing together. Disney anticipates adding more figures in wheelchairs to the “it’s a small world” attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris in 2023.
Representing South America
This Doll Appears At The Finale, Where Dolls
From Many Countries Sing Together
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