One of the most iconic Disneyland attractions and accompanying songs is it’s a small world. Since the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the catchy melody with an important message has delighted fans. In 1966, it opened at Disneyland. Since then, it has been replicated with different versions around the world. It is said that the sun never sets on it’s a small world.
Richard and Robert Sherman wrote the original verses to the song. Richard Sherman wrote a third verse before he passed last year. This third verse will be debuting in the finale scene of it’s a small world at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort starting on July 17, 2025.
Last year at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, a third verse was revealed during Jolly Holiday: A Musical Celebration of Richard M. Sherman for it’s a small world. During the panel, Disney CEO Bob Iger shared about Richard Sherman visiting him at the Disney Studios and sharing the third verse for the iconic tune. After sharing his thoughts, Iger showed a video of Richard Sherman sharing the verse and talking about the era when this song was made. It can be seen below.
Here are the lyrics to the third verse:
Mother earth unites us in heart and mind
And the love we give makes us humankind
Through our vast wondrous land
When we stand hand in hand
It’s a small world after all.
Disney shared that the update to the finale scene is meant to add to the attraction’s legacy. It will also further emphasize the song’s meaning. As Gregg Sherman, son of Richard Sherman, explains, the new verse is intended to “celebrate that there’s more that unites us than divides us, and reinforce the message of that song.”
There will be several ways to hear the last verse for those who don’t make it into the parks. Along with watching Daps Magic’s upcoming video, they will also be able to listen to the digital single wherever they listen to music. The “It’s A Small World” (70th Anniversary) special edition vinyl is available to pre-order today, with purchasing being available at Disney Music Emporium starting on July 18, 2025.
it’s a small world History
The history of it’s a small world is as vibrant and colorful as the attraction itself. Ever since it was first thought of, it has always been a symbol of unity that embodies hope for a world where people are celebrated through the connections that make us all human. This message is just as important today as it was in 1964.
To bring this vision to life, Walt Disney asked the Sherman Brothers to write a theme song that would become this unforgettable anthem. It needed to be able to be sung repeatedly. It also needed to be able to be sung in different languages. The Sherman Brothers, who had also written songs for Disney, including The Jungle Book, The Sword and the Stone, and even Mary Poppins, were the perfect duo to write this song that would become one of the best-known Disney tunes of all time, It’s a Small World (After All).
This beautiful song pairs masterfully with the art style of Disney Legend Mary Blair, who was a celebrated Disney artist who played a key role in shaping the visual style that the attraction is known for. Decades after its debut, this attraction continues to be one of the most recognizable and beloved around the world!
Are you excited to experience it’s a small world on July 17th for the debut of this new verse? Will you be bringing tissues? What are you most looking forward to with this verse’s debut? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
