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"it's a small world"

"it's a small world"

An Attraction in Disneyland

Last updated: January 18, 2026

At a Glance
A happy and upbeat attraction with a world-brotherhood theme and a catchy tune that will roll around in your head for weeks. Small boats convey visitors on a tour around the world, with singing and dancing dolls showcasing the dress and culture of each nation. Almost everyone enjoys "it's a small world" (well, there are those jaded folks who are put off by the dolls' homogeneous appearance, especially in light of the diversity theme), but it stands, along with the Enchanted Tiki Room, as an attraction that some could take or leave but that others consider one of the real masterpieces of Disneyland Park.

More than 20 figures of Disney and Pixar can be found in their respective countries. Such as Woody and Jessie in the USA section, Alice in United Kingdom, and the The Three Caballeros in Mexico among many others.

A mom from Castleton, Vermont, added this:

"it's a small world" at Fantasyland was like a pit stop in the Twilight Zone. They were very slow unloading the boats, and we were stuck in a line of about six boats waiting to get out while the endless chanting of that song grated on my nerves. I told my husband I was going to swim for it just to escape one more chorus.

"it's a small world" Holiday

From November through New Year's, the attraction receives an annual "it's a small world" Holiday overlay inside the attraction as well as outside, featuring "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls" instead of the usual earworm soundtrack. We particularly enjoy the light-show and projection effects outside the attraction that happen every 15 minutes. We can't emphasis enough how much the holiday overlay changes the attraction. It's spectacular and a must do.

Current Standby Wait Time
Lightning Lane
Next Available Return Time:
3:45pm
Guest Overall Rating
Our Overall Rating
Preschool
Grade School
Teens
Young Adults
Over 30
Seniors
Location
Duration
14 min
Rider Switch?
No
Minimum Height
None
Queues
Additional Same-Day Lightning Lane Reservations ("Drops") Available At:
11:52am, 12:52pm, 1:52pm, 2:52pm, 3:52pm, 4:52pm, 5:52pm

"it's a small world" 360-Degree Ride Through

Holiday Ride Through Video

Touring Tips

When To Go
Anytime except after a parade
Loading Speed
Fast
Wait per 100 People Ahead
3 min
"it's a small world" is a fast-loading ride that's usually a good bet during the busier times of the day. The boats are moved along by water pressure, which increases as boats are added. Thus, the more boats in service when you ride (up to a maximum total of 60), the shorter the duration of the ride (and wait).

Small World is taken off-line in mid-October and reopened in November with a special Christmas holiday theme. Removal of the overlay also keeps the ride closed for several weeks after the holiday season.

A pleasant change of pace.

Other attractions you might like

Users who like "it's a small world", generally also like:

Wait Times

Here's roughly how many minutes you'll wait for "it's a small world" at each Disneyland Crowd Level.

1
5 to 15
2
5 to 22
3
5 to 27
4
5 to 31
5
8 to 32
6
9 to 37
7
10 to 39
8
11 to 43
9
11 to 45
10
20 to 68
Hourly View and Lightning Lane Return Times
Tuesday,
Jan 14, 2025
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Wait Times for
"it's a small world"
 
Tuesday,
January 14, 2025
Park Hours
8:00 AM-10:00 PM
+Early Entry
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Lightning Lane Multi Pass Availability For
"it's a small world"
 
Tuesday,
January 14, 2025

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Observed:
Gone by 9:33 PM
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Day-Of Lightning Lane Return Times

The chart below shows typical Lightning Lane return times while you're in the park on the day of your visit. You'd use this chart to determine two things:

  • What your return time will be if you obtain a Lightning Lane at a specific time of day
  • The odds that all Lightning Lane slots will be gone at a specific time

The chart's data markers change from circles to X's when the odds of Lightning Lanes being gone exceed the percentage you select in the dropdown above the chart.

Return times jump around a lot once the initial supply of Lightning Lane slots runs out. You'll see this in the chart as jagged lines with 'X' markers on them. Those return times are based on people cancelling Lightning Lane selections, which causes sudden, unpredictable return times to show up.

Day-Of Lightning Lane Return Times For
"it's a small world"
 
Data since 7/24/2024
By Crowd Level

X markers mean Lightning Lane was gone more than 50% of the time for that selection time and crowd level.

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"it's a small world"
Submitted Wait Times for Today (6/8/26)
  • 26 min Actual Standby at 11:46am

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