Most people in my life are aware that Disney is a huge part of me. I was raised on its magic. The majority of my vacations have been spent there in my second home since I was 6 weeks old. So, it should come as no surprise that while COVID-19 was initially breaking out across the U.S., I was spending a week in Disney World. The company made the historic decision to close the park only a few days after my departure. Some may think there are other things to write about besides linking these two topics together. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. There is a sense of irony in the thing that drove Disney to shut its doors is the very message that they have most famously been trying to impress upon us - “It’s a Small World After All.”
In a bid to erase hatred, the “It’s a Small World Ride” showcases all the people and cultures of the world harmoniously living side by side. The adventure is set to a song that is difficult to get out of one’s head. Unfortunately, for some people, it’s even harder to embrace that message. Thankfully, Disney recognized the need to keep singing it.
Nothing could emphasize how small this world is more than the events of the past weeks and months.What started out in a town in one country has quickly spread to every nation in the world. It has penetrated the imaginary borders imposed by humanity. In its path, it has discriminated against no one. And it has left us all sharing the same fears and the same hope. It’s a reminder that in order to get through the greatest challenges in life, we need to be there for each other (at a safe distance), work together, share knowledge and resources, and support all the people of the world.
I’ll end this post with the lyrics:
It's a world of laughter
A world of tears
It's a world of hopes
And a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
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
I agree, I hope COVID-19 brings the world together oppose to setting it apart. :)
ReplyDelete-Quinley
P.S. And it certainly does feel like a very small world right now.
DeleteBeautiful post. This ride has a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI rode the Its the Small World ride at the 1964 New York Worlds Fair and again, perhaps in 1974, in Disney World. This song is one of the best (or worst) earworms of all time, but these times have proved that this is a small world, after all. Thank you for visiting my blog. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI love that you got to ride it at the World's Fair. Not many people can say that!
ReplyDeleteI was at the 1964 World's fair, but I don't think I rode "It's a Small World" there. I did ride the Carousel of Progress, which also ended up in a Disney Park. I rode again at least twice. And of course, I've been on "It's a Small World" at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the Carousel of Progress, too!
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