"it's a small world": Ride Guide
- Erica Caldwell
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
"it's a small world" is a slow boat ride that takes you around the world to experience the communities that make up our planet.
Use this ride guide to determine whether or not this ride is best for you and your family. All the sections below include valuable information on the ride.
Quick Summary
Park: Magic Kingdom
Land: Fantasyland
Ride Type: Dark ride, boat ride
Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane: Moderately recommended
What is "it's a small world"?
"it's a small world" is a slow boat ride. You will travel through all the continents and see cultures from all over the world. The ride is approximately 12 minutes long, and there are no lap bars. You will board a boat that usually fits 4-5 people per row.
Is "it's a small world" Scary?
This ride is a slow moving boat that features some low-light scenes.
There are no drops on this ride.
Sometimes the boats will gently collide at the end of the ride as you wait to disembark.
Music might be loud for sensitive guests.
Guests who are easily overstimulated might find the amount of moving audio-animatronics to be overstimulating.
Overall, "it's a small world" gets a Scare Score of 2/10.
Best Times to Ride "it's a small world"
Late morning after rope drop
During "normal" dinner times (thing 5:30pm-6:30pm)
Average wait times for this ride are around 45-70 minutes.
Lightning Lane vs. Standby: Is It Worth It?
Due to inconsistent wait times, I recommend using a Lightning Lane later in the day for this ride. The queue moves slowly and has no interactive elements, so smaller guests might struggle in a long wait. If the wait is short, then waiting in the standby line is worth it for this ride! If you have a free Lightning Lane, then skipping the wait on this ride is worth it to skip a long wait.
This ride is not usually a popular Lightning Lane, so I recommend selecting it as one of your later choices.
Nearby Snacks, Bathrooms, & Break Spots
Bathrooms: The Rapunzel tower bathrooms are right next to "it's a small world". These are beautiful, calming bathrooms that usually don't have a long wait.
Bathrooms: There are bathrooms behind Pinocchio Village Haus that are quiet and hidden, making it a great place for a bathroom break and a rest zone.
Snacks: There is an ice cream & drink cart in front of Pinocchio Village Haus, which is next to "it's a small world".
Break Spots: The Rapunzel tower area has plenty of shady seating for break time.
Pro Tips
As your boat leaves the loading area, be sure to wave at the Cast Member above you... they'll usually way back!
Look for the windows from Pinocchio Village Haus... people will play Rock, Paper, Scissors with you.
Make sure you wear a Magicband so your name can be featured at the end of the ride!
"it's a small world" is a nostalgic, magical ride that immerses you into the world of some of Walt Disney's most beloved characters. I think this ride is worth the standby queue if the wait is under half an hour, and a Lightning Lane can be beneficial if you want to skip the line.
Planning your Magic Kingdom day and want help deciding which rides fit your family best? I help plan stress-free Disney trips and would love to help. My services are free to you!
Want to read more about Magic Kingdom? Check out these posts and pages...
Comments