It’s an inclusive world in spite of everything.
Disneyland updated the “It’s a Small World” ride Friday to feature two dolls in wheelchairs — a primary within the California park’s 67-year history, CNN reports.
One doll appears within the ride’s South America scene, while the opposite sits amongst dolls from across the globe, sending riders off with one final song.
Erin Quintanilla, manager of accessibility for the Disneyland Resort, told CNN that Disneyland creatives brought the thought to her team months ago.
Imagineers kept the 2 dolls of their same clothing, but reworked them right into a seated position to match the vibes created by the ride’s original designer, Mary Blair.
One doll is within the ride’s South America scene, while the opposite is in the ultimate song scene.Disney, Anaheim CA
Quintanilla — who uses a wheelchair — said her team tried to make the changes look as authentic as possible, even taking note of the angle of the dolls’ feet on the wheelchair footplates.
“I feel seen. I feel represented. It’s a monumental moment to have my community be in an attraction and represented,” Quintanilla gushed in regards to the recent additions. “I teared up once I saw them within the attraction.”
The updated dolls are a part of the continuing mission to look at the mouse house “with a magnifying glass” for opportunities for inclusion, said Kim Irvine, executive creative director of Walt Disney Imagineering for Disneyland Resort.
“We’re all the time looking to reinforce our attractions with not only fun things, but meaningful things as well. And keeping timely with what’s happening on this planet, and particularly, you already know, making things recent,” Irvine added.
Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Paris are also expected so as to add dolls in wheelchairs to their “It’s a Small World” rides sometime in 2023.
