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After a brief refurbishment from January 20 to 31, 2025, the happiest cruise around the world is welcoming guests back to Disneyland Paris, now featuring brand-new costumes and wigs for some of the beloved dolls. This meticulous update brings the attraction even closer to its original 1992 vision, with teams working tirelessly to recreate the intricate details of its traditional, folk, and ethnic-inspired outfits.
For Walt Disney Imagineering Paris and the Ateliers Couture de Disneyland Paris, the goal was to faithfully recreatethe breathtaking original costumes from the attraction’s opening year. These shimmering and colorful outfits, inspired by cultures from around the world, are a key part of what makes ‘it’s a small world’ such a vibrant and authentic tribute to global unity.
However, bringing these iconic costumes back to life required far more than simple restoration. Since many original fabrics were no longer available, teams embarked on an extensive two-year research project, carefully analyzing archival photos, documentation, and materials to replicate the exact colors, fabrics, and embroidery techniques used in 1992.
The most challenging and elaborate update took place in the final scene of the attraction, where children from all around the world sing together in a dazzling display of unity. The figures in this sequence now shine brighter than ever, dressed in gold, pastel, and white costumes meticulously recreated to match their original designs.
The restoration of ‘it’s a small world’ costumes was a true feat of craftsmanship, requiring:
Every step of the process, from selecting materials to crafting prototypes and final costumes, was overseen by Disney Imagineers to ensure accuracy, durability, and cultural authenticity.
Anne-Cécile Houron, Stage Finishing Designer, explained:
“Over time, guests will be able to rediscover the attraction’s final scene in a state as dazzling as when it first opened!”
Given that ‘it’s a small world’ operates year-round, with figures in constant motion, the new costumes and wigs had to be engineered for durability. The Ateliers Couture teams collaborated closely with Disneyland Paris Maintenance to ensure that these delicate yet sturdy outfits would withstand the daily mechanics of the attraction while maintaining their intricate detailing.
This painstaking work will continue beyond the reopening, as the costume restoration project aims to eventually update every doll in the attraction, all while maintaining the other Disney characters and figures across the resort’s many attractions.
With this refreshed version of ‘it’s a small world’, Disneyland Paris continues to celebrate diversity, culture, and the timeless message of unity that has defined the attraction for decades. Whether it’s the newly restored costumes, the attention to authentic cultural details, or the dedication to craftsmanship, this latest update ensures that the happiest cruise that ever sailed will keep enchanting guests for years to come.
