Magic Kingdom Adds Inclusive Doll to “it’s a small world”

    Published:

    Disney World has announced that they have added a doll in a wheelchair as part of ongoing inclusion initiatives in the theme parks. Here’s the announcement:

    With its catchy song and beautiful display of culture and language, “it’s a small world” is more than just a beloved ride. The attraction uniquely positions Disney to honor the diversity of people around the world – and that’s not a responsibility we take lightly.

    Nor does Magic Kingdom Park cast member Jean Collins who first rode “it’s a small world” when it debuted in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair. She fell in love with the attraction’s representation of peace through understanding and celebrating the unique and individual differences that make us human. Her affinity for the attraction brought her to Magic Kingdom, and as an attraction host, she now spends her days helping guests delight in the ride the same way she did all those years ago.

    Jean Collins in front of "it's a small world"

    “‘it’s a small world’ is special because so many people are able to see themselves reflected throughout the ride,” Jean says. “Walt would be proud if he could see the attraction today.”

    The diversity of our cast and guests inspire us to keep our parks and experiences in a constant state of becoming: becoming more vibrant, more inclusive, and more relevant. In fact, Walt Disney Imagineering continuously considers updates to our parks and experiences to better reflect the world around us. Just last night, a new doll in a wheelchair was welcomed to the Magic Kingdom attraction, building on “it’s a small world’s” longstanding legacy of diverse representation.

    Among those seeing this for the first time this morning were cast members who are part of the ENABLED Business Employee Resource Group, a cast member led group with shared passion around accessibility.

    “The parks are very special to my family,” Liv, a member of the ENABLED leadership team explains. “My sister Chloe used a wheelchair, so to see a character in such an iconic attraction that puts the spotlight on accessibility makes my heart feel full.”

    This addition to “it’s a small world” is more than just a doll, it allows even more guests and cast members to see themselves and their loved ones depicted in the experience. We remain committed to our ongoing work to champion inclusivity and are excited for what the future brings as we continue to reflect the beauty of our individual experiences. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you are a guest in our park or a cast member, we celebrate you — your background, your culture, your identity — and we welcome you every day.

    As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!

    Have a Story Tip? Contact Us!

    Kingdom Destinations Quote

    Vacation Planning Assistance

    We're excited to partner with Kingdom Destinations to help you plan your next trip to Disney parks and experiences around the world. Kingdom Destinations is a full service travel agency, specializing in Disney destinations. Fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation with one of their professional travel advisors today!

    Related Articles

    Related articles

    Walt Disney World Removes ‘Song of the South’ Reference from Exhibit About Walt Disney

    Walt Disney World has removed one of the final nods to the controversial Song of the South movie...

    Behind-the-Scenes Look at “it’s a small world with Groot”, Debuting January 15th at Tokyo Disneyland

    Tokyo Disneyland has announced that "it's a small world with Groot" will debut on January 15, 2025 and...

    Marvel Overlay Coming to “it’s a small world” in Tokyo Disneyland

    Tokyo Disneyland has announced "it's a small world with Groot" will debut in winter 2025. The Marvel overlay...

    Song of the South Reference Remains at Walt Disney World

    As Disney World prepares to open Tiana's Bayou Adventure this summer, I can't help but think of an...