Disneyland has changed the classic “it's a small world” ride at Disneyland and Walt Disney World to honor Disney Legend Richard Sherman. The change is based on a new addition to the classic song featured throughout the ride. The addition was written by the original songwriter, Richard Sherman.
This new change debuted today for Disneyland's 70th anniversary! We have been at the parks since 3:30 AM for a special cast member event, then the ringing of the New York Stock Exchange Bell by Disney CEO Bob Iger before he greeted guests at park opening.
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Disneyland “it's a small world” Verse Change Debuts
Disney Legends Richard Sherman and Robert Sherman were the original writers of the “it's a small world” song for the original attraction. Before Richard Sherman passed away last year, he wrote a new lyric for the song and shared it with Disney CEO Bob Iger. We first heard the lyric at a D23 panel honoring Sherman, this was an emotional moment we were there to witness.
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The new lyric has now been introduced into the Disneyland attraction as part of the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration and we were amongst the first to ride the attraction and hear it! Here's that new lyric:
“Mother Earth unites us in heart and mind / and the love we give makes us human kind / Through our vast wondrous land / when we stand hand in hand / it's a small world after all.”
The lyric has been added to the last room in the “it's the small world” attraction and it blends seamlessly into the attraction. You wouldn't even notice the change if you weren't looking for it! Which honestly is how it should be so this is something a little extra just for the Disney fans.
New Sherman Brothers Tribute at Main Street Cinema
Guests can also hear the verse in the Main Street Cinema as they honor the Sherman brothers with the “So Much That We Share: A Tribute to the Sherman Brothers.”
Inside Main Street Cinema you can learn about all the different attractions, nighttime spectaculars, and films the Sherman brothers contributed to.
The Main Street Cinema is playing “The Last Verse,” a 60th anniversary tribute short film to “it's a small world” so you can learn more about the changes and hear the new verse.
Plus a new Zootopia themed window is now live on Main Street!
“it's a small world” New Verse Now Live at Disney World
This new verse has also been added to Walt Disney World's “it's a small world” attraction, which debuted today too!
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Listen to the New “it's a small world” Verse
You can hear the new “it's a small world” verse below:
New “Last Verse” written by Disney Legend Richard Sherman debuts on “it’s a small world” at Disneyland.
The verse was added in the finale scene of the attraction. It was seamless. pic.twitter.com/K5A94pVXsM
— Mickey Visit (@mickeyvisitnews) July 17, 2025
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