Travel Weekly Blog

Only a few days ago I was telling some press trip companions about the rumours that fat riders had damaged Disneyland's It's a Small World ride.

Those have died down, but a new debate has erupted over the proposed addition of Disney stalwarts such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Simba and Lilo to the insufferable venerable ride. (Update: there are also plans to change the Papua New Guinea rainforest section into one on the USA.)

A letter from the family of ride creator Mary Blair called the plans a "gross desecration", while unofficial Disney Imagineer blog ReImagineering upped the ante with “egregious and downright disgusting”, under the headline "A World of Tears".

Nothing like a hangar full of singing automata to stir the blood.

Seriously, this is a kids' ride in a theme park. It's not like they're trying to write Goofy into The Happy Prince. If recognisable characters will make SW more enjoyable to its riders, I say go crazy.

Any strong feelings among TW Blog readers?

(Via Jaunted.)

Nathan Midgley, web prodcuer