It’s been an opening day attraction at half of the Disney resorts across the world and now this iconic water ride is getting a limited time Marvel overlay.
“it’s a small world” is Disney’s love it or hate it ride and one of the most famous Disney rides worldwide. With an iconic Sherman Brother’s earworm track tune that stays with you hours after you have been riding, it is a great ride to get a Guardian’s of the Galaxy themed overlay. The film franchise, which is synonymous for championing the importance of music during an adventure, already has a permanent trackless dark rollercoaster ride, Guardians of the Galaxy, Cosmic Rewind, at EPCOT in Florida.
This overlay, which will debut in Winter 2025 at Disneyland Tokyo, will place Groot at centre of the ride story. Called “it’s a small world with Groot”, Groot will take over the attraction going on an adventure with some of his Marvel friends.
The poster released for the ride features Groot at the helm of the boat with the following Marvel Cinematic characters joining him. From the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise: Peter Quill, a.k.a Star Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Drax the Destroyer and Mantis. Other Marvel Cinematic heroes shown include Captain Marvel, Miss Marvel, Bumblebee, Antman, Thor, Hulk, Captain America, Black Panther, Goose (the Flerkin cat) and Dr strange and Wong. We expect that this means these specific characters might be the friends making an appearance with Groot.
Tokyo Disney Resorts have said that the ride story will be changed for a limited time.
“In “it’s a small world with Groot,” Groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy film trilogy and his friends from Marvel Studios films are visiting Earth for vacation. Groot encounters his friends in various locations on
Earth and experiences their regional cultures and music with them as well as with children from all over the world. Enjoy all the fun moments Groot has spending his vacation with his friends.”
Characters will be themed in the Mary Blair style that is synonymous with the ride and the current ride characters will remain for guests to enjoy.
This will be the first time that Marvel characters have featured in an attraction at Disneyland Tokyo. This is due to the fact that until January of this year, Universal Studios, Japan had held a 20 year regional theme park right for Marvel, which meant that no other park could have Marvel themed attractions within the same area.
We wonder whether this overlay is serving as a testing of the waters at Tokyo Disneyland to gauge guest reception? If well received, it may be that a Guardians of the Galaxy or Marvel themed ride may appear soon. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
In order for the temporary overlay to be done, it is expected that the ride will likely close in Autumn 2024, so bear this in mind if you are planning a trip around this time and hope to experience this ride.
Happy riding, friends
