Yesterland: “it’s a small world”

“it’s a small world”
LEGO Edition

LEGO model of Disneyland’s “it’s a small world”

Photo by Andy Baird, 2018

LEGO artist Andy Baird is back with another model for Yesterland readers. This time it’s a LEGO interpretation of the classic “it’s a small world” façade at Disneyland.

You might remember Andy’s previous works: his LEGO version of the House of the Future, his LEGO version of the PeopleMover, and his LEGO version of the iconic Disneyland marquee sign on Harbor Blvd.

Unlike those subjects, ”it’s a small world” is still part of Disneyland—still looking much as it did when it opened May 28, 1966.

, Curator of Yesterland, July 6, 2018

Photo by Werner Weiss, 2017

“it’s a small world” at Disneyland, after more than 50 years

Sleeping Beauty Castle. Main Street Station. The Mark Twain Riverboat. Matterhorn Mountain. And the exterior façade of “it’s a small world”.

These might be the most famous landmarks of Disneyland.

I asked Andy Baird about what attracted him to the façade as his latest LEGO project.

Werner: Why did you pick the “it’s a small world” façade as a LEGO project?

Andy: Disneyland in the late 1950s and 60s was ripe with designs suited for LEGO models. Interestingly, LEGO blocks were first introduced during the same era. Style in the 50s and 60s utilized bold colors arranged in creative, yet simple shapes. Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” façade is a fantastic celebration of this design aesthetic. Walking from Fantasyland to the “it’s a small world” mini-land and hearing the music as you approach the façade is one of the best parts of Disneyland, so it was inevitable that someday it would be replicated in LEGO form!

Werner: What challenges did you face?

Andy: The façade, designed by Rolly Crump and inspired by the style of Mary Blair, is a one-of-a-kind Disney icon. It is a sprawling sea of shapes, voids, and kinetic energy. I think of it as an architectural toy box. Seeing as LEGO bricks are solid rectangular blocks, the greatest challenge was capturing the angles, curves, and eclectic nature of the design. To tackle this challenge, I broke the façade into modules. Working from right to left, each module was designed individually and then added together to make a continuous and cohesive model.

Werner: What did you have to do when there were no appropriate LEGO pieces?

Andy: Creating any model is a balance of capturing the appropriate details in a way that is true to the source material and the medium used. While most of the shapes were captured by creatively arranging LEGO bricks, certain details were too iconic to leave out, but too small to capture with LEGO bricks. That’s where vinyl decals came into play. Decals have been used to add detail (and logos) to LEGO models for decades, so I feel it is fitting to the medium. In this case, decals add some of the most iconic features of “it’s a small world” including the clock face, whimsical numbering, and a few other shapes and patterns sprinkled in. Everyone has a favorite part of the façade that they immediately think of when they hear “it’s a small world”. For some it is the leaning tower, others perhaps the clock face. I hope that everyone can find and enjoy their favorite parts of “it’s a small world” in LEGO form!

Now, please enjoy Andy’s photos!

Photo by Andy Baird, 2018

So what would Rolly Crump think of Andy’s LEGO model version?

Andy sent an email note to the Disney Legend who designed the exterior façade more than a half century ago, based on artwork by Mary Blair. Rolly’s wife Marie Tocci replied on Rolly’s behalf.

“I did share your fantastic LEGO version of the Small World façade,” Marie wrote. “He, we, were blown away by it!! Rolly is here and wanted to tell you how much he appreciates what you’ve done and your interest in him and his work. Thank you so much.”

Andy was thrilled by the reply. “It was humbling to make a small impact on a man who has impacted countless millions over the years.”

I had one other question for Andy, not related directly to his model.

Werner: What do think of the 4,080-piece LEGO Disney Castle kit that ShopDisney sells for $349.99 and that Amazon sells too, but usually for more money? [prices could change]

Andy: The LEGO Cinderella Castle is very interesting. I’m pretty critical of LEGO models, so I was surprised how well the castle model was executed. LEGO did a fantastic job balancing the details and iconic imagery of the front and having a fun interactive area in the back. My models are 100% model, no interactive or play component intended. But a huge portion of LEGO fans love the play aspect and the mini figures, etc., so I give them a lot of credit for finding a way to deliver the best of both worlds. I’m still hoping that some day my models can be enjoyed by a bigger audience in person, so maybe this castle model is the first step in that direction.

Has any Yesterland reader bought and built the LEGO Disney Castle?

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Updated July 6, 2018.

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