As a family that visits Disneyland Paris semi-regularly, we have a HUGE soft spot for the resort. There is something magical about walking down Main Street, U.S.A., hearing the familiar park soundtrack, and stepping onto classic attractions that never lose their wonder.

For us, "It's a Small World" is a mandatory stop on every single trip as it is the first amusement park ride both our children ever experienced. We love its message of global harmony, dangerously catchy song and its iconic mid-century design. But as passionate Welsh speakers (and learners) and advocates for the modern revival of the Welsh language, our rides always come with a bittersweet realization.

Inspired by some incredible recent changes at the park, we are officially starting a grassroots campaign: It’s time to bring Welsh language signage to "it's a small world" at Disneyland Paris.

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The Inspiration: Following Ireland’s Historic Success at Disneyland Paris

If you follow Disney Parks news, you likely saw the wonderful breakthrough achieved by Irish content creator and Disney fan Stuart McHugh (DLP tips for Irish). After a persistent two-year campaign, Disneyland Paris officially introduced Irish language signage to "It's a Small World"! Visitors are now welcomed beneath a traditional "Fáilte" sign and waved goodbye with a "Slán go Fóill".

Seeing an indigenous European language given its rightful place on a global stage was deeply inspiring. It proved that Disneyland Paris listens to its community, and that devoted fans can successfully weave their cultural heritage into the parks they adore.

It immediately sparked a question for our family: If Irish is now welcoming guests to the ride, is it time for Welsh?

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A Familiar Touch: Wales is Already Represented in the Ride

What makes the absence of Welsh text feel even more striking is that visual representations of Wales are already present inside the attraction.

As your boat drifts through the European section of "it's a small world" at Disneyland Paris, look closely and you will spot the charming traditional Welsh Lady dolls. Complete with their iconic tall black hats (het gopa), patterned shawls, and vibrant red cloaked figures, these dolls have been a beloved part of the Paris ride since opening day in 1992. Read more about it in our blog here.

Disney Imagineers did an exceptional job honoring regional cultures. Spotting those miniature red cloaks always brings a warm wave of home (hiraeth) when we are miles away in France. Yet, while the visual tribute exists, the linguistic welcome is missing.

 

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A Family Tradition: Searching for Welsh in the Welcome Tunnels

Because our children are growing up in a bilingual world with Welsh at school and a mix of English and Welsh at home, they look for it everywhere we travel.

During a recent trip to Disneyland Paris, our girls eagerly pressed against the sides of the boat as we approached the entry and exit tunnels, scanning the display boards for a familiar words. They wanted nothing more than to spot "Croeso" and point it out proudly alongside French, English, German, and now, Irish.

In previous years I have replied with a very non-commital "maybe, one day" when the girls asked about Welsh being included in the ride but now its time to put my money where my mouth is! Seeing their eager faces tinged with mild disappointment - a genuinely VERY rare occurence in the Happiest Place on Earth™️ - has inspired us to take action.

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The Broader Picture: Supporting the 1 Million Welsh Speakers Goal

Language is a living, breathing part of modern culture, and right now, Wales is experiencing an incredible linguistic renaissance. 💪 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

The Welsh Government is driving toward an ambitious and vital target: reaching 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050. Achieving a goal like this isn't just about classrooms or legislation; it’s about cultural visibility. It is about normalizing the language, celebrating it internationally, and showing the next generation that Welsh belongs on the global stage just as much as any other language.

Imagine the absolute magic of a child from Cardiff, Caernarfon, or anywhere across Wales stepping into Disneyland Paris, looking up at the welcome arch, and seeing "Croeso" shining down at them.

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Join Our Campaign to Bring Welsh to Disneyland Paris

We love Disney, and we love our heritage. This campaign is built entirely on a foundation of affection for the parks - it's about expansion, cultural celebration, and adding a little extra magic for one of Europe's oldest living languages.

Just like our friends in Ireland demonstrated, community voices can help shape the Disney experience. We are officially launching our campaign to see Welsh welcome and farewell signage added to "It's a Small World".

Croeso to the journey! Stay tuned for updates, share your support, and let’s see if we can help Disneyland Paris write a brand-new, bilingual chapter.

Sign and share the petition found here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the campaign to bring Welsh signage to Disneyland Paris?

It is a grassroots fan campaign advocating for Disneyland Paris to add Welsh language welcome ("Croeso") and farewell signage to the "it's a small world" attraction, following the successful inclusion of Irish signage in the ride.

Is Welsh culture currently represented anywhere in "it's a small world" at Disneyland Paris?

Yes! Traditional Welsh Lady dolls featuring the iconic tall black hat (het gopa) and red cloaks have been part of the European room of the attraction since the park opened in 1992, though there is currently no Welsh text on display.

Why is Irish signage now featured in Disneyland Paris?

Following a successful two-year campaign led by Irish Disney content creator Stuart McHugh, Disneyland Paris officially added Irish language signs (Fáilte and Slán go Fóill) to the attraction's entrance and exit arches.

How does this tie into the Welsh language revival?

The campaign aligns with the broader cultural push to increase global visibility for the Welsh language, supporting the Welsh Government's strategic goal of reaching 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050.

How Can I Help?

If you want to help out then please consider signing our Change.org petition found here. Make sure