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This Oscar-Winning Hollywood Icon Helped Get One Of Disney’s Most Famous Attractions Built

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1 month ago

3rd June 2025

There are few names that elicit quite as many images as that of Joan Crawford. A reigning queen of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Crawford was a prime example of what it meant to be a star in the studio system. However, discussions around the Oscar-winning star of Mildred Pierce rarely revolve around her screen career alone. From her legendary feud with Bette Davis to the controversies that have permeated around her name ever since the publication of Mommie Dearest and the subsequent film. However, one chapter of Crawford’s life that isn’t rarely referenced is the time she helped get one of Walt Disney’s most classic attractions built: It’s a Small World.

When one thinks of Crawford’s relationship with the Pepsi-Cola Corporation, it’s hard not to think back to the infamous scene from Mommie Dearest that transpires during a board meeting with the soda giant. However, Crawford did indeed have quite a powerful relationship with Pepsi. Following her marriage to president and, later, Pepsi chairman, Alfred Steele, Crawford became an active part of the organization. Following Steele’s passing, Crawford was famously appointed to the board of directors and dedicated a lot of time to the organization.

Baby Jane Hudson smiling widely in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

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While she was in the middle of her reign, Walt Disney was experiencing a business boom of his own. Having already revolutionized the themed entertainment experience with Disneyland, Disney found himself a highly sought-after figure when it came to planning the 1964 New York World’s Fair. According to Behind the Attraction, Disney first became involved with the World’s Fair after the infamous city planner, Robert Moses, had alienated many countries from the fair. He turned to private industries, such as General Electric and Ford, to fill the now vacant pavilions.

Disney was, obviously, one of the world’s most respected storytellers at the time, thanks to the company’s outstanding techniques, both on screen and in the famous theme park. Many of the organizations involved in the fair contacted Disney to help them develop their fair experiences, many of which remain iconic attractions to this day, as is the case with Carousel of Progress and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. As word of Disney’s ambition grew, Pepsi also sought out the help of the Mouse House. Crawford placed a call to Disney’s office but was met with an answer she didn’t expect.

The Disney Studio Initially Turned Down Joan Crawford’s Proposal

One need only watch Crawford’s Oscar-winning performance in Mildred Pierce to understand how powerful the actress was. While Ryan Murphy’s Feud often portrays her famous temper and perfectionism with a little too much melodrama, Crawford’s no -onsense personality and demeanor served her well during her time at Pepsi. However, when she first contacted Disney’s office to discuss a potential partnership, the actress’ request was turned down. As it turns out, Crawford didn’t speak with Disney himself but rather Disney executive Admiral Joe Fowler.

Working at what was then WED Enterprises (and would later become Walt Disney Imagineering), Fowler believed that the organization was already too busy to become involved in another project. However, a few weeks later Disney ran into Crawford at a party, and the star lamented about Disney not being able to build the attraction. Disney had not heard of the phone call and was surprised. After an argument with Fowler over his dismissal of Crawford, the master creator agreed to partner with Pepsi to create a new experience for the fair, largely in part to Pepsi’s outstanding social efforts at the time. But even once the partnership was set, there were a few trials along the way, and Crawford played a pivotal role in helping make the show happen.

Joan Crawford was Pivotal in Making ‘It’s a Small World’ Happen

Joan Crawford as Daisy Kenyon on the phone in Daisy Kenyon

Even once the partnership with Disney was on, there were a few more hurdles to get through. It’s important to remember that Disneyland was still only a few years old at this point, and despite the way the organization had revolutionized the landscape of theme parks (and continues to do so), not every executive took Walt Disney’s ideas seriously. When representatives from WED Enterprises arrived at the Pepsi offices to discuss their plans for the attraction, a Pepsi executive sarcastically greeted the team by saying to Fowler,

“Well, what has your boss decided, now, in a way of an automated mouse that might interest us.” But the Disney team needn’t worry too much. As Fowler put it, “[…] Joan Crawford stepped in, and she gave those two boys a beautiful dressing down.”

Indeed, Crawford’s famous diva ways helped redirect the meeting into a positive one, and, according to Fowler, she collaborated brilliantly to help merge Disney’s ideas with Pepsi’s to help solidify what would become It’s a Small World.

Crawford’s legacy is a complex one. The beloved Mildred Pierce actress had many hills and valleys throughout her career, but buried among the Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? discussion and Mommie Dearest controversies are many interesting gems. Her contributions to It’s a Small World are not often celebrated, but without the actress, this iconic and beloved attraction that has been a seminal part of so many childhoods may have never happened. We hope to bring her efforts to the attention of those who love the attraction and inspire you to revisit some of Crawford’s best work.